Re: [CR]Frame builders

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

From: <Philcycles@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 16:36:42 EDT
Subject: Re: [CR]Frame builders
To: dennis@mrpconsulting.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 6/29/2 8:03:38 PM, dennis@mrpconsulting.com writes:
>I guess I was not exactly to the point with my previous question, so here
>
>goes again.
>
>
>
>We have a few frame builders here on this list turning out works of art
>
>worthy of all the praise that is heaped on them. My question is what are
>
>the builders on this list doing (if anything) to pass on their skill?
>

Tough one. the economics of frame building dictate one of two approaches-single man shop or giant operation. The problems with having one employee (apprentice) are almost insurmountable for one person. I know of builders who had an employee or three and went back to single person-it was just too expensive in both money and time. There is no good answer. I cannot speak for others but I'd like to pass my approach to frame building on but I'm not in a position to do so. Interestingly enough, in a previous life I learned a skill that's also disappearing-phonograph disc cutting. As you may have noticed, not too many LP records made today. Some of us are concerned that the skills to cut records will dissapear and, again, we don't quite know what to do about it. Among other things, the lathes we used to cut on are dissapearing into private collections-people will collect anything--not .recording studio settings where they can be used. Tough one.
Phil Brown
NoHo, Ca