Flipper Switch

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Here's a wall switch plate with a novelty flipper. I have extra-wide "maxi" metal wall plates from Mulberry. These are available at Home Depot. A standard-width wall plate may not work as well. The pivot hole is drilled 7/8" from the edge of the switch hole.

I used an old Gottlieb flipper with a removable shaft assembly. I used the shaft assembly as a pattern to cut a filler block from a piece of 3/16" plywood. Then I added a nylon washer and a #6 x 3/4" sheet metal screw. The wood block is glued into the flipper body. The block stiffens the flipper, provides more bite for the screw and provides a solid surface for the nylon washer. The wall plate is assembled between the nylon washer and the screw head. The screw is tightened as much as possible while still allowing the flipper to pivot.

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Old Gottlieb flipper disassembled.

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Wall plate pivot hole.

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Parts ready to assemble.

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Rear view of the assembled flipper switch.

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Side view of the assembled flipper switch.

Update... Since I used a Gottlieb flipper I figured I should use some Gottlieb art. I found a decent Super Duo image on the Internet that I simply printed on copy paper. I applied the paper to the wall plate with spray adhesive. Then I sprayed over the image with a few light coats of clear lacquer.

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