Take one set of tubes...

Great thread, watching with interest. I've just got an oxy/acetylene set up too but haven't had time to practise brazing or gas welding.

AngelD, I don't think a mig is gonna be very useful with bike building, good for general fabrication but not the tool I'd use for delicate tube.

What torch & tip are you using, Jangle? Also, did you need any sort of permit for the acetylene? That stuff scares me a bit.

I am using a Parweld torch, which is fairly light and beginner-friendly - got it off e-bay from a mob called Jester Bikes. Currently using a No1 Tip, but really need to experiment with different combinations.

Not had much time over summer, but once the kids go back to school, I will hopefully be able to get going with this project again.

Don't need any kind of permit to use acetylene. Not too sure I should really be using it in the shed, but there you go.

Great thread, watching with interest. I've just got an oxy/acetylene set up too but haven't had time to practise brazing or gas welding.

AngelD, I don't think a mig is gonna be very useful with bike building, good for general fabrication but not the tool I'd use for delicate tube.

I think MIG is sometimes used on aluminium, but steel is more commonly TIG. Which is pretty tricky, from what I've seen & read.

AngelD, I don't think a mig is gonna be very useful with bike building, good for general fabrication but not the tool I'd use for delicate tube.

I think MIG is sometimes used on aluminium, but steel is more commonly TIG. Which is pretty tricky, from what I've seen & read.

After seeing Konga's beaut of a frame and talking to him a bit about rigs and welding, I'm inclined to agree, torch it will have to be.
Next months project: Building a frame rig!

I think MIG is sometimes used on aluminium, but steel is more commonly TIG. Which is pretty tricky, from what I've seen & read.

it's the other way round MIG and MAG on steel and TIG on aluminium and stainless steel.

You can use both MIG and TIG on steel. MIG is cheaper, easier, and works fine on thicker material. TIG is higher precision, higher quality of welds, and you don't necessarily need a filler material, so it's more suitable for very thin steels and high-end frames.

I thought that was the case Lae.

Would never use MIG for anything I want to look nice, but is a good cheap method to learn with for hand eye and technique practice and to learn more about material reactions, and once I've got a bit more proficient I might try learning TIG, but brazing is what ideally like to learn mainly.

I'll let people know (if) when I get a rig sorted.

thread subscribed

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Are any of you signed up over at the Frame Builders Collective forum?

http://www.framebuilderscollective.org/

I joined a while back, and it's very informative. Richard Sachs is a regular contributor, amongst others, so you're getting to hear from people who have tonnes of experience.

Did you guys see these?
REYNOLDS 531 TUBES
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280952204355?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=280952204355&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]

Are any of you signed up over at the Frame Builders Collective forum?

http://www.framebuilderscollective.org/

I joined a while back, and it's very informative. Richard Sachs is a regular contributor, amongst others, so you're getting to hear from people who have tonnes of experience.

Sachs

Hipster

Instantly bookmarked that site, thank you Mikenetic!

Seems like a great site, although I have repeatedly had problems logging in.

Must have registered about 10 times, maybe I've pissed Richard Sachs off somehow.

^^^he's going to go blind soon.

^ Why?

well, unless those are special welding specs, the u.v light from the welding torch will burn his retinas to nothing very quickly.

UV from a gas welding rig, especially when brazing is low compared electric welding ie mig, tig or arc. Plus Rayban Wayfarers have 100% uv protection according to their sales blurb lol

I was going to say, you can't get arc-eye if you're not use an electrical arc to weld, which if I'm not mistaken, all ^ those forms of welding employ.

well, unless those are special welding specs, the u.v light from the welding torch will burn his retinas to nothing very quickly.

It's just a big blowtorch, bro. It's no worse than staring at a lightbulb.

I used to have tan-lines between my t-shirt and my gauntlets back when I used to weld regularly. That's how bright arc-welding is.

I stand corrected. The welders at my work leave spots on your eyes for hours if you look by mistake, but those are tig.

Yeah, try and avoid that... 0_o

the 'safety' procedure is, when someone is about to weld something, they shout "eyes!" as a warning. Which of course means everyone turns to look to see what's going on...

Pro builder not using the right equipment? Silly sausage, welding spatter is reet nasty. Welding goggles are a couple of quid, a light reactive proper mask is under £30.

Ray Bans should only ever be worn in black or tortoise shell. FACT.

Sachs DNGAF atmo.