DIY On-Off Switch

by LaysDIY

33K26314

Intro: DIY On-Off Switch

Simple idea which dosen't require special tools or skills to make it. This perfect to use with LED diodes. I'm going to built this switch into an upcoming project so if you interested in click on the follow button ;)

Materials:

plywood or solid wood or hardwood
thin wood (perhaps veneer or thin plywood)
small screw
solder tab or any electrically conductive metal
rod or dowel
CA glue

Tools:

sandpaper or belt sander
scissors
saw
drill

That's it! (if i missed something please let me know)

STEP 1: Watch the Video

Detailed video about how I made this project!

STEP 2: #1 - Cutting

I made two small blocks from plywood (solid is also usable) then I cut off a nearly 1"/2,5cm long piece from a 0,5"/12,5cm inch rod

I gave a quick sand to every edge and side to make the wood blocks nearly equal wide

STEP 3: #2 - Making the Base

I used CA glue to stick the blocks to a thin piece of veneer
Try to make the blocks parallel to avoid the unnecessary sanding

I did the same to the opposite side

STEP 4: #3 - Construct the Knob

I marked the center of the rod piece with an awl, this is going to be the knob for the switch
I drilled a matching size hole for the screw head

I fixed it with CA glue and tried to do my best to make it straight

I put more glue onto it just in case

STEP 5: #4 - Shaping

I sanded down the sides with a belt sander but the hole project can be made with only handtools and drill
To speed up the shaping process I cut off the most of the material with scissors

STEP 6: #5 - Awl and Hole

Take the awl again and mark the center on the top and drill a slightly smaller hole than the screw

STEP 7: #6 - Metal

This two tiny metal pieces are called for solder tab, I bent one end but any electrically conductive metal can be used

I used CA glue again to stick the metal pieces to the wood

I glued one to the bottom of the empty space and the other to the top, the key is to leave space between them
I wanted to leave only one side open so I glued another piece of veneer to the third side

STEP 8: #7 - Final Sanding and Shaping

There is nothing left just to sand it down and put the knob into it and it's ready to use

STEP 9: The End

I made a simple circuit to show you how this switch works (check it out on the video that's much more visible)
I connected a 3.6V battery and a rgb LED diode to the switch with alligator wires

Just turn the knob clockwise!

How this works? When you turn the knob it pushes the two metal pieces together which closes the circuit

Thanks for hanging with me

STEP 10: Don't Forget to Check Out the Video

As always thanks for your support

14 Comments

BurgersBytes 8 years ago

Suggest you get a drill press for a Dremel tool instead of drilling into your hands...

tantris 8 years ago

Or at least use pliers.

I see this behavior in so many instructables, just not good. And yes, four fingers are pointing back at myself. - Glad to report, there are four ;)

Maybe someone could do some basic safety instructable!

I'm not talking about the "always wear safety glasses when holding a hammer" b.s. More like: use knifes and chisels in a way that the applied force doesn't point to a body part.

Any Pro here who wouldn't mind to share some this-is-how-to-hold-this-tool training?

DavieMac 8 years ago

I would suggest using a pair of plain old slip joint pliers or adjustable jaw pliers, (commonly called Channelock pliers, after the name of the maker) to give you some space between the drill bit and your hands. Hold the wood with the pliers, then you drill a lot more safely into these small parts. You may need to pad the pliers jaws with a little electrical tape wrapped around it so you don't mar the wood. And remember, you've got a lot of leverage here, so easy-does-it with the pressure. These are small parts and you could easily crush the wood. Although the author doesn't specify it, it looks like he is using a special dowel used in constructing dowel joints for his "knob". They have grooves precut in them to hold glue in their original application. Good luck.

DownAndOutInChristchurchNZ 8 years ago

Very cool, Cant watch the video but I get the Gyst (how about a drawing of the workings)..

Ill give you bonus points if you can do a rotary switch (multi position) and a Variable resistor using the same methods..

regards.

DIYJRAY 8 years ago

If you leave the switch in the on position for a long time, will the metal tab stay bent in the on position?

mmcl26554 8 years ago

Here is another website with mini tools

http://www.micromark.com/

lilchumy 8 years ago

Wow this is pretty cool. What kind of belt sander is that? Looks epic and mini. I'd like to buy one if you know th brand and where you got it. Thanks.

AeSix 8 years ago

Looks to be a British brand, Parkside.
There's one on ebay.co.uk for around 30GBP.
Don't forget the different power connects in the world :)

oliveira.igorm 8 years ago

The most similar belt sander I've found online was this one called MicroLux Belt Sander

GamingGecko 8 years ago

it says "parkside" on the side of the sander but i can find anything that looks the same.

joknrok 8 years ago

same! love that thing! I'm a sucker for miniature stuff...esp machines/tools!
please let us know what the answer is called & where from.
tnx!

modelove 8 years ago

parkside is the tools brand of the Lidl supermarket in Europe. I got the jig saw for miniatures & modeling.