What to do with switches?

[Lightium]

I have a few handfuls of 0.4VA toggle and push button switches. And I have no good purpose for them. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[aliarifat794]

You can integrate the switches with microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32) for IoT projects.

 

[ZipZapOuch]

You can donate them to a school,
Make an art project or curiosity project (talk to the local science center/museum to see if they need something)
Or throw them away if they are the cheap eBay switches sold for a few dollars - the contacts are poor on many of those.

 

[Lightium]

You can integrate the switches with microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32) for IoT projects.

I could make a keyboard, but my budget is stretched already.

 

[Lightium]

You can donate them to a school,
Make an art project or curiosity project (talk to the local science center/museum to see if they need something)
Or throw them away if they are the cheap eBay switches sold for a few dollars - the contacts are poor on many of those.

No, these a good C&K switches from long ago.

 

[ZipZapOuch]

No, these a good C&K switches from long ago.

They are 40¢ each. Not exactly an investment.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/CK/752704000?qs=ljbEvF4DwOM03YRmEL1WAQ%3D%3D&mgh=1&utm_id=17222215321&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADn_wf1sYPwDKFspfJyYyg6AVRS3N&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7p0yEfwvdSq5YzPEZUg_ayzLu9HTSlojzHOAXvPaFL_riqTgTvn3lIaAk2OEALw_wcB

 

[Lightium]

They are 40¢ each. Not exactly an investment.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/CK/752704000?qs=ljbEvF4DwOM03YRmEL1WAQ%3D%3D&mgh=1&utm_id=17222215321&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADn_wf1sYPwDKFspfJyYyg6AVRS3N&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7p0yEfwvdSq5YzPEZUg_ayzLu9HTSlojzHOAXvPaFL_riqTgTvn3lIaAk2OEALw_wcB

Those are them. I've got about 40 push button switches and 40 two position toggles.

 

[atferrari]

Due to my lack of experience, when starting with electronics, I bought on the counter a big bunch of extremely cheap pushbuttons.

Some time later, even knowing their bad quality I built a matrix keyboard that later I kept using for years to test all my designs with micros involving a keyboard. If they worked with those junk buttons, they would work with better ones.

Latter, tired of that clunky thing, ditched them and built smaller keyboards with quality keys.

Don't waste your time with junk.

 

[Lightium]

I have no need for them. So, I guess I'll just donate them.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

You're letting the rest of the members down - you need to stick them in a box and then get rid of them in 40+ years!

 

[Lightium]

OK Nigel, good to know someone's got the spirit.

 

[For The Popcorn]

You're letting the rest of the members down - you need to stick them in a box and then get rid of them in 40+ years!

And when you come up with a use for them, order new because you can't find the box

 

[ZipZapOuch]

You just need more storage drawers...
And a label maker...
And a bunch more different types of buttons/switches so you'll have a reason to have all the storage drawers...
And...

 

[Lightium]

Oooh, I am shopping for a label maker right now.