If the original design is safe, it would stand to reason to rebuild the
switch as original if a new or new-old-stock replacement could not be
found. The concept of originality in a true restoration exceeds the
normal bounds of practicality and availability. Unfortunately that also
prices true restorations out of the hands of hobbyists and into the
museum and serious collector realm.

Plastic or other moldings are a true challenge. One of the most
frustrating metal parts to replicate might be an eyelet, since exacting
tooling is needed to crimp them properly, but the eyelets themselves can
often be obtained since the nominal sizes have not changed in years.

I am still wondering what switch designs we are talking about here,
since I have yet to have an automatic instrument with a defective switch
(lucky, eh?). As Craig and others have said, show me what you're having
problems with and I'd be interested in helping find a suitable form, fit
and function replacement if that is what is required.

Karl Petersen