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DIY Toe Pistons

Building organ consoles for use with Hauptwerk, adding MIDI to existing consoles, obtaining parts, ...
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NickNelson

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DIY Toe Pistons

PostSun Sep 21, 2008 3:15 am

Inspired by Ed's recent post "Make your own toe pistons " in the General Discussion. I have also been exploring the possibilities for adapting plumbing sundries in console building.

Here is a suggestion using predominantly 22mm copper pipe fittings.

ImageImage
ImageImage

I haven't yet decided how best to covert the motion of the threaded rod into an electrical contact, though a microswitch seems a likely candidate.

Hopefully the pictures and drawing will give a sufficient general overview of the arrangement, but if anyone wants more details I'd be happy to post them.

Nick
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Neil Odlin

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PostSun Sep 21, 2008 9:48 am

that is a fantastic idea, I have been ponderding something similar with empty aerosols, but wasn't satisfied with the strength of them. Have you considered a reed or hall swithch assemble on the threaded rod?

Neil
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Sander

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PostMon Sep 22, 2008 12:49 pm

That is an excellent idea. Now I just need room to mount them. Normal footswitches look like this: Image

but a reed- or micro switch would work as well.
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NickNelson

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostTue Jul 10, 2012 10:31 am

Update on the toe studs:

I found that just running the 22mm pipe through a 22mm hole in the base board wasn't completely satisfactory. The Mk 2 version uses what are known
as 22mm 'slip couplings' as a bush for the assembly.

You need to be sure that you get the right kind of coupling. They need to be 'end feed' otherwise there will be incovenient rings of solder in each end, and 'slip' couplings rather than ordinary couplings which have a ridge half way down which stops the pipe running all the way through. An example is here:

https://www.toolstation.com/made4trade-end-feed-slip-coupling/p73133

Shop around for these, they are a relatively uncommon plumbing part and many places will ask silly money for them.

The hole through the base board now needs to be 24mm.

In the end I used microswitches as the sensors, but reed switches would have been just as good.

Nick
Last edited by NickNelson on Sun Aug 13, 2023 11:30 am, edited 3 times in total.
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mdyde

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostTue Jul 10, 2012 11:06 am

(Topic moved here.)
Best regards, Martin.
Hauptwerk software designer/developer, Milan Digital Audio.
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NickNelson

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostTue Jul 24, 2012 1:25 am

Full constructional details are here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7clI8_m3CWZOGJGa3BaVUI0T2c

Nick
Last edited by NickNelson on Mon Jun 08, 2020 4:39 am, edited 2 times in total.
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icrutt

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostTue Jul 24, 2012 4:10 am

Thanks, Nick! That's a really helpful document. I'm sure we'll see a profusion of self-made pistons on the forum now... :) Much appreciated!

Ian
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mds6 user

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostWed Jul 25, 2012 1:14 pm

If you don't mind a DIY look I would recommend a floor mount starter switch like this
http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/62 ... A1LOVZ7lUp
You can get them at your local farm or automotive store for as little as $8.
Also you could use a floor mount horn switch like this for a little less
http://www.buggiesunlimited.com/golf-ca ... 0BTN%20FLR
They are both designed for lots of use by feet.
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eivind

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostMon Jul 30, 2012 5:50 pm

Kudos to the pdf there! I almost regret buying toe-studs off eBay! Nice work!
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cootcraig

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostSun Mar 15, 2015 11:52 am

mds6 user wrote:If you don't mind a DIY look I would recommend a floor mount starter switch like this
http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/62 ... A1LOVZ7lUp
You can get them at your local farm or automotive store for as little as $8.
Also you could use a floor mount horn switch like this for a little less
http://www.buggiesunlimited.com/golf-ca ... 0BTN%20FLR
They are both designed for lots of use by feet.


Very nice parts. A tractor/pipe organ transplant!
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cootcraig

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostSun Mar 15, 2015 11:54 am

NickNelson wrote:Full constructional details are here:

http://www.personal.leeds.ac.uk/~edu6nwn/midistuff/ToeStuds.pdf

Nick


Nice work Nick. I like how you've put your console together.
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David Baldwin

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostMon Feb 11, 2019 3:55 pm

I found that just running the 22mm pipe through a 22mm hole in the base board wasn't completely satisfactory. The Mk 2 version uses what are known
as 22mm 'slip couplings' as a bush for the assembly.

Image

You need to be sure that you get the right kind of coupling. They need to be 'end feed' otherwise there will be incovenient rings of solder in each end, and 'slip' couplings rather than ordinary couplings which have a ridge half way down which stops the pipe running all the way through. An example is here:

http://www.copperpipefittings.co.uk/cop ... pling.html


I have just completed a set of 7 pistons to Nick's design. It is working very well and only needed a Teensy Board to interface with Hauptwerk.

Thanks Nick for a great disign. A second unit for the other side coming up.
(Dr.) David G. Baldwin
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Dnsmo

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostMon Feb 11, 2019 6:32 pm

Thank you, David, for posting your update.

The link to the PDF that Nick originally posted explaining his DIY toe stud design no longer works. If Nick or someone else would repost it for those of us who are a little late to the party, I would be much obliged.

Dennis
Dennis
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Japio

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostTue Feb 12, 2019 5:15 am

Dnsmo wrote:Thank you, David, for posting your update.

The link to the PDF that Nick originally posted explaining his DIY toe stud design no longer works. If Nick or someone else would repost it for those of us who are a little late to the party, I would be much obliged.

Dennis

Me too!
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NickNelson

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Re: DIY Toe Pistons

PostTue Feb 12, 2019 4:12 pm

I'm sorry the original information is currently unavailable, due to the original hosting arrangement being withdrawn.

I will try and find a replacement.

Failing that, I'd be very happy to send a copy of the .pdf to anyone who requests it (via a PM preferably).

Nick
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