MOTM

I have decided that after a new member recently joined the
"Rip the Switches" society, it was time for a change.

So, I am going to see if Mouser will take back $400 worth of switches
tomorrow.

The new candidate is from NKK Switches. Allied sells them but I don't like
their prices!
But, I did get two of them and did the MOTM/ISO-9009 "Larry the Mad Torquer"
test.

I am happy to report that these puppies hold up extremely well >>>>IF<<<<<
you follow
my directions: these have a longer threaded bushing *on purpose*. You put
the first hex nut
on the bushing *but NOT touching the base of the switch*!! In other words,
unlike the panel pots
where we thread the nut until it is touching the body of the pot, we want
the nut about 3 turns
OFF the base of the switch. The bushing is long enough to then add a
lockwasher, pass it thru the hole
(thankfully uses the exact same hole!!) and the apply aforementioned
MOTM/ISO 9009 test.

Free VCO kit to the person who correct analyzes the aforementioned paragraph
on why it is done
this way. OK, no free VCO kit but satisfaction in engineering
problem-solving.

Also, since TANSTAAFL, the new NKK switches are TWICE as expensive as the
Mouser ones.
But, they do have the same handle style. I will have to modify the
instructions because they do not have the
'1 2 3' indications as the Mouser ones did. Isn't synthesizer design
glamourous??!?

Paul S.
has a big headache

Hey Paul,

Did you ever look into the type of switches used for guitar pickups?
They give a nice "klunk" when switched. Of course they are quite a bit more
xpensive, but also near industructible.

just an Idea.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM listserv <motm@onelist.com>
Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 9:30 PM
Subject: [motm] New MOTM switches found

>From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
>
>I have decided that after a new member recently joined the
>"Rip the Switches" society, it was time for a change.
>
>So, I am going to see if Mouser will take back $400 worth of switches
>tomorrow.
>
>The new candidate is from NKK Switches. Allied sells them but I don't like
>their prices!
>But, I did get two of them and did the MOTM/ISO-9009 "Larry the Mad

Torquer"

>test.
>
>I am happy to report that these puppies hold up extremely well >>>>IF<<<<<
>you follow
>my directions: these have a longer threaded bushing *on purpose*. You put
>the first hex nut
>on the bushing *but NOT touching the base of the switch*!! In other words,
>unlike the panel pots
>where we thread the nut until it is touching the body of the pot, we want
>the nut about 3 turns
>OFF the base of the switch. The bushing is long enough to then add a
>lockwasher, pass it thru the hole
>(thankfully uses the exact same hole!!) and the apply aforementioned
>MOTM/ISO 9009 test.
>
>Free VCO kit to the person who correct analyzes the aforementioned

paragraph

>on why it is done
>this way. OK, no free VCO kit but satisfaction in engineering
>problem-solving.
>
>Also, since TANSTAAFL, the new NKK switches are TWICE as expensive as the
>Mouser ones.
>But, they do have the same handle style. I will have to modify the
>instructions because they do not have the
>'1 2 3' indications as the Mouser ones did. Isn't synthesizer design
>glamourous??!?
>
>Paul S.
>has a big headache
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Did you know that we have over 85,000 e-mail communities at Onelist?
>http://www.onelist.com
>Come visit our new web site and explore a new interest
>

In a message dated 3/16/99 6:30:13 PM, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
wrote:

>I have decided that after a new member recently joined the
>"Rip the Switches" society, it was time for a change.
>
>So, I am going to see if Mouser will take back $400 worth of switches
>tomorrow.

Hi Paul,

Good decision! But it's possible that boneheads like me might want to buy some
of these old style switches from you, if only to replace broken ones or use
for mods. I'd be interested in anywhere from 5 (min) to 20. Maybe these could
be sent to us with the VCO kits (I haven't reserved my one kit, but you MUST
know I'm ordering one as soon as they are available!). Anyone else thinking
this?

