The washing machine panel thing in my apartment has these metal buttons that are perhaps the most satisfying metal buttons I’ve ever pressed in my life. If my neurospicy brain had a swimming pool of these things I would die happily of starvation while flopping around pressing as many as I could. How in the world do I track down a featureless metal button and know I’m getting the right thing without being able to press them before buying? Are there like names for different types of buttons? What kind of rabbit hole am I looking at here? I want to refit my computer to have one of these things as my power button
I’ve added a pic but I have a video too which gives sound feedback. Idk how to post that though
You’re looking for a metal, momentary push switch with a flat round top. There are tons of choices, including ones with LEDs. If the one you have is clicky, add tactile to the search.
I think I know exactly the kind of button you’re talking about but I’ve never bothered to track down a specific model or anything, so just know I’m super invested in that post too.
Probably some heavy duty stuff though as I recall mostly seeing them on stuff that is exposed to the elements and/or pressed very often
You should consider taking it apart and seeing how the buttons work, things like how large the spring is, what the actual electrical contact mechanism looks like, if there are guide tracks on the side of the button that allow it to press down evenly instead of tilting to one side or jamming.
If you know how it works, then even if you don’t find the exact same part from the exact same manufacturer, you’ll still be able to find something that works the same way and feels just the same, you may even find it cheaper or locally.
I’m a strong proponent of taking things apart.
These are not those, but similarly colored metal momentary buttons I’ve used for projects in the past. Cheap and reliable.
This thread is weirdly heartwarming. The internet brings its power to bear to help a poor stranger stim like they’ve never stimmed before.
Looks like an Anti Vandal switch.
Ooh and less than 35 euro I might grab a couple to see how they are thank you :3
I’m about to bankrupt you, mate https://fr.farnell.com/en-FR/c/switches-relays/switches/standard-pushbutton-switches
this one looks similar, except it’s unpainted https://fr.farnell.com/en-FR/multicomp-pro/mpm19-a03fp-3-jr-3v/pb-sw-spst-no-dm-2a-36vdc-panel/dp/4180151
I found the manufacturer(-s)
https://safeteam.se/vi-erbjuder/passersystem/tvättstugebokning/
Vi erbjuder elektronisk tvättstugebokning av följande fabrikat:
- Aptus
- RCO
- ASSA
- Axema
Nice!!
Username does not check out.
How in the world do you find things like this holy shit thank you
Not saying this is what he did, but this is actually the kind of task AI excels at.
Reverse image search goes a long way.
No. Domain knowledge goes a long way. I use one of these IRL frequently. Searching online is trivial when you know which terms to use (spoiler: it’s “tvättstuga tidsbokning digitalt”).
It’s not exactly featureless.
In electronics terms this is a switch.
Pushbutton
Momentary (meaning it doesn’t remain in the pressed state when you stop touching it)
Panel mount
Anti Vandal
Non-illuminated (I’m guessing based on the photo)
GreenThere aren’t so many green switches as red or black, so that can help the search.
It’s also probably something readily available since this doesn’t look like a device built in the thousands.I’ll bet it’s this one or a different size from the same manufacturer:
https://www.buerklin.com/en/p/eao/pushbutton-switches/82-6851-1000/12G0085/Of course it could just as easily be something sourced in China if I’m wrong and this control panel is mass produced.
I have more questions about other switches if you’re down with helping me on a quest I never knew I needed.
This is one of my favorite switches I dug out of a really old psu
Do you know what is that extra big red clicking clacking part called that’s feels like I’m activating the go button on a nuclear jet? I’m seeing toggle switch is a thing but those mostly look more like the little metal thingies you flip a bunch of when your spaceship is blaring alarms and you need to get all the lights to stop blinking. Also why does it have 6 wires but only 4 prongs? (Edit to add I think it might be a chilly 3041 or similar? Still don’t know what to call the components or how to find the container it is in so it is in the box and not sticking way out when attached to a thing)
I pulled this out of a thing that I was told converted US power to German power but the box had practically nothing in it so idk how accurate that is
It had two outlets and iirc (been a while) the switches each controlled one outlet. What is going on here why are they connected to each other?
