Framebuilders - frame building

how much does it cost to build a road bike frame? a quality frame? what tools do i need?

anyone ever used Scandium tubing? do they sell this stuff for bike building? I know kona used it, is it good tubing?

you should probably qualify what you want included in the price. Look at Nova (http://www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/)for prices, they are fairly representative. I figure for steel, my costs are anywhere from $300-500 a frame not including paint/powder. Not including sunk costs or insurance in that price. Typical powder is $100-up. Wet paint starts around $400

You don't save money by building frames, not a good reason to do it

Yeah, if you've never built a frame before, you want to start with steel...unless you're an accomplished welder with ti, al, or another bicycle-appropriate tubing. It'll be cheaper and more forgiving. You could probably hit ebay and scavenge scraps and have the parts you need for a frame for a couple hundred bucks, but it would be pretty low-end material... As far as tools go, the necessities are a good set of files and a hacksaw with a decent blade, an appropriate measuring device, a scratch awl, a vise, some frame blocks, and of course a torch at minimum. With that said, you honestly need to have some idea of what you're getting yourself into, as well as knowing bikes inside and out, and having a good feel for working with your materials of choice.

with all due apologies to ftwelder, who builds some awesome aluminum frames, I wouldn't want to compete with Kinesis. You can pick up a pretty good aluminum frame for very little money, the custom aluminum frame business is really pretty barren nowadays for just that reason. Getting set up with a decent Tig outfit is double or more than a usable O/A torch and tanks.

with all due apologies to ftwelder, who builds some awesome aluminum frames, I wouldn't want to compete with Kinesis. You can pick up a pretty good aluminum frame for very little money, the custom aluminum frame business is really pretty barren nowadays for just that reason. Getting set up with a decent Tig outfit is double or more than a usable O/A torch and tanks.

Agreed. I don't like competing with those guys either. a typical aluminum frame costs the importer $35.00 or so.. About my cost for a BB shell.

35?!? ill take 2!

Nashbar has had their touring frames on sale for $60, and I guarantee you they aren't losing money.

35?!? ill take 2!

You can actually buy direct from a manufacturer in China if you wish. Tell them you need a prototype and it will likely be free.

i dont speak mandarin though!