Originally Posted by
cavernmech
Patience and a set of really good files. Mitering isn't that difficult to do but you have to be careful doing it and it is time consuming by hand. I could get TOFU to miter tubesets pretty cheaply I am sure...he loves to fire up his Bridgeport.
Krusty, If you are serious about firing up your torches perhaps we could do a few frames. I know I can get my hands on some good tubesets for cheap. I can do all the other operations except the actual brazing/welding. I also have an old copy of the Proteus Framebuilding Book around somewhere...he gives good detailed instruction on constructing basic cheap jigs. Winter Project perhaps?
I'm definitely game. I expect I will play for a bit with some old frames just to hone my technique again. As for a jig, they aren't that complicated to build. You just need to be sure your work is accurate. My brother in Ottawa has a mill, lathe, etc., and a whole lot of free time (retired at age 47), so I may make a fall project of a jig.
2 former co-workers of my father used to build frames years ago (30ish). One is still alive, and I know him well enough to sit down with him and discuss the issues he must have dealt with back then.