That’s a nice looking switch. Wow. I bet it makes a nice thwack.
It looks like there are two ground/earth wires on one ground post and two hots on the corresponding hot. Two circuits are being powered through the one switch. Would need to see more of the device guts to understand why.
I think that would be classified as a Rocker switch with a Paddle actuator.
From the back it looks like a DPST switch.
Double/Dual Pole means it switches two separate pairs of conductors at once. Many circuits only need to switch the hot or the ground wire and use a Single Pole switch. A SPST switch has 2 terminals on the back. This one has 4 so it can switche both the hot and ground at the same time.
Single Throw means it’s got only off and on. No other position. Dual Throw would have 3 positions, so a SPDT would have 3 terminals on the back, and a DPDT switch has 6 terminals on the back.Rectangular
Panel mount
Recessed or InsetAny numbers or markings on the back? I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t available any more. To me it looks like something from the 1970s-1990s.
There might be markings on the circuit board that help date it.
These are awesome. You make me miss the days of proper physical controls with real haptic feedback. Not this touchscreen with a little vibrator in it bullshit.
I also really wish I could push those buttons now. I want to know what they feel like!
Yeah one of the reasons I even got into computers is because of the crazy satisfying tactile experience. And they all feel so bleh now. I spent good money building a mechanical keyboard that feels like I’m in a duel with a malfunctioning robot when I type just so I can feel something. When I turn a computer on I want it to feel like an event, I turned the machine on with intention
I also got into computers, thinking about it now, the tactile aspect was probably part of it. A power button making fans go whir and hard drives making slight crunchy noises and my keyboard with real springs… I miss a lot about that.
Thank you for a list of terms to help with! I feel like this is starting to unlock a whole new special interest for me, pray for my wallet 😭
What about this button is anti-vandal? What kind of vandalism does this prevent?
It looked anti-vandal to me with it’s low profile, chamfered edges, and all-metal face. It would be difficult to get leverage against these to damage them or rip them out of the hole.
A €1 button is made of plastic and is easily smashed to bits.
OP’s picture doesn’t show it, but to the left of the buttons there is a field for contactless keys to “log in” to the booking system. This means that residents will bring their key chain up to the panel every time they want to use it, potentially scratching its surface.
And if there are no laundry time slots available when you need one, you might punch the panel… People are people.
The manufacturer’s site even lists “robust design against vandalism” as a feature.
Yeah it’s in a student apartment and the people here are barbarians I’m surprised the laundry room door still has functioning hinges. The control box is built like a tank
34 Euros for one button?!
I had no clue how much buttons cost
Definitely seems like a “Buy Once, Cry Once” situation. I’m sure you could get a button for 1€, but it would probably need replaced every other week or so.
Some complicated answers in here.
Reach out to a repair shop which specializes in this device. Order that specific part as OEM.
Once you receive it, you might be able to find a manufacturer imprint, or even better, a pamphlet which indicates the manufacturer. Then go and see if you can buy whatever quantity your heart desires.
You want some kind of metal waterproof flush mount momentary push button switch, but without a brand name, it’s hard to say which will give you the right feel. There’s no telling what sort of spring mechanism is in there.
This has a LED, is that ok?
The button has a part number on the housing - but I’m pretty sure the apartment manager would frown on you opening the machine up.
One idea: find the model number of the washing machine and contact the manufacturer to see if they can give you a part number for the button and/or sell you a replacement part.
One of the problems is that it is the co trol panel outside the washing room to get I to the room not the actual machine itself. It’s a blank box but maybe I could dig into the menus to find something or contact the landlords for more info?
You should reach out to the manufacturer and ask.
Send an email explaining the situation to their marketing department, that is usually a good way to establish contact, and just say something like.
"Hi, this is a quite weird question, and I was wondering if you could pass it along to the relevant team.
I live in an apartment building with a communal laundry room, we have one of your devices in use on the wall, specifically the model X, and the button feel of the buttons are just utterly amazing.
I am now looking for the same type of buttons for my own project, and was wondering if you can speak with the product team and help me figure this out.
Thank you very much for you time!"
If I were looking for it, I would just go to one of the good online shops for electronic parts, for example www.buerklin.com
