THOMAS JOHN HAMMONS
Neon Tube Bender since 1990 !
My father started an Air Conditioning Service Company in the late 1950’s, and I rode along with him at a young age and helped him while learning basic mechanical skills at a very young age.
When I was 14, he hired his attorney to take me to an adult night school for the instruction of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration principles.
At the age of 15, I took my heat and air test, and with a grade of 91, I passed and received my Master Refrigeration License.
In High School, during the 11th and 12th grade I took a Vo-Tech course in Sheet Metal manufacturing.
Upon graduation from High School, (1977) I convinced my father to buy some sheet metal equipment and we began doing commercial refrigeration. (Heating and Air Conditioning)
From 1977 until 1990 we did heavy mechanical construction including 14 Wal-Marts’ to several schools, banks, hospitals, including the V.A. Hospital and many more private and government projects.
In 1990 I decided to retire from mechanical contracting and the family business to learn to be a Neon Tube Bender and moved to Dallas.
There I learned from Mr. John Slocum, (“The Neon Specialist”) who was 76 years old and had been doing neon, learning from his father, since he was a teenager. For every hour that I installed his neon, he traded me an hour of personal neon glass tube bending training until his death a nearly a year later.
I then went on to learn more of the neon craft from another gentleman who operated “Jake Grooms' School of Neon” in Ft. Worth, and I was the only person to graduate his course successfully. I learned how to make neon the “ Old School” way.
Then I went to work at “Texas Sign and Neon” in Mesquite Texas and met a master neon craftsman named James Bell. He and I became friends and he took me under his wing and taught me the “New School” methods of neon glass tube bending production. I learned so much from him and I am eternally grateful for his friendship and guidance.
Although it did take me a couple of years to perfect the craft of neon tube bending and learn how to create perfect neon units that were durable for commercial use.
During the time I was learning how to bend neon glass tubes, I started Mr. Fix It, putting up posters on phone poles in the Turtle Creek and Highland Park areas.
Within a few months I had 3 crews working to keep up with the demand until I felt confident that I had enough experiance to make quality neon.
I then went to work for a large neon sign company in Canton Texas, “Free State Neon” and there, when I walked in, I saw all the same type of sheet metal equipment I had in my dads shop, used in the manufacture of all types of signs. I watchedand learned total neon sign manufacturing.
A year later I formed “Sign Art Neon” in Dallas, and set about obtaining my“El “UL” (Underwriters Laboratories) ” Electric Sign Manufacturing Certification.
After several very successful years of operating “Sign Art Neon” in Dallas, I decided to relocate back to Oklahoma City to be near my parents.
I have manufactured and installed some very fantastic and creative neon signs, which I am so very proud of in my professional career.
I have also trained several individuals in neon glass tube bending, and also consulted on many civic and business projects that have received outstanding acclaim.
Utilizing my experience in mechanical construction and field service, I apply my electrical and sheet metal expertise along with the training from the “Old Masters of Neon”, to have a special ability in the overall design, manufacture and installation of high quality Neon signs.
To me it is an art and craft that I love, and have been blessed with a very unique talent.
I will not turn down anyone who needs questions answered that pertain to the manufacture, installation, or repair of any type of Neon Sign.
Thank you for taking this time to visit my website!
