24 Aug
2007
24 Aug
'07
1:36 p.m.
From: "woodelf" <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca>
The colors are where I got stuck. I haven't been able to make
actuators come out the color I want, not to mention repeatably.
If one can't get repeatable results, then it would be necessary
to cast a set of them together (so they'd come out the same color).
I was looking at DIY molding ... 1 ounce of plastic at
most.
But you need access to a machine shop ... None around here.
See here for the book. http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/index.html
I have successfully cast passable switch handles (in ones and
twos) without using injection molding. I used silicone rubber
to make molds from existing actuators.
Molds for
small parts such as switch handles will be cheaper, and
there's a side benefit to their small size: we might be able to design
one mold that can make several different types of switch handles
(PDP8/e-PDP11/20 style, PDP11/45-PDP11/70 style, etc) in one shot. DEC
didn't use that many different styles of switch handles.
I got drooling over things like the PDP-12. Don't forget you need several
colors. The problem is finding a place that does small runs. Now what about the switches
that go with the handles? Are they special?
Not terribly, but no-one stocks full size slide switches much
anymore.
(Isn't this one of our perennial discussion topics?)
Vince