01-29-2013, 08:04 AM
Nothing really special here, just a simple fix that would have been much more difficult without a lathe.
One of the exploders I use has a problematic key switch that I needed to replace. I couldn't get a key that has the same 19mm barrel with the key being captive in the on position (a necessary safety feature), so I had to use a smaller key switch.
In order to make it fit I turned up a top-hat and backing washer to fill the 19mm hole and allow the 12mm key switch to be used. The most time consuming part was melting the scrap aluminium to make the stock from which it was turned :) I was actually surprised, as I expected some porosity given that I didn't add any flux. All it did was skim the crud off the top before the pour!
OK - well the pics are pretty crappy, as my phone doesn't appear to like macro shots. Also, I had to make sure that I didn't show any key components or circuitry (for obvious reasons).
One of the exploders I use has a problematic key switch that I needed to replace. I couldn't get a key that has the same 19mm barrel with the key being captive in the on position (a necessary safety feature), so I had to use a smaller key switch.
In order to make it fit I turned up a top-hat and backing washer to fill the 19mm hole and allow the 12mm key switch to be used. The most time consuming part was melting the scrap aluminium to make the stock from which it was turned :) I was actually surprised, as I expected some porosity given that I didn't add any flux. All it did was skim the crud off the top before the pour!
OK - well the pics are pretty crappy, as my phone doesn't appear to like macro shots. Also, I had to make sure that I didn't show any key components or circuitry (for obvious reasons).
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