I used the breadboard correctly actually, it was the solder I've made in the middle that caused me the problem

 

I used the breadboard correctly actually, it was the solder I've made in the middle that caused me the problem

I disagree, but it's a moot point now that you have it working. But referring back to post # 12, all of the holes in a given row are connected. Hence, the two wires from the battery are shorted by the breadboard. Likewise the motor leads.

Note that @bertus fritzing diagram, the switch straddles the middle of the beeadboard. Thus separating the motor leads and power supply. Then, the following diagrams move everything off of the breadboard.

 

I disagree, but it's a moot point now that you have it working. But referring back to post # 12, all of the holes in a given row are connected. Hence, the two wires from the battery are shorted by the breadboard. Likewise the motor leads.

Note that @bertus fritzing diagram, the switch straddles the middle of the beeadboard. Thus separating the motor leads and power supply. Then, the following diagrams move everything off of the breadboard.

You're right, I think the reason I missed that is because I considered "what I soldered" and "what I wire to breadboard" to be two seperate issues so I wasn't even thinking about that when I saw bertus diagram... it only later hit me. This whole thing was a swing and a miss for me, I feel rather embarrassed I missed all that stuff -- I think in my obsession to desperately get it to work I wasn't thinking clearly.

I appreciate your feedback as well

 

Hi Alice looking at your photos you have a wire between the two centre connectors which is causing you problems either remove it or just cut out the centre part to remove the connection then the switch should work correctly.
Regards Poppy Ann