Fiber optics... for dummies

[Less Than Super Ostrich]

Just thought I'd pass this on. I picked up this pre-wired fiber optic bundle (50 strands). You apparently can cut each 2 foot strand to the length you want. I'm hopeful this will be a nice solution for the electrically impaired.

http://www.nationalartcraft.com/subcate ... &scid=1446

[Less Than Super Ostrich]

I received these items and they are pretty slick. It seems pretty dummy proof. I have a couple questions.

1) What type of glue would you use to afix the fiber optic to the hole you want it to shine through? Regular CA or do you need epoxy or something else?

2) How would you change the color of the light without changing the lightbulb? Could you just cover it up with white glue and use a clear acrylic color to paint it?

[Sparky]

Moved this to lighting and electronics.

I've heard:
Use white elemers type glue
Use hot glue (wax)
Don't use CA

We used CA on several of our fiber optics.

I highly recommend the Black CA, it will help seal the light leaks and remains just a tiny bit flexible.

The reason I don't recommend epoxy, is cause it kept fracturing and crumbling. The fiber optics were down the neck of the space station and I couldn't repair most of the fibers that broke out of the docking port nav. lights.

CA is said to turn plastic fiber brittle. This maybe true.

Don't forget for the bundle end that goes to the light source, heat shrink is a pretty slick solution, and is undo-able should you need to add another fiber later or re route the fibers.

Black CA i action:
http://www.kc6sye.com/techmages_11_10_06.html

Special trick with heatshrink, we needed the LED and fiber end to not be hard attached, this way the top hat with the antenna could be removed from the bottom half for transport and storage, the heat shrink collar captures the fiber end coming down from the antenna with the hlep of some fun tack to hold the LED up against the top hat:
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/images_11_ ... strobe.jpg

[Less Than Super Ostrich]

would the heat from the hot glue gun melt the plastic fiber?

[Sparky]

Not sure if it would, we used a soldering iron to heat bloom the end of the fiber, as long as it isn't a mega hot glue gun there shouldn't be enough heat in the hot wax to burn through the fiber (wax has a crappy specific heat).

You may pick up some coloring tint from the wax though. As light from inside the model bleeds out to the fiber points, expect to see the color of the wax.

[Locke_333]

I do a lot of fiber optics. Hot glue and CA( like tamiya and insta-cure) are an absolute no go, they melt the fiber right away. White glue and testor clear part cement are my recommended choice.

[Less Than Super Ostrich]

White glue seems like it wouldn't hold very well. Do you think it is sufficient?

[Sparky]

That is the catch, white glue will give you fits if you are lacing things in hard to reach areas.

[Locke_333]

White glue seems like it wouldn't hold very well. Do you think it is sufficient?

tried both and i prefer the testor clear cement as when it dry out it remain in a rubber like state for a while so if you not happy wit the result, you can just pull it out and redo it. after a few days, it completely dry out and give a more solid bound.

[Less Than Super Ostrich]

Maybe it would be helpful to describe the process of stringing these fiber optics (can you tell this is my first fiber optics project!?!). Say I've got a star destroyer and I'm stringing all 50 fiber optics as "windows". Would it be inappropriate to:
1) String the fiber with a little bit protruding from the hull
2) use 2 part epoxy glue or putty to affix it in position (on the inside of the model)
3) once the epoxy dries, just clip the end with a razor blade (they say you can cut these fibers to any length).

Thanks for all your fiber optic help!!

[macfrank]

From bitter experience, CA will damage the fiber. In my case, it was for a target masked used in an MRI machine. The sharp edge of the cured CA would cut into the fiber and just cause it to snap off.

I reglued all of the fibers with epoxy (not the 5 minute kind) and it's worked well for the last 5 years or so.

[Locke_333]

Maybe it would be helpful to describe the process of stringing these fiber optics (can you tell this is my first fiber optics project!?!). Say I've got a star destroyer and I'm stringing all 50 fiber optics as "windows". Would it be inappropriate to:
1) String the fiber with a little bit protruding from the hull
2) use 2 part epoxy glue or putty to affix it in position (on the inside of the model)
3) once the epoxy dries, just clip the end with a razor blade (they say you can cut these fibers to any length).

Thanks for all your fiber optic help!!

Same method i am using, the only difference is the gule i used. i sugest you test you epoxy/fiber mix first since some will melt the fiber.. And i used a nail cliper to cut the fiber hanging out AFTER painting and not before otherwise, the paint will cover the light. You can check out some pics i have at photobucket of the venator on my workbench.

[Less Than Super Ostrich]

Same method i am using, the only difference is the gule i used. i sugest you test you epoxy/fiber mix first since some will melt the fiber.. And i used a nail cliper to cut the fiber hanging out AFTER painting and not before otherwise, the paint will cover the light. You can check out some pics i have at photobucket of the venator on my workbench.

Thanks! That's exactly what I was thinking.

[Less Than Super Ostrich]

fyi... this is a great option for the non-electrically inclined. It work great lighting an old model. Very bright and it is plug-and-play!

[TooOld4This]

Sorry to necro an ancient thread, but these guys are STILL selling this, on the same page, what a delight to not get a 404 after 5 years!
I tried to find something ANYTHING similar in Australia, but nothing as simple and cheap as this.

Awesome

[kerick]

By the way, I used Gorilla glue wood glue on some FO and it is holding very tight. Not the kind that foams up but is more like white glue. Time will tell but it looks good so far.