I made a multi-color “neon” sign using LED strips

I've always wanted my own neon sign, but lack the willingness to pay for the real deal. Besides, as an artist, I wanted to design my own. Luckily for me, you can buy pseudo-neon lights - LED strips embedded sideways in colorful silicone that effectively imitate an actual neon light. Using many of these strips, a 24V 5A power supply, some wood sheets, and a lot of soldering, I put together my own version of a DIY neon sign.
Subscribe to watch me build more silly little things: / @wingsumlaw
Website: www.wingsumlaw.com
Blog post: www.wingsumlaw.com/tinker/pos...
Like the raccoon and duck shirts? They were designed and made by my sister! Please go see her incredible work: / wingyeescreams
The Slightly Bitter pin: www.etsy.com/listing/59202565...
Thank you to @Tested for putting out the video that inspired this project: • How To Make a Custom N...
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:33 Aesthetic design
2:04 Laser cutting
2:30 Cutting LED strips & prepping the wooden frame
8:31 Finishing the wooden frame
10:05 Circuit design
14:40 Circuit assembly
17:20 Finished sign reveal
18:35 Lessons learned
Images:
- Vintage Neon Sign by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
- Diner Sign by John Matychuk on Unsplash
- Radio City by Sebastian Cordat on Unsplash
Music:
Artists:
LuKremBo
- Insta: / lukrembo
- KZbin: / lukrembo
- Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2mvFG...
- SoundCloud: / lukrembo
Cheel
- KZbin: / @dimanchechill
Patrick Patrikios
- KZbin: / @patrickpatrikios2050
Songs in order of appearance:
- Branch by LuKremBo
- Marshmallow by LuKremBo
- Blue Dream by Cheel
- Soft Feeling by Cheel
- New Day by Patrick Patrikios

[@VINZVANGO]

Ooh, you know there is a special black paint that absorbs 99% of light. I wonder if that could make the lights look like they're floating in a void. I'll get around to this project someday, thanks for posting!

[@InscrutableObjects]

I love your honesty and openness about where things didn't go perfectly and how you adapted. Really great stuff! Plus I love the sign! Nice work.

[@michaelduncan105]

Very nice and detailed! Thank you for being so thorough in showing the little snags along the way too. I love tutorials that show how things really happen.

[@imaddaoudi8665]

I saw other people who work randomly, but I always want to see a type of work like yours, I really like it keep creating things like this here I know its hard to stay consistent but u'll see great results after a while, either from clients or the community u get,

[@davidanderson9892]

It's good that you communicate useful information to your audience using the power of sound and language, and not just play music.

[@hermit.hannah]

I came here with a "that looks pretty simple I can do that" attitude and then I learned I had to solder AND do math

[@wingsumlaw]

No lie I’m a full engineer and I still sometimes look at a project like 👀 that’s a lot of numbers

[@halcyon3116]

one year later, SAME, lol someone please link me her etsy

[@astroman0500]

me too sis, me too...

[@IanF5]

Great job, your sign rips! I love the colors, layout, and style, thank you for the vid.

[@AndyDreier]

beautiful work. I really enjoyed the way you organized everything. Thank you and I hope to see more.

[@JonathanDrake]

The final touch of painting the background makes it really pop

[@SoundRelaxus]

YOU ARE REALLY AMAZING. I LOVE YOUR WORK, AND ALL THE PASSION IN THE PROJECTS YOU CREATE ❤️

[@willch1337]

I really appreciate the detail you went into for the wiring and figuring out the circuitry - it's all stuff which can easily be overlooked with maker-style projects, over just like soldering a load of wires and hoping it works hahah So including that circuit diagram and the equations used for the circuit is super helpful, thanks :)

[@Donkor640]

Thanks for leaving in your miscues! Our mistakes are a significant part of the learning process, yet many KZbin creators omit this aspect. This project is excellent, and I ❤ the design.

[@MrKrueger88]

Instant subscriber ... Because of how well you did the sign and how clever you are working out all the electronics 👍👍👍

[@wingsumlaw]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@rafiki2611]

Amazing result, so cool!

