Since I need four buttons on the stick, I decided to make button units, instead of trying to integrate them into the body… Don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s how SAAB did it, and what @martan suggested ages ago, so I don’t know why I insisted on trying to be smarter…
I have already decided on Omron B3AL* switches because of their long throw and hard feedback.
Anyway, here’s a prototype I just printed. I love having a 3D printer for prototyping!
*Incidentally, SAAB had a B3LA project going, during the 70’s
But how do I cut the circles…?
They are 2, 4 and 6mm i diameter. The button is 7mm.
Then my eyes fell on a metal saw blade. It said ”24T/in”. 24 teeth per 25,4mm. 1 sawtooth per milimeter, more or less.
An idea was born!
So I decided to design a jig to hold the saw blade while I turn an aluminium rod against the saw…
Since I also need a flange on the button, to keep it from falling out of the button and switch assembly, I use an 8mm rod. But that means i need to shave off 0,5mm on the radius, so I installed two vertical sawblades, spaced 7mm apart.
… but that’s a good (fun) thing!
