Toggle Switches: Is there an In-Between Quality/Price Choice?

[EPAIII]

A few months ago, against my better judgment, I tried some inexpensive, miniature toggle switches from Aliexpress. I bought ten of them for under $10 and the shipping was free. It took forever for them to arrive - slow boat from China, I guess. But shipping was free so I can't complain about that.

But when I tried using them to make a 3D, open air device and had to solder some of the pins more than once, a couple of them just stopped working. They clicked, but no circuit. OK, lesson learned. What did I expect? Well I did expect a bit more than that, but LESSON LEARNED!

So I am back to using US suppliers and name brand switches. Or I am trying to. I want to buy another bunch of 10 or more and was hoping to find a decent price. Not under $1, but perhaps around $2 or $3. However it seems that the prices jump from around $1 each to around $7 or more each.

Does anyone know of a source for name brand or at least decent quality miniature toggle switches at a mid range price? As I said, I would be looking at a purchase of 10 or more.

[Someone]

NKK aren't rubbish.

[Buriedcode]

There are "own brands" from places like Farnell and RS that will be half the price of C&K but pretty reliable. But if this is for something important and expensive, then a few $$ won't hurt?

[Smokey]

These most definitely fall into the random no name 10 for under $1 each.  Used about 30 so far.  I've been using them for internal cable fixtures, so no customer facing stuff.  But for that purpose, I haven't had one fail or be DOA, and they all do their job with a decent click. I'm not anywhere near putting 6A or 125V through.  The plastic melts at a pretty low temp so careful when soldering.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0799HC3VY

[schmitt trigger]

Have you checked LCSC?
They do sell from the usual Western companies (C&K, Carling, Switchcraft) but also from unknown (to me at least) Chinese manufacturers.

With some trepidation I ordered some devices which were mechanically identical to C&K, but at 1/6 the price. For almost 2 years they have been holding up. Knock on wood.

I am only switching a couple of watts, though. And sporadic use. If I were to switch the full rated power and constant usage, or a critical application, I would only order the original devices.

[soldar]

Some years ago I bought some cheap 3-position switches on eBay to use switching mains 230V.

I installed it and the first time I tested the device it blew the circuit breaker. The 230V which was supposed to go through the switch had made contact with the metal knob and thread which were connected to the metal housing which was, thank goodness, grounded.

I still have them in the bag waiting for a chance to use them on some project. Maybe if I want to electrocute someone some day.

[thm_w]

If you overheat any switch it might stop working, not saying the ones you got weren't junk, but, you have to limit the time of soldering you do, or use connectors.
LCSC as mentioned will have consistent quality parts.

Some years ago I bought some cheap 3-position switches on eBay to use switching mains 230V.

I installed it and the first time I tested the device it blew the circuit breaker. The 230V which was supposed to go through the switch had made contact with the metal knob and thread which were connected to the metal housing which was, thank goodness, grounded.

So it looks like you opened it to see inside, it was intentionally connected? Or some kind of manufacturing flaw.

[soldar]

So it looks like you opened it to see inside, it was intentionally connected? Or some kind of manufacturing flaw.

Bad design. The rocker would make contact with the front plate.

I cannot imagine how it came to be manufactured. Maybe it was designed with a very small clearance but in actual manufacture the dimensions changed.

I assume the lot was sold as scrap and an entrepreneur bought them to sell on eBay as good.

 

[EPAIII]

Sorry, it is for something cheap. A quick and dirty tester and cross wiring USB device with two cheap breakout boards suspended about an inch apart with 4 switches between them so things can be turned on and off. No lights, no covers, absolutely nothing not essential.

Sure I could spend the dollars, but I may only use this once or twice. Or dozens of times, who knows.

There are "own brands" from places like Farnell and RS that will be half the price of C&K but pretty reliable. But if this is for something important and expensive, then a few $$ won't hurt?

[EPAIII]

Thanks, I took your advise and tried the Jameco house brand. They were $1.09 each/qty of 10. Have the switches and need to find the time to solder them in. Will try to post a photo if/when it works.

There are "own brands" from places like Farnell and RS that will be half the price of C&K but pretty reliable. But if this is for something important and expensive, then a few $$ won't hurt?