Sam,
I'm up for a track frame since personally I consider it the purest form of one of mans' greatest inventions. I somewhat consider myself a specialist at track frames since for the most part I am at least 50% a track racer by nature. Just so happens I specialize in small frames as well, so as far as I'm concerned that's ok with me.
Just a fair warning. Track frames require more work than a road frame (I'll explain that sooner or later) and are more difficult to build by a slight degree. Judging from what I know of you, I think it is well within your abilities considering you have the guidence of a number of us and some practical background experiences that qualify you as an "advanced beginner". I would not reccommend a track frame as the ordinary place to start. If you feel you will get enough use and enjoyment out of it and you expect to build something else down the line, I say do it.
Once we settle on what you will build, the perliminary process can begin. Get your sketchpad ready, you may want to doodle and think on paper as you decide on the "theme" of the frame. What, you thought there was no homework in this class? WRONG!
Having just read Chris' post I want to say "Hoooold on there Wilbuuurrr" (a la Mr Ed.) mainly because I've seen a few guys bite off more than they can chew the first time and end up over their heads and not enjoying the process as much as hoping to get out alive. Baby steps, first. We don't want to increase the number of times Sam is already going to burn himself with the end of the brazing rod, pick up a hot tube, poke himself with needle files, slice his fingers on freshly mitered tubes, and so on. We don't want to loose this guy. A person can only loose so much blood before they check out! Don't forget he has a family too; we don't want to orphan his kids, make his wife a framebuilders widow, or cause a divirce. A track frame is plenty challanging. Besides, there's as much art and beauty in simple designs as there are in complex ones, perhaps more.
Chris is well meaning as we all know, but let's shoot for the moon, not Saturn.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA
>
> Free tubes how cool, I have enough cash on hand to do this anyway that is
> needed but I appreciate the support. Brian Bayless and Richard Sachs are
> great as a people (and as a framebuilders) Both have offered to help with
> the project. I like making posts that get a reaction the amount of emails
> has been fun. It was worth the post to have people of this group to
> correspond with. Too bad we don't write to each other without some
> conflict. How does the group feel about a track frame?
> Sam D.