Marcus Thielen, ST's "Lighting Techniques" columnist and lighting consultant, demonstrates a combination/bend. "To achieve a successful combination/bend," Marcus says, "I try to complete one fluid move, rather than two, separate ones, to maximize the short time that the glass is hot and uniformly fluid. But, the process happens quickly — less than one to two seconds." Be sure to read Marcus' June "Lighting Techniques" column for further details on combinations/bends.
This is the most common combination/bend in the letters E or F, sketched in the first edition of S. Miller’s Neon Signs (the original, 1935 edition of Neon Techniques).
Mark the heating zone, which is: 2.5 times as wide as the tube diameter.
Move the right hand upward to create a 90° bend via gravity.
Move the glass onto the pattern, and turn the left hand so the sign face is flush with the pattern.
Align the right-handed part to match the pattern that faces away from you.
Slightly stretch and push the righthand side down onto pattern. Press it down gently in one fluid move.
Align the right side to match the pattern.
Lift the tube from the pattern to align it exactly to the vertical axis of letter.
Place the bending block so that it maintains the correct height level.
Move both hands up so gravity will form a 90° bend in the center.
Place the left hand down, while the right hand faces straight up from pattern.
Fold down the right side over the bending block.
Align the bend by slightly turning the right hand counterclockwise while pushing the left hand forward to "sharpen" the bend.
Remove the tube from the pattern to avoid uneven cooling. The bend is now ready.