How Neon Signs Are Made for Restaurants - How to Make It

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  • Опубліковано 21 тра 2018
  • On this episode of How to Make It, chef Katie Pickens is learning to bend glass into neon signs at Brooklyn Glass.
    Eater is the one-stop-shop for food and restaurant obsessives across the country. With features, explainers, animations, recipes, and more - it’s the most indulgent food content around. So get hungry.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 348

  • @scpatl4now
    @scpatl4now 6 років тому +453

    As someone who has worked in a neon sign shop its hard to tell you how really well Katie did making that "E". Even with help it would be incredibly hard for someone without any practice. Maybe Katie found a new calling. I played around several times trying to learn (I worked in the pattern making section) and it took a lot of practice before I could do a double back (where you bend the electrode back in a U shape)

    • @eater
      @eater  6 років тому +46

      Honestly, we were all very impressed! Thanks for watching!

    • @hellskitchenkritterandfrie3372
      @hellskitchenkritterandfrie3372 5 років тому +21

      He seemed like a great teacher too, very patient

    • @trunganhsaysin
      @trunganhsaysin 4 роки тому +1

      cool. like it. i also got a simple way to make it our own
      ua-cam.com/video/qczSILhHgMo/v-deo.html

    • @grizzco8837
      @grizzco8837 3 роки тому +1

      Do you anneal the glass or is it not necessary for neon signs?

    • @adamthompson8678
      @adamthompson8678 3 роки тому +6

      She is one up on me, I have installed neon for nearly 20 years & never had a crack at making a section........when customers asked me, :Do you make it"? I reply, "No, I break it"?.
      Luckily, I broke very few sections.

  • @HamiltonMechanical
    @HamiltonMechanical Рік тому +29

    as I approach my 40s and sick of working on mowers, I feel this is a hobby I need to learn. Seems like I could do this and make bubble lights as well, both are art that need to continue on!!!

  • @iurichiba
    @iurichiba 6 років тому +366

    It's funny how he was freaking out way more than her, while she was making hers, hahaha

    • @eater
      @eater  6 років тому +17

      You're so right. Thanks for watching!

    • @Sofia2crazy
      @Sofia2crazy 5 років тому +4

      An expert knows

  • @saritagarcia9173
    @saritagarcia9173 6 років тому +77

    I took a neon class once, it was crazy hard! Ever since that class I will always have an appreciation for neon. She did a great job for her first time. I also think she had an amazing teacher.

    • @vitaminkcee
      @vitaminkcee 5 років тому +2

      Whete did you take your neon class at?

    • @Dragon-Slay3r
      @Dragon-Slay3r 8 місяців тому

      At the bible bashers club as the Qur'an is against me 😭

  • @sarahabaza237
    @sarahabaza237 6 років тому +346

    I was literally looking for neon signs before this was posted .

    • @poisoncobra7
      @poisoncobra7 6 років тому +7

      Sarah Abaza same, I always thought they were too expensive, but now I know why

    • @blatzen
      @blatzen 6 років тому +1

      uf

    • @Wardztv
      @Wardztv 6 років тому +4

      Google knows!

    • @lalodapimp
      @lalodapimp 6 років тому +4

      Sarah Abaza I was literally thinking of how they were made last night. I wake up this morning and this is at the top of my feed.

    • @ruva5021
      @ruva5021 6 років тому

      HAHAHA! I was looking on Craiglist for some LoL!!

  • @ohhoe
    @ohhoe 6 років тому +161

    Brooklyn Glass is so rad!!!! I took a neon weekend course there and learned how to do this from him. It’s so fun

    • @ohhoe
      @ohhoe 6 років тому +3

      It's a shop in Gowanus, Brooklyn. brooklynglass.com is their site :D

  • @Ragnarok043
    @Ragnarok043 6 років тому +260

    when i hear neon signs it always conjures up a cyber punk hong kong for me

    • @AlexAutran
      @AlexAutran 5 років тому

      i know, right

    • @casedistorted
      @casedistorted 4 роки тому +6

      That’s how old Hong Kong used to look with Neon signs.
      It’s all LED’s now so cyberpunk Hong Kong would be all LED’s sadly.
      Welcome to the Shitty future

    • @bad_vibes_jay_999_8
      @bad_vibes_jay_999_8 3 роки тому

      Yesss

    • @HiImZeke
      @HiImZeke 2 роки тому

      @@casedistorted I know this is 2 years old but don’t they make leds that look like neon signs? Is there anything bad about those? Genuinely curious.

