Finding Rotaries

[Runewalker]

I tried getting a little action on this question in another thread and it moved to far down the active postings to get any attention. So..... I'll just make a new thread.

I am seeking:

The largest number of poles and positions that would still fit in a back-routed cavity.

What and where is this beast and how much does it cost?

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I got out the high powered reading glasses to peruse the Mouser catalog (actual phone book sized hard copy) seeking a rotary with:

The largest I have tested is an Alpha 4pol-5pos and the 4pol-6pos version, both with 2 decks (the same used in JH's LP Max.

www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1276.pdf

Electroswitches which are pricier are here:

www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1278.pdf

There is a 6 pole 2-6 Pos switch, an 8 pole 2-6 Pos switch, and a 9 and a 12 pole with only 2-4 positions.

Here:

www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1279.pdf

there is a 6 pole 2-12 position for $236.50. I don't think so.

this has 4 and 5 poles with 2-11 positions, again pricey but not unachievable, just a big swallow.

www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1280.pdf

But the real issue there is 5 decks. No backplate possible, and a new meaning to buckle rash.

None of those exotic 8 pole 12 position jobbers. Digikey may have something, but they seem more expensive than Mouser, or require a higher min order.

[fobits]

The largest number of poles and positions that would still fit in a back-routed cavity

I donno. How powerful is your router? ;D

[UnklMickey]

good un!

[ChrisK]

These are Grayhill switches, only the smallest (4P6T) is available from Digikey ($20 each). I like them because of their gold contacts, their small size, and since us engineers can get free samples, I like the "Lego block" set that they sent me (the maximum config for each pole structure (2T, 3T, 4T, 6T, 12T). A clever sort can mix pole types within a single switch!

I never built it, but did source the series 71 rotary switches (in all of their maximum possible extrapolations) from Grayhill. I decided that I can fit a series 71 w/ 4 decks within a Strat or Tele depth body. This allows an 8 pole 6 position (the series 71 mechanism is pin insert settable for any subset number of positions), a 12 pole 4 position, a 16 pole 3 position, and a 24 pole 2 position maximum possible configuration.

Note: The 4P6T switch is $20. We're looking at about $80 for the three switches (but I gots mine already - engineering samples rule![sometimes]).

Since the back wood on a top-routed Strat or Tele body is about 1/4", one can get a four deck switch in on the pickguard. The top wood on a back-routed Strat or Tele body seems to be 1/4" also, but the back plate is recessed (1/8"). One might have to spot thin the wood.