What I dimly remember is that some forms of plastic fiber optics can be carefully heated with a hair dryer and bent around some kind of mandrel and held until cool; the exterior coating retains its thickness and the light will 'go around the curve' if the bend is not too sharp. I do not think this is possible with glass-core fiber, at least not in a 'hobby' environment.
You would paint the resulting curved fiber to look like a gooseneck fixture, but you'd have to use a non-solvent paint that would not affect the cladding.
The usual tech to form a diffusing 'lens' at the end of the fiber would be easily used, e.g. the 'cigarette' or soldering-iron method or casting on a little clear resin or epoxy.
It is sobering to realize it is nearly 50 years since I last built something involving fiber optics.
Hi steverg,
How about getting a suitably sized piece of soft copper tube, inserting the fiber optic cable, and then bending the tube around a drill bit shank. Theoretically the fiber optic cable should prevent the tube from collapsing as it is being bent.
K&S makes copper tube down to 1/16" OD.
https://www.ksmetals.com/copy-of-aluminum
If the bending process damages the fiber optic cable, try bending the tube with a wire inside it. Then pull the wire out and insert the fiber optic cable. A bit of lubrication on the wire might make it easier to remove.
Ngineering sells lamp kits that use the wire in a tube method to form HO scale gooseneck lamps. The lamps are illuminated with LEDs.
https://www.ngineering.com/ho_lighting_kits.htm
Just a thought.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
It will bend with heat but you cant get a right angle with the regular stuff.
Bending just the fiber optic?
I've seen where you could "flare" the end with heat, to simulate a lens, but I have never to my knowledge seen where you can put a permenent bend into the fiber optic without it being enclosed in something to force it to hold that bend.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
There are all sizes of flexible fiber optic cable, from .05mm diameter through 5mm end glow as well as side glow. You could also use Acrylic round and square rods available from tiny to 1”. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
A long time ago I read an article of someone bending a strand of fiber optics to simulate ground lighting. In this case it was for a driveway. Where can I find this article or can someone help explain how to bend an inch or so of cable to illuminate the top of a boat dock pier? Lighting is not problem just need to know how it retains its shape and hold it. Thanks.