Midwest framebuilders?

[Wildwood]

My son was to going to build a frame in a high school class. Teacher said he would teach and help with the silver brazing of lugs. Bought all the materials from Henry James. Long story short -- the teacher was incapable of assisting on the project.

Any midwest framebuilders (not too far from St. Louis, MO) who would build a lugged 4130 frame and let my son participate in the process?

[Wildwood]

I found Badger Cycles, any others?

[rsl]

When I went to Mizzou there used to be a guy in Columbia MO that made frames under the label of "Diablo." This was about 5 years ago. I've seen a couple of the frames - nothing drool worthy, but some local guys used to race them and the builder supported local racing. I've since tried to see if he had a website, but no luck.

Oh, I should mention that the frames I saw were both TIG mountain bikes.

You could try contacting Walt's Bike shop in Columbia for contact info.

www.waltsbikeshop.com

[Marlin523]

Don't know if they will do all you want, but Cherry Bicycles is in Indiana. Not too far from you.

[Wildwood]

rsl & Marlin -
Thanks I'll give them each a call.

[Wildwood]

You could try contacting Walt's Bike shop in Columbia for contact info.

Walt's let me know that the "Diablo" builder was no longer available, but they did give me a contact just west of Jefferson City. The guy isn't actively soliciting custom builds, but will occasionally do a bike. Hooray, someone close to St. Louis!! Thanks guys.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Here's his site, and he's located just outside Lafayette, In in Battleground, In.
http://cherry.dcwi.com/cherry/

He's a pretty good guy! I just wish I couls afford a Cherry custom! :D

[TGroleau]

Doug Fattic, a framebuilder from Niles Michigan (just north of South Bend Indiana), is offering a hands-on frame building course this month. (4/17-4/21).

Doug Fattic
269-684-6761
fatticbicycles@qtm.net

You can read details at http://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.asp?Filename=framebuilders.10603.0360.eml

[Francis Buxton]

Sorry I don't know about any in the St. Louis area (I'm from KC), but Badger Cycles is in Lawrence, KS.

Rob would probably let your son participate, but you'd probably have to come out and stay a few days in Lawrence to get it done. Rob specializes in both lugged and brazed frames, and also has a tig machine.

As Walt's told you, Diablo is gone. Not much to miss there, in my opinion. Rob (Badger) is about 100x more of a bike builder than Mike at Diablo ever was.

Good luck in your search.