Hi all, does anyone have a link (or part number) for surface mount (not panel mount) momentary push buttons. The bigger the better, thanks
Frank
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Frank........If tru hole board mounting is ok these look interesting.
https://www.digikey.com/en/pro...NmJ6S281TVcifQ%3D%3D
Richard
100pcs 3X6X2.5mm Tactile Push Button Switch Tact Switch Micro Switch 2Pin SMD S2 100 of them for less than $4 shipped, eBay: 261995936109
For big ones, try Amazon, 25 large for $11.26, in multiple colors: Gikfun 12x12x7.3 mm Tact Tactile Push Button Momentary SMD PCB Switch with Cap for Arduino (Pack of 25pcs) AE1027
- 5pcs 12x12x7.3 mm Push Button Momentary Switch witch Blue Cap
- 5pcs 12x12x7.3 mm Push Button Momentary Switch witch Red Cap
- 5pcs 12x12x7.3 mm Push Button Momentary Switch witch Green Cap
- 5pcs 12x12x7.3 mm Push Button Momentary Switch witch Yellow Cap
- 5pcs 12x12x7.3 mm Push Button Momentary Switch witch Black Cap
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I just use door bell buttons from the hardware store. Easy to find, easy to push, even for little hands . Just be sure to buy the non-illuminated ones. The light bulbs in the illuminated ones let a little current through.
I think the key comment here was surface mount, I presume there was a reason for that specification. 
If you are interested, I have Lionel Surface mounted switches, momentary, and non momentary....Original small switches...My email is in my profile...
Can somebody school me on what a momentary switch is used for?
Works just like a push button. An example would be for a water tower spout.
Seems like a confusion in terminology here. Are we talking about surface mount, as in for soldering on the surface of a printed circuit board, what electronics minded people think of when someone says "surface mount"? (SMT) Or are we looking for pushbuttons designed to be mounted to a flat surface with screws, as opposes to the more common sort that are intended to be mounted through a hole in a panel?
Above in the thread are good suggestions for both types. I'm unsure what the proper name for the ones with dog-ears for screw mounting is, but surface mount tends to make folks think of PCB mounted parts.
JGL
Excellent point JGL, I hadn't considered the differences. 
One of our club members started using thru-mounted arcade game momentary buttons for layout accessories. They look good, are big, are made to withstand repeated use, come in a variety of colors, and are available inexpensively (~$2-3/ea) on ebay.
Rob, thanks, those look good.
