Making: Huge Nixie Tube prototype - Project H #18 

Hey I am a glassblower from Germany and I wanted to say I really enjoyed watching this video and seeing the development begin! When I saw the attachment of the watchglass I thought I could give you some advice on how you could avoid tension and cracking in the glass for future builds of this prototype: - the smaller the angle of attatchment from watchglass to the main glass body the more tension you will have on the connection point. Your watchglass attatchment already has an angle of 110-ish degrees towards the body but in theory you could use a Petri-dish which would make a perfect 180°/0° attatchment possible, reducing tension in the glass. - you can use a blowhose and a silicone plug with a hole to mildly pressurize the inside of the nixie tube and to "blow out" the glass on the connection with your mouth while it is still liquid. It takes a little bit of practice but it improves the way it looks in the end and makes everything more even. - I couldn't tell by the video how long you decided to "post-heat" because the video is cut of course but you can easily make a good post heating flame with regular pressurized air (not too much air or else its too hot) and just let it sit there for like 3-5 minutes while rotating. Pressurized-air-flames make good post heating flames because they provide the right temperature and they disribute the heat more evenly than a sharp oxygen flame. I hope you will soon have success turning this prototype into a finished product!

Amazing to see it all come together! Really great work.

Words cannot describe how much respect I have for you and this project. So incredibly emotional to see everything coming together, I'm so happy for you.

I felt so stressed the whole time. When he took the tube off the lathe and showed it too close to the massive metal supports I was like "watch out! stop! you gonna crack it! Stop moving it around! ARGH!" I can't wait to see a good one glow. Huge numerals! Awesome and beautiful.

No talking, good pictures, relevant scenes, professional skills, the right tools, improvisation talent. Please continue to share videos, Dalibor; they are a pleasure to watch!

In spite of the crack, that was a beautiful thing to watch. Looking out for the first successful one: don't be downhearted, keep going!!!

Precision, finesse, patience. A true work of art. A labor of love. I look forward to seeing it come alive :-)

Just some ideas that popped into my head. Very likely useless, but they were rocking in there so might as well put them down if at least one proves useful. Sorry if it's tedious to read and if some are pointless. :) 1. You can straighten wire without pulling on it by rolling the wire between two flat, heavy, metal surfaces. In my case, i use two cheap cast iron inspection tables i bought online. You cut your wire, place it on, roll it, put the next one, roll it, repeat. As you roll them (to be understood, one cast iron table sits normally on a table, the other is placed face down on the other (both need to be clean) and you just lift one end to slide a curved wire. Moving the top plate back and forth will produce a perfectly straight wire. No fuss, no muss. I use it for making stainless steel pins for lamp poles on my architectural maquettes. It's an absolute night mare when you have to plop down something like 500 of them to make a road or something like that). You can proof of concept this with any two flat pieces of metal and some scrap wire, as long as it's not extremely kinked or bent into a U shape, IE if it can roll, it will exit the other end of the "production line" perfectly straight. Works for tubes too, copper, brass, if i messed up with some poles and they're not excessively bent, i can bring them back to straightness with this method. Obviously, doesn't work with super thin material, the weight of the plates will flatten them. :)) 2. You can automate the tube and cap gluing process by making a tool similar to what they use to set percussion caps into bullet cartridges. These system exist already, and in my opinion, you can 3D print your own easily. Not only would this save time in the lay process, but also sort the parts pre-assembly in a more efficient manner that also prevents accidental damage. You'd check each part as you'd load it into the sorter and once sorted into their respective "cartridges" they'd be flattened and immobile. 3. The glue block should have finger recesses on the bottom so you don't have to tap them. 4. When setting the pin wires on their racks to glue the separation tubes, you could ditch the castle nut and replace it with a piece of stainless steel metal that's laser cut to mimic a comb, with little hooks on both ends of a flat piece (to serve both ceramic tubes). Bent to form an U shape, you can then use them to both weigh down the wires, AND align them at the same time. The U shaped double ended comb would have to be either weighted down OR, my proposal, have a little piece of spring wire exit from the bottom of the metal holder so that it catches and keeps the U shaped comb into place with spring force. When you're done, you just release the tension by lifting the spring and pulling the part and comb out, at which point the hooked teeth come out easily releasing the clean, perfectly aligned part. 5. When you get your parts out of the washer, for the metal, i suggest medical forceps, and for the glass, silicone pincer tongs. Both of which can be cleaned with the parts in the machine, thus ensuring clean, secure handling after you've finished the washing cycle. 6. 8:50 the same part that helps you lay the "donuts" in my first idea, can help you put the "donuts" here. One thing i forgot to mention in the first one, is that once you've laid these inside their "cartridges" they remain clean forever, at no point would you need to handle them anymore. 7. 9:35 long tapered reamer. Used very successfully in clock making, has exactly the same use for enlarging clock pointer fingers. :) Works much faster. You should get a few sets of reamers to have on hand for such "momentous" occasions. 8. I saw a few pieces of dust on final assembly, those could be easily removed if you got your hands on the pump and end that dentists use when they do fine tooth reconstruction. Those are extremely powerful suckers and any debris, be it skin, dust, hair, or lint, will get sucked in whilst also giving you the long reach of the utensil itself. You could probably modify a syringe and a high power pump (i mostly noted this one because i didn't see any cleanup procedure, you may already do this :)) ).