    • @edstar83
      @edstar83 2 роки тому

      @@casedistorted LED signs can give a neon effect.

  • @kayve214
    @kayve214 Рік тому +13

    I really love looking at neon signs and I didn't have any idea that this would be this hard to create. For sure this is one type of artistry that is underrated and also dying because of LED lights. I hope people will continue making neon lights.

  • @JeffFrmJoisey
    @JeffFrmJoisey 6 років тому +86

    Nice! I've always appreciated the work that went into neon signs. I have always been amazed by the work in beer and old NYC store signs. I believe this is the 1st time I've seen a neon piece built from start to finish. Thanks for the informative video!!!

  • @DavidNovaa
    @DavidNovaa 11 місяців тому +4

    You can tell homeboy is a master veteran neon sign maker. You can see how focused and dedicated he is. Clean, consistent, and professional

  • @CLofNYC
    @CLofNYC 6 років тому +498

    is anyone else fearing for her hair?

    • @jatinisme
      @jatinisme 6 років тому +1

      Its almost like an OCD I couldn't finish the vid. :(

    • @tiffgibbs_
      @tiffgibbs_ 6 років тому +12

      Yes! Why is she so close to that fire? Why is it even on?!!! 😳🤦🏿‍♀️

    • @connornelson448
      @connornelson448 6 років тому +4

      Omg yes

    • @brendonsawyer
      @brendonsawyer 5 років тому

      I had anxiety the whole time watching this

    • @vn01208503
      @vn01208503 4 роки тому

      its safety hazard there

  • @tinker2561
    @tinker2561 6 років тому +4

    This turned out great! I love neon signs!!! You did such a top job on creating a piece yourself - Well done!

  • @SacrificeSienna
    @SacrificeSienna 5 років тому +5

    I subscribed SPECIFICALLY for How To Make It! Love this series

  • @norfy
    @norfy 6 років тому +11

    Some great shows on this channel with Katie, Cliff, and Lucas.

  • @ryanbennett1402
    @ryanbennett1402 6 років тому +1

    I’ve been around neon and cold cathode all my life. And I love it

  • @rich1051414
    @rich1051414 Рік тому +15

    When I was younger, about 15 years ago, there was a local neon maker who could make a neon tube within a neon tube, so a single tube could glow with a second color in the middle. I never realized how skilled he was for doing this until I grew up and moved away and realized these neon signs didn't exist anywhere else. Now neon has fallen out of favor and I wonder what happened to that guy.

    • @mernokallat645
      @mernokallat645 4 місяці тому

      If they glowed in different colors only one could have been neon. Blue lamps use an argon mercury mixture.

    • @rich1051414
      @rich1051414 4 місяці тому

      @@mernokallat645 "Neon" is what people call the lights themselves around here. Clearly the color may require a different gas than neon be inside it.

  • @superdan422
    @superdan422 6 років тому +5

    That was honestly way better than I thought it was going to be. Job well done eater!!

  • @johnc8209
    @johnc8209 Рік тому +4

    I randomly wondered how neon was made and glad i found this. This is awesome.

  • @signs4sa870
    @signs4sa870 3 роки тому +2

    Neon Signs always excite us! Challenges us and always feels like such an accomplishment when see final product!

  • @I967
    @I967 5 років тому +1

    Excellent. Shows and explains the process nicely. Thank you for sharing.

  • @friendlypiranha774
    @friendlypiranha774 5 років тому +4

    I love neon signs - they have 'atmosphere'. Katie, so cool you tried your hand at bending the glass. I want to try it one day as well.

  • @garygrinkevich6971
    @garygrinkevich6971 2 роки тому +2

    I would love to take a class and learn some of this beautiful work, what a great teacher.

  • @kee360
    @kee360 6 років тому +1

    great job Katie Pickens!!

  • @Michael-si2ln
    @Michael-si2ln Рік тому +1

    Your work is so awesome! and such a genius.
    i really enjoyed your video
    and thank you for sharing.

  • @lorealmadonnamoore9828
    @lorealmadonnamoore9828 6 років тому +2

    This is so interesting to me. I love videos like this!

