I have made and posted a few soft circuit projects but I have often found it difficult to get some of the components needed since there are no stores (that I know of) nearby and shipping to Canada can be overly expensive. So I try to make do. One problem I've had was finding something to use as an on/off switch. I've improvised by using switches from LED tealights which are a bit obtrusive in a soft circuit. I've also made some momentary switches ( is that the right term?), which are a bit annoying since the circuit only stays on as long as you press the switch.
So in this instructable I made a switch that stays on without having to keep pressing on it as well as have it look inconspicuous in a soft circuit project. As a bonus it not only turns a circuit on and off it can toggle more than one circuit. In the sample circuit I made to demonstrate you can switch between three LEDs.
So in this instructable I made a switch that stays on without having to keep pressing on it as well as have it look inconspicuous in a soft circuit project. As a bonus it not only turns a circuit on and off it can toggle more than one circuit. In the sample circuit I made to demonstrate you can switch between three LEDs.
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Signing UpStep 1: What you will need
Button: You can use a regular flat sew through button (the ones with the holes through the button). If you want to toggle between more than one circuit use a large one (the one that I used has a diameter of 3.5cm). You can use smaller ones for a simple on/off switch. You can try using a metal button which would save you having to attach conductive material. You can just cover part of the bottom of the button with fabric or tape. The only metal button I had was a shank button, I suppose this type of button can work too.
Thread: You will need some thick thread since the button will likely get a lot of wear and tear. I used embroidery thread.
Conductive Material: You basically need something that you can attach to the bottom of the button to make contact with the conductive thread of the circuit. You have several options here:
Thread: You will need some thick thread since the button will likely get a lot of wear and tear. I used embroidery thread.
Conductive Material: You basically need something that you can attach to the bottom of the button to make contact with the conductive thread of the circuit. You have several options here:
- Conductive fabric: You would just need a small piece of conductive fabric and glue it to the button.
- Conductive thread: You can wind a bit of thread up into a bundle and glue to the button. I often have little scraps of thread left over from projects that I can use for this.
- Copper tape/ conductive tape:
- Conductive paint: You can buy it or make your own.
- Metal: perhaps a small thin piece that you can glue to the button
- Wire: I recently saw icecats' instructable on how to make conductive tape using wires, perhaps this can be adapted for the button switch.
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