Leaf button holders metal/wood

[Level42]

Hey guys,

I want to replace the hideous square lighted pushbuttons om my CP (those should only be used for gambling machines !!)



 by leaf switches and LOVE the illuminated pushbuttons by Knievl and want to build these into my cab.

However, my CP is metal, and I have no intention on replacing it. But the only leafholders I can find on the net are the one's adviced for wood panels (the thine ones). Like this:
http://www.centsibleamusements.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=685

I want to use red translucent pushbuttons and these seem to be short (5/8) so I figured this would also work on a metal CP ? What do you think ?

[telengard]

Hey guys,

I want to replace the hideous square lighted pushbuttons om my CP (those should only be used for gambling machines !!)



 by leaf switches and LOVE the illuminated pushbuttons by Knievl and want to build these into my cab.

However, my CP is metal, and I have no intention on replacing it. But the only leafholders I can find on the net are the one's adviced for wood panels (the thine ones). Like this:
http://www.centsibleamusements.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=685

I want to use red translucent pushbuttons and these seem to be short (5/8) so I figured this would also work on a metal CP ? What do you think ?

Hi there,

I have a metal control panel and all I use are leafs also.  I got all of mine from Bob Roberts.

hth,
~telengard

[RayB]

Don't get the ones from Bob Roberts. He will send you the "thin" ones with some plastic nylon spacers. I hate those holders. The plastic is cheap and "slide" easily and the spacers never really stay in place correctly.

Since no one but you will ever SEE the holders, why not purchase a lot of used ones off Ebay?

[CheffoJeffo]

Don't get the ones from Bob Roberts. He will send you the "thin" ones with some plastic nylon spacers. I hate those holders. The plastic is cheap and "slide" easily and the spacers never really stay in place correctly.

Since no one but you will ever SEE the holders, why not purchase a lot of used ones off Ebay?

Today seems to be "agree with RayB day" ... I picked up a "box of buttons" for $5 or so on eBay a ways back -- got a bunch of leaf buttons, switches and holders (both types) that are coming in pretty handy.


Cheers.

[Level42]

You guys mean something like this ?

Well, the buttons would be in the bin straight away, and I guess the leafs belong there too after what looks like years-and years of (ab)use

Would be OK for just the holders of course, but I've got to consider shipment costs as well, since I live in Europe, and this guy is already asking 10 bucks for it within the US....

But again my question: will a small sized holder and a short sized button work on a metal CP ? If that's the case, I can order at www.arcadeshop.de

[CheffoJeffo]

But again my question: will a small sized holder and a short sized button work on a metal CP ? If that's the case, I can order at www.arcadeshop.de

In a word ... no.

Some pictures may help ... below you will see two short buttons mounted in a metal panel -- one with a "small" holder (on the left) and one with a "large" holder (on the right). As you can see, the small holder doesn't sit flush against the panel since the button bezel sticks through the metal panel. The large holder is hollow, surrounds the button bezel and sits flush against the panel.

Bob Roberts has a good photo tutorial on leafs on his site:

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/

Hope that helps.

Cheers.

Cheers.

[whammoed]

In an email from bob once, for metal panels he suggested skipping the spacers altogether and placing a piece of plywood (or any wood) under the panel drilled out for the buttons.  Essentially gives you one spacer for all your buttons.  Haven't gotten into it yet but it sounds like a good idea.

[RayB]

You guys mean something like this ?

Well, the buttons would be in the bin straight away, and I guess the leafs belong there too after what looks like years-and years of (ab)use

No, you don't necessarily need to throw out the leaf switches. Replacement ones are of cheaper quality than these originals, so I would keep them unless they are all bent up. You have to understand that leafswitches are just two flexible pieces of metal. They don't really "wear out".

[CheffoJeffo]

In an email from bob once, for metal panels he suggested skipping the spacers altogether and placing a piece of plywood (or any wood) under the panel drilled out for the buttons.  Essentially gives you one spacer for all your buttons.  Haven't gotten into it yet but it sounds like a good idea.

This would seem to be a great idea and would solve the problem cleanly.

Cheers.

[CheffoJeffo]

You guys mean something like this ?

Well, the buttons would be in the bin straight away, and I guess the leafs belong there too after what looks like years-and years of (ab)use

No, you don't necessarily need to throw out the leaf switches. Replacement ones are cheaper than these originals, so I would keep them unless they are all bent up. You have to understand that leafswitches are just two flexible pieces of metal. They don't really "wear out".

I would even keep the buttons ... you never know when they will come in handy and some of them (almost certainly not the white ones, though) might clean up nicely and save you some $$$ in the future.

Cheers.

[RayB]

I would even keep the buttons ... you never know when they will come in handy and some of them (almost certainly not the white ones, though) might clean up nicely and save you some $$$ in the future.

You're right. In fact, you can pop these pushbuttons apart and soak em in warm water or go over them with a toothbrush. All it is is 2 plastic parts and a metal spring. The springs can rust, and I suppose the plastic can wear down, but mostly they all just get dirty.

[Level42]

CheffoJeffo: Thx for the pics ! That explained it all for me

RayB: Yeah, I guess you could be right about the leafs. I've still got my Suzo Competition Pro Joystick that I bought for my Atari 2600 in very early 80's and that one has leafs (yes also for the stick itself !) and it STILL works perfectly without any maintenance
But you really think production quality is worse now ? I think the one's sold by Wico etc. should still be OK ? Like the one's Knievl used:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,30565.msg257830.html

I think I will go with Bob's suggestion for a piece of wood, as with any good idea: simple and clever

Thanks for your help guys !!!