  • @DukeICT
    @DukeICT 6 років тому +5

    So glad I found this series.
    Keep them coming

  • @DeceasedONE
    @DeceasedONE 6 років тому

    This is awesome! Loved it.

  • @joepublic5469
    @joepublic5469 3 роки тому

    My great grandfather and my grandfather did this. Thanks for the awesome vids.

  • @kucelkj
    @kucelkj 3 роки тому

    That was awesome! What an interesting process.

  • @campbellmorrison8540
    @campbellmorrison8540 7 місяців тому

    I love neon signs and would love to give that a go, Katie did really well!

  • @hameddadgour
    @hameddadgour 4 роки тому

    Great video. Thank you for sharing.

  • @philliplopez8745
    @philliplopez8745 6 років тому +1

    BRAVO Katie !

  • @the_jimmy_nation
    @the_jimmy_nation 6 років тому +9

    I always wanted my own neon sign!

  • @musik799
    @musik799 6 років тому +3

    Love this episode! I learned so much about Neon Signs!

  • @saxecoburggotha5050
    @saxecoburggotha5050 5 років тому

    Amazingly done..

  • @peebeeandjaay
    @peebeeandjaay 3 роки тому +1

    Wow he’s so nice and such a good teacher

  • @onigiriizumi6078
    @onigiriizumi6078 6 років тому +1

    Gotta appreciate the handwork for all the effort

  • @abdola8863
    @abdola8863 6 років тому +90

    I feel like hes going to cry in any moment lol

  • @ArtAndPrevailing
    @ArtAndPrevailing 6 років тому

    great ep!

  • @ShadowsHeat
    @ShadowsHeat 6 років тому

    Beautiful art

  • @pinstripeowl
    @pinstripeowl 2 роки тому +1

    This was so cool! Those signs are incredible

  • @Offline395
    @Offline395 3 роки тому

    This is awesome, searching for HOW TO MAKE a NEON light..... very informative.

  • @Weird-Mike
    @Weird-Mike 6 років тому +86

    I kept waiting for her hair to go up in flames in the beginning.

    • @spacep0d
      @spacep0d 3 роки тому

      LOL same. She was standing awfully close to the ribbon torch.

  • @waldairalvarenga4690
    @waldairalvarenga4690 2 роки тому

    linda profissão eu também trabalho com neon. Mais de forma diferente, parabéns pelo vídeo 👏👏👏

  • @deniseedit.
    @deniseedit. 6 років тому

    This is really interesting, Thank you!

  • @JakeLovesSteak
    @JakeLovesSteak 6 років тому +5

    Very cool!

  • @paulbickley658
    @paulbickley658 5 років тому

    You have some really good videos, I am just learning about them today...

  • @admagnificat
    @admagnificat 5 років тому +2

    Wow.... Mr. Ablon seems like a really good guy and a very good teacher. What a wonderful video. Thank you to everybody who was involved in producing it!

  • @Follett2121
    @Follett2121 4 роки тому

    She did so well with that E! That’s awesome

  • @telosfd
    @telosfd Рік тому

    Love it!😃

  • @SeniorDread
    @SeniorDread 3 роки тому +1

    An artist hand bend 90° respect!

  • @fntmworks
    @fntmworks 6 років тому +19

    I work for a sign company and it's awesome the only downside is that we don't get to work neon with as often as we'd like. Awesome vid all the way!

    • @vanillaonmytongue2
      @vanillaonmytongue2 6 років тому +1

      Anthony Briseno is it because it's expensive or people are just losing interest in neon signs? i've always wondered why i don't see neon signs anymore where i live.

    • @scpatl4now
      @scpatl4now 6 років тому +3

      LEDs (a bad word for anyone who does neon)

    • @jesusmorquecho6511
      @jesusmorquecho6511 5 років тому

      Trust me I dont missed installing neon channel letters with pk housings on a cement wall drilling two holes per letter two sets of sign with numerous letters then making up the connections behing the wall

    • @oussematrabelsi9429
      @oussematrabelsi9429 5 років тому

      @@vanillaonmytongue2 because LEDs are just cheaper and easier to make and look more 'modern'

  • @Adamishere
    @Adamishere 6 років тому

    This is an excellent video.

