TIG welding a cycle frame - advice please

[hotrodder]

Some people get as much, if not more, enjoyment from making toys as they do using them. And/or it's as much about learning new skills as anything
While it's cheaper & faster way to buy a mass produced 'whatever' often it won't be exactly what you want... an off the peg suit ain't gonna fit as well as a tailor made one. Same deal with a bike frame and while the fit can sorted out by playing with stems etc that has a knock on effect to handling and weight distribution etc which can bother some people more than others. If the frame is custom made then things like stem length can be used to compliment handling instead of compromising it

 

[weldequip]

Appreciate that, but it's also good to tell people not to throw away a shed load of money on a potential disaster when they can buy an off the shelf product properly done Curtis make to measure, as do a lot of other British frame manufacturers.

 

[Chris Stevens]

If the OP wants to build a frame, and has money to spend on the gear required, and keeps at it until he has cracked it, them not only will he have a frame exactly how he wants it, but will also have learned new and very useful skills, which he would never have if he chooses to buy a frame. Cycle frame seems a very good way to learn, and no need to use good tubing on the first few attempts, as it would be very easy to get cheap frames from local dump to cut up for practice pieces.

 

[weldequip]

Fair do's, get on with it & good luck.

 

[Freshfabrications]

Hi mikeread,

Where abouts are you based?

I may be able to offer some help if your not too far from me.

Fully equipped for frame building just about anything. Been custom building for a few years now. Doing a lot of Rolls Royce these days, and loads of Ally 18g fab/weld so haven't had as much time to peruse builds.

Not saying I can get you tigging an 0.6mm wall Life tube set first time out but if your willing to go for plain old 4130 straight gauge there's a good chance you'll have a roller.

The angry ranty bit:-

As for the nay sayers, 1 don't be jealous of people trying things your scared of having a go at or incapable of doing, 2 at least this guy doesn't want to be a frame builder solely because the want to be famous like 80% of the moustachioed trendies who have emerged from there trust fund closest in the last couple of years.

Rant over

He just wants a bike for himself that he (mostly) built.

 

[chunkolini]

It is nice of the original poster to reply to some of the messages here.
I dont understand how somebody can pop up online, ask a question and then not respond to the replies.

 

[Freshfabrications]

Possibly because they just had there head kicked in for daring to ask a question chunkolini my old rosebud.

It's a shame that the thread has (as seems traditional here) almost instantly deviated, no straight answers, just questions or personal statements. Shame really. He probably just wanted some advice

Again, I can show you a few pointers
mikeread, if needs be you can come visit my factory too.

At least on or two of you gave sage advice

 

[Richard.]

Hi mikeread,

Where abouts are you based?

I may be able to offer some help if your not too far from me.

Fully equipped for frame building just about anything. Been custom building for a few years now. Doing a lot of Rolls Royce these days, and loads of Ally 18g fab/weld so haven't had as much time to peruse builds.

Not saying I can get you tigging an 0.6mm wall Life tube set first time out but if your willing to go for plain old 4130 straight gauge there's a good chance you'll have a roller.

The angry ranty bit:-

As for the nay sayers, 1 don't be jealous of people trying things your scared of having a go at or incapable of doing, 2 at least this guy doesn't want to be a frame builder solely because the want to be famous like 80% of the moustachioed trendies who have emerged from there trust fund closest in the last couple of years.

Rant over

He just wants a bike for himself that he (mostly) built.

Just had a little nosy on your page. Nice builds mate. Very nice. If I could add something to it some good in progress pics of the bare frames all beautifully welded up would be really nice. They would add a nice bespoke feel to it too. The finished ones look fab.

 

[Freshfabrications]

Hi Richard,

Thanks mate appreciate that, sadly I have been so busy with Subcontract Mil spec that I haven't had a lot of time to market or persue any bike builds for photos etc. For obvious reasons I can't give away sensitive material so I'm kind of bound over on that front too.

Plan is to have a separate page for general fab and welding etc. along side the bike pages. Bloody expensive hobby at the moment despite being quite advanced with my build technique, quality & available tooling it's a savage market since everyone and there mum started frame building.

If any one on here need s any fab weld build bikes etc then please call me or pm.