Brian,
I think your message about a certain frame builder is misguided. While I consider the person your referring to a good friend he is also a mentor, but not just to me but many amateur and pro frame builders. I can't name one person in the industry you dabble in who has spent as much time, or created more resources for the hobby builder as the builder you malign. This builder has numerous build sequences photographed and posted in his picture site for everyone to see how he does things. This builder has also provided a master list of web links to other framebuilders picture sites. But mostly, he has contributed his time directly to anyone who simply just asks for help. This builder has done more to unwrap the secrecy of frame building and encourage people like myself to pick up a file, a torch and give it a try than anyone I have ever heard of. I don't know what you stand to gain by your words because your reputation as a craftsman and painter are second to none, but I couldn't let your words live cached for eternity on the www without a proper rebuttal.
Jonathan Greene Oviedo FL
In a message dated 7/29/2006 1:18:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, brianbaylis@juno.com writes:
Recently there was some talk on one of the "lists" regarding what it
takes to learn to build frames. One long time builder remarked that
it takes building lots of frames to become an "expert" and get to
where you really know what you're doing; and if you don't build
enough you won't be that good at it. That is pure foolishness and
comes from someone who is obviously trying to keep the process a
mystery. Any idiot knows that framebuilding is pretty simple in the
basic form and most anyone with reasonable motor skills, some
patience, and a good dose of common sense, and a little practice, can
build excellent bike frames. The notion that framebuilding is magic
or difficult is pure hogwash. Anyone in the framebuilding business
who trys to make people think it's something special should be
ashamed of themselves. Period.