Can this button be installed in 16mm MDF? How?

[Stormrider]

It's a miniature button by Seimitsu. They say it's 'snap-in'. Can I fit this in my panel if it's made with 16 mm MDF.

[Minwah]

It might just stay in but it looks like it is designed for metal so it may pop back out.

What I would do is make a metal plate to mount it in, and then mount this plate onto your panel by routing, and using countersunk machine screws.  I have done this before for joysticks, and am thinking about moving my button positions on a panel so might do it for that too.

[Fozzy The Bear]

Yup! they can be fitted to an MDF panel (been there done that) the grips on the sides should hold reasonably well.... But the downside is, as Minwah said, that they might work loose.

The real trick to fitting them in a wood panel is to route out a hole bigger than the butons and lay in a small metal panel with the 16mm hole in it. You could lay in a whole section to take say six player buttons, for example.  Much like you would fit the mounting plate of a seimitsu joystick when it's top mounted.

It's extra work, but if you really want these buttons, then it's the best way to go.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear) 

[NoOne=NBA=]

The only pressure on that type of button is downward.
If you get a semi-tight fit on it, the tabs that hold it into a metal panel should provide enough friction to keep it from backing out.

I've been running leafswitch buttons press fit for years, and not had any problems.
They have the leafswitch attached to the wood, and pushing against them, so I don't forsee any problems with an internal micro like you are wanting to use.

[Stormrider]

What if I use glue to fit them? I'll use 4 of these buttons for coin, start, and service operations.

[Minwah]

What if I use glue to fit them? I'll use 4 of these buttons for coin, start, and service operations.

Trouble is it makes replacing them in the future more of a pain.  I would just try it first, as the others said the force on them will be towards the wood so they might just stay in place without glue.

[severdhed]

i'd say try it in a scrap piece of wood and see how they hold....if they don't use a metal panel.

[Sammie]

if you are good with a router you can recess the inside of the MDF panel so the MDF panel is the same thickness as the metal the switch is suppose to work with.

I am not sure how well the MDF will hold up with downward pressure being that thin.

[Fozzy The Bear]

I am not sure how well the MDF will hold up with downward pressure being that thin.

It won't... and that's a really bad idea given that the metal is less than 1/16" thick.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)