“New” seatstay bridge bender…
Process shots from Adam’s 29+
Adam's frame is 95% done. I just need to cap the wishbone stay ends, put on a few cable guides, ream/face, and clean up before posting any final parting shots. It was a challenging build not just because the bent tubes but because it was so interrupted by time away from the shop. I have... Continue Reading →
Favorite uses for magnets
Fixturing with magnets. The magnet on the top cap of the fork is the latest discovery for me. Holds it to the leg no matter which way I tip it! So easy to braze now. These pivoting magnets from I can't remember are great for fixturing fork legs to crown pieces and tacking while upside... Continue Reading →
Drill Chuck setup
Something to share that made mill setup just a little easier and faster. I replaced my R8 arbor drill chuck a 5/8" drill chuck with a 3/4" straight shank arbor I found on eBay. Whenever I center the spindle, tram, drill holes, etc I would normally unload whatever Paragon 3/4" hole saw arbor was in... Continue Reading →
Top 10 favorite framebuilding tools
It's hard to pick just 10, there are so many. No, they're not all file types and sizes. These are just the first that come to mind. Wilton Tradesman vise (5" jaws) and some copper soft jaws. I bought it new to last me a lifetime and then some. Good luck finding a good used... Continue Reading →
You learn some things the hard way
From the start I've been all about full disclosure on this blog....so you get to share in my triumphs and face plants. Here's one of the latter. The last two bikes I made were singlespeed cross frames that were nearly identical. One for me, one for a friend. The main difference was that mine had... Continue Reading →
The new-to-me milling machine
I found this little mill on Craiglist in Santa Rosa, CA. I contacted the seller in October while still living in Colorado, knowing we'd be moved to CA in the next month or two. The back and forth we had on email made me pretty sure I was the one for this mill. He basically... Continue Reading →
Fixturedom – Anvil’s MTMF
I got a new fixture. I feel guilty just saying that. After all, it's cooler not to have fixtures and use files, or make your own. I know, but I gave in to the inner tool whore. I'm trying to streamline and quicken my process so I can actually make bikes for people one day... Continue Reading →
Alignment check
No coldsetting or second passes needed on this frame! The numbers for the front triangle are below my 1mm cutoff and as you can see from the pictures. The seat tube was damn close to perfect. These checks have become more and more about just evaluating my process than anything else. A test to see... Continue Reading →
Slotting the seat tube…well…slot.
I usually do this with a die grinder and abrasive disc, cause that's how I learned. But it's sketchy, and although can be quick and accurate, it's well, sketchy...and loud. (I avoid using the air compressor at all costs. But it has it's uses -- blowing/drying out tubes being it's best use IMO). I like... Continue Reading →