Built my own frame with Carl Strong...
#1
Ken Pickles is dead.
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Built my own frame with Carl Strong...
I spent last week with Carl and (his assistant) Nic Schmidt at his shop in Bozeman. He and I agreed to a week's "class" where he taught me the steps involved in framebuilding. We went step by step through the process, and by Friday I had built my own frame (with much help from Carl and Nic). It was an incredible experience, and I was on information overload every day. I built a road singlespeed with Paul dropouts. It's currently on it's way to Spectrum for powdercoat!
Both Carl and Nic are true professionals and the week was everything and more than I expected. Carl, I know you'll read this, so here is my public THANK YOU! for a great week.
More pics to come....
Both Carl and Nic are true professionals and the week was everything and more than I expected. Carl, I know you'll read this, so here is my public THANK YOU! for a great week.
More pics to come....
#3
"Great One"
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Awesome. I'd love to learn how to do this. How much did this class cost you?
#4
Patrick Barber
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what a great idea!
#5
Ken Pickles is dead.
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THe frame will be "Laser Navy" aka very dark blue with silver metallic flakes. The class was twice the price of his regular steel frame, but Carl said if he does this in the future, the price my be different (read higher).
#7
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So the question is now that you know how to do this, how much equipment would you need to buy to do it yourself again?
#8
Ken Pickles is dead.
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At a minimum I would like to get a frame jig, a tig welder (with pulser), a brazing torch, and some better files. I'm saving my pennies (and dollars!)
#9
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I believe you can build your own jig with scrap lumber and nails, it just that you have to rebuild the jig every time you change size or geometry. Fine if you're just doing a frame for yourself. Not so good if you plan to go into business.
#10
staring at the mountains
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Droool. Congrats and what an experience! Strong frames are definitely on my dream list....
#11
The what?
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#12
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That looks great. Does anyone know of anywhere on the east coast that offers something similar? Yamaguchi and UBI are both about $1800 plus expenses which puts the whole deal at about 3 grand for me. For that much I could take a welding/torch class at the community college and buy a decent jig and torch set.
#13
jack of one or two trades
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Hot Tubes in Worcester, MA has a similar program. You go there and build it over the weekend. Toby is really cool, and is an expert at sizing and developing geometry based on your needs and use.
Here's the link to the class info:
https://www.hottubes.com/hottubesframesfbc.htm
Here's the link to the class info:
https://www.hottubes.com/hottubesframesfbc.htm
#14
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Originally Posted by bostontrevor
I believe you can build your own jig with scrap lumber and nails, it just that you have to rebuild the jig every time you change size or geometry. Fine if you're just doing a frame for yourself. Not so good if you plan to go into business.
#16
Ken Pickles is dead.
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Originally Posted by Aeroplane
Hot Tubes in Worcester, MA has a similar program. You go there and build it over the weekend. Toby is really cool, and is an expert at sizing and developing geometry based on your needs and use.
Here's the link to the class info:
https://www.hottubes.com/hottubesframesfbc.htm
Here's the link to the class info:
https://www.hottubes.com/hottubesframesfbc.htm
#17
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You can always just go with a brazing torch and do lugged frames to start. Being that they are drastically cheaper than a good Lincoln Electric Tig setup. The one I priced was around $1600. While a good Harris or Victor brazing torch minus tanks can be had for $100 or less.
Frame looks nice. How did you come up with that name?
Frame looks nice. How did you come up with that name?
#18
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one of my best friends back in cleveland took a welding class and ended up making this frame...
one of his fleet of bikes.
he was also a metals major while we went to art school together.
has constructed his own hubs and makes custom leather messenger bags too. put together a singlespeed/fix for me that i'm still riding today.
awesome guy
one of his fleet of bikes.
he was also a metals major while we went to art school together.
has constructed his own hubs and makes custom leather messenger bags too. put together a singlespeed/fix for me that i'm still riding today.
awesome guy
#19
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Great frame, indigosky! It feels great to ride something you made, I'm sure you'll love it!
The square tube frame looks ridiculous, like something made from an erector set (I love it too!).
Man, I'd do some seriously unspeakable acts for a nice TIG... I've got several friends with torches and MIG welders, and so I do a modest amount of MIG, but TIG is the obvious next step. I guess I gotta save my pennies too.
peace,
sam
The square tube frame looks ridiculous, like something made from an erector set (I love it too!).
Man, I'd do some seriously unspeakable acts for a nice TIG... I've got several friends with torches and MIG welders, and so I do a modest amount of MIG, but TIG is the obvious next step. I guess I gotta save my pennies too.
peace,
sam
#21
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anyone have a link that explains how to build your own frame jig
#22
Jonny Cycle
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"anyone have a link that explains how to build your own frame jig"
If your going to build just one or a few you really don't need a jig. See:
https://www.littlefishbicycles.com/frame/
https://www.timpaterek.com/tpmanual_new.htm wouild be helpful as well
If your going to build just one or a few you really don't need a jig. See:
https://www.littlefishbicycles.com/frame/
https://www.timpaterek.com/tpmanual_new.htm wouild be helpful as well
#23
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8020 is the bomb.
Here's a photo of the 2nd Independent Fabrication jig which almost shows how simple you can go (actually, #1 is behind it, but I didn't take a pic of that). To get real low tech, make it from wood.
Here's what Mike Flanigan's using these days which is much more along the 8020 line. You only need an adjustable jig if you're planning on building more than a couple of frames and with varying size/geometry.
Here's a photo of the 2nd Independent Fabrication jig which almost shows how simple you can go (actually, #1 is behind it, but I didn't take a pic of that). To get real low tech, make it from wood.
Here's what Mike Flanigan's using these days which is much more along the 8020 line. You only need an adjustable jig if you're planning on building more than a couple of frames and with varying size/geometry.
#25
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Originally Posted by griffin_
isn't a tig welder for alluminium? and a mig for steel?