The Phoenix

Going through some unused frames I came across my old polo bike which I hadn't touched in 4months.

I bought the frame a while back and built it to look like this.

After a bit I got bored, got the welder out and shortened the chainstays by 70mm.

In June this year I was knocked off leaving the bike looking like this with the chainstays misaligned by half an inch and the cranks bent.

I soon bought another old mtb to replace it but it isn't the same. I've been messing about on the computer working out what geometry I'd like if I could ever afford it.
After picking up the old frame an idea came about. I got the tape measure out to find that the tubes were plenty long enough for me to cut fresh mitres out of them. So I did this -

Only one mitre cut so far but only another two to go for the top tube. Still need to work out what's going to happen with the rear triangle.

Due to my lack of funds I can't afford any brazing gear or a TIG set so I'll just have to settle on my MIG welder. It won't be pretty but it'll be strong enough. Hopefully my planned geo will turn out nice so that the only thing I have to conquer is the weight of the thing when I can either afford a brazing toolset and learn the art of brazing or to afford to pay someone to build a frame for me.

All the mitres are cut. Now I need to make a jig.

Cutting mitres is quite easy when you have the internet, a grider and a decent set of files.

You're doing it wrong...

My mitres have a wider selection of beer.

O'Shane's Freehouse

http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/spreadtheword/7M93t8PkqhoAXT4yBOfo5yJvzdlGq8LQZ0UXEGmhB67EvOj3PDIdj7k0BU2o/Shane_in_pub.jpg

Here I was thinking "wider selection" meant 'more variety'..

Made a start on the jig today.

Still more to add on but not much. Depending on work I could have the front triangle finished by the weekend. Still yet to work out what I'm doing at the rear. I might go find another cheap mtb and use the stays from that.

Some more progress tonight.

'Jig' is pretty much done. I'll wait until the weekend to weld it though as I don't have the space atm. Don't really want to burn the house down.

It's going to be a few mm shorter than planned as the mitres on the top tube weren't lined up properly. Am I really going to notice 2 or 3mm? I doubt it tbh.

nice 'jig' :D i'm excited. i've wanted to go on a frame building course for a while but no money.

good work oz

Thanks guys. My plan of welding this weekend is looking slim. Booo

I would be welding this today, but my brother took the welder to work and didn't bring it home.

Got it welded earlier. I'm not perfectly happy with the welds but a bit of cleaning up and they should be fine.

Here it is tacked up -
https://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=2432&pictureid=14253
It was a tiny bit out of alignment but all is good now. Luckily the advice I was given to reduce warpage worked

One of the welds -
https://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=2432&pictureid=14254
I blew a hole through in one place which is pretty fucking annoying but then I can't expect too much from a cheap MIG welder and working in cramped conditions.

I now need to work out what I'm going to do with the rear triangle

can you clean those welds up a bit?

Yeah, easy enough. Just a bit annoying really.

don't like the frustration get to you, thats how you make more mistakes

True. My brother says I'll have them cleaned up in 5min with a grinder. I'm much more inclined to use various files for a couple of hours.

i agree with you, its far too easy to go to far with a grinder

mad jig

awesome

Thanks Luca. Should have some chainstays soon so that I can finish this. I'm currently faffing with the seatstays to give myself tyre clearance

Yeah, my 14 isnt necessarily wide at the BB but it has really effective crimps. I think this could lead to a strength issue but they have all held so far. (only pompinos that have really cracked there?)

Get some emery flap pads for the grinder, kinda like super sandpaper discs.

Entertaining thread!