[@oldstuffcalban]

What an awesome video. The look of pure joy when it worked - so cute! BUT!! The fact that you were honest about mistakes along the way - PERFECT! We all make mistakes and should be able to learn from them. Thanks for this information. I have been wanting to try this... you give me motivation.

[@wingsumlaw]

So glad you enjoyed, and particularly glad everyone is fond of the mistakes sections. I really hope it makes people feel like they can tackle their own unexpected project obstacles!

[@ayoubfrias9093]

Great work very well organized and planned hope to see more videos like this one if not better. Keep it up !

[@PeterJoslynHarris]

What a fabulous idea and outcome. Congrats!

[@wingsumlaw]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@GermanMachining]

This is à piece of art, it has hard work and deserve expansive price, thanks for making such educational video !

[@googooboyy]

That was a lot of work that a 20min video couldn't do justice. LEDs look great!

[@wingsumlaw]

Thank you! Part of the fun/struggle is deciding which parts of the process people will want to see in a video :)

[@walkercampbell5139]

Extremely thorough, fantastic!

[@Cronff]

Great overall design and beautiful final result 😎 Also nice video about how the projects never go as expected, but there is always a solution to it 👍🏻

[@wingsumlaw]

Thanks so much! I hope including the stuff that doesn't go well helps other people approach their own unexpected project obstacles!

[@sydneyp.2320]

This was so so so wonderful. Your organization and additional explanations are exactly what my brain needs. Instant subscibe!

[@wingsumlaw]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Hope to post again soon :)

[@accosiris]

Thank you for the tutorial, I finished on e where I turned my wife's business logo into a sign and I appreciate the help your video gave! Ended up soldering 700 connections and took about 80 hours. 🎉🎉🎉

[@wingsumlaw]

Incredible and congratulations! I’m so glad it was helpful :)

[@atothezeezee]

This was great! Excellent use of tools and tech.

[@BrianWerner]

Very nice! Lots of good info. I have a Thunder Laser with a 51" bed but I think I'm going to start off with a simpler design. I'm not much of an artist or that good at soldering! You have mad skills and are adorable. Keep making cool stuff!

[@yvesverelst827]

fantastic build! Also very well explained.

[@GaelLevelComments]

This was such a pleasure to watch! Great job!

[@Seshy20]

Nice 😊 i wanted to do a sign board for my outlet and yeah i came to the right project . Even though i am an electronics engineer i hate working with electronics (cause something or the other goes wrong)but at the same time when everything comes together the satisfction is priceless..

[@zibel5007]

that's a cool looking sign, great job!

[@monkeysausageclub]

That's a very cool sign. Love it.

[@brutallyhonest9218]

Really beautiful work Miss Wing-Sum 👍

[@nelsonr1972]

Your video was very helpful, I'm still learning and getting the hang of it still. I'm into House and EDM. I look forward to seeing more of your

[@RcSkitt]

This video is highly underrated. Great job!

[@areafifty]

You're so talented! I'm just getting started with this kind of stuff. This video is excellent

[@caros6330]

One of the greatest video i've seen on the subject, thanks

[@y0k0z00na]

Great video and project, just what I was looking for.

[@seantostaggart]

Great first video. Looking forward to more.

[@wingsumlaw]

Thanks so much! Looking forward to making more :)

[@user-gk9ut9qc1o]

yooooo lady you have so much skill and knowledge! very clever problem solving

[@ARFF1Tampa]

Great job. My only recommendation would have been to have painted or stained the wood, or, gone with a transparent plastic backing. And maybe incorporate the wire line into a light up "Stem" with LED leaves or something. But you hid and blended it into the wall nicely.

[@dasoull7790]

Very nice building, like the results 👍

[@selenahuf9747]

So pretty! Well done 👍

[@angDEDENCRAFT]

very beauty idea miss😍

[@Obsi995]

so so so cool. nice job, really enjoyed this

[@ianstodart5409]

Great explanations for everything

[@FormulaJiuJitsu]

You’re pretty Neat! Thanks for the nerdy entertainment with all the explanations!

