I'm thinking about starting frame building

[RufusChucklebutty]

I am qualified in brazing, silver soldering and TIG welding, and I worked in high spec metal working, I'm retired early now due to Ill health, I have a small workshop at home for welding , fabrication ect.

What can you tell me about the subject as I know not a lot, obvs I will need to fabricate a jig , I'm very interested in steel or stainless , as far as I've learnt so far aluminium is complicated by post weld heat treatment so may not be best to start there.

1. Who supplies tube and parts for frame builders in the UK ?

2. Can I get an aluminium frames heat treated in the UK ?

3. What books are there to learn this subject ?

4. What tooling is required for frame building ( except the welding side ) ?

 

[raleighnut]

Loads of courses out there but maybe not available in the current situation,

https://www.ellisbriggscycles.co.uk/framebuilding-course/

 

[FrankCrank]

I've built my bike related projects mostly in stainless, as it is cheap and in abundance here. As with wheel building, I don't consider it a 'black art' to be feared. I've built a few recumbents to date, as well as a DF bike a few years back. My 'bike jig' was a small step ladder, and a small welding table was also handy. Here's a pic during build process:

And nearly finished, in its first guise:

Ally best avoided for a beginner, maybe just best avoided altogether. Good luck with the new hobby

 

[avecReynolds531]

Ceeway in Erith, East London supply frame building parts: https://ceeway.com/
Apologies, I don't know the answers to the other questions.
All the best for your venture.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

These people built my bike and offer frame building courses.

https://www.bicycles-by-design.co.uk/courses/frame-building-courses/

 

[Sharky]

Ceeway in Erith, East London supply frame building parts: https://ceeway.com/
Apologies, I don't know the answers to the other questions.
All the best for your venture.

Blimey, I only live a few miles from Erith and I didn't know this firm existed. Probably will never build a frame, but useful to know,