(Topic ID: 145711)

DIY: replace leaf switches with rivets

By lyonsden

8 years ago


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Topic Stats

  • 22 posts
  • 8 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 8 years ago by terryb
  • Topic is favorited by 8 Pinsiders

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    #1 8 years ago

    I did a quick search on how to reuse leaf switch brackets with new switches for my kickers and didn't find anything, so I through I'd share what I did. There may be a better way to do this (e.g., nut and screws), but this was very easy and fast. You can buy a pair of kicker of leaf switches premounted on brackets for $12.50 from pinball life (http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=616) or a pair of switches without brackets for $6 (http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=617 and http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=618). So in the end, you can save a whopping $6.50 per switch pair. Since I had a cheap Ace hardware rivet gun, I figured why not do it myself.

    #2 8 years ago

    Old, 20 year old switches with brackets:

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    #3 8 years ago

    New switches (no brackets):

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    #4 8 years ago

    Drill out old rivets. Note rivet heads on the drill bit after drilling.

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    #5 8 years ago

    You can slide out the old rivets and remove the bracket and cover plate.

    #6 8 years ago

    Yes, I do the same. Just drill out the rivet and replace. Been doing that for several years now.

    #7 8 years ago

    Here are the rivets I used: 1/8" diameter; 3/8"-1/2" grip range

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    #8 8 years ago

    And the rivet gun

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    #9 8 years ago

    Orient the bracket and cover plate, add two rivets.

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    #10 8 years ago

    Place the rivet gun on one of the leads of a rivet and rivet away.

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    #11 8 years ago

    One rivet done.

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    #12 8 years ago

    Second rivet done

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    #13 8 years ago

    Repeat with second switch

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    #14 8 years ago

    I had a choice of aluminum and steel rivets, and choose aluminum for no good reason. I guess I figured it was a softer, lighter metal that would be easier to drill out in the future, but don't know if someone has a better reason to pick one, the other, or something else. Also, screws would work just as well, but I had the rivets on hand and not the screws.

    #16 8 years ago

    I usually don't rivet them again. I go with the screw and nut method. Because if there is a short in the stack, it's a PIA to take it apart again.

    #17 8 years ago
    Quoted from CaptainNeo:

    I go with the screw and nut method. Because if there is a short in the stack, it's a PIA to take it apart again.

    I do too, but this is a nice alternative.
    --
    Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
    http://www.Team-EM.com
    http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
    http://www.PinWiki.com - The Place to go for Pinball Repair Info

    #18 8 years ago

    Also, I'd argue that drilling out and replacing a rivet is faster than unscrewing/screwing a screw. But then again, who really cares.

    #19 8 years ago

    Thank you for posting step by step clear instructions on how you did it, that really helps, this is the stuff that keeps me coming back to pinside, besides all the drama of course , thanks!

    #20 8 years ago

    Nice post

    #21 8 years ago

    Nice post and pictures. This is why I think Pinside is great. Pinheads willing to share their ideas and help other pinheads.

    #22 8 years ago

    Nice information, I prefer this to the screw/nut approach, but will say it's just a matter of preference. Thanks for sharing.

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