Dotcom/Moon push button source?

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:00 pm

Does anyone have a source/part number for a momentary push button along the lines of the ones on the Dotcom or Moon envelopes? I'd just like something similar, not necessarily an exact match to either.

Yes, I know Dotcom sells them. I'm hoping I might get a part number to buy one from one of the other parts retailers I am about to order from.

Thanks,
Brian

dslocum · Post by **dslocum** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:51 pm

Brian,

It's just amazing that you should ask just now!!!

I just went to order some from Mouser today for our new modules and found they were out of stock for 2 months! I then found them at Newark Electronics and bought what they had left. PM me if you need a couple in a hurry.

They are made by Shin Chin, Mouser part number 112-R13-502MA-R/B.

Hope that helps.

suitandtieguy · Post by **suitandtieguy** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:18 pm

the buttons that Moon uses are most likely Switchcraft H101s.

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:29 pm

Weird, Doug. I looked up your part number and it said they had zero in stock, but when I clicked the link for more information, it said that 100 could ship immediately. I put four in my cart, and they showed up without showing a back-ordered status. I'll put together the rest of my order tonight and maybe call them in the morning to confirm they are available. If they aren't, I may drop you a note to see if you're still feeling generous enough to let me buy a few from you.

I'm as happy to get to see the data sheet as anything. I'm trying to put the finishing touches on a panel design tonight to get it sent off to FPE.

Thanks for the info!

Cheers,
Brian

PS. Does this mean we'll be seeing the Tap Tempo LFO soon?

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:33 pm

suitandtieguy wrote:the buttons that Moon uses are most likely Switchcraft H101s.

I was looking at the Moon ones again, and they're actually kind of sucky. Too stiff for a manual gate application. Thanks, though!

Cheers,
Brian

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:53 pm

What do you all think about these switches in general?

I think they look nice/burly, are reasonably compact and probably last a really long time. But . . . I don't like the feel at all.

They take to much force to depress and they make contact before they are completely deperessed. Pretty useless for any fast and decisive playing IMHO.

The quality varies a lot too. I have them on modules from COTK, Moon and Synthesizers.com. The DotCom ones are my least favorite because a lot of them squeek and even stick sometimes. The ones Moon uses are a lot better and the one I have on a COTK module is just 'slightly' yet.

If it was possible I'd probably replace them all with NKK HB series switches because they have a very positive action and are FAST!

Problem is they are very long bodied. Plus they are fairly expensive.

I just today got a NKK LP01 series switch in the mail that would be my second choice based on feel and they are short enough to possible fit but too big in diameter to fit in a lot of places.

See this thread for a sweet picture and other related switch info:
viewtopic.php?t=31073

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:55 pm

bwhittington wrote:
suitandtieguy wrote:the buttons that Moon uses are most likely Switchcraft H101s.
I was looking at the Moon ones again, and they're actually kind of sucky. Too stiff for a manual gate application. Thanks, though!

Cheers,
Brian

It must have taken me 20 minutes to type my last post!

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:58 pm

dslocum wrote:They are made by Shin Chin, Mouser part number 112-R13-502MA-R/B

Those look like the ones Synth.com uses on their EG's and Q119 sequencer etc. They are OK but I don't like them much either (I'm a switch picky bitch!

)

In the other thread I mentioned, it was pointed out that Digikey has them too, at least I think they are the same:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... =EG1938-ND

Bryan B · Post by **Bryan B** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:18 pm

Brian:

I have 3 of the Dotcom style ones that were removed when I had Doug modify my Dotcom Envelopes. I would ship 1-3 over to you.

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:35 pm

John, you had me until I hit the datasheet to see how big they are. I had all the room in the world in the rear of the panel, but I think they will look kind of cludgy on the front panel, as designed anyway. I'm happy with the ones on the Dotcom EG, and they'll match Doug's upcoming offerings as well.

Boy, this is my first attempt at "DIY," though it's really only DIY panel making because I'm using an assembled Mattson Quad EG pcb. I had no idea what this would cost. I'm in for over $200 for the panel and panel components alone. Largely due to making some ridiculous design choices along the way and ordering from four different suppliers, etc. I guess I'll stick to doing the projects that amuse me, because I sure can't see how you save money doing one-offs.

And of course the time! I've spent a couple evenings just tinkering with the design software. I'd be the worst synth manufacturer ever.

The experience has certainly increased my admiration for those of you that pull it off . . . and maybe I'll blink a little less at some of the sticker prices in the future.

Thanks to everyone for your help with this. I think my Switch Quest has come to a satisfying conclusion.

Cheers,
Brian

EDIT: Just saw your post slip in there, Bryan . . . PM'ed!

Bryan B · Post by **Bryan B** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:03 pm

responded

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:17 pm

Thank you Mr. B. A prince among men . . .

