Source for small knife switch

Does anybody have a UK source for a small single pole knife switch? The older looking the better and about 40-50mm long. A double pole would do if it could be butchered.

There seem to be quite a few available in the US which I may end up going for or making my own.

Its for the Hit and Miss engine that I'm working on at the moment which had the knife switch on teh outside of the wooden battery box so something modern won't look right. 6 volts max.

Thanks, J

Edited By JasonB on 20/03/2015 20:55:19

Hey Jason, if you've made the engine I am sure you can make the switch.

Jason,

Found this in uk http://education.scichem.com/Catalogue/CatalogueSearch

Martin P

Jason,

See ebay DPDT knife switch 3.49.
Collect from an Argos store.
Bob D

Thanks Chaps

Robert, I had seen that one and it was a possibility with lots of modification

Martin, I can't get anything on that site when I search for switch

EB, I think you are right, having been sent a couple more ref photos from Irish Dave I think it out with the brass and Corian

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"Must try harder"

**LINK**

MichaelG.

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Item No. ELA420011

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/03/2015 08:34:29

Thanks Michael, as you are on good form this morning do you know what size it is

Having looked at photos of the real thing I think making it is the way to go as even that one will need as much work to get it looking near right as making from scratch.

J

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• "do you know what size it is "... Sorry, No ... but my guess is that the two mounting holes in the base might be about M4.
• "Having looked at photos of the real thing I think making it is the way to go as even that one will need as much work to get it looking near right as making from scratch." ... I agree completely! but at least it's a reasonable 'sketch' to work from.

MichaelG.

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P.S. ... Have a look here ... Vintage Lab Equipment at realistic prices.

Might be worth asking if they have anything suitable.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/03/2015 09:12:56

As I recall the old "Frankenstein Switches" that were around when I was a kid were a lot more robust and 'engineered' than the modern 'lab' one. They had round or hex terminal pillars that screwed through the base and held the base of the spring contacts in place. Much use of paxolin.

Document the build - it would make a nice write up for ME!

Neil

What the switch build or the whole engine & cart? with 150+ photos of the engine build I could get accused of packing things out.

This is an original switch, I think the fact it needs to pivot the other way to mast of teh commercial switches is going to be the deal breaker and mean its made from scratch.

Just found a full-size one that's available new

[Note the rating]

... A scale model of that would be pretty good.

MichaelG.

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Edit: Posted before I saw your photo, Jason.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/03/2015 09:44:07

Nice switch with a nice price to match

Hi Jason,

Would some parts from an old Wylex consumer unit work, to make one up?

The blade contacts are HxWxD 12.7 x 17.2 x 16.8mm

Ed.

Edited By Ed Duffner on 21/03/2015 12:39:33

Thanks for teh kind offer Ed, would be OK for the full size but a bit large for this 1/2 scale model.

After my previous post I went out to the workshop and found these, just stopped for a snack but shoule be able to see what I can bodge out of them later this afternoon.

Thats after I have cleaned up the static Corian swarf

Jason, I think I have got one, unless you have already made one you are happy with, I will be at my workshop on Monday, I will have a look and post up pics and dimensions.........................if I can find it!

Phil

now where did I put it?.......................................sure I saw it recently....................mumbles incoherently.............falls asleep..............zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thanks Phil but job is done.

You will all have to wait if you want a full write up but here are a few highlights.

Flycutting Corian gives a very nice finish

Mill a couple of pockets and drill a few holes

Press in some knurled inserts

Mill a couple of brass block and add a slot

Twist up a bit of brass sheet

Bang in a rivit

Job done

Just got to screw it to the side of this, Coke can for scale

Once again thanks for the help and suggestions, J

Edited By JasonB on 21/03/2015 16:31:15

Edited By JasonB on 29/04/2015 20:34:36

Have you any heart shaped meters to go with it? "More power Igor ! "

Frank

Jason,

Are you building an Amanco Aircooled, the trolley is very similar to a full size one I had a few years ago, I bought a Lister D sat on a trolley, a mate called round and said that I had a genuine Amanco trolley so it went on EBay and fetched me £200 which meant I got the engine for -£30 the only difference between your trolley and mine was mine had H section engine bearers instead of wood

Martin, thats a 1/2 scale model of a 1 1/2 HP Gade, an American engine. Bit different to most as it has two exhaust outlets, one at the bottom of the cylinder which you can see the silencer on and the other in the usual place on teh head.

Unlike my Galloway cart that I had to fabricate this one came as a very comprehensive kit and the guys producing it took all their measurements from an original cart.

I do have a set of castings for the watercooled Amanco Hired Man, there is an aircooled version about but they are hard to find.

Right off to the workshop to think about small hinges and hasp & staple

J

Hi Jason, nice job on the switch! Short time ago I machined some delrin type white nylon for some bushes, closely followed by some harder grey plastic of uncertain type, for a handle. I still find bits of it, and I had a really good vac up afterwards, it goes everywhere.. I gather what we are looking at is a half scale model you have made? Loks brilliant, is she running yet?

Phil