Any aspiring framebuilders out there?

I've just completed my first frame build, and I was wondering if there are any like-minded people out there who might want to share some kind of workspace to do this kind of thing.

I've been on a welding & metalwork course, built my own jigs, have Cytech 1 (woo), etc. Currently working as a courier, I live in Hackney, and braze.

Matt

Hey, this sounds cool. Not interested personally but it sounds exciting!

do you have any pics of the build?

im planning to do some evening courses come september to help teach myself how to build frames. im really looking forward to it, need to get some tools though.

maybe ask super ted, I think he need a new workshop?

Me! Did the Dave Yates course a couple of years back.

I'll post some decent pics of the completed painted frame, but until then there are some ropey pre-cleanup shots via the link below. Yes, my setup is econo!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matts_bike_stuff

I'm open to any suggestions, however I may have to change my employment to increase my income before I can fund a workshop.

Should you fancy meeting for a pint and conspiratorial chat, it'd be a pleasure.

Out of interest, how much do the individual parts (tubing, lugs) for a frame cost? Is there much of a saving to be made?

Dave Yates is good.

PM comin atcha Steff

Out of interest, how much do the individual parts (tubing, lugs) for a frame cost? Is there much of a saving to be made?

Building your first frame can cost you a fortune as you'll likely need to buy lots of tools.
I used Reynolds 853, which is expensive, but you can get budget framesets from Ceeway.

hi, thought often crossed my mind , maybe i could join the chat

Awesome! haven't done any brazing or metal work since i left school, but would love to have a go at building a frame.
looks pretty tidy for a first try. how did you work out the geometry?

I've done a bit of brazing and really would like to get into it, depending on prices for workshop space I would definately be interested. I've got a fair amount of tools and also the paterak manual but no fixtures or torches.

Signed up for the Dave Yates course next year but it would be good to get a bit of a headstart.

Also where and what metal work course did you do? I've been trying to look for a suitable one to do myself

i'll be interested in what course you went on.. Always wanted to learn how to weld & metal work, any details and review of the course? cheers..

Isn't Ross at Brixton building bikes too?

I went to warthamstow college to do a course on welding, not much brazing practice but got the hang of using a torch in general. Have not been able to take it further though due to the old no workshop problem.

Isn't Ross at Brixton building bikes too?

Has been for ages... He's got his own workshop...

Yeah it was more a hint than a real question... as in maybe he might share his space to help with costs...

At some stage, I'm going to do the Dave Yates week and build my own. Mind you - how expensive can some brazing kit and a rudimentary jig be?

Depends what you mean by rudimentary - DIY is cheap(ish) though there's some lathe work involved to make dummy axles, cones etc. The cheapest commercial jigs I've seen have been $1000+ (and shipping from the US). I believe Dave will make you one of his for ~£4k, but that's the high end - it's a stunning bit of perfectionist heavy duty construction.

I suspect I'm going to end up doing this one: http://www.instructables.com/id/The-simplest-bicycle-framebuilding-jig-I-could-com/ - nothing like as good as the real thing, but definitely better than nowt.

right. well i have zilch experiance working with welding/metal/etc.... but im quite good at hands on stuff and would really love to give the frame building a try. unfortunately funds hinder my progress :/

other than earning a bit does anyone know of any ways around this problem?

would be willing to just help out with stuff for free