2 Quetions about swithches

[MmmPedals]

I have 2 switches laying around i would like to use, but not sure how.
First  one is a double throw with eight lugs. it came from a boss phaser. it was the mode switch. Anyone know how it works?
Second is a 3p4t rotary switch. You can adjust it for up to 12 throws. It has 3 lugs in the middle (a,b,c) and 12 around the perimeter. I would like to use this as a cap switcher. whats the best way to go about this one?

[R.G.]

1. Get an ohmmeter.
2. Use it to see what connects to what in all positions.
3. Write it down.

[PRR]

Other way: bust it open, see what-connects-to-what.

R.G.'s advice is less destructive.

The rotary with 12 lugs around the outside is a VERY common part. The cheapest ones, you can see inside. Which is good, because you can't open them and put them together again.

Slide switches can often be guessed by inspection. You know the contacts can't go sideways. One trick is that 3-position slides often don't have a "common" terminal like rotary switches, they connect 4 lugs 3 ways. Some jumpering can make it work like a common-throw switch, good brain-puzzle.

[MmmPedals]

How do you use the Ohmeter to test it? If touching the 2 leads to 2 lugs zeros out it means it's connected?
How do you tell if its a momentary switch or not?

[petemoore]

  Set it so it beeps when you touch the lead probes.
  "Diode" ... "-->l--".
  Draw repeats of what's there # of lugs and settingsabout as many poles/settings you think there are, mark the switch position, test every which way you can think and then figure out which ones you missed.
  The first setting 'map' is drawn this way.
  The next setting [mark the setting] is done in a similar way, usually a pattern emerges between pole and throw connections.
  Mark the settings on the switch drawings you made for each setting.
  Combine the drawings to 1 using various colored inks for the signal path maps.

[Skruffyhound]

Like Pete says, set to diode, or to 20k ohms, touch one probe to one of the center poles, work around the outer legs til it says "beep" or drops to zero, those two are connected, turn the switch one click, find the next one. 3 center poles, 12 outer legs means 4 switch positions/legs per pole. Search some threads here for how to switch caps with it. Good luck, it's not so tricky, just one of those things that you have to do once to understand.