Fiber Optics

Glorfindel · Post by **Glorfindel** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:38 pm

I'm virgin with F.O. What's the best recommended adhesive for holding fibers in place? Will CA do like Loktite?

photoguy · Post by **photoguy** » Tue May 26, 2009 9:01 pm

NO! Most of your hobby F.O. is plastic, solvent cement melts it, CA makes it brittle and crack off easily, and hot melt glue isn't good either. Use good ol' white glue.

have fun!

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:51 am

I also use 5 minute epoxy. That's what I used on my SS X-Wing.

Glorfindel · Post by **Glorfindel** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:59 pm

White glue as in Elmer's?

modeler1964 · Post by **modeler1964** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:43 am

photoguy wrote:NO! Most of your hobby F.O. is plastic, solvent cement melts it, CA makes it brittle and crack off easily, and hot melt glue isn't good either. Use good ol' white glue.

have fun!

I agree. I tried CA and the fibers broke off just inside the hull. Most folks use either elmers white glue or epoxy.

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:58 am

CA = Death to fibre!

i sue 5 minute clear epoxy or canopy glue.

TREKKRIFFIC · Post by **TREKKRIFFIC** » Thu May 28, 2009 11:44 am

Some use silicone adhesive caulk but it's messy and takes forever to dry. I'd go the white glue route if I were you.

Glorfindel · Post by **Glorfindel** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:56 pm

The old cow it is. Thanks gentlemen.

Madman Lighting · Post by **Madman Lighting** » Fri May 29, 2009 6:36 pm

CA is OK in tiny ammounts but something else is better. Yes, it does make the fiber brittle.

Plain old Elmers will work fine.

Tchail · Post by **Tchail** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:24 am

Is it safe to use Squadron Green Putty over plastic fibers?

Tchail · Post by **Tchail** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:24 am

Duplicate Post

Tchail · Post by **Tchail** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:24 am

Duplicate Post

-Tchail

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:18 am

I use rubber impregnated CA.

I know, what don't I use it for....

TazMan2000 · Post by **TazMan2000** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:21 pm

If you get white glue, try the fast drying stuff for paper modellers, like 3M Scotch Quick Drying Tacky White Glue. This should be available at most craft stores.

TazMan2000

Leif_G · Post by **Leif_G** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:27 pm

Kylwell wrote:I use rubber impregnated CA.

'Rubber impregnated'... there's an oxymoron for you.

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:16 pm

I have used both 5 min epoxie and a low temp hot glue gun.... for years.... no problems.

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:20 pm

I've read a low-heat hot glue will hold them in place well.
Never done it, but it sounds reasonable.. and dries faster than 5 minutes

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:29 am

The problem with applying heat to fiber optic is, depending on the thickness, they could melt ot curl from the heat. It's best to stick to something that does not require heat. For my Star Destroyer in the WIP section I have used 5 minute epoxy and regular old Elmors white glue. Just because one method may be faster does not mean it's always better. In my SD build I will be running around 800 feet of .75mm fiber optic. I already have around 200 of the 800 run so far!

kerick · Post by **kerick** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:24 am

What about where the fibers are bundled together and connected to the light source? Do you glue them directly to the LED or bulb with epoxie? White glue would not hold in this situation. Or do you use some sort of connector like a bit of soda straw? Maybe shrink tube would work. Never tried this before and I'm just picking peoples brains before I waste a lot of time or money.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:29 am

I know of a lot of people that use heat shrink tubing. I've never used it but my experience with FO is limited.

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:36 am

If you check out my thread on my Star Destroyer you will see how I attach fiber optics to LEDs. Here is a link.

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/vie ... hp?t=82337

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:35 pm

Like Robiwon did in their set up... use plastic tube with a diameter to hold the number of FO that you are using and then seal it in one of two ways: either with 5 minute epoxie (not SUPER GLUE OR CA) or use a low temp glue gun. I have used both methods with not ill effects.

DLMatthys · Post by **DLMatthys** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:26 pm

starmanmm wrote: (not SUPER GLUE OR CA)

Really!...Have I been wrong for over 20 years with Hot Stuff and Pacers Zap-a-Gap?

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:42 pm

Again, it depends on the FO material itself.

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:48 pm

I've been told not to use anything other than 5 minute apoxie. I'm told that you can have the FO craze and shatter at the point where you glue it if you use CA or anything like it.

Well, for me.... it seems to work.... without the worries of if the FO will break on me. Once it breaks inside the kit... oh well.

But hey, use what works for you.

5 minute has been working.

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 2:04 pm

I may start using CA on my Anigrand Star Destroyer. There's a ton of fiber to run and it would be so much quicker with SG and accelerator.

If all my fibers fall inside the model after it's done I'll just blame DLM!

Seriously though, I have used CA on some FO in kits before with no issues.

grayson72 · Post by **grayson72** » Tue May 11, 2010 3:07 pm

Ok I've got a different fiber question for everyone.

So if I wanted to run fiber in a model, I would do it before painting I assume? Leaving the ends sticking out about an inch, then paint the thing, then clip off the extra fiber with toenail clippers or something?

Oh, just thought of another question, are you limited in the amount of fiber strands you can run off of an LED merely by the diameter of the LED?

How far can you run fiber from an LED and still have good brightness?

Thanks,

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Tue May 11, 2010 7:38 pm

Lots of questions.....

So if I wanted to run fiber in a model, I would do it before painting I assume? Leaving the ends sticking out about an inch, then paint the thing, then clip off the extra fiber with toenail clippers or something?

That has been done that way. Another way is to mask over the FO using white glue, silly putty, etc. But if you cut it, once installed, use an exacto knive... gives you a flusher cut.

Oh, just thought of another question, are you limited in the amount of fiber strands you can run off of an LED merely by the diameter of the LED?

Depends on the diameter of the FO you use. The thinner the diameter, the more you can fit in the holder that holds the FO and is placed before the LED.

How far can you run fiber from an LED and still have good brightness?

That you have to test yourself, before you install the LED and FO in the kit first. All depends on the LED brightness and the power source and the FO to some extent.

Just my take on your questions. Others may have better opinions than me.

Glorfindel · Post by **Glorfindel** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 4:30 pm

I just started using Elmers white glue for installing F.O. in a cockpit of an X-wing fighter. Set them up last night and I can't believe how well these things are in there. I just trimmed off the little whiskers and quickly shown an LED flashlight at the opposite end. Wow! I'm very pleased at how these things pop, and they give such extra life to the interior of the model. I think I need to thank everybody on these boards for their shared knowledge of LED lighting and FO.
Thanks boys.
I'll post pics when I'm finished with this build.

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:49 am

Great to hear! Yeah, once Elmer's sets up it can be pretty tuff! Now, take some Tamiya clear red, blue, and green acrylic paint. Take a tooth pick or super fine paintbrush (#5) and add drops to the ends of each fiber. That will give you some nice multi colored lights.

Oh, and post pics, we like pics!