I dunno…[:-^]…maybe WASH THEM…
Just to be clear, I never singled YOU out when I commented about the remarks made about “dirt”, as you were not the only one MAKING those comments. Apperantly, however, YOU’VE chosen to come at me with your guilty rage. Wrong move.[:(!]
The switch is obviously going to be installed and used for at least a few years, so yes, dirt, body oils (which, BTW, accumulate on the skin within hours of washing, even if you do nothing), soap residue, etc, will quickly be transferred to the switch, especially if it’s the room light control. He’ll need to install a hand washing sink in the room to accomplish what you suggest. And if you think your hands will be clean all the time, you’ve obviously never built a layout.
The other problem is he’ll have to change the switch anyway. That cream colored switch will stand out like a sore thumb, and need to be changed for a darker color.
To the “good things to say” statement, when someone posts a proposal like this, they expect comments, both good and bad, usually to help them see potential problems they may not have thought of. The idea of a forum is exchange of ideas, not just “attaboys.”
I can’t believe how this tread has deteriorated into a “mud slinging” contest (and not on the switch) over something as simple as a 15 minute job of moving a light switch up a few inches.
If you’re afraid of any local code violations or just don’t care to move it, then by all means leave it to be poking out a window of the building.
I would leave the switch right where it is. I don’t think you will ruin the model in front of it by using the switch. It’s not like it’s a scratch built masterpiece. In terms of creating an illusion, I think the it will be well hidden with your trickery. If you move the switch up, then you have a light switch right in the middle of your scene. I think you’ve come up with a creative solution. Moving the switch would be easy enough, but leaving it where it is will be easier!
Umm…like…wow…such nastiness. Of all my threads, I think this one has been the worst, “mud slinging” wise. [:(!] [xx(]
I do appreciate the constructive comments about moving the switch. However, moving it up in the stud bay is not an option, as it is already at the top of the allowable code height. As my wire fishing skills aren’t that good, moving to another stud bay is out as well.
bogp40’s suggestion of using a wireless remote switch is an interesting one. My other option is of course to do nothing to hide the switch, but I don’t really like it:
I think this is a much better look:
So please keep it civil and keep constructive comments and suggestions coming.
Nick
I guess it all depends on what you like and dislike. It also depends on who is going to be throwing the switch. I had one that was high up in the sky and pained the same color blue as my sky. I was the only one operating it until one other fellow saw me turn it on, then he got to it with his dirty hands.
There is another choice. You could bring you building out about an inch, close up or glass in the window. Then run a wire up from the switch handle to the roof of the building. You could either put a small loop in the wire and leave it, or cover it with a roof-top A/C unit or something. At any rate, you might want to make a rule that NO ONE turns the light on and off except you.
Elmer.
Use a “bendy” straw , paint it what ever color you want, glue it to the switch to look like an exhaust pipe like Chuck suggested. Maybe 3 minutes of work and you’ll most likely be the only one that knows it’s there.
Why make it harder than it is? Geez, guys![%-)]
Terry
Weathering the switch and plate would help a lot, and should be quick and easy.
I’ve been trying to ignore this love fest for several days now, but I just hate to be left out.
Replace the light switch with a radio remote, then put something in front of it but not attached to the wall. I have them in all my rooms that have ceiling fans. They are almost flush with the wall.
OR … Replace the switch with one of the rocker or push button switches. They, too are almost flush, though you would not be able to cover it.
OR … Use the system you have chosen with the switch sticking through the window. To comply with code, you might have to make the building it is sticking through into a switch plate. That shouldn’t be too hard.
OR … Make a small piece that looks like a window air conditioner and glue it to the switch.
OR … Turn the switch on and leave it on, put a building in front of it and add another switch somewhere else in the room.
Personally, I would just replace it with a black or dark brown switch and otherwise do just what you originally suggested.
nb:
Here’s an idea - don’t conceal the switch. Build a light-switch factory next to it, build a frame on the wall around it, and add some wording like “DON’T BE TURNED OFF - USE MONOCO SWITCHES”, or something like it, converting the switch into a giant advertising sign. [:)]
See? If you ask enough people, SOMEONE will be an outside the box thinker and will have the perfect simple solution.
Great idea Autobus Prime! I really like that one. Almost makes me wish I had a switch in my backdrop so I could try it.
Hal
What a neat idea to use the thing as advertisement! If you cannot stop something from happening, make it a sales feature!
Another alternative: bore a small hole in the sw handle and connect it to an automotive choke cable that can be reached somewhere else; or… just replace the sw or its light with a motion-sensitive one.
Build a billboard sign around the lightswitch advertizing a circus. Buy a toy elephant and cut the trunk off. Glue the elephant’s trunk over the swith handle, and voila! - a complete disguise with a 3D billboard.
P.S. Don’t forget to paint the rest of the elephant on the sign.
Paint a face on the switch and paint a dress too, and put some fake flames comming out the window and it will look like the towering inferno in HO scale!!! Maybe some firemen with one of those trampaline looking things down below. Come on guys, lets get the creative juices flowing![(-D]
This thread needed some sillyness!
Bob
vw:
Silly? You want silly?
Make a Green Giant billboard out of it. Paint the top half of the Jolly Green Giant on the top half of the light switch. Paint the bottom half of the Jolly Green Giant on the bottom half of the light switch. And…
Oh boy, things ARE getting silly now.
And be sure to put a raincoat on the Jolly Green Giant.
Now thats thinking.
The most obvious way to keep it from standing out so much is to simply paint the switch and switch plate to match the backdrop. Quick and easy.