I'm doing some Custom Fabrication on my bicycle that requires cutting the head tube of the frame off of one bicycle and Welding it onto another. I am having to do this so that I can use the forks that I want to use primarily because I want this brakes on my bicycle. The existing front forks do not allow disc brakes. I did not realize until I already started that one frame is aluminum in one frame is steel. I'm not very experienced with welding to begin with, most of my welding is mostly bed frame gauge steel. Usually modifying bed frame material to make whatever I need. The welder I have is just a 110 wire welder I inherited from my father. I do know he has used it for different kinds of welding. I don't know the difference between Mig and Tig, I don't know what gases he used to make what kinds of welds. I've only used it for straight wire welding with steel. Can anybody tell me what I need to make this wire welder work welding aluminum to steel?
I'm pretty sure aluminium cant be welded to steel, maybe some fancy way you can but if I was you I would get a new headtube machined to fit the forks you want from the same material as the frame you want to put it on.
Hey Steve, have been following your video series since you started i guess. But my turn is now, it seems. I've started on my end and am stuck on frame design phase. I need your assistance. Video call or skype or what's app call possible?
+Pithy Bikes Thanks for the videos just started watching - dunno if you ever got a response to this but i think he means that best practice for welding is to run argon in the other side of the metal to the weld your doing this helps to keep your weld tidier and stronger on both sides. I think chip meant to blow argon through the frame as you weld to achieve nicer welds. This is an expensive practice but quite necessary if you were building a turbocharger for a car say, don't know if its necessary for a bike frame build. Found a link that describes the process (I think it's called PURGE WELDING) the description starts at 7.20.
+RockShandy +RockShandy Never considered it. To be honest I'm not all that familiar with different options for components. I went with 68 because that's what is on my daily beater. You got me curious though, what would be the benefit of a 73?
+Pithy Bikes It became a standard to get around bigger tyres on MTBs and I originally thought this would give chain line problems but you would be ok if you were using a square taper or BB that uses internal bearings but I'm not sure if it's possible for external bearing BBs as I'm not sure about there chainlines. BB shells can be longer again for downhill bikes and up to 100mm I think for fatbikes.
Did anyone build a rear suspension frame? Is it even possible? I am here because the slim availability of the full suspension fat bikes on the market. Not to mention, the ones that are available are insanely expensive.
+mike x that certainly is possible! Some bikes are made to be taken apart for transport. They use SS couplers to do that. For the joints themselves there are all. Kinds of options!
+mandar kashikar Hi, I got the tubes from www.henryjames.com/ Some other suppliers www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/ www.paragonmachineworks.com/index.php/bicycle-frame-building-components solidbikes.bigcartel.com/ good luck!
Here's the link to bikeforums.net - geometry calculator thread
www.bikeforums.net/framebuilders/981938-geometry-calculator-online.html
Loving the videos so far. Thank you for putting so much work and effort into these!
Scott Haney You're welcome :D It's my pleasure!
When i was a kid, I use to refer to the top bar as "the nut buster (NB)" lol.
Great taste, que sera sera is my favorite track off of the Katamari sound track. Weird hearing it here tbh, great video though
Which steel grade matrial use ?
I'm doing some Custom Fabrication on my bicycle that requires cutting the head tube of the frame off of one bicycle and Welding it onto another. I am having to do this so that I can use the forks that I want to use primarily because I want this brakes on my bicycle. The existing front forks do not allow disc brakes. I did not realize until I already started that one frame is aluminum in one frame is steel. I'm not very experienced with welding to begin with, most of my welding is mostly bed frame gauge steel. Usually modifying bed frame material to make whatever I need. The welder I have is just a 110 wire welder I inherited from my father. I do know he has used it for different kinds of welding. I don't know the difference between Mig and Tig, I don't know what gases he used to make what kinds of welds. I've only used it for straight wire welding with steel. Can anybody tell me what I need to make this wire welder work welding aluminum to steel?
I'm pretty sure aluminium cant be welded to steel, maybe some fancy way you can but if I was you I would get a new headtube machined to fit the forks you want from the same material as the frame you want to put it on.
what kind of drawing papers you use?
Hey Steve, have been following your video series since you started i guess. But my turn is now, it seems. I've started on my end and am stuck on frame design phase. I need your assistance. Video call or skype or what's app call possible?
Not sure if it's a good thing but i think i've got addicted to Your videos.
don't question it, just keep watching @_@
Thank you for your beautiful guidance on frame making video. Making of bicycle frame, I want to learn from you.
Thank you so much your videos are complet for beginers. Please were you bought your welding machine
It’s an Everlast rig machine I got from Everlast welders usa
Hey! Just a question, are the rear chainstays symmetrical or is the rear hub offset?
+Shannon Ryan Badenhorst hub is not offset. It is centered. Cheers.
good
if you clamp the cone instead of the bolt you can run argon throw the frame.
chip2567 I'm not sure what you mean. If you can find some pictures online of this setup I'd love to see it.
+Pithy Bikes Thanks for the videos just started watching - dunno if you ever got a response to this but i think he means that best practice for welding is to run argon in the other side of the metal to the weld your doing this helps to keep your weld tidier and stronger on both sides. I think chip meant to blow argon through the frame as you weld to achieve nicer welds. This is an expensive practice but quite necessary if you were building a turbocharger for a car say, don't know if its necessary for a bike frame build. Found a link that describes the process (I think it's called PURGE WELDING) the description starts at 7.20.
I realize it's a bit late now as the video was published 10 months ago but did you consider a 73mm BB at this stage?
+RockShandy +RockShandy Never considered it. To be honest I'm not all that familiar with different options for components. I went with 68 because that's what is on my daily beater. You got me curious though, what would be the benefit of a 73?
+Pithy Bikes It became a standard to get around bigger tyres on MTBs and I originally thought this would give chain line problems but you would be ok if you were using a square taper or BB that uses internal bearings but I'm not sure if it's possible for external bearing BBs as I'm not sure about there chainlines. BB shells can be longer again for downhill bikes and up to 100mm I think for fatbikes.
+RockShandy I see. Thx!
any suppliers in the Asia region? I am based in India and procuring from USA would be really expensive for me.
I'm sorry. I don't know about any. I'm pretty new to this stuff. But if I learn of any I'll get back to you.
Did anyone build a rear suspension frame? Is it even possible? I am here because the slim availability of the full suspension fat bikes on the market. Not to mention, the ones that are available are insanely expensive.
+dvdrwsor are you asking if I have? I never have... Anything is possible..
Did I misunderstand your top down view of the rear end? Shouldn't the chain ring be one the right side?
Haha! You are the first person to notice that. Yes, I drew it upside down. I need to fix that so I don't actually weld it that way.
metal parts that slot and are bolt attached together could be used as an alternative to welding bike frames.
+mike x that certainly is possible! Some bikes are made to be taken apart for transport. They use SS couplers to do that. For the joints themselves there are all. Kinds of options!
hi, what's the TT & DT diameters you used on your track bike?
+Francis Ignatius Del Castillo I just uploaded a pdf of the tube diameters on my website. Pithybikes. Com Go to the 'builds' page. Cheers!
Thanks , its very very useful information, just I need to
Glad its helpful!
Those wheels look huge on your commuter bike. what size?
+Mekhanic1 It's because the frame size is only a 50cm. The wheels are standard 700c. :D
where did you get the tubes and other parts?
+mandar kashikar
Hi, I got the tubes from
www.henryjames.com/
Some other suppliers
www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/
www.paragonmachineworks.com/index.php/bicycle-frame-building-components
solidbikes.bigcartel.com/
good luck!