Opinions on TBA style frame building course

No, i think thats how they started but I dont think they do those courses any more. Could be wrong though.

Exactly this. I did Dave's course ten years ago and I really worked hard on the design details.
I had him order a whole load of custom parts, stainless bottle mounts, quick changer chain catcher, stainless cable adjusted, stainless fork crown and dropouts etc.
I spent a lot of time planning and in discussion with Dave. I've done jewelry making in the past and this allowed me to convince Dave to let me use silver soldered stainless parts and dropouts. It added to the cost, but I asked him afterwards about how much he would have charged to build the same frame and he reckoned I'd saved money, which he acknowledged was pretty rare on his courses.
I'd agree about the paint though. Wish I'd gone somewhere else. He's OK, but not great.

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TBA do the thing where once you've done the course you can hire some workspace and do you're own thing. Trouble is it'd be an 800 mile round trip for me to get there!

Anyone know if any of the others do this? I'm sure I'd read about another couple that did but not finding much now. I'm thinking Dave Yates and Bicycle By Design in particular as they are the more northerly based ones.

Anyone got anything to say about the Bicycles By Design lot? I'd never heard of them till I did a bit of googling today.

I think dave Yates is in process of winding down towards retirement.

Reilly and geoff Roberts are both doing course both down south

Has anybody got experience with Ellis Briggs, or Paul Gibson? Based in Shipley, nr Bradford, so it won't be convenient for everyone. I've been looking at all the courses above, but they'd all need me to stay in a hotel/B&B for the duration.
The EB course is also reasonable money, but still over a grand.
https://www.ellisbriggscycles.co.uk/framebuilding-course/

Did you find any more information? I've gone round in circles trying to find a frame building course to keep from going covid crazy!

Hiya Logiebear - yep, i found out info and santa is also putting some quids in the pot, so as soon as we all get back to normal, i’ll be going to ellis-briggs for a week.
There’s a bunch of info on the website, and i’ve exchanged a few Emails with Paul too.
For me, i’m really wanting to get as much torch time as possible.

I did the 7 day TBA course a few years back, one of the best things I have done!

These days the frame sits proudly in my kitchen!

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Wall art of the highest order, Mr Hobbs. D'you mind me asking, what was best about the TBA course, and what could you have done without?

I'm guessing that the most valuable element to most folks is the brazing time , and if/when serial framebuilding addicts like Brommers go back, they've already done the design, tube selection, tube cutting, filing and mitring at home, and are "just" going for a fully kitted workshop and advice from a brazing guru?

I'm guessing that the most valuable element to most folks is the brazing time , and if/when serial framebuilding addicts like Brommers go back, they've already done the design, tube selection, tube cutting, filing and mitring at home, and are "just" going for a fully kitted workshop and advice from a brazing guru?

The last few times I've been to Geoff Roberts' place I've designed the frame, selected and purchased the tubes and other components, and had very much intended to do the mitring at home but never got round to it. The reason I keep on going back, apart from the bantz and quality time with JingleJangle is that Geoff has a frame jig and oxy-acetylene kit, and I don't. Yet. I'm working on it though. I don't go for the advice though - I'm happier making a total mess of it all by myself.