Neon Lighting

[Old Bob]

It is about time to retire and I like the way neon looks on a sign. Is this an art that is hard to learn???? How do you learn how to do it???? Any other help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Needlepoint might be a better choice...bless your heart.....

 

[William Fissell]

Bending the glass not so hard. Getting the fancy gases and filling at the exact right pressure - hard. Wiring? Easy.

If you can find a place to fill 'em you are cool. Glass tubing and a little burner is all you need. Plus some skill.

 

[ArkanDan]

Used to be a school for neon sign making on the north end of Antigo, WI where I used to reside. According to the story I've included with the link, it looks like it may not be in operation any longer. Might have some valuable information just the same. Has a contact tab. If you're any where near you might could stop by and chew the fat and glean some insight that way.?
Neon

 

[dr sportster]

There is a new tv show called "Dirty Money" .It has a couple of New York junk collectors who get junk and fix it up and sell it. They went to a friends place and restored a neon bar sign. The guy used two types of heat;one was a long trough type of flame/torch to do the general letter bending and the other was two torch heads facing each other. The letter shapes were made first then on the two opposing torches a quick,sharp, bend to bring the glass to the sign body.It is learned in sign shops. Different gases create different colors . The ballast voltage is 15,000-20,000 on the high side so its not a sign you clean with a damp rag with it lit up or you will be blasted down to the floor. It is not covered in alot of sign books as you kind of have to work under someone that will teach it.Each tube gets sealed and high tension wired to the ballast.

 

[Old Bob]

Thanks for the info. I will try to contact them tomorrow. Where is home for you??? Your nickname on this site looks like you may be fron Arkansas. That is where I live. Again, thanks!!!!

 

[dr sportster]

There is about a hundred videos on youtube also.

 

[OldFarmTractor]

The gases should be easy to get but I'm sure you would need a vacuum pump. All of our high school students, especially the general track and lower, learn how to bend glass for their use in the lab activities.

 

[Bob]

My 21-y-o son works at a large sign company and is also interested in neon. He has spent some time with their neon GURU and has learned just enough to be even MORE interested. I hope he can learn more as time goes by. (An interesting oportunity!)

 

[ArkanDan]

Yes siree Bob, Arkansas is home now. Just a bit (eight miles as the crow flies) NE of Harrison out in the brush. How about your location? Ever in the neighborhood be sure and stop by. Not far from Branson if you ever get up that way. My wife and I have gotten to know the place pretty well after seven years.

 

[Old Bob]

We live in Paris. We are east of Ft Smith 40 miles on hwy 22. Go to Branson regularly. Have been to the tractor show at Harrison. We are leaving Friday for Rollag MN to the Steam threshers reunion. This is our 4th year and it is a good one. Welcome to Arkansas

 

[Brad Buchanan]

Have serviced and installed neon for 20 years or better. As far as bending glass I have stayed away from that aspect of the business mainly because of the mercury poisioning.

As part of the tubemaking process a mercury 'bubble' is incorporated in the tube to make it functional. A lot of old-timers had mental problems due to the mercury.

Also tube bending is basically shop work bending to a print. I really enjoyed the installations, meeting people and solving rigging and electrical issues.

Just my 2 cents,

Brad

 

[philWi.]

Old bob , Had 2 uncles in the business . Ace Neon Sign. Anderson Ind, (deceased now) One in Streator Ill*also deceased). Use to hang signs for the one in Anderson.Internal short on a box roof( transformer) just about finished this old farmer off. Quit right away, Told him "THIS JOB SUCKS"Sound familiar. ??? PHIL.

 

[ArkanDan]

Thanks for the welcome. Glad to be here. Sounds like a good time coming up in Rollag. We went to one similar to that (Old Threshers Reunion) in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa a few years back. An interesting experience. They hold that one each year over Labor Day too. Went that time as much for the entertainer apperaing, Bobby Bare, as for the activities and displays. Have a good and safe trip.