Larry! Did you notice when it was just you and me bustin the switches it was
OK; BUT NOW a NEW MOTM MEMBER busts a switch, and everything changes. Welcome
to the synth peon club Larry!

JB

OK,

Lets let Paul settle it - who was the Original Switch Buster?

I busted mine around June '98 - on the MOTM-100

I'm staying up too late again.

Mark T

-----Original Message-----
From: J. Larry Hendry <jlarryh@...>
To: motm@onelist.com <motm@onelist.com>
Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 11:18 PM
Subject: [motm] Re: New MOTM switches found

>From: "J. Larry Hendry" <jlarryh@...>
>
>> From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
>>
>> I have decided that after a new member recently joined the
>> "Rip the Switches" society, it was time for a change.
>>>>---- snip ---<<<
>> But, I did get two of them and did the MOTM/ISO-9009 "Larry the
>> Mad Torquer" test.
>
>As the founding member of "Rip the Switches" society, I would like to
>point out that the official "Larry the Mad Torquer" test was not an
>accident
>of misguided wrist muscles. For years, I have been exercising and toning
>my wrist muscles to be the official "MOTM mechanical integrity quality
>assurance engineer. I take my role seriously and claim sole responsibility
>for the quality enhancements announced by this manufacturer as the result
>of my tests.
>
>Please remember that the mechanical testing laboratory is supported by user
>dues. Please remit your 1999 dues as soon as possible if you have not done
>so already. Your support is appreciated. In case you have forgotten,
>annual
>dues are $2 annually for each module in your system on January 1.
>
>> I am happy to report that these puppies hold up extremely well
>>>>>IF<<<<<
>> you follow my directions: these have a longer threaded bushing *on
>purpose*.
>> You put the first hex nut on the bushing *but NOT touching the base of
>the
>> switch*!! In other words, unlike the panel pots where we thread the nut
>until
>> it is touching the body of the pot, we want the nut about 3 turns OFF the
>base
>> of the switch. The bushing is long enough to then add a lockwasher, pass
>it
>> thru the hole (thankfully uses the exact same hole!!) and the apply
>aforementioned
>> MOTM/ISO 9009 test.
>
>Seriously, thanks Paul. I have always thought this type of tightening was
>best
>for switches.
>
>> Free VCO kit to the person who correct analyzes the aforementioned
>paragraph
>> on why it is done this way. OK, no free VCO kit but satisfaction in
>engineering
>> problem-solving.
>
>Well, no pressure is placed on the base of the switch. The bushing is not
>pulled
>away from the switch base. Instead the nuts are tightened against each
>other
>putting all pressure on the bushing threads. And, the nut on the back
>holds the
>lock washer against the back of the panel better that the switch base does.
>
>MOTM subscribers,
>Don't forget. Send those dues!
>
>Larry Hendry
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>New hobbies? New curiosities? New enthusiasms?
>http://www.onelist.com
>Sign up for a new email list today
>

> From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
>
> I have decided that after a new member recently joined the
> "Rip the Switches" society, it was time for a change.
>>>---- snip ---<<<
> But, I did get two of them and did the MOTM/ISO-9009 "Larry the
> Mad Torquer" test.

As the founding member of "Rip the Switches" society, I would like to
point out that the official "Larry the Mad Torquer" test was not an
accident
of misguided wrist muscles. For years, I have been exercising and toning
my wrist muscles to be the official "MOTM mechanical integrity quality
assurance engineer. I take my role seriously and claim sole responsibility
for the quality enhancements announced by this manufacturer as the result
of my tests.

Please remember that the mechanical testing laboratory is supported by user
dues. Please remit your 1999 dues as soon as possible if you have not done
so already. Your support is appreciated. In case you have forgotten,
annual
dues are $2 annually for each module in your system on January 1.

> I am happy to report that these puppies hold up extremely well
>>>>IF<<<<<
> you follow my directions: these have a longer threaded bushing *on

purpose*.

