Small rotary switches

[John Lyons]

A while back there was a post about small rotary switches.
They looked about half the size of the the Alpha/Lorin type plastic bodied switches.
(Yes I know about the small bear 1 pole 6 position one.)
I can't find the thread now.

Ideally I'd like a 3-4 position single pole switch

[lietuvis]

A while back there was a post about small rotary switches.
They looked about half the size of the the Alpha/Lorin type plastic bodied switches.
(Yes I know about the small bear 1 pole 6 position one.)
I can't find the thread now.

Ideally I'd like a 3-4 position single pole switch

look for these alpha small rotary switches at mouser http://uk.mouser.com/catalog/English/101/GBP/1692.pdf

[John Lyons]

Cool, thank you kind sir.  

Oh, but just to have all the info (again) does anyone know about the smaller plastic bodied ones?

[merlinb]

These maybe?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pole-4-Position-Panel-PCB-Wiring-Rotary-Switch-2P4T-/330588499247?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf89c2d2f

I mentioned them in my signal generator thread:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=83930.20

[smallbearelec]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pole-4-Position-Panel-PCB-Wiring-Rotary-Switch-2P4T-/330588499247?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf89c2d2f
Thanks for the link. These are surely available in other configurations and would be useful for many small builds. I will ask one of my Taiwanese sources if they know who the maker is.

SD

[John Lyons]

Bingo! Thanks Merlin.
That would be great if you could get them Steve. 

[~arph]

Those are great! It'd mean we can fit a rotary in a row of pots better.

[joegagan]

yes, and from an aesthetic point of view, a person can keep their look very clean by using eg; 4 knobs instead of 3 knobs and a microswitch. when i see a microswitch on top of a stompbox, it offends me both from artistic and structural standpoints.

[John Lyons]

Toogle switches worry me as well Joe.
If I use them I try to tuck them where
the knobs will act as a "roll ball" of sorts.

I ordered 3 of those small ebay rotary switches.
We'll see. Fingers crossed.

Grayhill makes small high quality rotaries
but they are 1/8" shaft and $12 each.

[joegagan]

i agree, did you mean ' roll bar"?

when guys tuck them up where knobs protect them, this makes them almost ok in my book. but my disdain for the look remains.

but even the latest wampler paisley pedal has microswitches where an errant foot could  f them up.



granted, he is using the stubby ones that probably won't break off at the bat, but will tear up internally ( the back blows out) anytime a person accidentally  brings their body weight dwon on it.

[joegagan]

i can get those grayhill style 1/8" shaft rotaries from my local surplus for a dollar. but as you allude, the shaft size is problematic.

[John Lyons]

Yeah, meant roll bar,  With the short bat switches I sink them so the nut is flush
with the bushing. Otherwise they just look goofy (in my opinion)

[joegagan]

again, agree, nuts should be as flush to the surf as possible on all components for best look. seeing the threads introduces another visual element, the goal is to clean up , to reduce elements.
in the case of a mini-switch, lipstick on a pig tho.

[davent]

For those 1/8" shafts, using your drill press it's not too difficult to make a bushing from 1/4" brass rod and keep using your full compliment of knobs.



Another issue with toggles, indexed washers/ toothed washers mounted on the outside, sometimes with the indexing tab sticking up in the air... what gives? (Cranky old man)  PPP sell a nice small stainless steel washer for use with toggles, huge improvement.

dave

[John Lyons]

Another issue with toggles, indexed washers/ toothed washers mounted on the outside,
sometimes with the indexing tab sticking up in the air... what gives? (Cranky old man) 

Ha ha! that gets me as well. 


PPP sell a nice small stainless steel washer for use with toggles, huge improvement.
Dang! I've been looking for a while and I missed those. Thanks!
I usually file off the tab or leave the washer off and take it slow.

[John Lyons]

From ebay seller:
Thanks for purchasing from us. However, we regret to inform you that when we were preparing to ship the order to you,
we found that the last few pieces in stock are damaged and not suitable for sale. After contacting our supplier urgently,
they informed us that the item is unexpectedly discontinued and it will not be available again in the near future.

Nooooooooooooo! 

[drolo]

From ebay seller:
Thanks for purchasing from us. However, we regret to inform you that when we were preparing to ship the order to you,
we found that the last few pieces in stock are damaged and not suitable for sale. After contacting our supplier urgently,
they informed us that the item is unexpectedly discontinued and it will not be available again in the near future.

Nooooooooooooo! 

Hi,
bummer, i was going to look into these as well as i am preparing a bit of a complex build and these would have helped.

I ordered some Lorlins but have trouble figuring out whether these will fit in the holes of a veroboard.

Has anyone ever mounted lorlins on veroboard?

[smallbearelec]

Alpha got back to me. They offer these:

http://www.taiwanalpha.com.tw/english/p_e_141.htm

and have promised to send me samples.

I will advise.

SD

[KazooMan]

Here is the thread on the Smallbear rotary switch:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=90131.0

I really like these switches.

[midwayfair]

Shame about the e-bay switches but YAY on the Alpha/Smallbear possibility. 18.3mm is pretty tiny for a rotary with two poles.

With the short bat switches I sink them so the nut is flush
with the bushing. Otherwise they just look goofy (in my opinion)

Yeah, that irks me to no end, too. It's a real cosmetic issue in small boxes with large circuits, though, because the switches are too tall inside for the board to rest on top. It means getting really creative with their placement or ... putting a hole in the circuitboard. The aestetics outside win for me.