8:55 I don't know what you said but I can imagine what it means... Very unfortunate that the tube cracked, that is one big beautiful Nixie!

I too felt that moment when the digit did not fit the stacking posts!

Ok, that spot welder is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I love the conductor strap for the top half.

Imagine how little would have been learned if the first one was perfect? With this crack, every step is gonna get a fine examination and much more will be learned along the way.

Stay strong. This is one hell of a project, and I can only imagine how much sleep it costs you. I'd love to see you succeed and I am really looking forward to see the first digits displayed by those beauties.

Despite the glass breaking on the face of the tube it really is a work of art! Can't wait to see one glowing successfully.

This is really a delicate and responsible work with glass.You will make this project,I believe in you! Greetings from an engineer of the Russian military factory

You are doing a PILE of (sometimes repetitive) work, a lot with delicate steps. You are bound to have some errors like cracks along the way. The work is amazing, and fun to watch. I can't wait to see this project continue, keep up the good work!

On top of being an incredible project, this is just really solid vlogging.

The sheer amount of custom equipment you have is frightening. You might be one of the few people on earth that could even attempt such a project for fun.

Beautiful work

Unbelievable, youtube just recommended me something actually worth watching!

Maybe you can try annealing the glass with the torch to keep it from cracking. A sphere front would also look really cool. Also maybe adjust the letter shape so you can apply tension to help keep them from drooping onto each other.

I love Nixie Tubes and have a couple of Nixie clocks. I saw another man making large nixie tubes but not THAT large. That is the grand dad of all Nixies! Hope to see it in operation. You did a great job of documenting that very involved process!

I admire your patience and determination! It's great to see the development of the project. Fantastic work!

Absolute incredible! Can‘t wait to see the first one glowing! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

CAD is well and good, the real challenge is the build; as seen here. But not only did you improve your skills, you als show us the problems, the solutions and finally the success. This is great. Keep up the great work!

Oh wow! So much skill in so many areas all at the same time as keeping everything spotless and with extremely difficult materials. You sir are a master!

Wow it looks really impressive. Also you've got the patience of a saint. Can't wait to see the 'first light'.

Thats beautiful work! I would think 4 items on the glass: 1 Provide more of an even heating on the unit while welding - may require additional torch tooling. 2 Then anneal immediately before cooling and differential shrinkage can take place - cool slowly. 3 Augment lathe chuck with wider clamping surfaces and a softer grip material, like Teflon or similar, for use on the large diameter. 4 Possible final annealing before vacuum draw. Also, perhaps a different front glass molding and base tube molding where the weld seam is 1/2 way in the middle of the large diameter tube section and not the front corner. It seems like welding the corner on such a large diameter may prove difficult to manage stresses in the glass.

He's like Braking Bad teacher of Nixie Tubes. Amazing work. All the best from Slovakia

You just gotta love this guy. Keep Nixies alive.. Yaaay

I have been following Dalibor for about 6-7 years. Have never been able to afford one of their beautiful pieces of art. Hopefully soon, but it is really nice following their journey :)

And now I know why there are not a cheap thing!! A lot of detailed work into making that! Sadly it cracked! Amazing work. Simply amazing!

Dalibor Farny, you are doing awesome engineering involved in design and manufacturing of these beauties. Electronic sculptures. Congratulations!

Another masterpiece from the master craftsman! Never get bored of watching these videos, this guy is a genius!

Absolutely incredible craftsmanship. I can't wait to see more of your work

Absolutely Stunning CraftsmanShip

Every attempt forward brings you closer to the solution and end point. With continued determination you "will" succeed! And again, Thank You for bringing us along for this awesome ride.

Thank you for your hard work. Amazing to see all of your attention and passion go into to this. Good luck.

A true master and artist at work. It's so satisfying to watch you do your craft! Thank you so very much for sharing your magic!

Gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing the first successful demonstration!

