I am looking for a way to make a nice custom push button power switch for my recent F5 build (and upcoming preamp build):
My goal is something similar to the Krell KAV-150:
with a latching switch underneath, something like one of these:
I'm having a hard time finding the button part. I'm thinking of something like a 10mm diameter aluminum cylinder, maybe 15mm long, chamfered at one end and anodized black or clear. But I'm coming up empty handed -- all I can seem to find are all in one panel mount switches.
Is this something I should be able to find online?
BTW, adapting the button to the switch shouldn't be a problem since I have a nice 3D printer and know how to make nice parts with it.
I've considered going down the MacGyver route and buying things like modern drawer pulls and cutting them up to make what I want, but I have a feeling what I want is already out there. I just don't know what to search for.
Any ideas?

My goal is something similar to the Krell KAV-150:

with a latching switch underneath, something like one of these:

I'm having a hard time finding the button part. I'm thinking of something like a 10mm diameter aluminum cylinder, maybe 15mm long, chamfered at one end and anodized black or clear. But I'm coming up empty handed -- all I can seem to find are all in one panel mount switches.
Is this something I should be able to find online?
BTW, adapting the button to the switch shouldn't be a problem since I have a nice 3D printer and know how to make nice parts with it.
I've considered going down the MacGyver route and buying things like modern drawer pulls and cutting them up to make what I want, but I have a feeling what I want is already out there. I just don't know what to search for.
Any ideas?
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Bulgin supply buttons ( I know them well ) so do RS-online .
Push Button Switch MMPI0120 Series IP65 Black Anodized Aluminium Body Red PBT Button 12V DC Orange LED Illuminated Screw Terminals
Push Button Switches | RS Components
Push Button Switch MMPI0120 Series IP65 Black Anodized Aluminium Body Red PBT Button 12V DC Orange LED Illuminated Screw Terminals
Push Button Switches | RS Components
Any ideas?
A wide variety available on AliExpress:
15 pieces bouton d'alimentation 9.5*16*3.2mm capuchon de commutateur carre bouton amplificateur casque chassis panneau boutons pour interrupteur d'alimentation | AliExpress
Capuchon de commutation en aluminium | Trou carre 3.2mm bouton d'alimentation x10 | AliExpress
A wide variety available on AliExpress:
15 pieces bouton d'alimentation 9.5*16*3.2mm capuchon de commutateur carre bouton amplificateur casque chassis panneau boutons pour interrupteur d'alimentation | AliExpress
Capuchon de commutation en aluminium | Trou carre 3.2mm bouton d'alimentation x10 | AliExpress
That's perfect! I think I must have been using bad search keywords because I could only find complete switches. I will take a look through those this evening!
Knobs and pushbuttons are a very large market by themselves, tons to choose from, I wonder what was your search text?
Knobs and pushbuttons are a very large market by themselves, tons to choose from, I wonder what was your search text?
Sure, it was easy to find an abundance of knobs on many sites. Mouser, RS, Farnell, audiophonics.fr, eBay. Lots of options, many designed to work on 6mm or 1/4" shafts. No problem there.
The problem (for me) was trying those same sites for button caps and only coming up with a small range of plastic items (e.g. for Alps selectors), or integrated panel mount power switches.
Bulgin supply buttons ( I know them well ) so do RS-online .
Push Button Switch MMPI0120 Series IP65 Black Anodized Aluminium Body Red PBT Button 12V DC Orange LED Illuminated Screw Terminals
Push Button Switches | RS Components
Those look nice, but I'm specifically looking for metal caps to go with an internal push switch (third photo in OP), not all in one panel mount switches.
I had the same issue. I decided that I wanted the push button for the mains switch to match the selector and volume knobs. I just got a cheap plastic push button knob and glued it into one of the 21mm dia. solid aluminium knobs that I was using. I had to drill the aluminium knob out very slightly on a lathe.
Attachments
I placed an order for the 9.5mm dia buttons Yatsushiro linked to above.
Now I'm looking for a push button switch. Something like the C&K NE182AEE*, which is designed to be used with this type of cap. The problem is the datasheet that everybody links to (C&K, mouser, digikey, etc.) doesn't match the part numbers used on the websites. The scheme must have changed without the datasheet being updated. I've asked C&K and hopefully can get some clarification. I want one of the NE182AEE* switches with solder lugs, then I'll 3D print a bracket to secure it to the baseplate.
Now I'm looking for a push button switch. Something like the C&K NE182AEE*, which is designed to be used with this type of cap. The problem is the datasheet that everybody links to (C&K, mouser, digikey, etc.) doesn't match the part numbers used on the websites. The scheme must have changed without the datasheet being updated. I've asked C&K and hopefully can get some clarification. I want one of the NE182AEE* switches with solder lugs, then I'll 3D print a bracket to secure it to the baseplate.
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