etched neon light

this project is pretty easy I did it in a total of 2.5 hours (including etching) the list of things needed is
a neon for pc or a car light
about 1.5' of pvc
plexi glass
12v adapter
the tools needed are:
dremel
hot glue gun
radial arm saw
stationary sander
and a computer

Step 1 Designs

go on the internet and look up designs relatively easy design such as steal your face, the mortal kombat logo, thundercats logo,and the instructables robot. I stole mine and changed it to black and white using photoshop 15 or adobe. make sure the design is backwards. after that print it out and tap it on one side of the plexi glass make sure you see the picture IT HAS TO BE BACKWARDS!!! after thats set start up your dremel and etch away. if you need tips on etching search it on this website you'll probably find something.

Comments

[cyberpageman]

Beautiful work! What sort of light do you use? You say, "a neon for a pc or car light," but I've never seen lights like that that are long and thin. Where can I find some?

[slimguy379]

there actually "cold cathode" lights, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_cathode
crazypc.com is a great site and has tons of these lights they run about $15 for 2 lights... hope that helps

[cyberpageman]

Thank you. I appreciate your complete and quick reply.

[equinox55]

What is the pvc piping for

[slimguy379]

the pvc piping is for the "casing" of the light tube, and it directs the light to travel through the plexi.

[Karnivore]

Would it help to put something shiny like Aluminum foil on the inside of the PVC, then seal the ends (but make a few holes for power)? -Karnivore

[slimguy379]

yeah that would most likely enhance the light, thanks!

[Karnivore]

Quite welcome! I can just think of all kinds of uses for this...

[Greenehouse]

Another way to "etch" this would be to cover the plexiglass with a plastic film, put your logo on the film and use an exacto knife to cut your logo out of the film. Then you just use an etching paste you can get at any good craft/hobby store to etch the plexiglass along the logo lines. After etching rinse and remove the plastic film and you should be good to go.

[codongolev]

or sandblast it. but maybe that only works with actual glass. my mom did it once for a cabinet door.

[vanpaun]

I've seen this instuctable a few times, and I just got the joke! Open suse FTW

[xboxteen01]

awesome idea. and the slot/holder/dock thing looks sweet. use 4 of those and make a cool mirror or piccture frame. awesome job +1 vote

[NeonLime]

This Is Pretty Cool! I Looked At Your Other Instructable Too! The Only Thing Is; Would anything Other Than A Dremel Work? >_> Mine Broke :D

[Big Bwana]

Looks great.. Good bye Gates.. Any Router would work as well, in fact I find it easer to move and control then a dremel tool and I make less mistakes, it also cuts to a uniform depth as well (( Plunge Router works the best )) ... And a little tip if using a router, cover the sheet with packing or other clear tape and cut right threw it so you don't scratch the plastic sheet while working on it and peel it off as soon as your done , this is assuming it doesn't already have the protective coating still on it....

[slimguy379]

check lowes or go to fatwallet.com they will have the best deals for dremels I got my cordless 2 piece set: originally $70 got mine for $20

[LinuxH4x0r]

Great job, really like this idea. Try using a drill press

[Speedmite]

Drill presses make holes. Not etch.

[Ginger Magnus]

A drill press would work if you used an endmill.

[Speedmite]

true....