Any handy welders in MCR?

Purchased a frame with road drop outs and building it up as a beater/rat/future polo bike. Was wondering if anybody can or knows anybody who can remove the road drop outs and weld on some track ends like these ones on eGay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-Track-Ends-w-Star-Cutout-Fixed-Fixie-Dropout-/270979581747?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3f17a44733

Not too sure if its worth doing but it's something I'm considering if it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Thanks.

How much was the road frame?Those track ends are 20 quid, so i wouldn't bother if the frame was cheap

Its not that cheap a frame, I got it at a bargain price, just a nice 531 frame. All depends how much it would cost to weld, if its more than I paid for the frame then it's a no go.

well I reckon it would cost about £40/50 ish to have the old ends taken of and track ends put on by a good welder. Plus, you'd have the hassle of getting the frame there and back as i'm guessing you'd have to go outside the center to have it done.

So lets say £10 travel costs. You'd be looking at about £80 in total to have it all done. So ask yourself the question, is it really worth doing? Just buy a second had track frame for the same price? Do you really need track ends on this frame you have. IMO if it has drop outs like this then why bother?

Cheers Chan, I did have a look for a second hand track frame but couldn't find anything in budget.

Just got a quote of £200 and a 3 month wait from a bike builder so I guess I'll give it a miss unless anyone who can weld wants to become my new best friend.

If you after a beater/polo bike buy my pompino!

http://www.lfgss.com/thread86582.html#post2919121

I do agree with the not worth it / to expensive on the conversion front.

Oz might have a bash if you can get to south wales, he did his polo bike.

I could do. Need to finish em's frame first. This bloody wrist of mine is making everything difficult.

Take me to Wales too and I'll do it under your instruction.

you need a brazer aswell, not a welder. 531 is just fancy gas pipe, you can get an actual track frame made out of similar stuff from £100-200.

Pedal MCR are talking about doing some welding, I think they have some kind of gasless MIG thing and want stuff to practice on, could be cheap to use.

Gasless MIG? Ewwwwwww.

No. Just no.

MIG is bad enough for bike welding, gasless is just taking the piss.
Also it's no cheaper than shielded MIG. You save money by not having to buy gas but then have to spend more money on gasless wire.

Depends what you want to do, mig is as strong as tig. just not as pretty. For making random fun things, MIG is great. For messing about gassless rules. less hassle. but even uglier. but strong ! It's also harder to electrocute yourself! We're mostly welding freak bikes so it doesn't matter to us that the weld looks ugly.

However, for that kind of job my mate Pete is a frame builder living in Sale. PM me for his details if you haven't sorted it out.

Neil Orrell 395 Hollinwood Avenue Moston is a good frame builder and can repair and weld steel frames.

Pete is one of the loveliest guys you'll ever meet and knows so much about bikes... can't recommend him enough:

http://www.manchestercustomcycles.co.uk/