My favorite metal buttons

The buttons are my top choice for woodworking + Arduino-style projects.

These buttons cost less than $2 each, have a controllable light ring, luxury feel, and a really satisfying "click". The first time I ordered I was a little concerned about how to wire them but it’s pretty easy. The buttons come with an optional socket that is pre-wired with 5 connections (only 4 are needed):

• Black = Ground

• Blue = 5v Input

• Green = Button Data

• Red = LED Data

Wait, there’s 5 wires right? Blue is using a “normally open” configuration (where the circuit is not connected when the button is not pressed). If you want instead the circuit to be open EXCEPT when the button is pressed, use the yellow wire.

Wired up it makes this really satisfying click:

There are multiple sellers online, but I’ve ordered multiple times from this seller who offers it in 3-9V, 12-30V, and 110-220V options. The video above shows the “Self Reset” type (the button does not stay pressed), but you can also find ones that “lock” on/off.

I’ll share some of my creations with these buttons in future posts.