Toggle switch caps

[Westozy]

Hi all,
I have been trying to locate a supplier of the small white plastic caps to fit the toggle switches on my 737 overhead panel. The only viable supplier I have found so far is Flightdeck solutions at US$1.35each. This works out to US$81, AUD$98 for 60 caps which I think is ridiculous! I can get them made in England but the minimum order is for 1000 units. I will be able to supply them at US$15 for 70 caps, (10 spares).
Are there any other builders out there who will be needing these caps? If I can take 2 or more orders I will go ahead and get them made. I am awaiting the arrival of a sample cap from this company which should be with me soon.

Regards, Gwyn

[paulj]

Gwyn
You can count me in for some I may also have a mate who would like to get some too but I won't be able to talk to him until Monday

Paul

[mpl330]

Hi,

Count me in at that price - although will you be able to ship back to UK??

Cheers
Mike

[Westozy]

I'll send them anywhere, postage should be cheap...

Gwyn

[mpl330]

I'm in then :D
Just let me know the details / logistics!

Thanks
Mike

[Michael Carter]

Gwyn, are these the short stubby fat caps for the very end of the toggle, or are they for a full length normal sized toggle baton?

I could use several to replace my aging caps, but the older panels use the skinny batons with a full-length cap.

The only short stubby fat baton on my overhead is on the stall warning test panel. I have one for that.

[Bob Reed]

Hey Westozy, if these are for the standard switch, count me in!

[Gsey]

yes me too

Gary

[Michael Carter]

We probably won't hear back from him for several hours unless he's a night owl.

[Bob Reed]

Well he is a little but he is in bed... So it will be a few hours before we hear anything...

[Shamrock224]

Count me in for a full set also.
Greg

[NicD]

What about the landing light switch covers (those three-prong ones) -anyone know where to get them?

[dcutugno]

Hi, caps needed!

[Westozy]

Hi All,

That's great guys, that's more than enough interest to make it worth while getting them made. I'll post a pic when the free sample arrives, I am told they are 13mm in length, (1/2") and 6mm bore. My standard toggle switches are 5mm diameter so they might need glueing on, I'll let you know what they are like soon. I did find some more on the net but they were the same price as FDS and as a Gibson guitar accessory they are over $3.00 each - what a rip off!
Nic, the landing light covers can be bought at that historical society that sells yokes but they aren't cheap, BSW knows the www. I'm going to make my own replicas soon out of aluminium bar and LEDs, I'll probably lock the 4 landing light switches together with a one piece arrangement.

Gwyn

[Gsey]

What about the landing light switch covers (those three-prong ones) -anyone know where to get them?

Eaton make those but there is a company that has replicas www.simparts.de

Vidarf has done a good job with these in his overhead http://www.fagerjord.org/cockpit/index.php?id=thingys

Gary

[Westozy]

Hi Guys,
Today I received a few free samples from the company who makes the caps. As mentioned before the available size is 6mm x 13mm, my switches are all 5mm which means the caps are a little loose. I applied a small amount of silastic inside the cap and pushed it on, within minutes it was set and stuck firmly. They work fine and look the part, I think the price is right!
I am ordering 1000 caps tomorrow and will announce their availability when they arrive at my home. As mentioned previously I will offer a packet of 70 caps for US$15.00 plus postage to anywhere. There will be 14 sets available initially.

Gwyn

[paulj]

They look great Gwyn.
I'll definately take a set from you. If there are enough left I'll actually take an additional set for a mate of mine too.
Just let me know how many I can have and how you want the funds sent.
cheers

Paul

[Westozy]

Hi guys,

To all of you here who have expressed interest in these caps so far, I have reserved sets for you and sent you all private messages. I estimate availability at the end of May.

9 sets gone, only 5 more left, I will keep updating availability.

Thank you all for your orders!

Gwyn

[Michael Carter]

They look right to me, count me in for a set!

[vidarf]

You can also use the white toggle caps I use in my overhead. They come with a little "filler-cap" thingy that fits on regular mini toggles.
Gary linked to my site:
http://www.fagerjord.org/cockpit/index.php?id=thingys

If you look under "switches", you can barely see the "filler-cap" inside one of the long caps.
So you can use FlyEngravity if you want. :)

[Westozy]

They look right to me, count me in for a set!

1 set reserved for you, BSW

4 sets left now.

