How to make a Mini Neon Sign with 3D Printing - Tutorial DIY

[@turbotoshy]

Hello! Watched the video for curiosities sake, but ended up solving an issue I have had for a while, getting DXF into an extruded shape, and also learnt about how good Onshape is, very useful video, even beyond the project tutorial! Thank you!

[@nick_the_maker]

Really happy to hear. I'll keep them coming and hope to inspire/grow the maker community! Thanks for the sub!! :)

[@KingdomCome811]

Nice little project. Perfect pace, clear instructions, no fluff. Love it, keep it up.

[@TheDeepDiveLLC]

This is a very adhd, autistic, engineer's statement

[@nick_the_maker]

Huge thank you, great feedback! More coming soon! :)

[@HomeWithDrew]

Agreed, that 8 mins didn't seam like 8 mins as was so captivating and to the point

[@marcus3d]

WARNING! You can't just hook a LED straight up to a power source! LEDs have low internal resistance, so since I=V/R you'll get way excessive current if you don't add a resistor in series! Those LEDs tolerate only 100 mA, any more than that and they'll have an increasingly short life.

[@nick_the_maker]

Hey, thank you for bringing this up. Totally agree to err on the side of caution, it would have been smart to give a clear warning in the video for those with less experience and thinking about trying alternative power supplies. In this case of the suggested button battery, max discharge current is extremely low, so an added resistor is not necessary.

[@jebronekitty]

How do you calculate how many batteries you need, what resistors you need per wire?

[@xxxBlueIncendiaxxx]

@@nick_the_maker Yeah I figured with the coin cell battery a resistor wouldn't be necessary.

[@Nate-Wilcox]

@@jebronekittytake a look at the voltage drop or forward voltage of the LED. If it’s 3V, in general you’re safe with a household 3V battery in series. That means a cell battery like you saw in this video is fine, or two AA’s in series for example (as they’re 1.5V each)

[@jebronekitty]

@@Nate-Wilcox awesome, what if I have 6 different wires hooked up in succession?

[@______IV]

I rarely see projects that make me want to get a 3d printer, but this definitely inspired me. Excellent tutorial!

[@nick_the_maker]

Hope you join the community, it is a lot of fun! I will publish more ideas to inspire soon, many around 3D printed projects you can try.

[@LUDOVICOPAPALIA]

One of the best 3d print tutorials ever!

[@nick_the_maker]

Someone give this guy cake! Just made my day, thanks for the positive words!!

[@MedicYoda]

The programs you used look terrific and just what I need for some projects. Also I love the neon lights.

[@sourcererseven3858]

Great entry-level project! Good choice to not over-complicate things. Anyone who wants more than that button battery bodge will do it themselves 😊

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, I was thinking the same. Didn't want to take it too far, but a lot of people are asking for more. Will make a couple more vids for those that want next steps.

[@m00se23]

This is awesome and I've made a couple of these on my printer already, but I wish he would answer some of the questions that people here in the comments have. BTW Nick, you're a great teacher! Keep it coming!💯

[@nick_the_maker]

You rock, thanks for the positive feedback! I am just going through all the comments today, so sorry!! Work, family, and a business trip... all while this thing started blowing up and I couldn't believe my eyes! 😅 I think I have most questions answered, and currently working on new vids to help with further design and power options. Stay tuned!

[@plugger410]

That was actually really well done, easy to follow. Would love to see a video on a full-size sign

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! It's a great idea and something I would like to work on. Thinking about a step-by-step guide printing a full sign by individual letter, using the max standard bed size for each letter and assembling afterwards. Will post a vid once I get through testing. ;)

[@plugger410]

@@nick_the_maker nice, that would be amazing. There are a few videos out there I feel like that talk about some of the specifics with the printing, but none that I saw that were detailed with every step, including wiring. They assume you already know that stuff. Keep up the great work!

[@nicolaiveldorm6940]

@@nick_the_makercould this not just be scaled up to bigger size? Could you make at video on how to make a back cover?

[@namssab1]

Props for showing your methods using the ender 3, making this accessible for everyone. subbed

[@SooGuy1968]

thanks so much for that. I didn't even know led filament was a thing until just now. I had looked at doing similar LED Neon using neon strips but this looks more interesting

[@Rick_Cavallaro]

Shoot - a couple years ago I made a much larger neon sign using that same glowing wire. But it didn't occur to me to 3D print forms. I with it had. Instead I printed the signs on paper, and used that as a template for putting a whole bunch of nails in a board. Then used a bunch of stripped wire to attach the glow wire to the nails. It came out great, but it was a lot more work. Then I used an arduino to create various effects like a slow "breathing" effect and a flickering effect to look like the old neon signs.

