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Translucent Microswitch Buttons*Taking Pre-Orders*
thetered:
See this is what I don't get, I can't believe no one has just stuck the led in the side to even look! Everyone is looking for magical paper and washers, have you even tried through the sides? I am happy with the way mine turned out and they are color, I think if they were clear then the results would be awesome, because the light should luminate the outside as well as the center.
Knievel:
Guys I went ahead and made some of my LED RINGSTM today and they turned out great. I'm just awaiting my 'grand prize' buttons from Shawn and then I'll be able to actually test them and post pics. I really think they are the best answer.
So when I was drilling the holes for the LED's a thought came to me. Instead of just the usual 2 holes why not drill 4...or 6. That way you could have 3 different colored sets of LED's in a button. Using clear buttons you could change the color of your buttons to red, blue, green, whatever at the flick of a switch.
And I haven't been following the LED controller threads as of late but I imagine they will be able to do some crazy things with different colored LED's in a single button.
kickngas:
I have done the same thing as Knievel, using a cutting board that I planed down to 1/4". I will wire the buttons hopefully tonight and can post pics if they turn out as expected. My buttons are blue by the way.
I have tried plastic diffusers inside the button, white/clear and blue ones from spiral notebook material, and have gone as far as painting the inside top of the button with some clear blue plastic jewelry paint I found at a craft store. The painted buttons looked the best, but it made the top look too dark when they were not lit. Both of these methods at least took the white glow out of the top of the button.
AlanS17:
--- Quote from: Knievel on July 14, 2005, 06:06:55 pm ---So when I was drilling the holes for the LED's a thought came to me. Instead of just the usual 2 holes why not drill 4...or 6. That way you could have 3 different colored sets of LED's in a button. Using clear buttons you could change the color of your buttons to red, blue, green, whatever at the flick of a switch.
--- End quote ---
The same though had occured to me. I'm just too lazy to wire up more than two. Heck, even two kinda sucks when you're talking about that many buttons. If you don't mind the work, though, the theory is sound.
Could we get a picture of those button rings?
AlanS17:
--- Quote from: Knievel on July 14, 2005, 06:06:55 pm ---Guys I went ahead and made some of my LED RINGSTM today and they turned out great. I'm just awaiting my 'grand prize' buttons from Shawn and then I'll be able to actually test them and post pics. I really think they are the best answer.
--- End quote ---
I would imagine they have to fit pretty snuggly to transfer light properly. I have a feeling that the key if the surface area. Could you test on a solid button? If you've got 2 LED's on the ring, I bet you should get some pretty good light even from solid buttons.
We (meaning I) really don't want to wait for your translucents to come in the mail. Could you give it a shot with something you've already got lying around? :)