DIY a small light pipe

Shenyee

Hello, I want to DIY a small light pipe.

I need a small (3 cm), 90° angled lightpipe to redirect a 0.5cm LED.

I'm looking for a DIY solution using common materials I already have at home. (Even if it won't redirect all the light it is still OK).

FreeBear

Is that 30mm diameter, or 30mm length ?

If the latter, I'd suggest a length of clear acrylic rod and a heat gun to gently warm it up to put the bend in. Acrylic rod can be purchased easily enough from ebay or from a local sign maker and works very well as a light pipe - I made something very similar, but cut from a sheet (the edges needed to be well polished afterwards...).

Another alternative is a bundle of fibre optic cable - Somewhere like Maplin might stock the stuff. Also have a feeling that I've seen a bendy light pipe in one of their shops...

getmore4less

if it was 4cm that's toilet rolls lined with foil.

you could cut them down to 3cm.

all you need is something to make a form and glue the foil to it.

Shenyee

FreeBear wrote: »

Is that 30mm diameter, or 30mm length ?

Hey, it's 30mm length. And thanks for your suggestion, I'll try it today.

Shenyee

getmore4less wrote: »

if it was 4cm that's toilet rolls lined with foil.

you could cut them down to 3cm.

all you need is something to make a form and glue the foil to it.

Just like FreeBear said right? Thanks for your answer~

getmore4less

for a very short 90° turn a mirror or prism are often used..