Sugru Rocker Switch to Toggle Switch Conversion

My cheap desk lamp has a small rocker switch on the base to turn it on and off. Being a bit budget, the lamp's not particularly heavy and has a tendency to scoot across the desk if you use the lamp from any direction other than head on.

This quick hack uses Sugru to change the rocker switch into a toggle switch, allowing the switch to be flicked without moving the lamp around.

While just a simple idea for a badly designed lamp, this could be used to greatly benefit those with reduced dexterity, either on similar lamps, inline rocker switches or to change wall mounted light switches into toggle switches.

Step 1 Tools & Materials

Sugru. That's it.

A small 5g sachet is enough to do two small rocker switches (mine measures 12x7mm).

Comments

[jonnybo111]

this rocks Mr Fuu

[Jayefuu]

It would be a poor rocker switch if it didn't Mr Ears.

[The Ideanator]

Dude, Mr. Fuu, this is an awesome use for sugru.

[Jayefuu]

Don't give me another reason to make you mopey :p

[The Ideanator]

Hehe, I'll be more mopey when I use up the rest of my sugru, but then that would give me a reason to get more :P

[techturtle2]

this is a wonderful idea! to bad i'm alergic to it.

[techturtle2]

I could make one out of clay or playdoh and glue it on...

[Jayefuu]

Thanks. Perhaps you could use gloves when using it, then paint in a clear laquer after it has set?

[The Ideanator]

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the purpose of it? I thought it was supposed to be rubbery and grippy.

[techturtle2]

another great idea!

[Jayefuu]

Be sure to write an instructable about the process if you do it :) "Beating Sugru Allergies"

[techturtle2]

I think I'll leve that to you. or not...

[Robot Lover]

This is great, but I think you should add a picture of what the rocker switch looked liked before you put the sugru on it.

[Ninzerbean]

But you can see it underneath, we all have them, I'm gong to change mine for sure.

[Jayefuu]

Good idea Robot Lover, I forgot to take a picture of my plain boring lamp before starting, perhaps Ninzerbean could take a picture of hers before she starts? Or is it too late for that now? :)

[Ninzerbean]

Yes, I will, let me get some coffee first.

[mikeasaurus]

I'm interested in the bond between the button face and the sugru. The button has a smooth(ish) finish, would it have helped to score the surface prior to bonding, or is the sugru just that strong and scoring not required?

Nice hack Jay, I'm not a fan of the rocker switches on lamps either because of the "scoot "factor. This instructable could spawn a few more  ideas with different designs for different style lamp switches (twist-style, pull chain, foot pedal..)

[Jayefuu]

That sounds like it would be worth experimenting with. When I run out of ideas of things to make I'll test the bond strength of sugru for a square centimeter of bond area on aluminium, steel, acrylic with no surface prep, clean surface, scored surface, bead blasted surface. Plan?

[kcls]

Why didn't you wait for the contest?

[Jayefuu]

I'm impatient and I was excited :)

[zascecs]

Maybe they'll let you enter, since it'll only be in a week...

[Culturespy]

That's a really nice hack!

[Jayefuu]

Thanks :)