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:51 pm

bwhittington wrote:John, you had me until I hit the datasheet to see how big they are. I had all the room in the world in the rear of the panel, but I think they will look kind of cludgy on the front panel, as designed anyway. I'm happy with the ones on the Dotcom EG, and they'll match Doug's upcoming offerings as well.

Which ones? The LP01? Yeah, they are a hair on the big side to use as a replacement but the HB series is smaller, just long in back. I really like the round ones and would of use all round ones if I could have found a deal on them like I did the square ones:

Did I mention they are LED back lit too???

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:09 am

I

NKK!

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:35 am

I like the itty bitty one in the last pic. Which model is that?

Fuuny that there was another thread about momentary switches today, that Doug and I were hunting the same part online today, etc. Must be National Button Day.

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:58 am

WHOOPS!

My bad, that little one is not NKK, it is a:

Switchcraft 903 Momentary Pushbutton Switch GC 35-416
The good news is I got them from the following Ebay seller without a problem and he seems to have tons of them for only $1.99 each!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0204847670

BugBrand · Post by **BugBrand** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:53 am

SCI ones over here of that design are somehow a load cheaper?

http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-C ... ezel/30295

kindredlost · Post by **kindredlost** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:34 am

bwhittington wrote:Boy, this is my first attempt at "DIY," though it's really only DIY panel making because I'm using an assembled Mattson Quad EG pcb. I had no idea what this would cost. I'm in for over $200 for the panel and panel components alone. Largely due to making some ridiculous design choices along the way and ordering from four different suppliers, etc. I guess I'll stick to doing the projects that amuse me, because I sure can't see how you save money doing one-offs.

And of course the time! I've spent a couple evenings just tinkering with the design software. I'd be the worst synth manufacturer ever. The experience has certainly increased my admiration for those of you that pull it off . . . and maybe I'll blink a little less at some of the sticker prices in the future.

Well said Mr BW.

I've been sliding back into DIY projects a bit lately too and have been amazed at the cost and time. I made my first PCB etching again after 30 years and forgot how fun (but tricky) it is.

Still, the panel projects are the worst. I'm still engraving panels with the CNC mill instead of learning the silkscreen ropes better. I (so far) have refused to submit to the easy road and get FPE to make them. I'd rather have Big Blue Wave make them. Ben does super clean and cheap work but there is a short wait time due to batching in with other projects. His panels are slightly thinner than dotcom's in the gage of aluminum, but I haven't had any problems fitting hardware to them.

Most of my time and money goes down the component rabbit-hole. I have the 10-4-2 syndrome. I buy ten parts when I only need two. My work bench is looking like a warehouse now.

Thanks for starting this thread on buttons (sounds like a sewing convention). I'm familiar with 12v push buttons from my maintenance work on CNC's. Talk about fancy backlit panel buttons... I've been replacing boatloads of them over the years. Mostly I've been familiar with Alen Bradley (AB) and Square D. There are cheaper Taiwanese brands availble but aren't of the same lifetime ratings. You can get quite a few different sizes and lately have some smaller styles. The back length is still an issue and it is odd to see one's that are not stackable. I have a few of the cool flip front rocket launch toggles and momentaries sitting around. I was going to make a "hotline to the Chief" panel for fun a few months back but never got around to it.

emdot_ambient · Post by **emdot_ambient** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:27 pm

JohnLRice wrote:I NKK!

I have to agree...at least on toggle switches.

I've got a bunch of toggles from other companies that I bought to try because they were way cheaper...hate all of them. Stupid hard, clacky things. I've just accepted that I'm going to have to shell out big buck for NKKs that look great, feel great, and sound quiet.

Haven't done any momentary switches yet, but will need to soon. I'm curious about the switches in your pic. The square and round ones on the right are the HB series, right? What are the NKK numbers for the others?

(and thanks for the link on those non-NKK switches!)

synthnut · Post by **synthnut** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:43 pm

Hi,
I second the Rapid electronics buttons, these are SCI I know, CPC do a good deal too.. I'm supprised that they aren't more widely available at a good price considering the number of suppliers shipping direct out of the far east on ebay etc.
I was looking for the Switchcraft jack socket style ones until I discovered how much they charge for them! I presume the .com ones aren't switchcraft? I have some on my Q960s that stick quite frequently and they make a dent in your finger so I've gone off them now...

Now I'm really trying to find the exact same rocker switches from the Moog modulars, any ideas? They are obviously getting harder to find as Mos-Lab has stopped using the blue ones now...

Thanks for the kind words about the panels by the way. As it happens I will be using a thicker grade material from a new supplier soon. That original batch was 0.050" (1.27mm) but it is now 1.5mm which is closer to the 0.064" (1.6256mm) that you might find on .coms.
I've not found it a problem strength-wise, but the price diference from the supplier was quite considerable!

Keep on wiggling...

Ben

MOD WIGGLER

MOD WIGGLER

Dotcom/Moon push button source?

Dotcom/Moon push button source?