Mint Box Audio Selector: 3.5mm audio switch

Problem: Oftentimes on my desktop I need to use headphones for games or listening to music while other people are in the room and then I need to switch to speakers if I want to show off a funny video or make a Internet call to a distant relative. The problem lie with the switching where I have to crawl under my desk to switch out the cords for speakers and headphones. I decided a simple desktop audio switch would be the solution.

Purpose: To allow for selection from an audio input to one of two audio outputs.
Other uses: To allow for selection From one of two audio inputs to an audio output.

Step 1 Materials and Tools

Materials:
1 double pole double throw switch. approximately 2.99 at radio shack.
3 3.5mm stereo audio ports. 2.99 for a pack of 2 at radio shack
some electrical tape.
small box or or mint tin. I used an ice breakers plastic mint container for ease of cutting.
lengths of wire.
solder

Tools:
Needle nose pliers
exact-o knife or similar cutting tools.
soldering iron/gun
wire cuter (optional, an exact-o will work if your good with your hands)

Comments

[timweaver17]

what changes would i make to have 2 inputs and 1 output?

[oaky8]

no physical changes at all. you would just plug in your speakers or headphones or whatever to the center plug (what is tagged as "input" in the picture above. It will become output in your case). then plug in your other inputs on the two other plugs (what is tagged as "output1" and "output2". these will become input1 and input2). then slide the switch to select what you want to listen to.

[flare88]

Awesome instructable, I'm excited to build one of these guys but the improvements section on step 6 got me curious, specifically, the ability to add more selectable inputs and outputs. If I connected the center leads of two switches, how would that change the operation of this device and what would the wiring diagram look like? Thanks for the great tutorial and any future information.

[r00tdemon]

connecting the center leads of the two switches would allow you to have 2 inputs as well as 2 outputs.

[sqeeek]

True, but don't turn both inputs on at the same time, or you could get some interesting results. (Unless i'm mistaken about how you selected, in which case, please correct me)

[flare88]

would you mind drawing out a wiring diagram for this?

[flare88]

(the double switch model)

[Soksume]

great idea im gunna make this one for sure but maybe include a wire diagram or more detailed pictures

[r00tdemon]

Thanks for the comment, This wasn't hard at all to make granted you have basic soldering skills or all your components fit on a bead board. I added a simple wiring diagram to help clarify where everything is connected as requested.