Securing Tape Switches

[Outlander Systems]

Random query:

To any of you guys still using tape switches:

What are you using to secure them? TangoDown products? Electrical tape? Heat shrink tubing?

Anyone got pics?

[BobM]

I've used electrical tape but right now on the cruiser rifles I'm using an elastic/velcro band made for the purpose by The Wilderness. They call it a Tactical Light Switch Keeper.

[Failure2Stop]

I've used everything from electrical tape to epoxy.

Lots of our stuff comes with adhesive velcro, but once you use it it can be a pain in the ass to get more unless you go outside the normal channels. The biggest problem with the velcro is the adhesive- once you put it on you can't relocate the velcro, and cleaning stuff weakens the adhesion. I am not saying that about all velcro adhesive, just the stuff that came with our IR devices.

I am going to try out some 3M Dual-Lock and see how that does.

BTW- if you are just sticking it to a VFG, an old innertube works great. I used to use this method back in the day.

[bluepythons]

I have used 3M velcro, not sure which one specifically, that worked pretty well. I agree about the bike tube, that works really well. The nice part is if you go to a bike shop and ask them for an old tube, ie one with a hole in it they will give it to you free. I found the size that works the best are from road bikes, real skinny tires. If you can find them they also make a heavy duty tube in those sizes that are thicker rubber.

One trick I have used is to use hairspray, the cheaper the better it seems, aqua-net whatever you can find. Spray the VFG and pressure switch with a light coating, now you have to work fast before it dries so dont dick around. Also spray the inside of the tube you are going to put on. Pre-measure the length to save you some time and go ahead and practice using a dry run. Once everything is sprayed, the hairspray will act as a lube and it will slide right on. Once its where you want it you can let it dry or speed up the drying process by using an air compressor with a nozzle. Once the hairspray dries it "sets" and with be very solid not shifting or moving around. If you want to remove it cut it off and clean up the hairspray with some denatured alcohol.

Once I get a camera again I will post some pics.

[VooDoo6Actual]

all the others mentioned and ZIPTIES.

[Outlander Systems]

I suppose I should divulge more info:

I'm using the tape switch on a SF M951, and I have a KAC VFG. A lot of the solutions proposed sound great.

That being said, the problem I'm seeing is that it appears the ENTIRE area of the tape switch is a trigger on this thing. I don't see a way to secure the bottom of it, without constantly activating the light. There's not much room, and seemingly miniscule amounts of pressure set it off.

I attempted to use epoxy on a tapeswitch for one of my IT M3X's, with messy and disastrous results. I suppose I could just get a TD VFG, but I'd like to work with what I've got.

Am I missing something, or is there a way to secure the switch at the bottom, securely, but without activating the light itself?