Remy Le Ratt
07-18-07, 07:20 PM
yeah so i just got an arc welder and ive been wanten to make some freak bikes for a wile. im just gettin started and i just wanted to hear some advice. so if i can get some its much appreciiated.
Alt Bike Culture - any advice?
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frameteam2003
07-18-07, 08:55 PM
start cuttin and welding.Well you might want in idea or two first.
wethepeople
07-18-07, 09:26 PM
Start with a basic tallbike.
roughrider504
07-18-07, 09:54 PM
Something useful to start with could be a trailer.
kemmer
07-19-07, 01:32 AM
I made a bench out of a snowboards and angle iron for my first welding project. I decided that I wanted to be stationary and probably drunk when one of those first welds decided to break. So far it's held up just fine. I like the idea of a trailer too and there's no shortage of things you can do with a welder so just go nuts.
Remy Le Ratt
07-19-07, 10:39 AM
i figured i was gonna start with just a simple tallbike. it seems like one of the easyest things to get started with. im gettin some bike frames today and should hopefully have somethin soon. thanks for the posts.
Remy Le Ratt
07-19-07, 06:14 PM
ah problems. well i got two good frames for now. but ive never quite found out about the chain i need for a tallbike. if anyone can tell me how long and where i can get one that would be appreciated
Blais
07-19-07, 07:18 PM
If you have a traditional dry rod arc welder (shielded metal Arc welder), here's some things to remember:
Finding the right voltage setting is PARAMOUNT! If your arc is too hot, you'll blow right through the walls of the tubes like nothing. Too little voltage and your welds end up breaking. get yourself a junk steel frame and practice laying down strong, consistent beads down the top-tube etc. Your goal should be consistency and weld penetration without punching through the tube.
A tall bike is probably not the best place to start if you are new to building freak bikes. Instead, try taking some old steel forks, cut the 'legs' off of one and slip them onto the other fork, making one long fork. Try your hand at welding the seems without over-tempering or warping the steel. Once you've got that down, try extending a bmx-style fork with steel pipes. Do lots of small welds before you tackle a large project, it will save you a lot of frustration.
Also, ask the guys at a welding supply store which rods are best for your project. I used 6013 rods but 6011 (more common) will work with some practice.
As for the chain question:
Get a chain tool, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_tool), put two (or more) chains together, and fine-tune the length.
Finding the right voltage setting is PARAMOUNT! If your arc is too hot, you'll blow right through the walls of the tubes like nothing. Too little voltage and your welds end up breaking. get yourself a junk steel frame and practice laying down strong, consistent beads down the top-tube etc. Your goal should be consistency and weld penetration without punching through the tube.
A tall bike is probably not the best place to start if you are new to building freak bikes. Instead, try taking some old steel forks, cut the 'legs' off of one and slip them onto the other fork, making one long fork. Try your hand at welding the seems without over-tempering or warping the steel. Once you've got that down, try extending a bmx-style fork with steel pipes. Do lots of small welds before you tackle a large project, it will save you a lot of frustration.
Also, ask the guys at a welding supply store which rods are best for your project. I used 6013 rods but 6011 (more common) will work with some practice.
As for the chain question:
Get a chain tool, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_tool), put two (or more) chains together, and fine-tune the length.