> You put the first hex nut on the bushing *but NOT touching the base of

the

> switch*!! In other words, unlike the panel pots where we thread the nut

until

> it is touching the body of the pot, we want the nut about 3 turns OFF the

base

> of the switch. The bushing is long enough to then add a lockwasher, pass

it

> thru the hole (thankfully uses the exact same hole!!) and the apply

aforementioned

> MOTM/ISO 9009 test.

Seriously, thanks Paul. I have always thought this type of tightening was
best
for switches.

> Free VCO kit to the person who correct analyzes the aforementioned

paragraph

> on why it is done this way. OK, no free VCO kit but satisfaction in

engineering

> problem-solving.

Well, no pressure is placed on the base of the switch. The bushing is not
pulled
away from the switch base. Instead the nuts are tightened against each
other
putting all pressure on the bushing threads. And, the nut on the back
holds the
lock washer against the back of the panel better that the switch base does.

MOTM subscribers,
Don't forget. Send those dues!

Larry Hendry

> From: JWBarlow@...
> VCO kits (I haven't reserved my one kit, but you MUST
> know I'm ordering one as soon as they are available!).

---
Hey, March 15th was the date orders were accepted I think. I ordered VCO #
1 and # 2. And, took Paul up on the Pro 2000 discount offer.
---

> Anyone else thinking this?

---
Not I. I was actually thinking of ordering some of the new ones direct
from Mouser with the part number Paul supplied to replace my old ones in
modules built so far.
---

> Larry! Did you notice when it was just you and me bustin the switches it

was

> OK; BUT NOW a NEW MOTM MEMBER busts a switch, and everything changes.

Welcome

> to the synth peon club Larry!

---
Your condolences are appreciated John. <<snif..snif>>
Larry

> From: "mmt" <mmt@...>
> Lets let Paul settle it - who was the Original Switch Buster?
>
> I busted mine around June '98 - on the MOTM-100
>
> Mark T

Not necessary Mark. Larry the Torque Monster busted BOTH switches on
MOTM-110, which was the first MOTM release ahead of MOTM-100. <g>

LH

So, if you put the lock washer behind the panel, what keeps the hex nut on
the front from chewing up the finish as it is tightened directly against the
paint? Or do you hand tighten it, then torque the nut behind the panel?

Dave Bradley
Principal Software Engineer
Engineering Animation, Inc.
daveb@...

> I am happy to report that these puppies hold up extremely well >>>>IF<<<<<
> you follow
> my directions: these have a longer threaded bushing *on purpose*. You put
> the first hex nut
> on the bushing *but NOT touching the base of the switch*!! In other words,
> unlike the panel pots
> where we thread the nut until it is touching the body of the pot, we want
> the nut about 3 turns
> OFF the base of the switch. The bushing is long enough to then add a
> lockwasher, pass it thru the hole
> (thankfully uses the exact same hole!!) and the apply aforementioned
> MOTM/ISO 9009 test.
>
> Free VCO kit to the person who correct analyzes the
> aforementioned paragraph
> on why it is done
> this way. OK, no free VCO kit but satisfaction in engineering
> problem-solving.
>

Right now, nothing. Although I found you are more likely to
scratch the smooth paint on the back of the panels than the textured
paint on the front. Unfortunately, the switches do not come with
a front washer like the jacks and pots do.

But, I haven't seen any evidence of scratching the front panel paint
from nut tightning.

Paul S.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Bradley <daveb@...>
To: motm@onelist.com <motm@onelist.com>
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 9:05 AM
Subject: [motm] Re: New MOTM switches found

