Neon Sign Tubing

[Tink]

While cleaning my office, I came across a note I'd written to myself regarding neon sign tubing. I bought a case of it a couple of years ago, but I couldn't remember where I'd gotten it or what the inventory number was for it. I spent an inordinate amount of time figuring all that out, and called the supplier to make sure I had it right.

I don't want to have to do that again.

So, when I come to LE whining in a six months about not being able to remember where I got my tubing or what size it is or whatever, I will now be able to come to this thread to read the following:

Tink you got it at Tubelite. The glass is Volclear 25mm by Voltarc.

I now return you to your previously scheduled program.

[Cosmo]

25mm neon tubing? I didn't even know they made tubing that large. I can't imagine trying to bend that. 18 was tough enough for me...

I've got a couple extra ribbon burners around here. You need one?

My days of doing neon are way behind me now...

[Tink]

Sweet... I've never used a ribbon burner and don't know much about them. I have been looking for a crossfire though if you know anyone who has one laying around.

[Cosmo]

I don't have one any more, but I can still get them. I still have all my accounts from my sign days. I think they are like $650 or so...

I never really used a crossfire much. I felt like I could do it all better with my ribbon burner. I did use a National hand torch for splices though.

[Tink]

Yikes. Well, I've been looking for a used crossfire off and on for over three years now. I hope destiny will bring us together :-)

Here's a pic of the first crossfire I ever saw in action. I was sold.

93465

[Cosmo]

That looks a lot like the one I had. Can't tell in the pic if that one is a five point or six. Mine was a five. It worked, but for me it was just easier to use the ribbon than the crossfire.

I'll ask around and see if any of the other guys I know still have one they want to get rid of.

[Tink]

It's a five. I want to do blown sculptural stuff with tubing. What did you do with yours?

[Cosmo]

I did neon with it. I did it for maybe a year or so until the guy I worked for died (he got electrocuted installing a sign). After that another guy took over the company and I couldn't stand him, so I got out of it.

[Bunyip]

Now Tink just remember to subscribe to this thread and you'll always have it available to look at under your user control panel :)

PS Wth is a ribbon burner?

[acmegirl]

Hi guys,
I still do neon (I didn't know you did it Cosmo!) I have a 7 point cross fire (and a ribbon (I think it's 20") and hand torch).....I have access to tubing, torches, etc. because of our sign shop. We have a regular delivery once a week from one company-the other sends it Speedy so we get it the next day). Both have local warehouses, but have locations across the US. I didn't know there was 25mm tubing either. I have a small amount of 20mm clear tubing but never use it. I generally use 15mm tubing for straight tubes. Clear tubing is cheap. I have no idea what COE it is because I've only used it for neon, but have heard that it can be used for ornaments. I'm going to play this week and see what I can break. I've never pulled a point in my life (not on purpose anyway). The glass I stock is made by Voltarc and EGL. Tink, did you ever have a chance to play with the small sampling I sent?

[Just Nancy]

When I grow up I want to do neon. Really badly. I'm going to show up on Beth's door someday.

[Tink]

Well Beth, as I was tidying up the studio, I saw my little bundle of glass tubing from you AND my not-too-shabby attempts at using it, and I got excited all over again :-) But I really do need to work on a crossfire for the control I want. My search continues for a used one. It wouldn't even have to be a five. A three would work, and I know I've seen those somewhere.

Bunyip, you are such a cutie patootie :-)

I have a STRONG interest in plasma sculpture. While I love neon as an owner and an observer, I'm less inclined to want to do that than I am plasma. A guy in Ann Arbor, Michigan, teaches great classes, but I'm not good enough yet at working with tubing to consider it, IMO. Harald Eberhart, I think?

Here is what Shane Fero does with the 25mm tubing. I spent about ten days studying with him a few years ago. I love Shane. He has a very calming influence on me.

93477

[acmegirl]

Nancy-you're barely a state away....I'm a little over 4 hours north of Chicago-why don'cha come up and meet me sometime chickadee?

Tink- I know a neon friend who works/lives nearby who always has TONS of extra equipment. He used to build manifolds and taught neon in Minnesota and Hawaii in his early years. Cool guy. His name is Jed and he owns Glo-tube in Appleton Wisconsin. I could see if he has any extra cross fires stashed away. His used equipment is always reasonably priced.

[Tink]

I'm guessing it would be simple to hook up to my existing stuff, right? I'm on natural gas and a tanked O2 generator.

[acmegirl]

I have piped in NG and my torch runs off an air pump for a fish tank (a large fish tank). you would be nice and hot....=D>

[Just Nancy]

Beth, I seriously might do that sometime. I really want to see/learn/contribute to just one sign for my window. (Then of course if there is a snowball's chance I can do it, I would love to.)

I had no clue that was the amount of air it takes. I figured it was going to take something like a compressor. Interesting. This might happen yet. :)