Happ pushbuttons have become the standard of the industry. Not only are they well made, and durable, but they are also goddamn cheap. Less than a couple of bucks each. They offer a complete selection of colors and styles, and their little "cherry" microswitches are supposed to be able to last 10,000,000 operations. Check out the selection at HAPP.
The microswitch pushbutton is quite a bit different from the leaf-switch days of old. However, unlike joysticks, many don’t express much dislike for this control. Besides a small audible click, and a slight difference in resistance, there is virtually no difference between this button and a leafswitch.
The housing on these buttons are a uniform 1-1/8". You drill the hole, remove the switch and lockring, and slide it in place.
Two versions: The horizontal and vertical microswitch.
THE LEAF SWITCH:
The upper and lower assemblies of a typical leaf-switch pushbuton.
To utilize the leaf-switch pushbutton, you must have a upper and lower assembly. The depth of the lower assembly depends on the length of the upper assembly shaft. Buttons from wood control panels tended to be longer than those placed in metal. Lots of alterations have been done to these assemblies over the years, and parts mixed and matched. You will just as likely find a long-shaft lower assembly cut down and placed on a short upper, as you will a short-shaft lower and spacer on a long upper.
A quick look at the two mechanisms. The microswitch can be set so that the switch is normally open or normally closed.
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