Working on Frames Question

[Tabogon]

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!

[Creative Engineering]

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 willi]

Originally Posted by Tabogon

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!

the tig dude very sweet!

[Tabogon]

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!

[Tabogon]

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

[Creative Engineering]

Originally Posted by Tabogon

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

[Tabogon]

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.

[Creative Engineering]

Originally Posted by Tabogon

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

[Tabogon]

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.

[Creative Engineering]

Originally Posted by Tabogon

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.

Tabagon,

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

Jim