[sdiy] Pots & switches?

[Dave Magnuson]

I have used C&K switches on many projects with no failures yet.   Luckily I 
got about 100 SPDT surplus NOS for about $0.75 each.  $1.50 each for SPDT 
locking types.   I don't know what I'll use after my stock runs out (I have 
about 5 left)... IIRC mouser wants $5 or $6 each for them and over $10 each 
for the locking ones.

Maybe since mine are NOS surplus they are older models with better 
construction?    I have some that have been installed for 5 or 6 years, and 
no problems.   Most (possibly ALL) of the cheapo Radio Shack DPDT that I've 
bought have died in that time span...

Dave

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mattias Rickardsson" <mr at analogue.org>
To: "Synth-DIY" <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 10:37 AM
Subject: [sdiy] Pots & switches?


>
>
> Regarding switches, NKK is claimed to be the only non-crap one. But I've 
> rescued a lot of switches from two brands: C&K and KTA/Fujisoku. See pic:
>
>       http://www.analogue.org/mr/temp/toggle_switches.jpg
>
> These were picked from 15 year old electronics test prototypes which 
> probably haven't been used much, and have been lying around in normal room 
> temperature.
> Are C&K as problematic as described below ("likes to break in 3 years") 
> when used very sparingly?
> Are KTA/Fujisoku switches crap, or should I rely on them?
> I haven't tested them electrically yet, but they definitely feel solid 
> (not like the flimsy crap switches on my Doepfer modular) and the C&K ones 
> seem available at Mouser with similar (quite high) pricing as the hailed 
> NKK ones.
S.