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Several members over the last few months have inquired about some fiber optic lanterns I incorporated in my U.S.S. Constitution build and how to make them. Although some trial and error will occur for you (as with any new applied technique) I will highlight some of the details of the process I used to hopefully allow you to avoid some pitfalls. Let me start with tools you will need. Although this lantern process may seem tedious it is actually a lot of fun working with them and the rewards of lighting previously unseen areas of your build can't be beat. They do get easier as you do more of them. The tools I used are as follows: 1. Calipers (used to gauge the size of the plastic while it is being turned and shaped) These are EKG calipers that were given to me long ago. 2. Double end pin vise from Micromark tools: http://www.micromark.com/double-end-pin-vise,6729.html item #21104. I took mine apart and only used the large chuck (beneath the hand grip in the photo) to secure the plastic stock. 3. A slightly curved and cut paint stirring stick with blue painters tape applied. This is used to clamp the fiber optic into the ships bulwark and protects the model from the bite of the clamp. I added felt (not pictured) between the clamp as well for the same reason. 4. A plastic jig made from extra 1/8" plastic stock. More on this later... 5. Fine modelers sanding stick (or simply spray glue fine sand paper to another paint stick). 6. Micro brush - I believe this is a Microbrush product (http://www.microbrush.com/hobby/howtobuy/area.asp). 7. 1/8" Square clear plastic stock. This one is acrylic. I got mine from US Plastics item 44135 (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24195&catid=440&clickid=searchresults) BUT they only come in 6 foot sections! Shipping was more than the product...but there was plenty of it to experiment. Pictured is a 16" section. 8. Miniature drill bits. Any will do...mine are Micromark (http://www.micromark.com/20-piece-micro-size-drill-bit-set-with-index-61-80,6758.html) 9. 3" or 4" grip clamp to compress the fiber optic into the bulwark. 10. Leather punch for cutting out lantern reflectors. 11. Medium file with sharp fine teeth. Dull files will increase friction and thus heat, melting your stock. 12. An accurate ruler for setting the calipers. 13. A hand mini drill (Mine: Micromark http://www.micromark.com/micro-hand-drill,7045.html) NOT pictured: 14. Drill Press 15. Fiber OPtic cable (I bought plastic cable on Ebay - 0.75mm) 16. Dremel tool with a 1/32" engraving bit. 17. Beader's snips or tree snips. 18. Emory board 19. Flat Black Paint Next I'll describe how I used them.
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