The nixie clock that started it all http://www.tripoint.org/kevtris/Projects/nixie/index.html . One day I had accidentally came across this site. This guy builds electronic stuff out of junk. Once I saw his nixie clock, I became interested about it. I searched google to find out more information about these “glass nixie tube clocks” and found good results. I found this website http://www.cathodecorner.com/nc600.html based out of Tucson, AZ. This nixie clock kit was perfect for my needs. So I ended up purchasing this clock for $200. I had used this clock for the 8 th grade science fair in May 2003, and obviously won. Right now, it is being used as my bedroom clock and has been running since May 2003. Here's a picture of that clock.
There are several WebPages that show how nixie tubes work, such as http://www.mcamafia.de/nixie/ncp_en/ncp.htm . Now almost 2 years after building the nixie clock kit, I wanted to make one just from scratch, no kit and no supplied parts. I based my new nixie clock design from http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/nixclock.html . If you are wondering how this clock works or how it's built, visit http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/nixclock.html . I had purchased enough parts to make 3 clocks (1 for a friend, 1 for myself, and 1 to sell, and I also plan to make more). I spent about $100 in electronic parts to make 3 clocks. I had also purchased 80 new IN-14 nixie tubes from ebay. These were pretty expensive; they were about $3 a tube. Unfortunately 3 of the tubes broke from shipping. The tubes came from Tbilisi, Georgia (Eastern Europe). The packaging was very unusual, the box had a white cloth sewed on to it. I've never seen packaging like this. Anyways, I had built my first prototype. It took me at least over 20 hours to build the prototype. Here's the Link to Nixie Clock Gallery with more photos of my clocks and my workstation.
It works very well and the tubes are beautiful. I still have 2 other clocks to build. I plan on having 2 of the clocks cased in an acrylic case. The other clock will be put into an old vintage radio, or something that looks retro.
I have also ordered 10 IN-18 nixie tubes from the guy in Georgia for about $122 dollars. These tubes cost a lot more because the digits are HUGE (about 2in.) The IN-14 tubes have 3/4in. digit height. Another reason that nixie tubes are expensive is because they are somewhat rare. Nixie tubes stopped being manufactured over 15 years ago and are outdated. But now these tubes are being used for their neon orange beauty. The nixie tubes are filled with neon gas and require about 170-250volts to light up. This kind of electricity can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Here are some pictures of the different nixie tubes I have.
Going from left to right, IN-18 (the biggest and most expensive tube), IN-14 (the tubes that I am using in my clocks), ZM1010 (the nixie tube used in my first nixie clock), and the Burroughs end view tube (bought from a local electronics junkyard).
Here is a pic of the IN-18 tube lit up.
Here is a pic of the IN-14 tube lit up (these tubes are used on my clock).
I also have a few movies of the nixie clock I built from scratch in action. Because the numbers are stacked one in front of another, they appear to be moving when the numbers change (this movie shows me setting the time) . Cool, Huh?
If you are interested in a nixie clock, please contact me at tai@oliphantarts.com
This page will be updated when more clocks get built. Thanks for reading!
