I've been inspired

[Lowlife Lucas]

So, all of you guys that build these sweet custom frames have inspired me to get the right tools and give frame building a try.
Thanks to Uncle Stretch, I figured out exactly what type bender I need. I also know I'll need a tubing notcher and a welder (and I'll have to get practice with) but is there anything else I'll need? Just want to know ahead of time so I'll know what to get when I get ready to build one. I appreciate all of the help you guys give me

Thanks in advance

 

[The Renaissance Man]

... is there anything else I'll need? Just want to know ahead of time so I'll know what to get when I get ready t build one. I appreciate all of the help you guys give me

Thanks in advance

Cubic Dollars.

 

[mikeeebikey]

... is there anything else I'll need? Just want to know ahead of time so I'll know what to get when I get ready t build one. I appreciate all of the help you guys give me

Thanks in advance

Cubic Dollars.

Time, all your time.

 

[yoothgeye]

The understanding that sometimes you just have to throw away everything you worked on for so long and start over.

 

[october]

you would be surprised at what can be done with just a welder and an angle grinder...
i don't have a notcher or a bender...
occasionally i use a chopsaw with a metal cutting blade, but it's not necessary.
i used to bend tubing in the crotch of a tree, now i bend it over a plywood disc.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

5inch angle grinder and an automatic helmet make things easier. You will need plenty of just bikes to cut bottom brackets/headtubes etc from. A nice flat work bench is very helpful too...

Luke.

 

[Lowlife Lucas]

5inch angle grinder and an automatic helmet make things easier. You will need plenty of just bikes to cut bottom brackets/headtubes etc from. A nice flat work bench is very helpful too...

Luke.

Luckily, I've got the grinder and the automatic helmet, I had forgot about having those two things :lol:
Old junk bike frames, I've got em scattered here and there, so I should be good. Got the bench too 8)

 

[sensor]

Only thing you REALLY need to build frames is the desire and something to weld with(well, tubing is important). Other than that, you can find a way to build them and have them right without buying any "special" tools.
I use a tree, a lamp post, mailbox post or anything else to bend tubing. For Cutting, a hack saw works great. For notching, a half round file works better than a tubing notcher(since sometimes when you have a radius you cant get it into a notcher to cut it.) Just look around, you can find a way to do anything anyone else does, without a high cost, and have it come out as good or better if you put some thought into it. Jig all you need is a level surface to clamp to to tack and know how to measure and find center before you lay it out it will come out straight. I mean, I did my sons frame on the table and never went in a jig since I had a customers bike set up at that time. Think ahead and be creative and everything is possible. :wink:


Heck, I measured an American made Schwinn and it was a 1/4" off from being flat. It tracked fine, wasn't noticeable. I was just curious as to how well the "standard" was made back in the day at a factory(no it wasn't abused or wrecked or run over or anything else. 1 owner that took care of it well).

 

[deven_science]

I packed my tiny one car garage full of tools, such as a porta-band, a good grinder with many options, an oxy/acetylene set up, a vice, two workbenches, etc. You don't NEED all that, of course, but it makes it fun.

I do have a tubing roller, same one as US, and I use it ALL THE TIME, so if I can just add one suggestion, also look at flea markets for conduit benders. While rollers make nice, steady curves, benders make sharp bends. I have slowly acquired a 1/2", 1", and 1 1/4" benders, and I use them mainly for bending rear stays.