Bicycle Framebuilding Without a Jig: What You Need to Know

Рет қаралды 18,698

5 жыл бұрын

Bicycle framebuilding is much more convenient, efficient, and enjoyable with a frame fixture (frame jig) made specifically for the task. But what if you don't have the money to buy a jig (or the time/interest/ability to build your own)? What if you want to get started building bikes without one? It can be done. I built something like 11 bikes without a frame jig when I was getting started. In this video, I'll share some of my experience and practical tips about how I made it work.
SUBSCRIBE for more videos on bicycle framebuilding and other shop-related topics: / @cobraframebuilding
SHOP MY TOOLS: If you're looking for bicycle framebuilding tools: cobraframes.net.
FOLLOW my shop updates on Instagram (@cobraframes): / cobraframes .

Пікірлер: 17

@JoeyMesa 5 жыл бұрын

I've built a few frames on a welding table even more rudimentary than yours. I built the table myself as well. I agree with you 100% about a dedicated bicycle frame jig being the fastest and most efficient way to tack a frame together. However, I feel like a lot of beginner potential frame builders quit before they ever get started because they feel like they need to invest in expensive tooling (mill, lathe, jig), take a week long frame building class Etc. I've got a couple of build series videos on my channel with some pretty inexpensive low tech tooling.I think it's a decent example of being able to learn the craft without a huge investment. In a perfect world, I'd love to have a Bridgeport mill and an Anvil jig, but at this stage of my life, it's just not in my budget.

@poopy_pants_joe1194 10 ай бұрын

Automotive suppliers have been building prototypes and short runs off of full scale drawings since forever. Roll your "layout" onto the plate and block the tubes up to the heights on the drawing. Checking is done best with a height gauge. Most of the frames that I've built, came off of very sophisticated tooling but I've also done it with a piece of paper, and some steel blocks. The old master, Fransisco Cuevas didn't need much more than a straight edge and a vice.

@bobbilljim01 2 жыл бұрын

you are speaking my language. I want to try several different welding projects including a bike frame! THANKS!!!

@jebssantos11 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing

@lobiedosser 5 жыл бұрын

Great old skool

@JoelRavier 5 жыл бұрын

Let's see if @pithybikes finishes his DIY framebuilding jig kit. Would be curious to have your review of it.

@benderbender1233 2 жыл бұрын

🤘

@moosevt1 5 жыл бұрын

More MTB frame build vids!!!!!!! :)~

@cobraframebuilding 5 жыл бұрын

I know!! They're way more work to produce, but I want to make them just as bad as anyone wants to see them.

@danielstranahan7966 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Joe! Curious what the dimensions of your plate are? From what I gather 36" x 48" seems to be an ideal size for frames, but there are a couple options on my local craigslist right now- a ground cast iron table at 24"x36", and a 6" thick, 24"x48" granite plate for $300. 24" seems a little narrow but maybe at 4" long it'd be fine? Curious what your experience is. And thank you for creating such informative videos, between your channel and the podcast it is has been an incredibly helpful resource in my fabrication journey.

@cobraframebuilding 4 жыл бұрын

Mine is/was 32x36” which is smaller than ideal, but it does the trick if you need it to. I sold it recently because it’s less relevant to what I currently do but it was good to me.

@domenicomonteleone3055 2 жыл бұрын

@@cobraframebuilding Thank you kindly 🙏 for your incuragement on Building a Bicycle Frame 🚲 🙏 i have been following you from Canada 🇨🇦 #YSW I am a newbie at building Bicycle 🚲 Frames but I want to learn and you are the Best way to learn beacuse ypu explanation is very simple and clear Thank you kindly 🙏

@mjenk20236 5 жыл бұрын

Do you use the fixture for tacking or do you complete the welds in the fixture. What do you use for alignment?

@cobraframebuilding 5 жыл бұрын

I generally just tack the frame in my actual frame fixture. I do alignment checks on this steel table with the height gage I showed. The welding pulls the frame around quite a bit so the goal is to check the frame as you go and use the weld sequence to get it to end up straight without ever having to "cold set" it into alignment. Cold setting is just bending it basically.

@craigrmeyer 5 жыл бұрын

Do you have any comments on the "Jiggernaut" fixture (if you've heard of it)?

@yogalangerhand6751 Жыл бұрын

How much you sell the Cobra jig?

@tagmenotdesign 4 жыл бұрын

In order to make bicycle frame building process accessible for many of us as possible you will have to eliminate all expansive tooling, fixtures and jigs, going jigless totally makes sense.