  • @giliant
    @giliant 2 роки тому +23

    I really would have loved to hear his thoughts on changes in the industry, the prevalence of led "neon flex" and other simple lost cost products that imitate his art. As someone who works in digital fabrication i often pull vectors to make exact copies of a customer sign or logo and while some parts of what i do are open to interpretation the goal is to make everything identical. I feel the the appeal of this is that it's a completely analog process done mostly with his hands and i hope his customers value that in it's own right.

    • @young_beans
      @young_beans Рік тому +1

      Neon is def cool and has it's place. But it is much more expensive than LEDs, more time consuming to make, much much more dangerous (12,000V vs 12v), more fragile, not nearly as energy efficient, and a similar look can be achieved with LED 'neon flex', and the customers would not be able to tell the difference.

    • @Luckmann
      @Luckmann Рік тому +3

      Plastic LED "neon" flex is utter garbage compared to real neon and glass. They're not even comparable if you've seen both.

    • @sonicseducer69
      @sonicseducer69 6 місяців тому +1

      ​@@young_beansyou can definitely tell the difference between true neon and LED. You might be able to fool some people but it is noticable

  • @ckthapoet
    @ckthapoet 6 років тому

    I really wnjoyed this one she sems like she was having alot of fun.... i would love to learn to make neon signs it would be cool

  • @joseluisvaiksnoras7857
    @joseluisvaiksnoras7857 3 місяці тому +1

    I have a son born in 2005. I tell him that the art of making neon lamps is ending.
    In my city there was only one person who still did these beautiful works. The best memories I have of this incredible work are from the 80s, when I visited the downtown and saw lights on top of buildings with huge advertisements for JVC, Sharp, Yashica, Canon, Nikon, and some banks.

  • @solidkingcobra
    @solidkingcobra 6 років тому +10

    came for food. stayed to appreciate the science and the artisinalship of the neon.

  • @ryancornelius1007
    @ryancornelius1007 3 роки тому

    This is awesome, I’m a glass blower I work with boro. Had a guy say hey why don’t you do neon, here I am. Looks like all my equipment won’t work for neon but man is this cool! Dying breed. Next time I’m in Brooklyn I’m gonna stop by!

  • @vanequa
    @vanequa 4 роки тому

    I love how he answers the questions

  • @catquack
    @catquack 6 років тому +4

    We have more than our share of neon signs in Hong Kong. It was nice to see how they are made.

  • @adamthompson8678
    @adamthompson8678 3 роки тому

    Good bending is importing......spot on pumping is a must.

  • @mondoneon2174
    @mondoneon2174 5 років тому

    Great video David

  • @carlsandburg4860
    @carlsandburg4860 Рік тому

    Great video! ... commented on a pink 'love' cursive neon sign on the way to my local coffee shop, then im sitting under a red text purple underline OPEN sign and I see the neon moving within the letters!!! Felt like looking it all up and found this! :) Best. Fun to watch him teach ya, great job. not meaning to 'suggest' too much but i'll say it's really impressive to watch a person submit to learning/being-taught a skill. Encouraging and sometimes we are so-resistant to learning from each other or think we have to be perfect when everything takes practice! :) all work done by hand is awesome and you can feel the time/wisdom :P people love to teach their craft to someone receptive too

  • @Jale1337
    @Jale1337 6 років тому

    Awesome !

  • @brettmoore3194
    @brettmoore3194 4 роки тому

    Thank u so very much.

  • @norhayatihamzah4384
    @norhayatihamzah4384 3 роки тому

    Mr. Ablon seems like a very good mentor and absolutely amazing teacher.

  • @Fazio315J
    @Fazio315J Рік тому

    Awesome video super informative. I don't know what made It pop into my head but I was just thinking. How do they make ne on signs now I know.

  • @pierreseptfons
    @pierreseptfons 5 років тому

    That dude was so cool, laid back and encouraging

  • @justiny.sbrother4699
    @justiny.sbrother4699 5 років тому +6

    8:52 look at the signs in the back

  • @NERO-ez1mn
    @NERO-ez1mn 4 роки тому +1

    he is a strict teacher haha the mentor is panicking. he loves the CRAFT so badly. TOO MUCH RESPECT.

  • @txm100
    @txm100 3 роки тому

    Awesome video :)

  • @sundawg911
    @sundawg911 6 років тому +11

    Another great video!

