Working on Frames Question

I have been working on ideas for my first MB for the past couple of days. It will most likely be a Schwinn based board tracker, but I would like to try making my own tank and possibly change a few angles of the frame.

I can not decide, mostly because I don't know, which type of welder I should get. I won't have enough for a tig welder, so that is pretty much out of the question. I know the differences between flux core and mig welding, but not which one will be better for working with bikes.

I would also like to hear more about brazing if anyone is knowledgeable about it, seems like it would be a fun and unique thing to learn, and how it compares to the strength of welding.

Thanks!

Tobogon,

I prefer brazing over welding for thin materials.

It is easy to learn how to make a good, strong, brazed joint.

Here are some links you may find interesting.

Braze Your Own Bicycle Frame

United Bicycle Institute Frame Building Courses

Jim

the tig dude very sweet!

Thanks Jim, I'll bookmark them and get to reading as soon as my daughter will let me rest, haha.

I agree Willi, I would love to have a nice quality tig welder, but that one item would take my entire bonus, and I have big plans for my first bike.

Thanks again for the replies!

Any first hand experience on how strong brazing is compared to welding? Nervous about my first bike falling apart haha.

It's all relative...

A properly brazed joint will be much stronger than one that has been improperly mig or tig welded.

Jim

Thanks again Jim! I got a chance to look into the links you posted, a lot of good info. I never realized that most custom frame builders prefer brazing and how popular it is for frame building. I found a few really nice shots of a frame that was brazed, and the finish was amazing! Looked like it was made from a single piece of metal. This is definitely something I want to learn and use on my bike when I build it.

Thanks.

You're welcome,

It is very easy to learn to braze, and as you noted it produces a really nice looking joint. Perfect fillets are easy to do. You don't have to be an expert to get good results.

I highly recommend it for the hobbyist.

I can best describe it as high temperature soldering. If you have ever soldered plumbing fittings, you will have no problem brazing.

Jim

One more question, if you don't mind.

I came across a custom bike builder that uses custom cut lugs to build his frames, I was wondering what type of tool can be used to make them myself.

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Tabagon,

Ya got me on this one...I have no idea.

Jim