"Anyone worked with Optical Fiber Optic Cable?" Topic

I'm interested in adding a bit of lighting to a model, and am thinking about using a short length of optical, fiber optic cable to do that.

Ideally, I'd like to attach the optical cable to one of those small, battery powered button lights, but want to know if that will be bright enough to shine through it.

Not sure if I will actually glue, or otherwise attach the cable to the light source. I might just butt it up against it, if that will work, for simplicity.

Can that be done, and still work?

Can I just use the plain cable up against the small light source, or does it need a connector on the end, like I've seen in some of the lengths of cable I see for sale?

Not sure if those are just for securely attaching the cable to other cables/connectors, or light sources, or if they somehow magnify and reflect the light source through the cable.

Thoughts?

I used fibre optic cable to make head lights for a small troop carrier. For the light source I taped a bright LED to one end – no connector as such, just butted up into position.

Checking back it seems I made a connector of sorts using a small piece of ally tube that was taped to the LED. The assembly looked like this:

And the effect was like this:

There's a lot more info on my 'old' blog at this page here:

link

I lit up a couple SW ships a few years back – a Millenium Falcon and a Star Destroyer. Here is the MF

link

I did something exactly like MiniatureMojo – I made a little housing for an LED light,and connected all the fiber so that it 'points' at the light source. You can definitely just 'butt it up' to the light, but then you run the risk of the FO cables shifting, and no longer pointing at the light.

To answer your question specifically, im not sure what a 'button' light is for sure, but an LED light is cheap – you can get them for 5-10 cents depending on the color you are looking for.

Nice work on that Millenium Falcon!

Thanks very much! Tough build, and I havent lit up anything since!

Falcon looks amazing

Thanks for the info, and links.

A very nice looking ship.

The small lights I'm considering are only about 1/2" in diameter, and powered by a small round, flat, battery, so about the same size in height.

I think they are called Flashy, Blinky Lights, or something like that. I found them, after someone's suggestion here on TMP for lighting up various projects.

They are sold as flashing earrings, and/or belly button lights, and are fairly inexpensive. They also have solid lights in various colors (non-blinking ones) too.

I think they'll be perfect for my 15mm project.

I found a few articles on the net, and it appears I want plastic, optical, fiber optic cable for the project, since the lengths needed are fairly short, and flexibility is key.
Apparently, they can be cut to size with a razor blade, or scissors, etc.

Anyone know a good source for small quantities of it?

I was thinking Fry's might stock it, but don't know for sure.

You might be able to attach the FO to the LED with a sleeve of heat shrink tubing. As for sources, you might try Jameco or Mouser. Not sure how small a quantity you'll be able to get from them though. There are also a variety of kits and cables available through Amazon.

Doug

This is a great place to buy fo cable
link

The site maybe looks a little iffy, but its actually really good.

Dont let the crazy prices fool you – you can buy by the foot. Different thicknesses on the wire too, depending on what you are trying to light up.

Mako, if you want to email me at jdeleonardis AT hotmail DOT com, I may (ill have to look when I get home) have some laying around left over. Depending on what you want, Id be willing to send you some if you would just handle the shipping cost. Frankly though, you might be able to get something from that site I sent for next to nothing….

And yep, its very very easy to cut – razor or scissors like you said.

I've never tried, but would fishing line work?