Auto / Marine / Industrial Parts?

[awc71]

Clicking through the online electronics catalogs, I've noticed that quite a few switches and other electrical parts made for heavy Auto, Boating, and Industrial use, might have "stompbox potential."  As I've read here on this group, many of the parts commonly used now in DIY and commercial effects pedals were historically designed / intended for other "heavier," non audio / musical applications.

I was wondering if anybody here has ever used such "heavy" industrial components on their boxes?  Perhaps it's overkill electronically, but aesthetically some of those parts, if they can be used, could look cool repurposed on the outside of a stompbox.  Big arcade buttons or boat throw switches for example, could give a stompbox quite an interesting retro sci-fi interface and look, IMHO.

Maybe this has been done before sorry, but I'm new here and am very late to the party. 

Just wondering!

[RandomGlitch]

I think many people on here have looked at these switches at one time or another. 

The thing with them is, they are usually simple on/off or momentary switches. Without electronic-type switching they aren't much use.  Most people use 3PDT so they can true-bypass and have an LED indicator.

I suppose if one had the Boss-type buffered switching thing then you could use one no problem.

[FiveseveN]

Just a quick note: there is also the option of (latching) relay true bypass, which is employed by at least one commercial pedal builder whose name currently escapes me. A tiny bit more expensive, but if you're keen on true bypass it's certainly a valid option. Single-pole switches and particularly monostable ones have the potential to be more rugged, so it may pay off in the long run to separate actuation from the actual bypass function, be it buffered or not.

[Pollinator95]

Just a quick note: there is also the option of (latching) relay true bypass, which is employed by at least one commercial pedal builder whose name currently escapes me. A tiny bit more expensive, but if you're keen on true bypass it's certainly a valid option. Single-pole switches and particularly monostable ones have the potential to be more rugged, so it may pay off in the long run to separate actuation from the actual bypass function, be it buffered or not.

VFE Pedals?
I've got a couple of really big toggle switches that I rescued from old things, but the pole connections are a bit strange and I'm struggling to find a use. But that's salvaged stuff; if you order from a catalog you usually know what you're getting!

[FiveseveN]

TTG has a bunch of examples of building flip-flops and bypass circuits from various switch configurations: http://tech.thetonegod.com/switches/switches.html

[amptramp]

I would like to use the old steering wheel style knobs used with Powerstat variacs, but the effect would have to be large to even allow you to mount it.  I have a microswitch limit switch which is slated for my next project.  This kind of thing would be good for machine age or steampunk pedals.  You see industrial jewelled indicator lamps in these pages sometimes.

[artifus]

I would like to use the old steering wheel style knobs used with Powerstat variacs, but the effect would have to be large to even allow you to mount it.  I have a microswitch limit switch which is slated for my next project.  This kind of thing would be good for machine age or steampunk pedals.  You see industrial jewelled indicator lamps in these pages sometimes.

as 3d printing becomes more ubiquitous and cheaper it's becoming more feasible to design your own custom made knobs and hardware. maybe check out your local university, hacker space or fab lab for local walk in services and as more folk seem to be building their own rapraps and makerbots more and more online postal services are sure to spring up.

[petey twofinger]

of topic , but there is an arcade game place , one mile away in an industrial park where i  garbage pick , sometimes .

they had 10 video poker machines out by the dumpster in various state of tear down .

i spent an hour there gathering , then 4 hours here at home tearing down the wiring harness' and sorting . 10 switches , 2 power supplys , 50 plus feet of wire , all sorts of fasteners , and wire clips , 50 cents , 2 analog "counters " , lamps , speakers , etc .

also the crt tubes , they are loomed with mesh braid wire , i think its the same stuff as desoldering braid or ground straping . about 6 ft of that , i have used it as desoldering braid before , just add flux , works really well . inside the crt tube , at the very back end i got three one inch pieces of tungsten filiment , too cool ! thats what they use in estes rocket engine igniters , so i lit a few matches with an 18 volt battery . FI-YAH !

they did have the top panel from a bowling game , with a track ball in it a while back . i hacked that on to an old ball mouse pcb , where the IR sensors are for the data wheels , now it interfaces to a pc for arcade emulation . golden tee , shuffleshot , video bowling is go . that was so awesome .