Framebuilders - Need Steel Frame Built

Haven't had too much luck with this but I'll give it another shot. I'm looking to buy a lugged steel frame for road use and don't have the funds to spend 1000+ on a well known builder. If you or anyone you know can build a frame for around $600-700 USD I would really like to get in contact with you. Am also willing to purchase tubes myself and ship to a builder who can make the project happen. I'm a college kid with limited funds and a huge desire to get back on the road

Thank you, I appreciate any help

I have a 58cm Specialized Allez (90's) and a 52cm Bringheli (80's) complete bikes for $500 and $300 respectively. $700 will buy a lot used and almost nothing new.

There was a member here that was building custom frame for pretty cheap. I think they were tig welded but in stainless for under a grand. I'll do some searching and should be able to find him. I've seen some others that had them for under a grand. A lot of people starting out don't charge that much do to just wanting to get customers and to spread their names. I'd say with that much to spend on just a frame you could get some very nice Italian steel or whatever nationality if your into that type of thing. lol. If I had the tools I'd take on your offer. But school is starting up and it would take me forever to finish it. I still have my wife's frame I have to finish up that's half way done.

Some friends of mine were getting married and they hired a noob to cater their wedding. Seeing this go down as it did makes me reply to your post.

If you enter into an arrangement with a beginning frame builder you may consider these steps
1) consult with builder and see some sample joints and get a bill of materials. Use inexpensive materials of good quality, not crazy thin stuff. (others here would know more about your build than I. TIG man.)
2) buy the materials yourself and be prepared to throw some or all of it away. Mistakes happen. If you are paying someone $1.75/hr at least be cool about and discuss your relative positions, risks and potential benefits.
3) Ask the builder to explain who and where the build is going to happen. We often share stuff and noobs who use my shop often are working under my supervision, a more experienced dude. I also use contractors for paint and the bring the bike back to my shop for final machining (depending). Make sure you end up with a finished frame.
4) Pay the builder a fair price for the work but look at it closely and perhaps have a pro builder look it over. With some luck and skill you may end up with a great machine that appreciates as time goes on.

Bringheli used to be insanely cheap given how long he's been around. They very well may still be but prices for frames aren't listed on his site anymore that I can see.

I thought Allan Wanta (http://wantaframes.com/) was around $750 for a frameset, but it looks like he's up around $900 now?

Don't get me wrong, but I think you aren't ready for a "custom" frame. If you want new, I'd have a look at the Somas, Pakes, Salsas, Surlys etc. There are some brands I've left out for sure, but the point is... in your price point pick a standard offering. There's lots of "builders" hanging about here. But I'd be suspect of anyone accepting your terms.

+1

If cost is the overriding issue, there are always a bunch of very high quality used frames available. I wouldn't go custom unless I was really difficult to fit (super long legs and tiny torso, that sort of thing), or I had some especially demanding requirement (Ti touring bike anyone?).

If you can describe everything you want in engineering level detail then try contacting some frame building outfits in the Far East directly. Seriously- people are already doing this to get one-off parts machined cheaply for DIY projects etc..

UBI aka Bikeschool.com has a long list of framebuilders , some their graduates,
and other resource links here:
http://www.bikeschool.com/resources/bike-industry-links

Asking is learning..

I'm a college kid with limited funds and a huge desire to get back on the road

you probably just need an off the peg bike , ride that for a few years
and think about what you need changed, maybe just added to what you have.

I have a custom DIY frame from the mid 70's, a student of metal arts,
long time bike mechanic, first ..

Soma Stanyan (http://store.somafab.com/sostfr.html), $699.99. Polished headtube lugs and fork crown, matches your budget...

233111

http://superbbicycle.com/store/bikes/superbMarcato/

Don't know anything about them but $899 + $50 shipping meets your budget.