Everyone,
I went into my 2-week long class with Doug Fattic this summer with a very serious skill deficit. I'm a graduate student in English literature, and in the first couple of days this showed. As I struggled with a hacksaw cut one day, Doug whispered in my ear, "You're going to have a REALLY hard time with brazing."
Alas, I seemed to possess the mystical "torch feel." (There really is no accounting for it!) Though I certainly needed all the help I got from Doug, and though I needed all two weeks to build my frame, I came out with something I am very happy with. I documented this all very thoroughly at:
http://twoseriousbikes.blogspot.com/
And photographed an early version of the "final product" here:
http://twoseriousbikes.blogspot.com/
Note that I am quite obsessive about bicycle history, bicycle design, bike riding, and aesthetics generally. I actually think my greatest skill -- reading -- paid off quite a lot. Read those Bicycle Quarterlies, prospective framebuilders! And ride your bike!
Adam Hammond Toronto, ON, Canada
On Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 9:35 AM, Roman Stankus <rstankus@mindspring.com>wrote:
> Kevin, Jan, etc...
>
> The generalizations you have made here are fair and valid and.......
> generalizations.
>
> At the other end of the spectrum of thought is the drive/motivation
> inspired
> by the dream of building one's own bike for whatever reason. Anything is
> possible if one's desire is great enough and one is willing to make some
> sacrifices to achieve the goal. I've only built one bike and I don't ride
> it
> that much even though it rides great. For me it was important to do this
> and
> I'm glad I could. It was a tremendous luxury for me to be able to do this
> as
> a hobbyist. I'd like to build some more - but may or may not be able to in
> the future - time will tell.
>
> As stated by some others - there is a lot to learn and many skills to
> aquire
> to make a go at this. What looks simple is not. Don't think of building a
> frame as a way to save money or time - it takes lots of both.
> But if your passion takes you there and your skills and mind are up to it -
> it can be a thrill as it was for me. It will truly give you an insiders
> perspective on what framebuilding is about and a taste for how much there
> is
> to learn. Enjoy the ride (and be cautious)!!!!! It's definitely more risky
> than building a coffee table (and I do that too).
>
> Roman Stankus
> Atlanta, Ga. 30307
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> > [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of
> > kevin sayles
> > Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 8:03 AM
> > To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org; Jan Heine
> > Subject: Re: [CR] Geometry
> >
> > Jan, not wishing to upset anyone, but I have to agree with
> > you on this topic [having a go at framebuilding]
> >
> > As a framebuilder since 71 [I think you may know my history?]
> > it always amazes me how cyclists think they could make
> > themselves a frame.......one that would be actually safe to ride!
> > Like you say it takes years of experience to be able to
> > master the torch, but as you know there is a lot more to
> > framebuilding than brazing!
> >
> > I suspect that some of these frame we see from time to time
> > that have been made by someone with virtually no experience
> > are very dubvious.......they may look nicely finished, some
> > are indeed very nicely filed up........but its what went on
> > to get it to that stage. [and how long it took them!] Quizing
> > such a person who had made his [and alarmingly a friends]
> > frame it soon became clear he hadn't 'fed' the braze throught
> > the lugs!!! .......I darn't ask about how he brazed the dropouts!
> >
> > I always say that If someone wants to have a go at making a
> > coffee table, fine, at worst if a leg falls off you will have
> > a nasty stain on your carpet and perhaps broken
> > cups...........but if you haven't correctly brazed a
> > critical joint on a frame, the fork crown for example you are
> > putting your, and perhaps others, lives at risk!
> >
> > Saying this though I do see the attraction for those with the
> > desire to build their own frame, I guess I was the same
> > except I really wanted it to be my job, fortunately it has been.
> > Be interesting to see what other framebuilders on this list
> > think of people having a go at DIY frames?
> >
> > Cheers Kevin Sayles
> > Bridgwater Somerset UK
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
> > To: "Todd Grantham" <wtgrantham@comcast.net>;
> > <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:58 PM
> > Subject: Re: [CR] Geometry
> >
> >
> > >
> > > I am sorry to say it, but it is hard to see how you can become
> > > proficient in brazing EVEN IF you spend two weeks full-time at a
> > > class. Working metal is a craft that requires a lot of theoretical
> > > knowledge, plus a lot of experience. And perhaps some inborn skills
> > > (aka as a "touch" for the torch). In two weeks, you can
> > hope to make a
> > > first frame and gain some appreciation for all that you don't know.
> > >
> > > If somebody told me that they don't speak English, don't
> > know how to
> > > ride a bike, and want to publish a cycling magazine, but they don't
> > > have 2 weeks to learn all that is involved, I would smile
> > and excuse
> > > myself to get back to work.
> > >
> > > Many of us have a great interest in how things are done, so Bicycle
> > > Quarterly publishes a series called "Builders Speak," where
> > builders
> > > show their techniques. Seeing them in a magazine article and being
> > > able to emulate them are two different things. It took me months of
> > > training to become proficient at working in a machine shop, and the
> > > few times I held a torch, I realized that to get good at
> > brazing would take even longer.
> > >
> > > I have seen quite a few builders at work, and the best of
> > them have a
> > > feel for the torch that allows them to draw the brass (or silver)
> > > where they want it, without using too much heat. That
> > proficiency is
> > > obtained through years of experience. Just like a good cyclist can
> > > ride their bike through a gap barely 4 inches wider than their
> > > handlebars. It's not something you pick up from a book.
> > >
> > > Jan Heine
> > > Editor
> > > Bicycle Quarterly
> > > 140 Lakeside Ave #C
> > > Seattle WA 98122
> > > http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com