Originally Posted by
astrx
Thanks for all the responses. I definitely get what you guys are saying. I wish we could get some stats like:
during frame 1 what was the total cost of equipment you had at the time
during frame 2
during frame 3
etc.
I imagine it's a ramp up.
I'd love to earn some money in building bike frames. Right now I'm an interaction designer, i also run a coworking space and have about 1000 square feet of raw basement space (with a door to the outside) that I could donate to my frame building, and I work for myself, so I think there will be no better time than now. Do some website design for a few hours, go downstairs and file for a while, repeat. I'd love to split my time and income between the two and considering how much I paid for a masters in interaction design, spending 5 even 10k on framebuilding classes and equipment seems like a bargain. I also think that Pittsburgh could use at least one framebuilder.
Anyway, more lurking, more posting.
first bike I had a torch,approriate sized files, dial indicator/scratch guage,machinist square and a Bringheli C channel set up. I already had the torch so truly the additional cost was the files and C channel and measuring tools
The front triangle was pretty straight and the rear triangle was ok(thank goodness for horizontal dropouts)
I've added stuff to the collection, most of which makes my hobby building easier
these include , a 3 week class, HJ access jig, a mill, a 2X3 granite plate,lug vise, a Park professional bike stand, and various tube blocks and cutting tools for the mill
I've pissed away a fair amount of money on the not completely neccesary bits but it's a nice hobby and hobbies cost money.
I came out of the class with 2 frames and forks and a lot more knowledge and better techniques than I went in with. Excellent money spent on a personal level
atmo: Remove the rose colored glasses and what your left with is hard work that usually really doesn't pay that well.
also atmo: the 2 hours on 2 hours off is a great way to never get into the flow.