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...and built a frame?
I did their balance bike course, if that's any help ?
Yes... it was possibly the best thing I've ever done! The only downside is it has revealed how miserable I am driving a desk day in day out.
If you've ever been curious about framebuilding or enjoying working with your hands and learning a new skill (or two) Do it, you won't regret it.
Looks quite pricy - at a couple of grand for a course
Are there any practical takeaways? I'm thinking you would need a few machines to DIY frames at home in the shed?
"[i]Looks quite pricy - at a couple of grand for a course[/i]"
Yes.
"[i]Are there any practical takeaways?[/i]"
Like what ? You'll have a small amount of experience in brazing, and some general knowledge of frame design. You won't be an expert, and you won't be in a position to immediately start up as a professional framebuilder.
"[i]I'm thinking you would need a few machines to DIY frames at home in the shed?[/i]"
Well, you obviously need a decent oxy-acetylene setup. The technique taught at TBA uses flux mixed in with the gas flow, and the kit for that is quite expensive. IIRC you can't store acetylene in any building where people sleep; if your garage is attached to the house then you have to store it in a separate bottle store (my memory is slightly hazy on that tho).
If you've got the time, patience & ingenuity I guess you could DIY all the cutting & mitring. Some kind of frame jig is DIYable I think. You need space to work in that is SAFE and away from any flammable stuff. You'll need all the tools for facing & reaming tubes, and cutting threads. Are you wanting to do the paint yourself ? That's a bunch more kit, and a spray booth.
The course is very enjoyable though, don't let me put you off ! The guys are absolutely passionate about what they do.
Not been on the course but met Andrew a few times - if I did go on a brazing masterclass, it would be with BA.
If you have Engineering and bike experience, then you can DIY but will cost similar money to the course (maybe £2k) to accumulate the kit. Home brazing can be done slightly safer:-
Small propane bottle rather than acetylene (I've done 4 frames on a single little 6kg bottle).
Ex-hire medical oxygen concentrator (so no storage of pressurised oxygen)- About £250
Torch, nozzles, regulator, hoses, flashbacks - £300?
Steel Asgard shed (fireproof-ish)- About £600
Paste-on cycle designs flux (rather than gasfluxer).
Full Icetoolz tapping and facing kit from Winstanleys £200.
Expanding reamer for seat tube about £50.
Holesaw tube notcher from Stakesys £250.
Rulers and angle measuring stuff.
Hacksaw, files, abrasives.
Holesaws
Flat surface, bb shell mounting boss, vee blocks and string is the minimum required for a jig.
That course starts to sound cheap 🙂
Tom Ritchey popped in and put a frame together....
Yep. Did the 7 day frame building course and it was excellent. If you're at all interested in building a frame, do it. It's bloody tiring but you do come away feeling like you've got the knowledge to do it again. Teaching is excellent and they're a great bunch of guys. Highly recommended.
It is possible that Tom Ritchey learnt something in his time in Frome.
http://www.thebicycleacademy.org/2017/01/30/old-skool-x-new-school-tom-ritchey-video/
Comparison prices of other courses
https://bohemianbicyclesfaq.wordpress.com/