A Little Switch and Potentiometer Box for Your Arduino

Having cobbled together loads of Arduino circuits and always found myself poking switches and potentiometers through cardboard I thought it was time to produce something a little prettier. So here is how to make a lovely little box to hold 5 potentiometers and 3 switches. (along with some software to make it work)

A simple video of spinning dials, causing them to spin on screen as well:

Step 1 Parts & Tools

A few items required. Most are easily sourced hobby electronics items.

Acrylic Chassis: Several choices here

• scroll saw - you can download a scroll saw pattern (03-POTB-ScrollSaw Pattern (A4).pdf or 03-POTB-ScrollSaw Pattern (letter).pdf). Glue it to some 3mm Acrylic and cut it out.
• your own laser cutter - download the parts outline (PP-POTB-Acrylic Cut Parts.eps or 00-POTB-Acrylic Cut Parts.cdr). Cut them in any 3mm sheet stock
• purchase a precut set - a mini kit for this project is available (here) - this includes the laser cut pieces as well as the required nuts and bolts ($25 Free Shipping to the USA and Canada)

Nuts & Bolts:

• 3mm x 10mm bolt (x8)
• 3mm x 15mm bolt (x14)
• 3mm nut (x30)

Electronic Items:

• Potentiometers (8mm or 1/4") (x5) (all electronics) (any value will really work but for reliability and lower power consumption between 1K and 10K is a good idea)
• Switches (1/4") (x3) (all electronics)
• Red Ring Connectors (#8) (x35) (allelectronics)
• Single Row Headers (10pins) (all electronics)
• Wire (about 10 feet)

Tools:

• Screwdriver (Philips)
• Wire Strippers and Crimpers
• Needle nose Pliers

Comments

[robotjam]

I am in the process of building this switchbox and was wondering why you chose the three on-on (SPDT) switches when the schematic shows that only one side is being used. Wouldn't  some simple on-off (SPST) switches work for this?

[robotjam]

Also I have added three momentary normally open pushbutton switches and a couple led's just to make it look cooler and was wondering how to adjust the programming and the desktop _POTB_SwitchWatcher to show these changes. Thank you

[ReCreate]

This is like what i always wanted to do! Awesome!

[cheft]

Great work! Clean job and nicely presented. What software did you use to make the Patterns?

[oomlout]

Hey Cheft; Thanks, in terms of the patterns I used Corel Draw. Largely because I'm a creature of habit there's an open source equivalent (Inkscape) which is pretty similar in functionality.