greaper007

This isn't an advertisement, I just noticed this instructable

https://www.instructables.com/id/Buil...-routed-frame/,

that showed how to use this frame jig

https://www.flatpackfoundry.com/index...&product_id=50

For 350 dollars this seems like an ok deal for a hobbyist builder, what do the more experienced folks think?

unterhausen

there are a number of plans out there for much nicer jigs that probably don't cost that much. You can get aluminum extrusions from Misumi for a very reasonable price. Apparently nobody has ever felt like offering a kit though, that is one disadvantage. I'm guessing a lot of these jig kits don't get built.

We discussed the jig in question in this thread.

MassiveD

Before buying anything, I would create a list of things a jig might do for you, such as:

Be easily adjusted

Be easily positioned for hot work, so you can have parts at any angle you want so gravity is your friend

Have sufficient offset, and yet be sturdy enough that offset does not compromise function.

Be reasonably able to handle the range of designs one want to create.

Easily related design parameters to jig position. This can be a big time waster. The Paterek method works, but is quite time consuming to relate.

Define dimensions and fits

Be adapted to your form of building

Fix parts firmly enough that they do not shift during reasonable hot work

Increase efficiency

Contribute to the professional level of your shop where relevant

Aid in designing

Support purging, heat sinking, grounding, whatever...

Etc...

Then ask yourself whether a particular design will do whichever of these or others, you want. I have 5 basic requirements, and most of the jigs I looked at were pretty close to zero on them. The jig I eventually bought thinking it would handle my 5, ended up not doing it, it only hit 3. For instance it was too short for some of the frames I wanted to build, it had never occured to me to ask, since I assumed it would build something other than track bikes...

A lot of jigs are just jigs, the don't actually do anything.

unterhausen

I recently realized I would have a really hard time building a 'bent on my jig. that's a little annoying

MassiveD

I have a tandem project idea, half of it will probably be straight...