Introduction: Neon Fallout Sign

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About: G'day everyone. I'm make random things

This tutorial will show you how to make a cool neon sign. You can do any shape, design or words you can think of. You could even do it in multiple colours.

I chose to do a Fallout themed neon sign in a light blue.

Supplies

Materials:

  • El wire - you can get this from ebay or amazon. Just search "el wire", "LED rope" or "LED flex" - keep in mind it is not an LED light but some sellers list it that way. It cost me about $4 for 5 meters. They come in a variety of colours and sizes. I used 5 meters but 6 meters would've been better. IT depends on your design.
  • Hot glue
  • A back board - I used 4 x pieces of pallet timber

Tools:

  • Hot glue gun
  • Drill with small drill bit
  • Screwdriver and screws - to join the pallet wood. Not needed of your using one large piece of plywood.

Step 1: Print or Trace Your Design

Find a cool design and either print it or trace it if you don't have any printer ink like me ;)

Step 2: Prepare Your Backboard

I used 4 pieces of pallet timber and joined them by screwing them into 2 smaller pieces of wood as shown in the picture above.

You can use anything as a backboard instead such as plywood, mdf, etc.

Step 3: Trace Your Design Onto the Backboard

Cut out your design and trace around it onto your backboard. Keep cutting and tracing until your whole design has been transferred onto the wood.

Step 4: Plan Where the LED Rope Will Be Threaded

Depending on your design, you need to plan where you will be threading and gluing your El wire.

As it comes in one continuous length, draw your design on a spare piece of paper with one continuous line. Decide where you will need to drill holes as you may need to reach areas of the design which aren't connected to any other lines. for this, you will want your rope to be hidden behind the board and then visible again just for those specific lines. Referring to the next steps will make more sense.

Step 5: Drill the Holes

Referring to your plan, drill out all of the holes where the El wire will be threaded through.

Step 6: Start Threading and Gluing

Thread the El wire through your starting hole and start to glue it down along your design lined that you drew on. If you need to jump to a separate line, thread it down through a hole and back up again at the start of the new line. Continue until your design is complete.

Step 7: Hang on the Wall

Hot glue the battery pack and switch somewhere on the back edge then you're all set to hang the sign on the wall.

Well done and enjoy your new neon wall sign.

Thanks again.