[@nick_the_maker]

Sounds like more steps but I imagine the project came out awesome!

[@Cuttle]

Really nice project! 😻 There is also a feature in Cuttle called "Connected text" so you don't have to apply the boolean union, but most importantly it will also join the dots on the i's automatically. It was nice to see the Cuttle to Onshape workflow too :)

[@nick_the_maker]

Great tip, I will give it a try. Really nice feature for laser cut projects I work on too! Thank you for creating such an incredible app and user experience! :)

[@macciejdsbsys7180]

please tell me where "Connected text" is

[@fredericapanon207]

​@@macciejdsbsys7180 the Help menu should have a search box. You now have keywords to enter there.

[@wewe365]

Does Cuttie have a utube channel for beginners?

[@Elmojomo]

So where is the 'connected text' option? I don't see it anywhere in the interface...

[@Twosoc]

Not sure if anyones said this but onshape can export in step format which gives a higher def model than stl. If your slicer can handle step files then it gives you lots more control as you can often break a complex model apart in the slicer and print in different materials and colours etc.

[@FilamentStories]

This is just all around fabulous. Thanks for the tutorial making it so easy to do yourself. Love it!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, very happy you like it!

[@ShaunKirkwood]

This is such a cool project, and your video is so easy to follow and well explained. Thank you for taking the time to put all of this together, much appreciated.

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome feedback, thank you so much!

[@travismiller5548]

boy was i doing it the hard way. as a glassblower and commercial signage fabricator and installer, i was bending 3mm borosilicate glass rod like it was miniature neon, using LEDs heat shrunk to the ends as tiny neon electrodes. sandblasting the glass made it so the the LED light would diffuse out. this is way easier. 😂 i like to make junky little sign dioramas.

[@nick_the_maker]

Would love to get into glass work someday.

[@cobaltsmith1]

EXCELLENT walkthrough. Thank you! You have gained at least one more subscriber. Love this!

[@azadvertised]

Love how direct and informative this was. Subscribed

[@aarrodri]

Same. Straight to the point, no bs fillers. Most KZbinrs sound like Billy Mays nowadays.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! Doing my best to cut out all the non-essential "over talk". Thanks for the sub! :)

[@williamdavies_ewill]

A brilliant project and KZbin video. Clear simple instructions of a great thing.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thanks a bunch for the positive feedback!! 💪

[@leagueleaders]

Super cool project. Never knew about those filament leds.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, hope it inspires you to make cool stuff!

[@enriquep2677]

Straight to the point and very well explained! Thanks

[@playmotion.trailer]

I never changed the filament during printing. Thanks for the tip and awesome video !

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, happy you liked it and found something useful!

[@Beatfreak19831]

Cool project and I liked your style of presenting 👍

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ahmedalkhoudiri5435]

Nice project! You could add a base to host the battery, a switch, and wires connection.

[@ricardoolivares7611]

I was thinking the same, but boxes for 2032 bat even wired and with button are cheap.

[@piquat1]

Filament is cheap. Elegoo PETG, $12.50/kg. A little box is less than a dollar and custom to your needs.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thinking the same, great idea! Working on this and other variations now. Will keep you posted with new vid updates. Thanks!

[@nick_the_maker]

By the way, check Ikea. So far one of the cheapest places to buy button batteries fast if you live near a store.

[@DiyEcoProjects]

Hi, ive never printed before and im thinking of getting one. I just want to thank you for a very clean and concise video. Well done. All the best

[@DiyEcoProjects]

Hang on, this is your First video? Wow! Good lighting, good script, great sound, and realy good editing!. Wishing you every success as your channel grows, ive subbed Can i ask what microphone are you using please? Also i like the format of "this is what you can make / and ill show you how to do the 3d program"

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you for the feedback and kind words! Working hard to produce the best I can and will continue trying to make it better with each new video. Using a Yeti microphone for sound. Thank you for the sub!! :)

[@mato_2000]

This is brilliant! I had not sound problem at all. Im gonna try to do this at home! Keep it up! But im probably just gonna print the front freestanding and glue it on.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, hope it goes well! I will make some more follow up content soon to inspire options for a base, wall mounting, power supply and so on. Cheers!

