Arcade Buttons

published May 27, 2025, last edited May 28, 2025

New

Beginner

Product guide

Disassembly

Removing the switch/LED assembly is needed for installing the button (see Usage section). Other than that, there is generally no need to disassemble the button any further for basic usage. However, we detail disassembly here for those wanting to potentially modify the button in some way.

Re-assembly is generally just the reverse of the disassembly shown below.

Removing Button/LED Insert

This is actually a necessary step for final installation. See the Usage section for more details.

The switch and LED are both held together in a single assembly that fits inside the button screw post. It is held in with a twist lock.

Hold the threads.
Twist the switch in direction shown.

The assembly should now be removable.

The entire switch/LED assembly should come completely out.

Putting the assembly back in just the opposite. Look inside for the two black tabs that the assembly must initially be aligned with. Then push the assembly in and twist to lock it back in place.

Removing LED

The LED and current limiting resistor are held together in a little assembly that can be removed from the button/LED. The LED and resistor can also be completely removed from this assembly.

Hold the lower button part.
Grab the tube with the LED inside.
Pull the tube to remove it.

The LED is now removed.

By unwrapping the wire leads on the posts, the LED itself can be removed. Along with the current limiting resistor.

The resistor appears to be 680 Ohms.

The LED sub-assembly is held in place by a friction fit without any indexing. The LED polarity on the external pins will be a result of the orientation of this LED sub-assembly.

Removing the Microswitch

The switch itself is held in the button/LED assembly via two posts. Removing this is difficult and not recommended due to amount of prying needed.

Two posts on the back side mate with these two through holes on the microswitch.

Pry up on these two tabs to lift the posts out of the holes.

The posts are long enough and the two tabs are stiff enough that this takes a fair amount of effort. The only reason to do this would be to replace the microswitch for some reason.

Removing Button Cap Assembly

The button assembly can be removed as well. Be careful not to lose the spring.

Squeeze in on the two white tabs holding the button into the black plastic post.
Once tabs are pushed in, press down to start sliding the assembly through the black plastic post.

The button assembly is now removed.
The spring will likely go flying somewhere during removal.

Removing Button Top Cap

The top plastic part of the button is press fit onto the button cap assembly. With some careful spudging, it can be removed.

Carefully pry up to get started. Once a little bit gets lifted, the rest will come out easy.

The smaller the button size, the trickier this removal is.

Once removed, there will be three pieces. The colored cap, a diffuser disc, and the base part.

A custom insert can be added. Keep in mind this will cover the LED as well.

The button plastic is clear enough to make the results readable.

Page last edited May 27, 2025