Toggle switch to fit 9-10mm hole? (on-off spdt)

bbill335

I wanna do this to my strat:

and I want the toggle to fit one of the existing tone control holes, which are ~10mm (to fit CTS pots with a bit of room to spare). I need it to fit the preexisting holes for both neatness and because I don't want to butcher my anodised guard if I can help it.

It seems that most toggles seem to come in ~4mm, ~6mm... then ~12mm! No good! Does anyone know who, if anybody, makes a toggle that will fit?

Funkfingers

CTS push-pull pot. Use it in place of the original neck PU tone control.

steamabacus

Suitable washers front and back and a smaller toggle switch?

Funkfingers

steamabacus said:

Suitable washers front and back and a smaller toggle switch?

If you operate the switch often and/or vigorously, the hex nut eventually works loose, allowing the switch to move about within the circumference of the pot hole.

Unless the switch has a locator lug to engage with a hole in the plastic of the pickguard, the only way to retighten the nut properly is to raise the pickguard. 

bbill335

Funkfingers said:

CTS push-pull pot. Use it in place of the original neck PU tone control.

With the amount I'm rolling the pots, neither is convenient as a switch

Bridgehouse

Rotary selector? Fender S1?

Funkfingers

Bridgehouse said:

Fender S1?

Please don't. They are unreliable. They seem to alter the tone of any circuit into which they are introduced. Also, the splined Stratocaster version of the S1 is only available with the legend Volume in the plastic.

Corvus

A 6mm switch with a giant washer around it might look a bit odd, and finding a smooth finish one of the right size might take some hunting, but -
The hole will be around 3/8" (9.5mm), a toggle might be 6mm - praps a spacer to stop it slide around, and squirming when you lock it in place? A fibre washer maybe, or a slice off a metal or plastic tube with 3/8" OD and 1/4" ID.

Like this has a 1/4 x 3/8 option - fleabay
Might need two stacked, might need to thin one a bit, etc etc. Can sand, file, pare down fibre ones.

ICBM

Put a rubber grommet in the hole and use a 6mm switch. That will not only make it fit properly but also reduce the switch click which will probably be audible through the amp, with an anodised pickguard. It won't look too odd if you put the washer on the outside, over the grommet. If it tries to work loose, put a drop of threadlock or cheap superglue on the threads before you tighten the nut.

bbill335

Ugh, inches! I don't get 'em! Thanks for the tips guys

bbill335

right, so the world of washers is a confusing place and i want to spend as little time as possible wading through its murky waters. How do I get a couple of ~10.5-11mm washers with a  ~6.5-7mm hole

ICBM

bbill335 said:

right, so the world of washers is a confusing place and i want to spend as little time as possible wading through its murky waters. How do I get a couple of ~10.5-11mm washers with a  ~6.5-7mm hole

You should get one with a typical mini-toggle, so if you need one on the inside as well you just buy two switches, use both washers, and then when the switch inevitably gets broken you can then spend hours trying to remember where you put the spare switch .

bbill335

I actually bought a pack of switches (so plenty spare washers) but the washers seem a bit small  i'll try mounting them and see how far I get. thanks

bbill335

Actually done! so pleased I bothered. I really miss the bridge+neck tele-ish sound when I'm playing the strat. Master tone is a no-load too, doesn't seem to have much of a "jump" between 9 and 10 though, sounds much like a regular tone pot.

olafgarten

bbill335 said:

Actually done! so pleased I bothered. I really miss the bridge+neck tele-ish sound when I'm playing the strat. Master tone is a no-load too, doesn't seem to have much of a "jump" between 9 and 10 though, sounds much like a regular tone pot.

That Jack Socket is horrible! Sort it out. 

bbill335

olafgarten said:

bbill335 said:

Actually done! so pleased I bothered. I really miss the bridge+neck tele-ish sound when I'm playing the strat. Master tone is a no-load too, doesn't seem to have much of a "jump" between 9 and 10 though, sounds much like a regular tone pot.

That Jack Socket is horrible! Sort it out. 

you mean the rust/pitting? 

ICBM

Or he may mean that, unless it’s a long-thread jack, the shakeproof washer appears to be missing .

bbill335

oh that. well that's because - annoyingly - the switchcraft jack socket doesn't fit the cavity when there's a plug inserted, unless i ditch that washer. there's blue thread locker on there for now but one day i'll route the extra mm needed.