[@TheSlyMouse]

Aww man I was excited for real mini neon lol

[@nick_the_maker]

Sorry man, didn't mean to mislead. Just neon style, not planning to work with gas anytime soon! :D

[@JerseyTom]

@@nick_the_maker didn't mean to mislead, but still leaving the misleading title... glow sign, illuminated sign, backlit, etc. plenty of other things to call it, but here we are

[@spartan5280]

I recommend exporting the file as a STEP insted of an STL since it will result in smooth curved surfaces on your prints. Though STEP files don't appear to be supported in Cura, though you should give orca slicer a try since it supports STEP files as well as a lot of other nice features.

Clear, concise, very well explained and pretty cheap project to do with the kids. Thank you!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Definitely a good one for kids as well. More coming soon! :)

[@mattrohrKSU]

solid video! thanks for sharing those cool tools! never heard of cuttle and onshape until today! Will come in handy

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome, hope you make some cool stuff! :)

[@jenniferhansen210]

Wow, I love this! Would love to see a second video which has a box for the button battery and a magnet to really finish out this project.

[@ricardoolivares7611]

Mee too, indeed I just order the led lights and the boxes (with button included) for 2032 battery. Pretty cheap on Ali. I will use this light for my Xmas tree with the names of the family

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, happy you liked it! Publishing more videos soon with added features to inspire.

[@nick_the_maker]

Cool idea for Christmas, would love to see the result!

[@UncleJessy]

Just saw your post on Reddit about this. Friggin wild! Can’t wait to try this out

[@Armadurapersonal]

this is really cool. a base or stand with two AA batteries would work as both energy supply and weight to keep it standing nicely.

[@nick_the_maker]

A great idea. Working on a video to inspire more added features, will include a base option as well! Cheers!

[@deathspawn54]

Omg i love this so much, i have always wanted a "neon" sign for my business

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, hope you make something cool. Working on a bigger neon style project to publish soon!

[@tillorrly1128]

For bigger signs go with those LED strips in silicon tubes.

[@kellyjean4981]

I love this project, and you made it very easy to understand. Thank you

[@TheDeepDiveLLC]

This is a very adhd, autistic, engineer's statement.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, appreciated!!

[@atharvabedarkar]

I love videos like these please try to make longer videos and go in detail 🙏

[@nick_the_maker]

Lot's more coming, thank you for the feedback! Will do my best to provide more next time, either in a single video or series of videos so people can decide how far they want to explore. Creating a series of more on this lights soon. :)

[@VGPbr]

Very nice. I will try some of this sometime. The sound was very low, but using the stable volume setting on the cog menu made it sound ok.

[@nick_the_maker]

Hope it goes well. Sorry about that, I screwed up somehow on the audio side.

[@gvetech]

Thanks for sharing, just the straight forward tutorial I've been looking for! Well done.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you for the positive feedback! Will keep them coming. :)

[@jimmysgameclips]

What excellent little lights. Great use case

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! They are cool for sure!

[@Dave_the_Dave]

You can actually make the hollow inner part and open back all in the slicer, so if you can get an SVG of the text, you might not even need to use Onshape.

[@nathanmusser5025]

So many useful tips, sites, and advice. Thanks!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thanks for the positive feedback!! :)

[@primozpecar2636]

wtf algo is blessing me, thanks for showing your process

[@nick_the_maker]

Haha, very happy you liked it! :)

[@daarshg]

Great tutorial with nice and detailed steps, and explanations for all the decisions you made. Thanks!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, happy you liked it! More coming soon!

[@renxula]

Neat project and good result! I think a pause for a filament change is risky though. My basic printer supports the M600 command for filament change, where it moves up and retracts, and lets me extrude the new filament as much as needed, and then continues the print after I confirm I'm ready.

[@nick_the_maker]

Sounds like a good option to make the change. Thanks for the feedback!

[@andrewslovak1]

This is so awesome, I might actually do this! Thank you!

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome, you should for sure. Hope it goes well! :)

[@Remy21289]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! ❤

[@Coutta_13]

Awsome workflow and explation of the steps! I hadn't stumbled across cuttle, I've been doing text with blender and cutting this out with knife project, your flow is much cleaner for topology. Thanks I'll be trying this! Sub'd for future content 🎉🎉

[@nick_the_maker]

Right on, thank you so much! Great positive feedback! :)

[@mretuck]

What a fun project! Thanks!

[@nick_the_maker]

You bet! Thank you! :)

[@DreamingSheep]

If you don't mind the extra effort, if your 'glow' area is only 2 layers thick, you could pause the print between the 'outer' and 'inner' parts of the text, print the two layers, then swap back to your outer filment to finish the print. So: Filament one to do the stroke around the text on layer one. Switch to filament two to finish layer one and print the text in layer 2. Switch back to the first filament to finish the layer 2 stroke and rest of the shell.

