Decent LED mounts/bezels for control panels

[Buriedcode]

For years I've been using the generic recessed LED mounts from rapid electronics:

https://www.rapidonline.com/truopto-r9-4615-3mm-recessed-bezel-led-holder-55-0270
https://www.rapidonline.com/truopto-r9-4815-5mm-recessed-bezel-led-holder-55-0275

They're well made, and have a rubber "bung" that holds the LED in place, and provides enough friction to prevent users/abusers easily pushing the LED back out the mount.

For a new project, its required that the LED can be seen from a wider angle - so "recessed" mounts are out.  In my hunt for a new decent mount I've discovered just how bad many are - the generic stuff, one can find on ebay or amazon, ordered a bunch a year ago, and they were so shocking the 3mm ones had 4mm holes so the LED was pretty loose.  eg: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352120655519?hash=item51fc06ce9f:g:-5AAAOSwlptZ7PfH&var=621574952943


Aside from the premade "panel indicators" (often well made, sometimes IPxx rated) what do you guys use?  The mount should be prominent or flat so viewing angle is a good 120+ and preferably for 3mm LED's due to space constraints.  I will probably end up going with said indicators, but it got me thinking about what others use since its obviously quite common to have LED inidicators.

I'll add some pictures later, but for some reason my posts never allow me to put images in line.

There's also the "clip" type which will hold the LED in place but still "rattles":

[tooki]

Honestly, the most satisfying solution I’ve done in a metal panel is to drill a small hole, very cleanly, then  heat the panel with hot air and smoosh a hot glue stick (the milky white kind) into the back so it melts through the hole. Let it cool, then carefully use a scalpel to trim the excess from the front. Finally, run hot air over the front briefly just to smooth the cut surface. This produces a lovely diffuser effect for a PCB-mounted LED, with a wide viewing angle.

[Gyro]

Even without the hot melt glue, a nicely toleranced hole with an LED press fitted into it (with maybe a little glue at the rear for ultimate security), gives a very neat finish, particularly with 3mm LEDs.

[Buriedcode]

Even without the hot melt glue, a nicely toleranced hole with an LED press fitted into it (with maybe a little glue at the rear for ultimate security), gives a very neat finish, particularly with 3mm LEDs.

I probably should have mentioned the enclosure/panel has a wall thickness of about 1.5mm - I agree that thicker panels, 4-5mm no bezel is really required.  Also I'm assuming the panel will take "abuse" as alot of industrial gear does.  With a thinner wall the LED will setick out enough to be "bashed".

I'm quite surprised at the lack of good quality mounts there - perhaps thats because sealed indicators are so cheap and effective, and for mass production, SMD leds and lightpipes/guides rule.

Honestly, the most satisfying solution I’ve done in a metal panel is to drill a small hole, very cleanly, then  heat the panel with hot air and smoosh a hot glue stick (the milky white kind) into the back so it melts through the hole. Let it cool, then carefully use a scalpel to trim the excess from the front. Finally, run hot air over the front briefly just to smooth the cut surface. This produces a lovely diffuser effect for a PCB-mounted LED, with a wide viewing angle.

I've used hot melt for diffusion before, works well, especially with modern LEDs that are brighter than the sun. I've had to use it for other bezels both to keep the LED in place (which is the bezel's job, but as mentioned, fails to do so) and for semi-water proofing.

[james_s]

I've been using this style, they come in various colors including clear.

https://www.allelectronics.com/item/cl-a/amber-cliplite-lens/mounting-clip/1.html

I also have some that are cylindrical and stick out of the panel, I don't remember where I got those though.

[tooki]

Even without the hot melt glue, a nicely toleranced hole with an LED press fitted into it (with maybe a little glue at the rear for ultimate security), gives a very neat finish, particularly with 3mm LEDs.

Yes, that works. But to be clear, I’m not putting the LED through the hole — the hot glue plug in the hole is the light pipe for an LED that’s completely behind the front panel.

With that said, a precisely drilled hole with a diffused 3mm LED poking through it looks great.