Switch covers for in body switch on homemade light

[Anglepoise]

I am finishing up a design for a flashlight I intend to build for my personal use. It will have a switch, in the 'old school' position, on the body and activated by ones thumb.

I am having a hell of a time finding a supplier for a simple rubber switch cover, that will snap into a round hole. The Mag light 2D switch cover is exactly what I want, but a little smaller.

Any and all suggestions appreciated. Am willing to purchase cheap flashlight to rob the switch cover if necessary , but so far have not found a suitable donor.

There must be a suitable cover out there somewhere.

 

[gadget_lover]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

I can't say for sure, but you might be able to fashion something from a sheet of silicone rubber. My wife buys hot pads made from them. Sporting goods stores have scba mask staps made of the same material.

If all else fails, you can cast your own with material from tap plastic or your local craft shop.

Daniel

 

[Anglepoise]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

That's a possible idea. I have 'punched' out some rubber to experiment , but was hoping to find something that had a groove all around similar to the black rubber grommets available in hardware stores.

Punched out rubber would have to fit in a very precise milled slot in the aluminum housing, something I would like to avoid due to the chance of damaging a machined part that already has 20 hours of time in it.

 

[gadget_lover]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

you can simulate the groove by glueing three layers together with the middle layer being a thin ring with a smaller diameter. The bottom layer can be a ring too.

I saw a similar method used to build up plastic inserts at Tap Plastics.



Daniel

 

[greenLED]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

can you scavange the button from a 2D Mag? There's several on-line vendors that sell spare Mag parts.

 

[reefphilic]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

Are these what you need?

 

[Anglepoise]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

[ QUOTE ]
reefphilic said:
Are these what you need?

[/ QUOTE ]

Close, but not quite. Thanks for replying though

 

[bwaites]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

Anglepoise,

Do you have a drawing or measurements?

I can fabricate one for you if you have something to work from. If its just a smaller replica of the mag switch cover, I think I can do that with just dimensions.

How stiff do you want it, the same consistency as the Mag cover?

Bill

 

[Anglepoise]

Re: Switch covers for in body switch on homemade l

bwaites
I am still at the experimental stage. I do not really know exactly what I want. The large maglights have what looks to me like the perfect cover, yet it needs to be smaller for my application. I intend to drill a 6mm (approx ) hole in the aluminium tube. The wall thickness with be adjustable. The rubber cover needs to 'snap' into the hole and stay put.
When depressed with the thumb, motion will be carried through the cover and hit a micro switch of some type.
At this stage I am just looking for options, but I thank you for your kind offer.

UPDATE

Just received 6 rubber covers from LED Lenser in Germany
that will work fine. Thanks for all who answered