A work of art. Can't wait for prototype #2!

this looks amazing. Thank you for continuing making these.

Perfect content creation, clear and easy to follow, without unnecessary filler. Absolutely stunning craftsmanship and engineering chops. I've only just got onto this, so I'm going to have to go back and watch from #1. Bonus points awarded for such dedication and attention to detail. Bravo!

So AMAZING Dalibor, so detailed, so painstakingly made with passion and love. Study your notes and it will come together. I'm so excited seeing all of your hard work finally coming together.

Really great to see someone keeping tube making a part of the future.

This is so awesome thank you for sharing your passion with all of us. I can't wait to see the next video, and great job.

This technique of making special electron tubes would certainly attract a lot of attention in the world of music! Amplifier tubes for musicians and high-end hi-fi fans would definitely be in great demand! I recently bought a tube preamp. If someone were able to build electron tubes for specific audio applications, then musicians, sound engineers, etc would probably break his door ...

I love the detail, effort, and the formatting of the content in this video, thank you for taking the time to document what is becoming a lost skill and sharing it with the world!

Can't wait to see it all come together. You are not just creating electronic components. It's art 🎨 👍

My favorite combo of engineering, art and craftsmanship. Amazing!

I have always been fascinated and in awe of the delicate and intricate work that you do. The design and the precision. Considering you started in your home to this is a huge achivement, and one you should be very proud of. I wish you continued success with this project, having observed the person that you are, your drive, your determination and being such a perfectionist I know this design dream will become reality

Man you should get some awards for this. Multiple.

fantastic work! Love seeing the process and interested in seeing those process improvements.

Love to see you working! Cant wait for the next video...these babes are HUGE!

8:55 "Ty vole" I felt that

Hang in there man. You've got this!

Внушительная мини лампочка! Конечно хочется в действии увидеть как она светится! Видео класс! Лови лайк!

Amazing work mate, thankyou for doing what you do. I'm saving up to buy some of your tubes. Worth every cent!

Spectacular work, as always. Love what you are doing.

Thank you for keeping this technology alive. It is beautiful artwork.

Thank you - Keep doing what you're doing please Dalibor.

I admire your craftmanship. simply amazing.

It is fascinating to watch you work on these. The precision is mesmerizing!

Such a delicate process. Amazing attempt! 👏

Success!! With the next prototype!! This was an excellent video. Thank you for sharing!!

A V4 country getting it done. Very impressive. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Just beautiful and one step closer.

Heroic work dalibor! Very impressive.

How can someone dislike this awesome craftsmenship

Keep going, Dalibor! Solid progress.

I am in awe that people keeping this stuff alive, this is amazing!

I love all those custom 3D-printed fixtures. Perfect for a small scale production like yours :)

Amazing piece of art!

I found your channel because of this video showing up in my feed, had to watch the entire playlist! Looking forward to seeing the process improvements that will get you to the point you can make 200 of these.

Amazing, congratulations!!!!

That was very very interesting to watch. Thank you for sharing and godspeed!

Lovely, wish you great success in future!!

Great, great Job! Amazing! Thanks for sharing (not only your successes).

LOVELY handwork during the assembly!

That's the thing with nixie's, there are so many disciplines to make it all come together there are bound to be some setbacks now and again, I'm no expert in anything by any means, however, I have been watching a lot of the corning museum of glass channel and I would have been surprised if the front glass wouldn't have cracked, but damm you almost there!! Good job! So cool to see.

Mesmerizing - and its still beautiful

That little spot welder is the second hardest working thing in that shop.

Love to see it light up very curious

The beauty is in the engineering and you have mastered that. I’m impressed by the digits themselves, it’s a beautiful font. I use the digits from broken nixies to show the build date on my nixie clocks.

very good job!!!! incredible art !!

That's so cool! You do a great job

This is amazing. Thanks for sharing this with us

It’s beautiful, hope to see a working one soon

This is astonishing, you Sir, are a craftsman of the highest order. I wish I had even a percentage of your skills and knowledge! Thank you for sharing.

Great camera work! Ahh soon I'll get one of your tubes - or maybe just the whole clock!

I look forward to see it light up for the first time.... Best of luck, Farny

Brilliant Stuff - Amazing hand craftsmanship also.

Artisan, and craftsman extraordinaire.

That was really, REALLY impressive!

Looked like a perfect fit in the glass!

This was fascinating. So many interesting tools and pieces I had no idea existed.

Amazing art, I was holding my breath while you were welding the large end.

Úžasná práce! Klaním se Vašim dovednostem.

It looks nice. I'm waiting to see it working. 😊

This was different from a lot of things I see on the net. Thanks for sharing this with us.