Mechanical switch

[BorisTheSpider]

OK guys and gals, I'm having a fit of stupid here. I cannot think of how to make a simple, elegant mechanical switch.

I remember the tutorial using the brass tube where the atty is spring-loaded and acts like a switch, but I am just totally blanking on how to make one with a different setup.

Anyone have any photos of their setups, or even simple drawings as to what I should be doing?

 

[atavanhalen]

I am curious to what responses people will have so I am subscribing to this thread.

 

[utak3r]

You can also use magnets, set up so they're pushing themselves away. Similar technique is used in the GGTS.

 

[breaktru]

 

[BorisTheSpider]

Thanks breaktru, that's the one I remember, but I was wondering about how to do it with the battery or atty in a different position - kinda like the Brass Beast. Obviously, I don't want to just copy that design (even though it is awesome) - I just want to know how to set up and wire a mechanical switch like that.

I assume it's easiest when making a tube mod where the body will conduct one pole, but I'm still not sure how that would work. Or how about a box mod? Is there a nice way to do that?

EDIT-

Wait, I got it. I was really blanking there for a while. If you just attach, say, the positive wire to a plunger or rod and then attach the positive post of the atty to a piece of maybe flat metal - you can push down on the plunger/rod, which makes contact with the plate, thus completing the circuit to the atty. Could even do something similar, but instead of passing all of the voltage through the mechanical switch (which risks sparks, corrosion, and the like from repeated use), you could use a diagram like the one here with the mechanical switch in place of a touch sensor.

That's right...right?

 

[asdaq]

I guess I don't need to post any pics then?

With a good mechanical you don't need to worry about ratings or use a mosfet, unless you want to. In a box mod it would be simple to attach a wire to the switch itself either soldered or a crimp on attachment and have the switch contact the battery. The Copper is pretty slick, but it is pretty much mouth operated only. If the whole head is the switch, you have something to grab onto. The name for this mod escapes me. I would like to do a short mod where the top and bottom half of the body are the switch so you can squeeze it in your hand to activate, but there's complicated issues with it.

 

[BorisTheSpider]

Maybe I'm wrong, but wouldn't a mechanical passing anything north of 3.7v cause a little sparking (however minute), which could cause little black spots - kinda like charring. A little carbon buildup? I mean, if the electricity should prematurely jump jump across, it would arc, right? That's why I would assume a mosfet would come in handy because it would reduce the voltage and at least slow that process. Or am I way off?

Oh, and any pictures you have of some nice implementation would not be wasted on me. I always like to see people's work - especially people more skilled than I.

 

[asdaq]

You will get some oxidation that impedes performance, so some cleaning from time to time is in order, but arcing and charring isn't an issue. If you were to make a switch with a needle's point for a contact, then maybe, but that is easy to avoid. Even a standard pushbutton switch is little more than a plunger, spring and contact points.

 

[BorisTheSpider]

Fair enough. Thank you for that info. I like big, hearty buttons, so I think I'm going to try to stick to mechanical switches from here on out. Just need to start collecting springs along with the other parts I'm going to be stockpiling.

Thanks again asdaq, I'm a big fan of your stuff.

 

[asdaq]

Cheers Boris, I've got nothing new really so no fresh pics. Piles of odd springs, this I've got.

 

[mojox666]

Hey all,

I'd like to know how to make a mechanical switch like the showed in the vid, so if somebody can help me, I'll be grateful.

Cheers
Mojito

 

[Digital-Dragon]

This seems like a decent thread to ask this question in:

Why is it that "the Kick" needs to be used only in mods with mechanical switches? I know it needs to be used only in mods that have the case acting as ground, but why can't any switch be used.

 

[Robert T]

I don't think of the switch in the Silver Bullet as mechanical. The P+ and the GG would be examples of mech. switches.

 

[Digital-Dragon]

Okay, never mind. I had watched a review that said it needed a mechanical switch to work properly, but I guess it was just wrong. I understand how the Kick works now.