[sdiy] Looking for public opinion on switches choice. :)

[Ken Stone]

toggles.

-Round holes (even if the panel is easy to cut, this is easier)
-Can be placed closer together. They usually require less behind-panel real
estate.
-ease of operation. The mechanics of a toggle are superior.
-construction quality. Slides are usually plastic, and break off relatively
frequently.

Ken

>Hey all.  I'm preparing designs for my 'drum section' (including
>voices; controllers and sequencers).  For switches for teh sequencer,
>I'm trying to decide whether to go for:
>
>- Toggle switches (as I have through my machine, including my sequencer)
>
>or
>
>- Slide switches (which were the first switch I ever worked with in
>projects, when I was 12. :) )
>
>I'd like to 'hear' Pros and Cons for each, from anyone that'd take a moment. :)
>
>Remember - I'm mounting all of my switches into 5/16" thick Maple
>panels, so it's much easier for me to cut into it for putting the
>slide switches into. :)
>
>Pros and cons for each, from my own experiences;
>
>Toggle:
>Pros:
>
>- the look really nice. :)
>- the have a nice solid feel in switching / using them.  :(
>
>Cons:
>
>- you have to drop a fair bit of coin ($) if you want excellent quality. :(
>- when going for cheaper ( 'off shore' ) quality, you can (and I DO)
>have a high deathrate / misfunctionality. :(
>- mounting them in 5/16" thick wood, requires counter sinking for the
>nut, which leaves a weaker / thinner area of wood. :( :( :(
>- mounting them close together, can cause accidental switching of a
>2nd toggle. :(
>
>Slide switches:
>Pros:
>
>- the can look really nice. :)
>- you can find different 'feels' in their movement.  From 'soft' to 'stiff'. :)
>- mounting them in wood, allows you to secure them with 2 sets of
>screw; lock washer and nut, for a very sturdy mount. :) :)
>- mounting them close together, saves room in mounting multiples of
>them, if you go with miniatures, or with standard size. :) :)
>- their cost can be about 50% of the cost of toggle switches. :) :D
>- the slider portion can be painted different colours. :D
>- when mounted size by side, it's easier to thread common wires right
>across them. :)
>
>Cons:
>
>- crappier quality ones can die very quickly.  :( :(
>- Ummmm ...... I can't remember any other cons, since I haven't used
>them since '75 / '76. ;) :D LOL
>
>Please?  Anyone else's Pro's / Con's for either? :D  I'm going to
>either order or purchase, this coming weekend hopefully, so I can get
>my first drum sequencer started as soon as possible. :)
>
>--
>Take care,
>Warmth and Peace,
>Ryk
>
>http://deathlehem.bravehost.com/damian.html - D.A.M.I.A.N.;s webpage -
>Feb. 1606 update
>
>
_______________________________________________________________________
Ken Stone   sasami at hotkey.net.au or sasami at cgs.synth.net
Modular Synth PCBs for sale <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/synth/>
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