Well, I've been interested in frame building for a long time and just bough my first "can of worms"! I think I got a decent deal (right?). Looks like I'll need a few other items and have plenty of extra bits as well. I'm thinking a lugged BB shell and I'm not sure about the single bend chain stays. I'm a machinist with full access to the shop. So mitering, aligning, measuring, jigs etc don't frighten me. We have a full oxy/act set up, I'll just have to get an appropriate torch head, flux and rod. I don't have much brazing/welding experience so a lot of practice will be in order be for I touch any of the stuff shown above. I've read and re-read some great threads here and continue to scour the web for more knowledge. I also just downloaded the older free version of the Paterek Manual, looks like a lot of info to digest here! I plan on getting some 4130 tubing from Online Metals to play with. Maybe once I gain some confidence I'll try my hand at a lugged stem as I've always thought they're pretty slick and would be a fairly simple first project. Any comments/thoughts on the materials I bought would be great. I'm sure my progress will be slow, but I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck.

-Andy

looks like a pretty good deal on those parts. Have fun.

The only suggestion I have for you is to check out Aircraft Spruce and Wick's Aircraft for the 4130...they are usually much cheaper. I've found Online Metals to be better for the oddball stuff like stainless, brass, etc.

For local tube supplies check out Metal Supermarkets. There's a store in Kent, and one in Lakewood.

Just won me a Victor J-28 torch on E-Bay! I also got 3 tips a little earlier. Getting closer, this is getting kind of exciting. Thanks in advance to all you guys willing to share you experience, knowledge, and skills on line...

-Andy

those tips are a pain to win on ebay, and new they cost 2 1/2 times what a Smith tip costs. There are actually a couple of J-28 clones that show up on ebay quite a bit, but nobody ever sells them with tips for some reason