Leaf switch snapped, how would you repair?

[rthorntn]

Hi,

I have this old Monroe joystick and the one of the steel pieces that you attach the wiring to snapped.

Of course it snapped right at the fibreboard so there is nothing protruding to solder a wire on to...

These joysticks are rare, you can't buy replacement Monroe leaf switches for them anymore and so I want to repair it, I was thinking I could drill or cut away a small part of the fibreboard to expose some steels and solder to that, thoughts?

Thanks.
Richard

[mathsquid]

Could you solder a wire onto the other side of the leaf switch, near the fiberboard?

[m3vuv]

i cant belive someone is actualy asking this,! if you have half a brain i suggest you start using it ffs!

[WattsThat]

The last thing I would do would be attempt to solder to the bottom leaf.

If the stack is under tension, and I would expect it is, as in screwed together, I would place a piece of .010 (.25mm) brass stock, cut to the width (with a hole to solder to) under the broken pice and re-torque the stack. Solder connection to the brass piece. Done. Next issue.

[pickle9000]

Solder a wire to the spring as it exits the block. If you think that will ruin it find a bit of brass strip and make a connector that will slide over the spring. Again keep it close to the block o minimize movement.

[rthorntn]

Thanks WattsThat, this is a great idea, in saying that, the stack is sort of riveted (see attached), I have a very thin copper shim and I can't slide it in there and I'm not sure I can get it apart, maybe I can cut a tiny bit of the fiberboard out and glue the copper shim to the fiberboard (making sure I get no glue between the leaf and the shim).

Not sure on the state of the tension as its 40yo and each of the four switches are acting a bit different to each other.

[edpalmer42]

i cant belive someone is actualy asking this,! if you have half a brain i suggest you start using it ffs!

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/are-we-becoming-old-cranky-scrooges-in-these-forums/

[jh15]

Looks exactly like pinball machine leaf switch. can get at pinball parts places.