Bicycle Mechanics - Building a bike...

So, it's Fourth of July and I'm at the folks hanging out. My brother's friend comes over and is talking about the nice tig welded al bumpers he's been making for golf carts. I of course ask if he can do steel, ti, etc. He says no problem.

Now I'm thinking I might have him build me a frameset. He's going to check on tubing prices for various materials. My questions are:

1. What level ti tubing is usually used? What's it called, etc?
2. Where can I get lugs for a steel frame? I know I've seen them online but can't remember the site.
3. What should I have him build? I already have a 04 Zurich but was thinking I could get a nice ti frame made and slowly build it up over the next year or so. I can get geometry off different manufacturers so that's not as much of a problem.

I might just have him build me an 853 frame to see how it goes. That shouldn't be too expensive.

Thanks as always.
PJBAZ

Unless he has a very nice shop, stay away from Ti. You need an inert gas all around not just coming out of the nozzle feed.
For his first bike frame you might want to stick with cheaper/easier stuff than 853. Bike tubing is way thinner than bumper tubing.
If it is going to be welded, you don't need lugs. With lugs you would braze the frame together.
The big deal is jigging it up straight. Get a copy of the Paterak book. It has some good ways to build a cheap Jig, if you don't need to make lots of frame changes.

Thanks for the info I'm going to look for that book.

He does have a nice shop- he's a machinist/welder/fabricator by trade.

His pricing is way better than what I could get so depending on what the costs are I figured it might be comparable to build 853 as opposed to a lesser quality steel. Who knows, I need to wait for the price list before I decide anything.

I know you need to braze with lugs he can do that as well. So it's another option depending on cost. Basically, I need to research alot more before I have a frame built. This was a starting point.

Thanks again,
PJBAZ