Archery Sight Fiber Optic Pin

thingiverse

UPDATED(2021/6/17): Added new photos of the PETG version. Still holding up great since I printed it. I colored the front of the sight in black using a permanent marker. The new photos make it more clear that this is a ringed fiber optic sight pin. UPDATED(2021/5/4): Latest version is the result of more field testing and making a model much easier to feed the fiber optics into. Fiber holes are coned and bigger to let it feed easier. I deleted the old models since they are just inferior compared to this new version, so there is no reason to keep them. I used less towers to guide the filament this time and they are all straight now though I could make angled version if desired. The hole is now threaded so much easier to get the screw into. It's thicker and stronger. I printed this latest in PETG since field testing showed the PLA version had issued in the sun. Updated all photos. UPDATED(2021/4/12): New version better tuned to print well\cleaner. Changed fiber pin link below to better product, must more flexible, less likely to snap when feeding through the holes. Latest pictures in 3D Solutech Real Black PLA. Seen this stand up to sunlight for another item so think it will do well here. I liked the original sight pin, but I had some inspiration to make one that would fit a Fiber Optic pin that was wrapped around the barrel like some commercial sight pins out there. **DO NOT REPAIR THE STL** you might lose the tunnels the fiber has to go through near the screw. I made the original wider, longer, strengthened the center shaftpin hole, moved it a bit more forward to give the fiber more room to flex into the side hole. Note in the photos how the fiber must move from the side hole down to the lowest rung of the spiral and then feed its way up towards the rear of the sight. In theory this is ambidextrous, but you might want to mirror the model if you are putting it on a left handed riser so the fiber runs on the top and will catch a bit more light. I made it so the fiber path favors a right handed riser (held in left hand) This is cut for 0.75mm (0.029 inch) fiber optic pins. You can purchase that size on all the normal [online retailers](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B009JFRVHW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). The ones I used are 20cm(8") long and get a little more than half way up the barrel. Longer would be better, but this appears to be enough. You can print in PLA, I used PLA+ here, but I'm a little worried about the effect of sunlight on it so you might want to try ABS or PETG. I might print a PETG one soon. I made 2 versions. One the straight one and one the spiral armed version for a bit more flare. You'll probably need to use something to expand the center fiber hole after printing since it might close up, I used a safety pin on my PLA+. If you print in PETG you might need a tiny drill bit or something. Don't make it too fat or it wont hold the fiber. I used some heat (hair dryer) to make the fiber a bit more flexible. I've heard too much can turn it very brittle so be gentle with the heat. It should make it more flexible so it will be easier feeding it around the spiral. Broke quite a few fibers in earlier prototypes of this sight, but eventually I got it right thanks to better routing and the help of the heat. I used tiny needle nose pliers to help it along, but it leaves marks on the fiber so be gentle when using pliers. Training it through the center hole is very difficult so you might want to start there and then through the side hole and then to the spiral. Leave a tiny bit sticking out the center pin hole so it can catch just a bit more light in front. I also used a few dabs of hot glue in choice spots to ensure it doesn't unravel. See photos. I used 3" #8-32 screws. The screw head must be cut off, but not before you use them to screw it into the sight. Be slow about screwing it into the sight and be sure to keep it level and centered. If you need it for a larger fiber pin let me know and I'll try to look into it. the whole sight will likely have to grow a bit bigger to accommodate such.