I have a flat workbench and a vise.
I would like to know what files I should buy to start practising.
I will be building with steel so specifics would be great.
I don't wanna tool up with machinery just yet.
Please advise.
8", 10" and 12" half-round second cut.
something you can use to make accurate mitre cuts in various tube thicknesses.
You would find a hacksaw, with a 32tpi blade, handy as well.
8", 10" and 12" half-round second cut
you are richard sachs and i claim my voucher
No, he has a Bikemachinery frame fixture and I do not.
Having enough of the right tools does help,
http://antbikemike.wordpress.com/frame-building-classes/six-week-frame-business-course/
.....and being able to braze or weld is a big help as well.
http://bohemianbicyclesfaq.wordpress.com/
lots of people have opinions on frame fixtures
https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=bicycle%20framebuilding%20jigs&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1024&bih=579&sei=reeRUYbqPNCQ7AaNvYCQBQ&tbm=isch
we have our own opinion on frame fixtures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/compositepro/
if your in wakefield drive down to junction 34 and bob in and say hi
Andrew denham of the bicycle academy does welding courses and building courses
No, he has a Bikemachinery frame fixture and I do not.
Some cast iron vee blocks. (shop carefully as some of the ebay ones turn out to be tiny)
Clamp blocks to hold tubes in the vice.
Angle finder / protractor
http://www.stakesys.co.uk/product/angle_finder_3/
Dial angle gauge (dunno why but I tend to use this more than my digital one).
http://www.whiterosetools.com/Silverline-250471
Tube notcher and a pile of holesaws (when you get bored of filing)
http://www.stakesys.co.uk/product/sta155_hole_saw_tube_notcher/
Files - anything you can find. Ideally a small and big one in each of flat, half round and round. You are only filing stuff a few mm thick so actual grades not especially important provided they aren't super coarse.
A couple of rolls of emery cloth (coarse and medium).
Word of caution - be very careful what you are starting 🙂 It won't stop and the pile of tubes, tools and other stuff keeps on growing....
[url= http://www.instructables.com/id/A-simple-bicycle-frame-jig/ ]Instructables Bike frame jig[/url]
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Tube blocks - you can make your own, but the Paragon ones are cheap and good. Bastard cut files are good for roughing out. I also used to use a hand nibbler quite a lot for mitring, to get the shape roughly then file to fit. A fork cutting guide is also handy for cutting tubing square (you can use a tube cutter, but the FCG works on oval things like chainstays).
Really, though, all you [u]need[/u] is a couple of files and a hacksaw. Everything else just makes life faster and easier.
... and a bunch of knowledge, aptitude and practice.
I dread to think what I'd end up with if I tried building a frame with the files and hacksaw sitting ready in my shed 😳
Well, yes - learning the principles you can do in a weekend, getting good at it takes a while longer.