  • @whointhewhat
    @whointhewhat 6 років тому

    The instructor was very kind

  • @sabrinaflipse7732
    @sabrinaflipse7732 4 роки тому

    i took neon in school and it was so hard. she is doing really great.

  • @hutlihutdanmark9580
    @hutlihutdanmark9580 6 років тому

    Awesome 👍

  • @FPV_TOMMY
    @FPV_TOMMY 5 років тому

    Thx for the connect

  • @nokijanuar
    @nokijanuar 5 років тому

    Really good..

  • @thereIsaidit123
    @thereIsaidit123 4 роки тому +1

    My goal 2020 is to register for the classes ! have had this on my mind for 2 years now. First step was to get a drivers licence so I can drive myself there....DONE !, step two ...save money for the class - I can't wait !

  • @gtsprite
    @gtsprite 2 роки тому +1

    Ohhhh so that's why neons are super expensive!! 🧐 Very cool!! 🤓

  • @danbailey96
    @danbailey96 3 роки тому +4

    I had a neighbor that did neon bending and while making me replacement tubes for a sign I was working on I was amazed at his skill.....he offered to train me but I was so busy I kept putting it off and he passed away without me taking him up on his offer ....I regret not making the time.

    • @ashuroking007
      @ashuroking007 2 роки тому

      Thats both amazing and awful to hear

  • @ernestkj
    @ernestkj 6 років тому

    guess most new signboards are LEDs based now but having neon signs are so cool!

  • @djwalruss4897
    @djwalruss4897 2 роки тому

    Glass blowing also gets my respect

  • @sigvardbjorkman
    @sigvardbjorkman 3 роки тому

    He seem like a great teacher

  • @arenitar.297
    @arenitar.297 6 років тому +2

    I’ve always wanted to start my own neon sign shop.

  • @nataliem.2651
    @nataliem.2651 6 років тому

    Good job’

  • @garandhero
    @garandhero 6 років тому

    cool vid, thanks :)

  • @christopherrasmussen8718
    @christopherrasmussen8718 Рік тому

    Been bending since the 70s. Still making ‘glass’. Teaching a young lady and she will (I pray) make neon for decades to come.

  • @SeraphinaPZ
    @SeraphinaPZ 2 роки тому +1

    How did she even accomplish that? She really has a natural talent for that apparently.

  • @BeersYourFriend
    @BeersYourFriend 7 місяців тому

    Neon signs are absolutely gorgeous. This would be an awesome way to make some good money. Every piece is a work of art, and depending on the degree of difficulty, you could sell these for $2000+ easy. Unfortunately, it's all about RGB/LED lighting lighting today, which can imitate the nook of neon. But, there's still nothing like having the real deal neon glow. They are energy efficient with a typical sign only costing .20 cents per day to run, which costs less than a 75 watt light bulb. Plus, they last up between 8-15 years. It's Amazing!

  • @-vickyspit-
    @-vickyspit- 5 років тому +1

    I have a neon beer sign where the corner of the design broke off. Is the tubing fixable? If i don't care what it looks like (because it's just the corner) is there a really cheap fix? If I put electrical or duct tape or some sort of tubing from Home Depot, and created a very short "tube", would it go through as if it was glass?

  • @Penguin619
    @Penguin619 6 років тому

    MMMMM, neon signs are delicious! 😋

  • @poolplayer9b
    @poolplayer9b 5 років тому

    That’s pretty... lit

  • @JM-cw1er
    @JM-cw1er 5 років тому

    Nice to see Mo Syzlak is getting on well

  • @OneAdsKH
    @OneAdsKH 10 місяців тому

    woow look nice dear

  • @dafteverton7218
    @dafteverton7218 6 років тому

    I love sign.

  • @PrinceDasilboy
    @PrinceDasilboy 5 років тому

    Nice

  • @jeromeaquino2838
    @jeromeaquino2838 3 роки тому

    I want to learn how to do this and spread the positivity appreciation with the neon lights.

  • @getcustomneonsigns5059
    @getcustomneonsigns5059 Рік тому

    Great tutorial. We also provide neon sign customization service.

  • @davidcollins6164
    @davidcollins6164 2 роки тому

    oh, i'd like to see more.

  • @turbo3089
    @turbo3089 3 роки тому

    I'm curious if you left one on 24/7 will it still lasts longer than the store