[@jasminw.7024]

This was an amazing DIY

[@kyanielouis]

Can you make a video detaling the numbers you used for the sizing of the neon strip to fit before the laser cutting, i just didnt understand that part.. you did such a fantastic job for the turnout!!

[@GetRealwithMike]

Very nice. Good job!

[@remiremillard8419]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing!

[@Fr8Hauler1]

Thank you so much, this was very informative. Great job.

[@wingsumlaw]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kedarwaas]

I need to learn that sums you use for the neon cuts lenth.

[@anne_bb]

Instant sub! Amazing job!

[@dnbnetwork3531]

Cool!Cheers from France

[@ramman2123]

You’ve inspired me to make one for myself thanks

[@wingsumlaw]

Thank you and good luck with your project!

[@m.printes6123]

Very Nice job. 1000x perfect. I loved. From Brasil.

[@camilleeppstein]

Awesome tutorial, thank you! I'm now subscribed 😃

[@wingsumlaw]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@andrewfawcett7958]

amazing what this generation is doing in their back yard sheds! keep it up!

[@wingsumlaw]

Thanks so much! I love seeing what everyone else is making these days too :)

[@mr.electric8559]

Great video. You have talent and vision. I found you video as I am looking to make a plaque / sign for my sons barbecue srea. Neon is so expensive. These look like a good alternative other than weatherproofing. New subscriber!

[@wingsumlaw]

Sounds exciting! I imagine if you made the backboard out of acrylic and sealed the wiring in it would be more weatherproof than my design is. I hope it goes well!

[@Cris-ms3qb]

The sighn Is amazing.

[@vickywalia]

Awesome Nice work very cool sign

[@MoreISeeDesigns]

Wow wonderful job

[@kvvickie84]

Great video! 👏🏼

[@1designm923]

Well explained and nice job on the tutorial production. Lots of work! Cutting out the channel on the mdf for placement, good idea. Well explained with the current draw. Most tutorial don't explain that.... that is a hell of a sign with all the wiring! Asian All the way! Matthew

[@omg.GLiTCHy]

this is AMAZINGGGG i learned a lot thank you

[@wingsumlaw]

I’m so glad! I also learned a lot doing this :)

[@finasupegina]

woww cool, smart, creative... thank you so much for sharing ... we have same passion ... really love this video ... great video

[@wingsumlaw]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed.

[@joshhrst]

That looks so good! Have a like.

[@edenreeling9390]

Amazing work! Can you please link the items you used, I'm really keen to try this myself but am unsure where to source the supplies

[@lindasalim1010]

Hey there... this is fabulous... would love to know more about what kind of LED straps to buy ... also more of the voltage info... got a lil lost on that part

[@bernardobohorquez4272]

Gran trabajo, gracias

[@leefaircloth7126]

Great Job

[@Ni5ei]

Cool! Subscribed and curious what's going to be next

[@JavierGarcia-se3vi]

Amazing!, Greetings from Mexico! 😊🥳

[@wingsumlaw]

Thank you! Greetings for the US :) glad you enjoyed the video!

[@bronxbombertony]

Can you do a small separate video on the wire diagram/schematic you did? I'm having trouble understanding what the numbers you wrote down are, is that wire length? And I'm assuming you got to 100 inches in length of light in series before you stopped and connected those in parallel?

[@garrukapex6693]

I think it’s funny that we have nearly opposite approaches to something like this, I always end up building the circuit first and then struggling with the art and CAD 😭

[@kianaq7951]

Hi, I would love to see a video of how you achieve designing the cut file in Al as I’m very new to this. Thanks in advance

[@CaffeinatedFrostbite]

I did something like this but I 3d printed the frame. I really wish there was a fix for the dead zones if you dont cut the strips exactly at the cut line

[@greatoni3239]

hey awesome video and you have anew subscriber! I have one question, where did you order the LED Stripes?

[@ShenzhenKingunionLightingCoLTD]

Love your smile.

