Getting Started

[ludeboy_77]

Hello all,

I have kicked the idea of making frames around for a little while and want to investigate what is needed to get started making lugged steel frames.

Where does a noob get tubing and lugs?
What is needed for brazing?
What kind of tools are needed?
What is involved with making a jig?

[AllenG]

http://frameforum.org/
http://www.henryjames.com/patman.html
http://www.henryjames.com
http://www.novacycles.com/
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/
http://www.richardsachs.com/rsachsarticles.html
http://www.richardsachs.com/rsachstoys.html
http://sheldonbrown.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Science-David-Gordon-Wilson/dp/0262731541

That should get you started

[Scooper]

Where does a noob get tubing and lugs?

Lots of places. You can start with these:

http://www.bringheli.com/
http://www.bikelugs.com/
http://www.gaerlan.com/bikeparts/bike.html
http://www.henryjames.com/
http://www.novacycles.com/

What is needed for brazing?
What kind of tools are needed?
What is involved with making a jig?
Henry James sells the Paterek Manual (http://www.henryjames.com/patman.html) which is a great place to get these framebuilding questions answered. Tim Paterek also sells framebuilding "how to" DVDs (http://www.timpaterek.com/videos_dvd.htm). I recently purchased the DVD set on lugged framebuilding, and watching them is almost like having a tutor standing over your shoulder.

Henry James and Bringheli sell jigs, but you can make a pretty versatile one by following these instructions (http://www.instructables.com/id/The-simplest-bicycle-framebuilding-jig-I-could-com/).

There's also United Bicycle Institute (http://www.bikeschool.com/) if you want to attend framebuilding class and leave with a frame you've built yourself.

EDIT - Allen, you're too fast. :D

[ludeboy_77]

Thanks guys. Just wait to the wife hears that I am yet adding to another hobby.

[Beelzebutt]

im watching the Tim Paterek dvd's right now. they are pretty funny. looks like it was shot on a vhs camcorder in the early 90s, and i think the person holding the camera falls asleep from time to time. its really informative however and easy to follow. my only complaint is tim uses too many home made tools. unless you have access to an industrial CNC Laithe your prettymuch on your own in many places.

[sfcrossrider]

Another option in schools.

http://www.yamaguchibike.com/content/School

[rustguard]

cnc lathes are usually for production work, there is nothing you can do on a cnc that cant be done on a manual lathe. cnc's take a long time to set up but then obviously spit repetitive jobs out very fast after that. Why you would want a cnc lathe (which can cost from 100,00 upwards to unlimited) for frame building I just cant imagine. Also if you are welding for the first time, best not to start on a frame. first you have to be a proficient welder. That said brazing is not that hard.

[Beelzebutt]

no no,, what i was saying is,, tim has a friend who Lathed his tools.. like the tool he had custom made for raking a fork was lathed out of aluminum.. all im saying is,, if your giving a demo on how to use tools,, it would be sweet if the tools you demo on were actually obtainable to the people watching your video... i dont have a lathe. nor have i ever used one. however, i have a friend who does and i plan on exploiting the hell out of that relationship. ;)