>From: "Dave Bradley" <daveb@...>
>
>So, if you put the lock washer behind the panel, what keeps the hex nut on
>the front from chewing up the finish as it is tightened directly against

the

>paint? Or do you hand tighten it, then torque the nut behind the panel?
>
>Dave Bradley
>Principal Software Engineer
>Engineering Animation, Inc.
>daveb@...
>
>> I am happy to report that these puppies hold up extremely well
>>>>IF<<<<<
>> you follow
>> my directions: these have a longer threaded bushing *on purpose*. You put
>> the first hex nut
>> on the bushing *but NOT touching the base of the switch*!! In other

words,

>> unlike the panel pots
>> where we thread the nut until it is touching the body of the pot, we want
>> the nut about 3 turns
>> OFF the base of the switch. The bushing is long enough to then add a
>> lockwasher, pass it thru the hole
>> (thankfully uses the exact same hole!!) and the apply aforementioned
>> MOTM/ISO 9009 test.
>>
>> Free VCO kit to the person who correct analyzes the
>> aforementioned paragraph
>> on why it is done
>> this way. OK, no free VCO kit but satisfaction in engineering
>> problem-solving.
>>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Have you visited our new web site?
>http://www.onelist.com
>Onelist: Helping to create Internet communities
>

1) Yes, the NKK switches have arrive, and Mouser did take back the old ones.
I am
keeping a few old ones for "pure vintage" folks. The NKK switches have less
actuation
force, but the exact same handle and MUCH stronger bushing threads.

2) RS owns the largest analog meter movement factory in China.

Paul S.

-----Original Message-----
From: J. Larry Hendry <jlarryh@...>
To: motm@onelist.com <motm@onelist.com>
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 9:14 PM
Subject: [motm] Re: New MOTM switches found

>From: "J. Larry Hendry" <jlarryh@...>
>
>> From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
>>
>> I have decided that after a new member recently joined the
>> "Rip the Switches" society, it was time for a change.
>>
>> So, I am going to see if Mouser will take back $400 worth of switches
>> tomorrow.
>>
>> The new candidate is from NKK Switches. Allied sells them but I don't
>like
>> their prices!
>> But, I did get two of them and did the MOTM/ISO-9009 "Larry the Mad
>Torquer"
>> test.
>
>Did you decide to go with these switches for the new modules? BTW, I was
>in RS today picking up an overpriced project box and see they carry a
>switch with the same exact handle we are using on MOTM. You don't EVEN
>want to know the price on theirs.
>
>I was shocked to find RS had good looking 15 VDC meters for 1/3 the price I
>paid for mine. According to the specs they were almost as good. But right
>there, tamped on the scale was "Radio Shack." Damn, why did they have to
>go ruin it like that.
>
>Larry.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Did you know that we have over 85,000 e-mail communities at Onelist?
>http://www.onelist.com
>Come visit our new web site and explore a new interest
>

> From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
>
> I have decided that after a new member recently joined the
> "Rip the Switches" society, it was time for a change.
>
> So, I am going to see if Mouser will take back $400 worth of switches
> tomorrow.
>
> The new candidate is from NKK Switches. Allied sells them but I don't

like

> their prices!
> But, I did get two of them and did the MOTM/ISO-9009 "Larry the Mad

Torquer"

> test.

Did you decide to go with these switches for the new modules? BTW, I was
in RS today picking up an overpriced project box and see they carry a
switch with the same exact handle we are using on MOTM. You don't EVEN
want to know the price on theirs.

I was shocked to find RS had good looking 15 VDC meters for 1/3 the price I
paid for mine. According to the specs they were almost as good. But right
there, tamped on the scale was "Radio Shack." Damn, why did they have to
go ruin it like that.

Larry.

> The new candidate is from NKK Switches. Allied sells them but I don't

like

> their prices!
>
> Also, since TANSTAAFL, the new NKK switches are TWICE as expensive as the
> Mouser ones.
> But, they do have the same handle style. I will have to modify the
> instructions because they do not have the
> '1 2 3' indications as the Mouser ones did. Isn't synthesizer design
> glamourous??!?

I am looking for these switches in the Allied Catalog. I do not find any
identified TANSTAAFL. Am I missing something. I found what "appears" to
be the right one on page 232 of Catalog 980. The NKK number for the SPDT
no center position is M2012ES1W01. Is this the switch you are talking
about?

Thanks,
Larry