[@kirkswater]

Great freaking job Wing - very professional technique and great working shop! Quick question …. Where did you get the soldering stand you’re using?

[@wingsumlaw]

Ah honestly I can’t remember but I’ll bet if you Google “helping hands soldering” you’ll find some similar ones.

[@goldworld2024]

Beautiful work mam

[@wingsumlaw]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed

[@anncorrell2399]

Just found your channel - LOVE IT! Maybe been asked and answered, but couldn’t find… what is that awesome little yellow “widget” called (and where did you get it?) that you are using to hold pieces as you solder??!! Also - thanks for the effort on your videos with chapters, great links, info, etc. I know it’s a lot of work but it makes a huge difference in watching! I’m definitely a subscriber and follower now! THANKS!

[@wingsumlaw]

So glad to hear you enjoyed! That tool is often called "helping hands". If you search for "helping hands solder" it should come up with a lot of options. Cheers!

[@katarinazwick1611]

Great vid! Where did you get the led strips? Can you list where you got your products?? This was really cool!

[@wingsumlaw]

Hey Katarina! So glad you enjoyed it. I bought the wood from a local hardware store and the wiring and power adapter from Adafruit, but any hobbyist electronics website or even Amazon will likely work for the various circuit components. The LED strips I got on Amazon by searching for "LED Neon strip" - there are a ton of options and I believe the ones I originally got may have changed names. They all seem to have the same characteristics, so I doubt it matters much which brand you purchase. Hope this is helpful information! Please let me know if you have any further questions.

[@staceycollins9232]

Very nice

[@TheDradge]

You shouldn't connect 12V strips together in series and power them from 24V unless the two strips are identical, otherwise one strip will have a different resistance to the other and there won't be exactly 12V across each branch. You should simply have used a 12V power supply with a higher current rating and connected all LED strips in parallel. Think about it. All LEDs are connected in parallel within a strip or portion of a strip anyway. Also, if a short developed in one of your series connected strips, then you'd have 24V across the other 12V strip. Your end result looks great but you really shouldn't be powering the strips like you did.

[@SG25]

What laser cutter was used to cut the wood? Good job. Looks great!

[@wingsumlaw]

Thank you! I am very lucky to have access to a maker space with a Universal VLS

[@lote179miramarlinks]

great job

[@wingsumlaw]

Thank you!

[@KSmanderes]

What kind of laser cutter did you use?

[@jacob9340]

Cool project! Made the wiring a bit more complicated than it needed to be. Could've just upsized the wire and sent it. 22awg can handle up to 4-5amps and is still small enough to work with. Otherwise, good stuff!

[@wingsumlaw]

For sure could have but tbh I just didn’t plan well when I purchased my supplies and then didn’t want to order different supplies. Live and learn :)

[@naturallydope247]

How thick is the wood you used? Also, what’s the name or link of the red and black connecting wires you used?

[@vickynguyen9499]

What laser machine you’re using? It’s pretty 😂

[@decadence-pixel7297]

Vraiment cool! :)

[@pvtpinocchio5503]

Is there a place where I can order a custom wooden base like what you have?

[@Robert-md3wr]

Is it possibile to have the links of the stuff that u used in this video to make this beutifiul sign?

[@LeandroFTW]

Dope! I really want to do this but I don't have a CnC machine...

[@hannahkavli8912]

What connectors are you using and what clear caps?

[@hudsonfranklin1690]

how do you calculate the measure of each strip of tape at the right cutting point?

[@quibble85]

Fantastic, I assume your strips are 6mm wide how wide did you make the cut that fit the silicone end caps well?

[@wingsumlaw]

Hey there, I made the channels 6 mm wide. Since laser cutting takes a bit of extra material off as well, that was just enough to get the silicone end caps to fit too.

[@user-vv8wk4nr5y]

where you create the design logo in which program also where i should go to print it as laser printer on wood or plastic and also from where i get the led strips can u write these details

[@imperialinfiltrator4851]

do you have links to the wire clips, lights and power supply?

[@racewaysignsgraphics4603]

"Retro" neon? now I feel old.