Introduction: FiberOptic Light

About: I am an aspiring sound designer who loves to build. I like thinking about presented ideas from a new perspective. The best part about running into a problem is figuring out how to fix it.

Fiber Light is the perfect little companion to take on any journey, now you may be wondering, "why would I need to add the fiberoptic material to the light?", well Ill tell you. The Fiber Light allows you to twist and bend the light in any direction you would need but it is a softer more ambient light. This is perfect for seeing settings on your camera without messing up the picture at night, a more subtle reading light, giving small rooms a soft glow for pictures, or anything else that might need a soft light. Not only is this light a convenient light, it is also very quick and easy to build. Also great for bikers, just clip it on your backpack or bike and you have a nice light to let people know your there and see where you are going.

Step 1: The Right Stuff

For this project it is a fairly short list of materials you will need:
- 1 Sugru packet (You could also use gorilla tape)
- 1 small LED light
- 1 party favor with led lights and fiberoptic strands
- 1 Nerf bullet

The small LED is best to buy as a complete unit so it is more durable and easier to hold

As far as the party favor it should be fairly easy to find it at a party city or some other party store that sells fun LED lights.

Step 2: The Tools for the Job

You only need two tools for this project:
- 1 pair of scissors
- 1 roll of packing tape


Step 3: Slice the Dart

First you will need to cut the dart into thirds approximately, it depends on what light you are using. You can always shorten the dart so make the cut big first and snip away what you need to.

Step 4: Remove the Fiberoptic

Second you will have to find a way to detach the fiberoptic cable from the party favor you bought, if it does not have a way to keep it together at the base you should tape the bottom. When you are looking to buy one try to find one that is easy to detach the fiberoptic cable.

Step 5: Combine the Nerf Dart and Fiberoptic

Once you have retrieved the fiberoptic twist it into the Nerf dart until it is flush with the end, glueing it would help keep them together but is not required.

Step 6: Attach the Nerf Component to the LED

Now that the Nerf dart and fiberoptic are one, you can attach it to the tip of the LED light, it probably wont stay, this is okay, just let it sit there for now.

Step 7: Break Out the Sugru

Go ahead and cut open your Sugru packet and start kneading the Sugru until its soft, now split it in half. flatten one piece and attach it to the back of the LED covering half of the Nerf bullet in Sugru. Now take the other half and put it on the top and connect the two pieces of Sugru by pressing the Sugru pieces together. Make sure to completely cover the Nerft dart by pulling and pressing the Sugru  on the light.

Step 8: Add Some Style

This step is totally optional but it might be a good idea to add some style to your Fiber Light. A cool design I found is by taking a 4'' saw blade and pressing the shape into the Sugru, making an arrow design. You can implement all kinds of cool ideas but its up to you wether or not you want to.

Step 9: Tie It All Together

At this point you are going to want to pull out the packing tape and scissors again. Tear off a piece of packing tape about "yae" long, as shown in the picture (approx. 3 in) and then cut it vertically into thirds. Take one of the pieces and tape the top of the fiberoptic as tightly as you can.

Step 10: The Worst Part

Now the waiting begins, wait at least 24 hours before trying to use the light, it will break the Sugru otherwise.

Step 11: Finished!

Congratulations, you now have a new Fiber Light, enjoy its endless capabilities and 'flexibility'. Depending on the LED you got it probably will be either brighter or duller. Generally speaking it probably wont be very bright but it will provide a nice glow to add in photography and in dark places! 

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