Fiber Glue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: CT
Fiber Glue
Need to glue the fibers in the console sockets for my 71.
Looks like the special purpose glue is outrageously priced.
Anyone use any realistic and good substitutes?
Would Clear silicone work?
Howard
Looks like the special purpose glue is outrageously priced.
Anyone use any realistic and good substitutes?
Would Clear silicone work?
Howard
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
When I troll the forum for questions to answer I look for questions with little or no response....
In your case I'm a bit confused? You say you are trying to glue the fibers in the console and I'm not sure what you are doing. Are you trying to glue the fiber optics into the console lens? Please be more specific and I'm sure either I or others will help you.
If you are trying to glue the optics into the lens.. you shouldn't have too.. The fiber optics have a retainer made onto the end of them that hold them into the console lens. If you are trying to splice the fiber optics, it can be done but the refraction rate will be way lower than that of an unspliced optic cable.
Please post more info and I'm sure others will chime in.
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Howard,
The ends of the fiber optic cables typically have a small 'pronged' ferrule at the end.
This ferrule holds the cable in place in the lens' tubes.
Are your ferrules missing?
Regards,
Alan
This tube has a piece split off it… that's why the ferrule is so visible.
The ends of the fiber optic cables typically have a small 'pronged' ferrule at the end.
This ferrule holds the cable in place in the lens' tubes.
Are your ferrules missing?
Regards,
Alan
This tube has a piece split off it… that's why the ferrule is so visible.
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 6, 2017 at 10:18 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 5, 2017 at 04:44 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi W,
The original lenses have become extremely fragile.
The reproductions are quite 'iffy'.
That left side lens tube actually has a prism as part of it.
Some of the reproductions do a poor job of redirecting the light.
Thus, trying to save/use the original.
Regards,
Alan
The original lenses have become extremely fragile.
The reproductions are quite 'iffy'.
That left side lens tube actually has a prism as part of it.
Some of the reproductions do a poor job of redirecting the light.
Thus, trying to save/use the original.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 5, 2017 at 05:38 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Hi W,
The original lenses have become extremely fragile.
The reproductions are quite 'iffy'.
That left side lens tube actually has a prism as part of it.
Some of the reproductions do a poor job of redirecting the light.
Thus, trying to save/use the original.
Regards,
Alan
The original lenses have become extremely fragile.
The reproductions are quite 'iffy'.
That left side lens tube actually has a prism as part of it.
Some of the reproductions do a poor job of redirecting the light.
Thus, trying to save/use the original.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: CT
Fiber Optics
I will agree that Alan's car is in fact spectacular, having reviews his gallery.
Not much chance of the rear fiber socket dinging him in any respect since I don't think NCRS examines what it can't see. So...... put that outta ur mind! 😇
Anyway- no collets for me. My whole interior spruce up has been plagued with butcher work from someone else (as original as the car was). I constantly find obvious evidence of inexperienced tampering and unsatisfactory repair attempts. Makes the refurb that much more challenging. The rear fibers were simply glued into the sockets and easily came right out. I do not recall seeing the collets available at Corvette Central but admittedly did not know to look. I have the old socket and I will inspect it against the new one before I reinstall. I would be interested in the crimping process to install new collets and where they are available.
Best to all
Howard
Not much chance of the rear fiber socket dinging him in any respect since I don't think NCRS examines what it can't see. So...... put that outta ur mind! 😇
Anyway- no collets for me. My whole interior spruce up has been plagued with butcher work from someone else (as original as the car was). I constantly find obvious evidence of inexperienced tampering and unsatisfactory repair attempts. Makes the refurb that much more challenging. The rear fibers were simply glued into the sockets and easily came right out. I do not recall seeing the collets available at Corvette Central but admittedly did not know to look. I have the old socket and I will inspect it against the new one before I reinstall. I would be interested in the crimping process to install new collets and where they are available.
Best to all
Howard
Last edited by hadams; Apr 6, 2017 at 08:32 PM. Reason: spelling
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: CT
Fibers
Turns out I was wrong!!!!!!!!! Upon further (and closer) examination, it turns out that the collets are in fact present at the console end of the fibers. I seem to have mistaken a great deal of dirt and debris for old glue in the sockets. All three of them are present on the rear indicator fibers. When I did disassembly, the right tail light fiber was disconnected. It's the only one that did not originally work in the console when I bought the car (one of the many reasons for disassembly). All of my fibers transmit light quite well. I have a new lens assembly and I did test the tightness of the collet fit this evening (while working on the interior in general) with the old plastic socket and they were a bit loose, but the sockets all have small cracks in them. I would expect a little clear RTV around the banana portion of the collet will hold them well in the new lens sockets for the long term without impacting the light transmission, as long as none gets between the fiber end and the plastic lens.
And.......
I found the collets for sale on most of the Corvette part sites too.
Man....I was way off on every dimension this one!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi h,
Many folks found the fiber optics system to be pretty nifty when it appeared in 68.
Little did anyone even dream that fiber optics would become so much a part of folks everyday lives.
Regards,
Alan
Many folks found the fiber optics system to be pretty nifty when it appeared in 68.
Little did anyone even dream that fiber optics would become so much a part of folks everyday lives.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Do to the fact that I do service work on these cars...I personally would not use clear RTV or silicone. The reason is that IF I had to get back into an area and remove the fiber optics...I do not want to make it impossible for me to remove easily. SO...I generally will slide a piece of heat shrink tube and get it to shrink down and hold the fiber optic and also the main housing where it is installed if there is a problem with it and the owner does not want to buy a new one. I am commenting on fiber optic in the console area.
The fiber optics at the lights themselves...the heat shrink method does not apply and using some from of adhesive, RTV or strip caulk can apply.
DUB
The fiber optics at the lights themselves...the heat shrink method does not apply and using some from of adhesive, RTV or strip caulk can apply.
DUB