Home made toggle switch boots

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Thought I would share this idea....

I was trying to come up with an idea to prevent my accept/reject notch switch from moving while detecting with my Pantera and created this useful tool by accident.

It is made of 1/4 inch shrink tubing which can be bought at most any electronic supply store.

I cut a small piece, slipped it over the toggle and gently heated it which formed a dust boot which will surely keep the crud out of the switches.

Be sure to NOT use too much heat.

I accept no blame for any problems, just be careful.

 

[slingshot]

Nice-and very neat looking.

 

[hardrockminer]

Tony,

Very nice.............I have seen rubber tubes vulconized to a switch nut to waterproof or dustproof them (just screw them on), but I don't know if they make one for the wide small toggle.........your solution would be cheaper .

HRM

 

[SkiWhiz]

Great idea Tony. You can buy shrink tubing in many different sizes & colors.

 

[ToniSteve]

As they say in the Olde Country, Kewl! Very professional looking.

Steve

 

[dbsmokey]

How about sealing it with caulking, etc to prohibit even the smallest of foreign objects to creep down? How well was the toggle able to move? Did the heat shrink limit movement?

 

[Sand Scoop]

I was wondering about the movement thing to.Sometimes I hunt in AM and I have trouble keeping the switch in that position.It wants to keep poping back to the straight up position..

 

[Montauk3]

Excellent tip.Thanks.

 

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Hi Guys,

The heat shrink does not affect the switch movement at all. As the toggle moves the tubing nearest the switch retaining nut simply floats in front of the nut however it does not expose the front of the nut where the dirt and grit would enter the switch.

I was hoping the tubing could be used to lock the Notch switch in place because I used to bump it quite often with my headphone cord. The tubing was of no help preventing the switch from moving.

Keep in mind, I did not intend for the tubing to make a suitable toggle boot, it just happened. probably the same way many other good ideas happen.

I sure wouldnt use chaulk at all.