Yes, Ultra HD. You can see my first feeble attempts at using it here: PresbyTube (the second two which have black screens to begin).

Pastor Bob and I did indeed visit FTWelder's shop today. What fun! So much stuff, custom tools and cutting tables and frames and bikes. Very impressive. In a fascinating old building too. We had a wonderful afternoon talking tech and bikes and listening to Frank talk about his work. Then he tweaked my tandem fork and welded a broken tool for Pastor Bob. Then we went off to see another used-bike seller's collection, and then had a tasty dinner at a local pub.

Some proof:



Frank at work:



Can you name all the bikes here? Recognize any?

Frank - the welding Friar (monk?).

I didnt realize there were so many new englanders here. unfortunately Ill be sleeping and then working at 7pm.

Frank's shop has little or no heat. While it had warmed up to near 50F yesterday, outside, it was still cool on the inside. As the sun went down behind the VT mountains the temp dropped and we put on our jackets.

I took a video of Frank aligning Jim's fork. I'll post it later today (it will take me hours to upload, process, post, and I have to fit in a ride).

I have to say, I felt like a kid in a gigantic candy shop! Frank walked us through all the steps he takes to build his amazing downhill frames, from tube cutting to ready to send out to heat treat.

As Frank said, "My frames can hit anything and keep on going." I think you can see why. Jim and I did as we held his frames in our hands!



Frank was also very. very generous! Not only did he weld my Suntour cone adjusting wrench back together before we could blink 10 times, he sent me back to NH with at least 50lbs of assorted freewheel cogs, spacers and a few FW bodies for good measure!

The trip out to visit Timmy the Bike Flipper's Bike Barn was an added highlight! Words cannot begin to describe his place. I had no way of estimating how many bikes were there. At least 200? Maybe 400-500? There is no way to be certain. Frank says he has even more that he won't let anyone see.

I am glad you made it home safely and had a good time. I have been a bit down lately with a growing mess and it really felt good to give the old shop a good cleaning for my visitors.

I have invited people to meet Timmy before and he has a tendency to be "unavailable" to any potential buyers. I told him this group were cheap SOB's and wouldn't be buying anything. He also has two building is in town and his workshop in the village.

wow, I missed the event on the season .. Frank, any chances you'll open your shop doors this summer for another tour? Remember, I have that certain bike I'd like you to autograph!

Scott

Of course, Bob doesn't mean we hit things as we held the frames in our hands.

Thank you for the time and the opportunity. It was a long ride and when I got home I realized how tired I was. When I posted my previous report last night I had few brain cells functioning.

It was fascinating to hear Frank's description of the work and the tools and rigs he'd made. "Here's where (...). I made this rig from a (...). The tubes go in here and this piece goes here and (...)." The frames pieces we saw and held were astoundingly beautiful, purposeful in their bare-metal form but very elegant.

One small but telling incident occurred when we'd been there about 15 minutes. A boy perhaps 10 y.o. wearing a bike helmet came to the door and asked "Can I borrow an Allen wrench? My friend has a problem with his bike." Frank says "Sure, you know where they are", and waves over toward the other side of the shop. The boy gets a wrench and goes out, comes back in 10 minutes later, says "Thank you", and leaves. As I said at the time, imagine a boy popping into into Julia Childs' kitchen and asking "Can I borrow a spoon?"

its too bad more of us couldn't come. it is always geat to meet other BFers especially the C&V crowd. If I ever get back to driving the big rigs I hope to be able to meet alot of you.

Now I'm confused....a bike flipper with 500+ bikes but avoids potential buyers?!?
Sounds like a fun day. And that purple frame is hot! That swing arm is beautiful.

Sounds like a great time. I think I've seen one of Frank's frames up at Smuggler's notch with a Ski instead of a front wheel. It was bad ass.

That's called a "collector" ...who has a flipping problem

The production quality stinks, but it captures the "spirit" of the day.

Frank the Welder Aligns Jim's Tandem Fork

I love this table! that would make a great diningroom table in my flat.

Frank said the table weighs about 1500 lbs! It is extremely flat.

Frank is that real frame table or something you cooked up? great looking shop I never realized you actually build frames up there

I think Frank's shop will become a mecca for all C&V'ers, like Iowa's Field of Dreams .

"Build it and they will come ..

Frank, people will come, Frank. They'll come to Vermont for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past"

Shop of Dreams - 2011

Frank: a scholar and a gentleman.

...not really a driveway, more like a BMX Park overlooking the Connecticut River!

Great stuff, thanks for the video, the still pics and the story...someday I'll visit Vermont and this will be top of my sightseeing list!

i'm hopin' on my bike now to head over

Wow. I almost made it there this winter, but plans got dashed. I'll definitely be there at some point.

That video is impressive. I'm sure you fashioned all those tools yourself.