Plans to fabricate Atari volcano buttons?

[markrvp]

Was it this one?
http://gamecab.com/switchsolution.htm


That one doesn't include a lens though.

It is that one and I bought the lenses at the same time.  I was very excited to open the box when I got it so I opened it in the car.  One of the lenses now lives somewhere in/under the passenger seat.

Do you want me to make a pic of the button with the lens in the volcano sleeve?

[Kremmit]

Do you want me to make a pic of the button with the lens in the volcano sleeve?

Are you kidding?

[JoyMonkey]

It is that one and I bought the lenses at the same time.  I was very excited to open the box when I got it so I opened it in the car.  One of the lenses now lives somewhere in/under the passenger seat.

Where did you buy the lenses?

Do you want me to make a pic of the button with the lens in the volcano sleeve?

Sure, if it's not too much trouble.

[ChadTower]

So it may be coming together after all... let me know if you do end up needing an original or two for reference.  I have a pair sitting in a drawer, a pair on a spare Space Duel panel, and a pair on the AD cab that isn't going to be working any time soon.

[JoyMonkey]

Actually, I think I might just give in and buy a couple.
I can't make the aluminum cones myself; not without using 4 times as much aluminum as necessary, and I doubt I could tap them correctly anyway. But I do know a guy with the correct equipment that probably could make them, next time I see him I'll ask about it.

[markrvp]

3 pics for you.  Here are the first two:

[markrvp]

Okay, the Newark InOne part numbers are:

Microswitch:  11-131.825N   $12.35 each
Lens: 11-931.2  $1.10 each

I didn't buy LEDs with these.  I'm not sure if they take a special one, but there are just two sockets inside the top that you should be able to pop your own LED.  There are terminals on the bottom to hook them up to power.

Below is the pic without the Repro Cone:

[quarterback]

Those look pretty sweet.

[JoyMonkey]

That does look good. Does it click like an original?

[ChadTower]

I'll check when I get home but I don't remember a real click to the originals.  they're definitely microswitches but nonclicky ones.

[markrvp]

That does look good. Does it click like an original?

The new ones do click very distinctly.  My originals are pretty worn out, so it's hard to compare.

[MinerAl]

Ouch.  $13.45 + LED + cone is about what you could get an old one for (assuming you can find them)...

Sweet find nonetheless.

[ChadTower]

The point is not to get them cheaper, the point is to get them easier.

[rackoon]

I would pay around $25 bucks (or maybe more) for a full Assembly with an aluminum cone.

Would someone please just make these things already!

[markrvp]

The point is not to get them cheaper, the point is to get them easier.

or at all...

[quarterback]

I'll check when I get home but I don't remember a real click to the originals.  they're definitely microswitches but nonclicky ones.

Wierd, I remember the originals being very clicky.   Anybody confirm or deny?

[SirPoonga]

I'll check when I get home but I don't remember a real click to the originals.  they're definitely microswitches but nonclicky ones.

Wierd, I remember the originals being very clicky.   Anybody confirm or deny?

Me walks up to the asteroids machine.  Yep, clicky.

[whammoed]

I've had that gamecab info bookmarked for a while now.  Its nice to see the pics of it all together.  It looks great!  Always nice to have options eh?

[Minwah]

Me walks up to the asteroids machine.  Yep, clicky.

All the Atari volcano buttons I have used have been clicky too, fwiw.

[Kremmit]

Mark, do I see a little gap between the inside edge of the cone bezel and the lens?

Still, looking pretty darn good.  Do you recall if they offer the lenses in other colors?

[quarterback]

Mark, do I see a little gap between the inside edge of the cone bezel and the lens?

I was wondering the same thing, but I think part of it is an optical illusion since the 'core' of the button is more visible than the outer edges.  But if you look at the enlarged pic, it seems like the button pretty much fills the center hole of the cone



Maybe we could get a pic looking straight down onto the top of the button in the cone.

[markrvp]

It fills the hole.  There is a white diffuser inside the lens.  What looks like the "gap" is actually solid translucent plastic.

[Kremmit]

Sweet!

[JoyMonkey]

I got hold of a few NOS switch assemblies today and added some more photos and info on the Cherry switch to the Pushbutton page on the Wiki.

I haven't been talking to my manufacturing contact yet, but I'll see if he could do a small run of cnc'd cones, as well as some cast lenses and switch-holders for the Cherry switches.

Does anyone know the actual thread size of the cones or switch-holders?

[VESUVIUS]

Hello all,

I don't know if there are still plans in the works to make the aluminum cone bezels. If there is I came across some cool pictures of different color lenses for the EAO switch That is being looked at as a replacement switch. Newark doesn't have them listed on their web page but I found them listed on Beckwithelectronics.com. The site is mostly text and my browser wouldn't show the images but I digress. I found the pictures on another web page that wasn't in English so I didn't pay attention to the site. Anyways I'm going to try and contact Beckwith Electronics and pick up a couple of switches with different lenses. I still need to find the aluminum cone though. I'll post again once I have everything If any interst is generated.

[VESUVIUS]

Here is the other lens picture.

[JoyMonkey]

I've been talking to my local rep and I'm looking into a bulk order of the EAO switches from the manufacturer (these will be discontinued in a few months so its now or never). They're sending me some samples so I can compare.
They are pricey though, I'm torn between buying these switches (the easy, expensive way) and having reproductions of the Cherry holders made (the tricky, more authentic, maybe even a little more expensive way).

[markrvp]

If you find that the EAO switches feel okay, then no one would ever know from looking at the top of the control panel that they aren't the original switches.

I would definitely buy some more of these switches.

[quarterback]

I've been talking to my local rep and I'm looking into a bulk order of the EAO switches from the manufacturer (these will be discontinued in a few months so its now or never). They're sending me some samples so I can compare.

Do you think it would be possible to just buy some of the different colored lenses?   

Do you think that they could be used for replacements of existing Cherry volcano buttons?

[VESUVIUS]

I know the lenses are sold separately but I don't think they will be a direct replacement for the original Atari lenses.

I figured that these switches are about to be or already were discontinued because the 11 series switches aren't even featured on the EAO main web page. Even though it's still in the picture of their products.

Lets keep the drive alive and save the volcano.

[quarterback]

I know the lenses are sold separately but I don't think they will be a direct replacement for the original Atari lenses.

Yeah, I thought they looked similar but they are, indeed, different:

[dphirschler]

I'm in.  Put me down for four switches.  I like the red lenses.  Call me a traditionalist.  But I still need cones.


Darryl

[ChadTower]

Obviously, Joymonkey, I'm in on whatever you end up with.  Plus I'll buy you a cruller.

[JoyMonkey]

I got the EAO samples yesterday and they look pretty good, though obviously not 100% identical to the Cherry switches. The 'neck' of the switch is a good bit shorter and the lens is longer, so the lens pokes out of the cone about 1/8" more than the original. Also, the switches activation distance is about twice that of the original and the red lens is a much brighter color that the originals.
 
I'm going out of town for a few days, but I'll take a few photos (lit and unlit) when I get back.

[ChadTower]

That's still pretty sweet and most people would never notice.