Gwyn

[RalphW]

A set for me please.

Thanks for this initiative

[Westozy]

You're on the list Ralph,

3 sets left!

gwyn

[Westozy]

Hi Guys,
1000 white toggle caps have arrived at my door and are ready for posting. I will post private messages to you all very soon regarding the Paypal details etc. Could you all please provide your postal details in your replies and I'll find out what the postage will be, it should be pretty cheap as they are very light. Be aware that the last parts I posted by normal airmail,(to Canada), took 4 weeks to arrive so if you want express post let me know.
As I said before, they are a little loose on the switches and I'm going to try making a small sleeve out of fish tank plastic tubing to take up the space, I'll let you know if it works out, otherwise silastic works fine.
Thanks to you all!

Gwyn

[Westozy]

Hi guys,
Today I bought some plastic tubing from an aquarium shop, it is the type used on the air pumps, it works perfectly! It fits tight on the switches and the caps become tight, they look great. I'll post another pic of my OH when I have fitted mine.

I have another Aussie 737 Captain visiting tonight, formerly Ansett, China Airlines and about to start at Cathay who don't happen to operate 737s so he has 6 months of training ahead of him, lucky b*#*ard! I can't wait for 7.30!

Today I posted caps by regular airmail to

PaulJ, Dctugno, RalphW, MPL330 & Shamrock, thanks guys.

Gwyn

[Westozy]

Hi Guys,

Here are my set installed on my now completed panel. http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1300

I'm glad that one's over with, now the roof frame modifications but the end is in sight at last....
Gwyn

[Michael Carter]

Looks great Gwyn.

Just sent you a Paypal for mine.

Thanks!

[mpl330]

Gwyn,

O.H. looks great!
So the toggle switches are sorted but which supplier did you use for the knobs (e.g. the engine start switches)?

Cheers
Mike
ps Thanks for posting the toggles

[Westozy]

I bought the Boeing knobs from Engravity in their raw state, painted them and made the black line stickers by cutting them out of black duct tape with a trimmer knife. I'm pretty sure you need 26 of these for the O/H and MIP, they cost about AUD$85. I built my O/H for about AUD$360 most of that was for the switches.

Gwyn

[mpl330]

Hi Gwyn,
Toggles arrived today - fantastic, many thanks.
Cheers
Mike

[RalphW]

Hi Gwyn

Toggles arrived today - good quality. Many thanks

Ralph

[Westozy]

That was quick, good to hear they got there OK, cheers Ralph.

Gwyn

[paulj]

Mine arrived ok too.
They are great thanks Gwyn

cheers
Paul

[Michael Carter]

If they get here faster than my new watch that is already a week (7 business days) behind, I'd rejoice.

The postal service in the US SUCKS. This is twice now in two months I've had a 2-3 Day Priority Mail shipment not show up in the allotted time. This was coming from Long Island, New York.

I hate the US Mail.

In April I had a parcel delivered across town to a wholly different address. Postal Service said it was delivered correctly. Essentially calling me a liar.

The person it was delivered to graciously brought it to my house himself three days after the postal service said it had been delivered to MY address.

That burns my @55 so bad I can't even repeat it here.

[Westozy]

Hi Guys,

Today I posted the last orders to Mike(BSW), Gary(Gsey) & Bob Reed.

I still have about 240 left if anyone else wants some.

Thank you all for the "business"!

Gwyn

[James Twomey]

Gwyn

I would be interested in a set. You still have them available?

Regards,
James

[JBaymore]

Gwyn,

I might be interested.... how much (about) is the shipping to the states?

best,

.................john

[Westozy]

Hi James & John,

I have 240 caps left and can post sets of 70 to you. Check your private messages for details and please reply with your postal details if you would like a set each. The 737 O/H uses 60 caps I think.

Gwyn

[Gsey]

Hi Gwyn,

The caps arrived today. A big thanks for sending these too me.

Gary

[Bob Reed]

Hi Gwyn. Mine arrived as well. Supper man! Thanks.

[JBaymore]

Gwyn,

Ditto for mine yesterday.... THANK YOU! (please see PM)

best,

....................john

[Westozy]

Thanks guys, I've sold the whole lot which was unexpected. Remember if they are a little loose on the toggle switches, some small plastic tubing takes up the slack nicely.

I have just heard that I will have more articles in Computer Pilot in July and September, they must like my stories!

Gwyn