So a few books in hand, I'm the kind to jump right into it.

I'm in Toronto, Canada and for the life of me it doesn't seem like there's anywhere to learn how to design and build (tig) your own bike. Tig welder ready but looking to add a jig. That being said where and what jig, preferably one that is hosed up for back purging, is one that's time tested.

Spring for a good framebuilding class. Doug Fattic is in Niles, Michigan, about a 6 1/2 hour drive from Toronto.

Or if you don’t want to drive the 401 and I-94 to MI-51 (mostly a straight shot and then a left turn), you can take the train. It used to be that you could get on in Toronto and not have to get off until you got to Niles, Michigan where I am located. Now you are required to walk across the border. Niles is a stop on Amtrak’s Detroit/Chicago route. Several of my Canadian students have taken Amtrak to get here.

I also have 3 Anvil main fixtures up for sale. A Master, a Journeyman 1 and a Journeyman 3. None of them have been used much. That would allow you to try them out before making a purchase. They are set up with purging hoses.

My next classes are January 18 to February 5 and March 14 to April 1. Email for more information. There was a long subject thread on framebuilding classes on the Paceline forum last week. Somewhere in there is stuff about what I do with pictures of student made frames. It is on page 2 now.

I can't recommend Doug's classes highly enough. Besides his very broad range of experience and skills as a teacher he's a nice guy.

Steven- While no where near Doug's experience I'm only a few hours away across the lake. I'm happy to talk with you and offer my help. For a start I would suggest that you study geometry of bikes you already know work for you. There are many on line sources for design paths as well as the basic math. (I use Bike Cad).

One of the first things I'd ask if we were having a beer is what you want your first frame to be. As in what differences from what you already ride and know. Andy.

Take a short trip to East York and pay a visit to the good folks at Mariposa. Then take a slightly longer trip to Guelph and spend some time with Hugh Black at TrueNorth bicycles. Call first in either case; you may be surprised at the wealth of information so close to you.

Thanks Scooper, I've been speaking with Doug and he's been absolutely helpful. It'll be hard to do his course right now as I have a newborn at home but definitely on the bucketlist.

Hey Andrew, yeah I've been reading non-stop and it's quite a bit to take in. In for a penny, in for a pound right? I will be using bike cad as well as solid works.

My initial plan will be a road or time trial style bike.

Wow, just read the quick background on Mariposa, will definitely have to see if I can get some of their time to just talk bikes. From what I've read he's a super super busy guy. And he just opened shop. So we'll see how much time I can get out of him but no hurt feelings if he can't.

Thanks for all the replies!

Steven- Sounds like you have a full plate what with a new child.

My first frame build advice is to be as basic and based on preexisting understandings as you can be ok with. The learning curve is steep early on and not having any more unknown details then you can handle is a good idea. This goes for the tubing and fittings choices. Almost everyone that I have been involved, with when doing their first frame (including me), have gotten part way through and the "I'll do this/that differently the next time" thought start up. Once you have finished a frame you'll see so much more... So the first I suggest be a design that you can regulate to a lower status when the #2 is done.

Of course I didn't follow this when I started out. Andy.