[@AlanMelling]

I’m surprised to see that this is your first non-short video. Was hesitant to sub bc lack of content, but did anyway. Hope to see more. Cheers!

[@nick_the_maker]

Haha, happy you liked it. Gotta start somewhere, right? :D More coming soon!

[@shannonpalmer]

Volume sounded normal to me 🤷‍♀️ Cool project, too!

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@selbermachenguru]

WOW! I learned a lot and just found a solution for a problem I had for years!

[@1620GarageAndFarm]

So awesome little project, and congrats on going viral with your first video drop !! Looks like I need to order some materials and fire up the 3D printer !!

[@nick_the_maker]

Haha, right on, hope you give a try! Thank you for the positive feedback. Making more soon. :)

[@TheRagingUnprofessional]

I can't hear anything in the video at max volume, I do love the idea! Thank you for sharing

[@coreyappleby]

Oh wow, super fun project! Thanks for the tips, I was unaware of those online tools!

[@nick_the_maker]

Def some of my favorites because they are free yet powerful options from the browser. More coming soon. Happy you liked it!

[@coreyappleby]

⁠@@nick_the_makeryeah I've got young kids so I've been meaning to look into how to model words/names easily. I find most CAD software overly complex for what I'm doing so simple web based stuff is a huge help.

[@mlopezrossi]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you so much!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, happy you like it!

[@HomeWithDrew]

Thanks for this. I see why you add the black walls as it makes it a lot like 5he barrier in real glowing neon lighting. I have been interested in making some in the past and have got close then not don5inued to get close4, I have an SLA printer and again print flat side down. I will give this a another try one day, not thought of using filament lighting, wh8ch I would class as Electroluminescent wire which I have some of already, just need to c4ack out the printer again

[@nick_the_maker]

Good luck, hope it goes well!

[@RobotWargen]

Amazing video super informative and gets me excited to do this myself!!!

[@nick_the_maker]

Go get it! Hope you make something great!

[@PhG1961]

Amazing! Great video and ingenuity!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MatiasPeltola0]

Subscribed, this is awesome. Video was a good pace, easy to understand, makes me now have the perfect justification for a 3d printer 🤡

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you for the sub. Haha, hope you get one soon, the printing community is a blast!

[@carlosmcnulty]

This is great for kids project!!!! Thank you.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, happy you like it! :)

[@33v4.]

more more tutorials!! this is the coolest

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! Working on more stuff right now. :)

[@felipegilhiriart]

Hello, could you make a follow-up video with the batery and the switch please?

[@nick_the_maker]

Definitely will do! Working on it now and hope to publish soon. Cheers!

[@scsdenver]

Great project. Cool stuff!

[@thatpspguy]

Will be using this later the week to make some custom boxes for family and friends.

[@nick_the_maker]

Hope it goes well, I bet they will love the surprise!

[@thatpspguy]

@@nick_the_maker I ended up getting over 100 orders for my lightboxes at $50 a pop! I'm through just 10 of them as they are larger and I have a steady stream of parts coming from aliexpress. Thank you for helping me to succeed! This will literally pay for my winter tires, an oil change and a second Kobra 3 combo soon. When all that is paid for I will come back and figure out a way to pay you something for doing this for all of us!

[@LazyManJoe]

Thanks for sharing! Ordering some LEDs now! Also learnt a lot about switching filament on the 3D printer - something I will try when I make my next sign 🙂

[@nick_the_maker]

Happy to hear, hope it goes well! :)

[@jack1d1XB]

Not into 3D printing but I thought this was really great work and will give many fans some home project work.😊👍 P.S, I would love to see you create some Nostalgia signs such as: Nuka Cola etc 🤔😏😉😁

[@nick_the_maker]

Happy to share inspiration. Thank you! Working on tutorials around large signs, but I think your idea a lot! I will keep experimenting to see if I can make some nostalgic original styles. :)

[@yogaforsuccess]

Thank you. Learnt something new today.

[@sammaldonado5931]

Audio sounds normal. Great video

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome, thank you!

[@octahedron646]

Super cool addon for my futur projects !! Thanks for the tips ! Love it. Volume level is OK btw..

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome, happy you love it. More coming soon to inspire. Thank you! :)

[@deziomakes]

Excellent teaching! Thank you!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you, happy you liked it. Will publish more soon!

[@gelordtube]

this was my first 3D project, thx!!!

