Nate998

Hello!
I planned on building my own frame, designed around my needs. It's more of a curiosity and not something revolutionary... just yet! I would like to know how reliable would a welding company be in regards to this topic?
Obviously, the best choice would be to go to a framebuilder but thy are not here but there are many professional welders and welding companies that would do this job if supplied with a jig and the necessary tubing.
A welding company would not charge me that much but is it worth it?
If not, what framebuilding companies do you guy recommend here in Europe?

unterhausen

It's unlikely that a welding company would do a good job. What country are you in? There are plenty of good framebuilders in Europe.

I would start looking at the list of exhibitors here:
https://www.bespoked.cc/exhibitors-a---c.html
Note that the exhibitors are split over several pages

CliffordK

One "fun" option would be to take a framebuilding class, and build your own.

I agree with @unterhausen. If you are going the commercial route, and paying someone to do the work, then find an experienced framebuilder to do the work.

Only go with the welding company if you have some kind of inside connection, and have a close acquaintance who wishes to do it for "fun".

Keep in mind, bicycle frames are typically either brazed or TIG welded. This is a different process from MIG or Stick welding that may be more prevalent with other industries.

It is nice to find a local builder, but that isn't absolutely necessary, especially if your request is somewhat unique.

wsteve464

Toward the end of this page are the European builders.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=113817

A GOOD tig welder should be able to weld a bike frame. The hard part is getting a no gap fit at the tubing joins if doing the fitting by hand.

Also consider building a brazed lugged frame yourself, it can be done with Mapp gas, may not be the best way but it can be done.

Good luck.

Andrew R Stewart 

I consider ending up with a straight, well aligned, frame harder then the mitering/set up/prep. Heat warps metal. How to work with this massive force is the skill that separates good from really good fabricators. I might suggest that the vast majority of good welders are not fluent with the very thin walls of typical bike tubing.

Not mentioned but hinted at is the reliance on the jig to hold both dimensions and alignments. If that's the thought then the OP has a lot to learn. One more reason to attend a building class. Andy

CliffordK

I suppose the other question is where the OP is getting the frame jig.

I'm not sure of the typical cost of a frame jig. A couple thousand for a good one?

Probably not an extra investment one would want to do for a one-off build. On the other hand, perhaps a good investment if one is prototyping for a new commercial venture.

TiHabanero

Nate998, build it yourself. It really isn't too difficult as long as the design is straight forward, you are willing to correct the mistakes as you go, able to pay attention to details, and are patient, very patient. I have done 3 frames and this last frame was a total headache that took 11 months to complete! Not sure why, but I made every mistake in the book. The other two frames required no corrective work at all. Doesn't make sense, but I am now totally hooked and have embarked upon designing the next frame. Look into the cost of torches and gas. Can't be too bad where you live. Tubes and lugs are the way to go for a beginner.

If this is not in the cards, go to a framebuilder. The professional builder is an expert and will give you a frame that is aligned correctly, welded correctly, and it will last a lifetime.

Nate998

Thanks for all the replies!
The jig is from one of my college teacher (I'm studying industrial design) and he is also an inventor. He owns a jig and is currently forking on a new bike. He told me he knows good welders and students that do a good welding job but I don't trust those students.
Also, I cannot weld myself, I have shaky hands and I know a professional would be the job 100 times better than I'd be able to.
PS: There are lots of TIG welders here and I don't intend on building a lugged frame since I don't want any competitors for my Koga Miyata )

prototoast

If you want a frame built exactly to your spec, but don't want to do the building yourself or pay a professional builder, there are a number of east asian companies that will be happy to do the work for you. They will almost certainly produce something of higher quality and for less money than a welding company that doesn't have any experience with bicycles. I've worked with Walty before Waltly - Makers of custom high-end titanium bicycle frames, forks and small parts and was happy with what they did for me.

fietsbob

FWIW,Managed brazing a jigless lugged frame build in 1975, still have it..
91, on a bike tour I met a British builder who used half round files
rather than hole saws
did the same but fillet brazed, built race frames and special bikes
painted with the Raleigh Logo.
He was in Nottingham , house may have been there since ..17th century..

Andrew R Stewart 

When I started building we used files (rat tails and half rounds) to miter with. A full size drawing (used trig to establish angles) served as the protractor/template. A bench vise with self drilled wood blocks held the tubes, and the frame/steerer when a good wheel positioned the stays/blades during those steps. Our eyes and a bright backround was our alignment table.

Given time and a creative mind frame building can be done with very simple tools, and done to a pretty high level. Andy