10 replies to this topic

[KSJason]

I am confused and perhaps in my own head.  I am starting my  widebody cabinet build, utilizing MJR as a guide.  I think i have decided on the PinOne, Pinscape (although i don't understand which boards i need to start with yet) through Clevelandsoftwaredesign.com.  I know i want leaf flipper button switches but I am so disappointed and confused by the options.

 

The virtuapin 1 3/8 system gets me the button/leaf switch/bracket/hexnut for about $7.  It only comes in red/white solid (and black for an upcharge).  The 1 1/8 buttons have so many fun options.

 

I gravitate towards things that glow in the dark or give me the ability to light them up.  So, I looked for leaf switches and i am down the rabbit hole.  Macro and pinballlife have multiple kinds of leaf switches -- i can't determine which i need and what else i need.  These switches seem to cost $9 to $12 and I don't know how to tell which buttons work with them -- maybe they all do?  Then the buttons cost $5+ and i think there are other parts i will need to install them.

 

And i found these, which seem to be a hybrid? Am i losing the real leaf switch feel? https://www.clevelan...rgb-leaf-button

 

Why is the virtuapin leaf switch ($3.95 for the leaf switch and holder) so much less expensive?  If it just is but i have to sacrifice a fun button to pay $7 vs piecing a fun button/leafswitch/other part for $20 that is a choice i will make, but i can't figure out what i need to compare.  

 

i found these for cheaper --https://www.electron...eaf-contacts-nc

does it compare to this:   htt ps://www.pinballlife.com/classic-bally-flipper-switch.html

 

What else do i need if i need to make the flipper work? 

 

Why am i stuck with buttons -- this seems like an easy to understand area?  Did i just gloss over a tutorial?  

 

I have been able to get a 3 monitor set up working with pinball popper on several tables using a keyboard.  My plan was to map buttons/plunger in a plywood box while starting to build the cabinet and then transfer the system into the cabinet and then start adding more pieces from there.  

 

This community got me this far and I appreciate it.  

Edited by KSJason, 20 March 2024 - 06:42 PM.

[mjr]

It's not unusual to get stuck on button research!  The flipper buttons really are important to the feel of the machine, and there are lots of options out there, so it can be overwhelming to find the perfect option.

 

You said you're using my guide, so you've probably already read through the relevant chapter there:  http://mjrnet.org/pi...?sid=cabButtons

 

If you scroll down to Flipper Buttons, you'll find some specific picks for vendors and part numbers.  Those certainly aren't the only options available but they should give you one concrete option that's known to work well if you feel like you're getting too stuck in endless research mode.

 

If you do want to keep researching, the key thing to pay attention to with leaf switches is that they come in "high voltage" and "low voltage" varieties, and you should pick the low-voltage type for a virtual cab.  The high-voltage type is for older pinball machines that have their 50V flipper coils wired directly through the switches, so they're a lot tougher, but they don't conduct low-voltage logic signals as well.  The ones you linked from Pinball Life look like they're probably the high-voltage type, since they say they're for the "classic" Bally and Stern machines.  The low-voltage type has gold contact points, so "low voltage" and "gold contacts" basically mean the same thing when you're looking at specs.

 

 

The hybrid buttons you found might be worth a try.  I suspect that they won't feel exactly like standard flipper buttons since they look like they're just a little different in mechanical construction, but they at least claim to have leaf switches inside.  Personally I'd stick with the standard pinball parts that practically every commercial pinball machine uses.

Edited by mjr, 20 March 2024 - 07:17 PM.

[garnel]

I used the virtuapin leaf switches in both of my cabs, and would buy them again.

[BoltBait]

In my build, I used these: https://virtuapin.ne...&products_id=38

 

Build log w/pictures: https://BoltBait.com/pinball

[KSJason]

Thank you for the insight,  I went back and reviewed mjr's button section and his post on modifying his original buttons.  I bought the PinOne board from Cleveland and got a few RGB hybrid leaf buttons.  Since i am going to practice on a box before building the cabinet, i think I am going to get a couple of the virtuapin leaf switch buttons and compare them. If the hybrid buttons work out, i have virtuapin backups.  If they don't, they will become my magna save or start buttons.  I admit, the positive reviews and price of the virtuapin buttons is impossible to ignore.

 

Your responses centered me and got me out of the weeds.  Thank you.

 

It probably won't be long before I am back... 

[apax]

I'm a newbie here, so, grain-of-salt and all.  Built my first cab.  I'll tell you, what a mistake I made with microswitches for flippers.  No consistency.  Double-flipper hit at times, no hit, or delayed hit at others.  

 

Moving to leaf switches from VirtuaPin site.

[Urko]

Leaf switches for flippers is the way to go.

[Virtuallyunlimited]

If you are really stuck on wanting to use a "Happ" style button because it can light up or is the color you want, and you know someone with a 3D printer you can do something like this:

https://www.thingive...m/thing:4343123

 

I wanted off the shelf leaf switches with my Happ buttons so I made that and it has worked well in my primary cab for the last 3 years.

[rickh]

Should I write a primer on switches? Just a high level, enjoyable read?

 

Regards,

 

'Rick

[chonk0master]

I'm testing Cleveland software's rgb micro switches for flippers right now. I was using a ps style controller and built a test rig recently and I prefer these over the controller.

 

I'm about to move all the monitors and pc out to the shop to install in the cabinet. Once I do that I'll hook up the leaf switches and report back. I suspect I will like those better, but was surprised by the micro switches and I like that I can make them any color.

[DJO Maverick]

I decided to use Ultimarc GoldLeaf RGBs in mine because I had a surplus of them from when I built my arcade cab and liked them. Cleveland's buttons at least look like the same design. While they're not full leaf assemblies, they feel similar to me and definitely aren't conventional micro switches. I've found them to be a great compromise for convenience.