[@nick_the_maker]

Super cool, great to hear! Keep printing and having fun. Will add more project videos soon to keep you inspired.

[@SnailNick00]

I love this thank you so much

[@cheartisan9681]

真棒！期待后续的电源+布线+控制模块！！建议尝试一下蓝牙控制模块

[@gselzbrot]

nice little tutorial. good inspiration

[@InXsense]

Great workflow you win a sub.

[@nick_the_maker]

Right on, thank you!! :)

[@SimplisticallyDigital]

I really like these!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! Hope you get to make one! :)

[@pentiumcadiz]

Muy didáctico y muy bien explicado. GRACIAS !! Very helpful. THANKS A LOT!!

[@nick_the_maker]

!Muchísimas gracias! Cheers! :)

[@TroyCroatto]

That is awesome, loved the video, straight forward and easy to follow! I’ve been printing for years but never really done the pause for a filament change but since you have shown it so smoothly I might try it in my next print. Also just thinking of the potential with this, you could have the old cartoon “racy night club” with the leg in stockings moving up and down in 3 frames, just a simple arduino circuit and a loop going through turning each on and different colours etc. definitely subbing for more of these types of videos! Thank you for sharing

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you for the feedback! Really great idea I would like to experiment with soon. Cheers for the sub, more coming soon! :D

[@tinkerman1790]

Great tutorial 👍🏻 Subscribed!

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome, thanks so much! :)

[@ricardoolivares7611]

Thanks for sharing chief, excellent video.

[@nick_the_maker]

Thank you! Will keep them coming. :)

[@VgnTeupo]

thats such a cool idea i belive i could also use sketchUp pro for the first step and my ideas would be far bigger. A tutorial for the power supply would be great. A link to a good one also would do it

[@nick_the_maker]

Working on a follow up video to help with new ideas and power. Stay tuned! :)

[@merkabaenergy9558]

Brilliant!!! I saw these filament the other day (god bless the algo-rhythm!) Please make more of these short form tutorials, easy to follow, great result.

[@nick_the_maker]

Happy you liked it! Working on lot's of new content around these lights and other cool maker projects. More coming soon! :)

[@gauravjain.indore]

Awesome and cool ! will give it a try soon. Thanks

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome, hope it goes well!!

[@theajtruth]

Love this led filament , its been sitting in my card for ages 😅

[@marcus3d]

Remember to include the ballast resistor.

[@andypiper]

Can you explain what this is? I did not see it in the video.

[@nick_the_maker]

Haha, let's gooo! Time to make a cool project. :D

[@marcus3d]

@@andypiper It's not in the video, because the OP doesn't know even the very basics of electricity. LEDs have a low internal resistance. Current is voltage/resistance, so if the resistance is low there is a lot of current. LEDs can't handle much current, at least not for long. So you have to add a resistor in series with each LED to bring down the current.

[@BartNoble]

Great video! I'm surprised that (0.4 x 2) width on the letter edge is enough to block the light but maybe that's just because it's black? I don't think that would be thick enough for filaments with lower pigments.

[@Ares-vh9qz]

Wonderful! When I looked at the subs I expected to see something like 300.000 ahah Subscribed instantly

[@nick_the_maker]

Huge compliment, haha. Just made my day!!

[@LocRobser]

This was awesome!

[@nick_the_maker]

Thanks, appreciate it!! :)

[@bbdetailing9123]

This is cool. Thanks

[@JohnnyFive626]

This is awesome- thank u❤

[@ahmed3d169]

Nice work

[@Supercazzola]

Nice video. Thanks for making it. I’m gonna subscribe, hoping for more simple and helpful videos… one area I’d like to know, did you go with the warm white or green light in this example ?

[@SamPockerOfficial]

These are great! Wish i could just order one instead of doing it myself in this case, but they are really cool.

[@Tooooooony]

It looks really vibrant when you do the test (the back side). have you considered just the extrusion, removing the front layer from the print?

[@nick_the_maker]

That is an option to consider, for sure, but I really liked the diffusion from the transparent thin layer. Cheers!

[@makcraft]

Cool project and very detailed tutorial.

[@originalhotrodder4337]

Straight forward and to the point, got another sub!

[@nick_the_maker]

Awesome, thank you!!

[@HeadNSV]

Great idea 💡

[@R4YTUBE]

Thank you so much for this tips, this was even easier with Bambu printer and Fusion 360. You got one more subscriber ;-)

[@nick_the_maker]

Right on! Thanks for the sub! :)

[@kathys.3420]

I wanna do this! Seem interesting