Electrified Monopoly - Steampunk Inspired

Step 7 Prepare the Reed Switches

Let's set up the reed switches. Reed switches are very delicate. Be sure you stabilize the wire coming from the glass tube with pliers when you bend the wire. It is very easy to break the glass if you don't stabilize it. **see the pictures**

I made paper boxes to hold the reed switches. The boxes are about 1/4" shorter than the distance from the bottom of the box to the underside of the game board. I bent the reed switches and soldered wire connections to the reed switches. This was my first time soldering. I found this instructable very helpful. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-solder/ I punched holes through the top of my boxes and positioned the switches so they sit on top of the box (with the wires underneath). I glued the boxes to sit under the spots on the board that react when you land on them.

The reason for the paper boxes is to allow some give if the board touches the switches. You don't want the weight of the board supported by the reed switches. The paper boxes will bend a bit if the board puts weight on the switches.

I have 12 spots on the board that will trigger some action (3 Community Chest, 3 Chance, 4 Railroad spots, 1 Electric Company, 1 Water Company). I prepared all the switches at the same time.