Anyone in Welding Classes

Are they still selling through that? I thought after they stopped making frames they stopped making frame parts too. I was in a welding class last semester. EDIT S&M and FBM also have frame building stores last time I checked.

Solid no longer makes frames but still makes parts. The problem is that to weld frames you need precise specialized jigs to makes sure everything gets welded on straight

bmxsteve99 wrote:

Solid no longer makes frames but still makes parts. The problem is that to weld frames you need precise specialized jigs to ...more

bmxsteve99 wrote:

Solid no longer makes frames but still makes parts. The problem is that to weld frames you need precise specialized jigs to makes sure everything gets welded on straight

...more

They're definately an EXTREMELY good thing to have, but you don't actually need them. I was talking to a guy who's built some framess before about it one time and he said he's made frames just on a table that were pretty solid.

bmxsteve99 wrote:

Solid no longer makes frames but still makes parts. The problem is that to weld frames you need precise specialized jigs to ...more

bmxsteve99 wrote:

Solid no longer makes frames but still makes parts. The problem is that to weld frames you need precise specialized jigs to makes sure everything gets welded on straight

...more

True, however a guy locally to me was able to actually BUILD a jig for one he did. He had FBM cut all tubing etc and send it out, he welded it and had it powdercoated locally. His welds SUCKED, but the frame held up to a 300 lb dude hopping it.

At the very least it could be a pretty fun project/wall hanging, even if it turned out unrideable.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Almost-jigless-bicycle-frame-building/?li_source=pm&li_medium=related-instructables&li_campaign=related_test

Instructions for a jig.

If you are in a welding class, the instructor could help you with angles etc.

Buy it and ship it to Mike Laird haha

Brayden_Buckingham wrote:

Buy it and ship it to Mike Laird haha

Brayden_Buckingham wrote:

Buy it and ship it to Mike Laird haha

...more

Unless you want a decent frame design.

Doesn't S&M have parts like that on their site as well? It's neat for sure.

A few years ago when I was in high school and taking Metal Shop classes.. I finished my project way early and had several weeks to just dick around in class doing whatever (Usually helping others) so I soo could've/would've attempted making something with all the spare time I had if I knew about those sites back then

Brayden_Buckingham wrote:

Buy it and ship it to Mike Laird haha

Brayden_Buckingham wrote:

Buy it and ship it to Mike Laird haha

...more

Xxohioanxx wrote:

Unless you want a decent frame design.

Xxohioanxx wrote:

Unless you want a decent frame design.

...more

Ummm...

Have you seen any broken lairdframes?

I haven't. I would say he is doing pretty well, and his frames are pretty damn solid.

Or is this a shot at the custom seatstay bridges?

dave lawrence wrote:

Ummm...

Have you seen any broken lairdframes?

I haven't. I would say he is doing pretty well, and his frames are pretty damn ...more

dave lawrence wrote:

Ummm...

Have you seen any broken lairdframes?

I haven't. I would say he is doing pretty well, and his frames are pretty damn solid.

Or is this a shot at the custom seatstay bridges?

...more

Not necessarily the custom bridges, just the bridges in general. He claims plate bridges are stronger than tube bridges and wishbones, which is just wrong. When he makes inaccurate claims like that, it doesn't give me much faith in the rest of his frame. But to be fair, some of the custom bridges are hilariously bad.

I know I've said this before, but I don't give a shit if something is "good enough" or "strong enough." I want my parts to be the best they can be.

Xxohioanxx wrote:

Unless you want a decent frame design.

Xxohioanxx wrote:

Unless you want a decent frame design.

...more

dave lawrence wrote:

Ummm...

Have you seen any broken lairdframes?

I haven't. I would say he is doing pretty well, and his frames are pretty damn ...more

dave lawrence wrote:

Ummm...

Have you seen any broken lairdframes?

I haven't. I would say he is doing pretty well, and his frames are pretty damn solid.

Or is this a shot at the custom seatstay bridges?

...more

Xxohioanxx wrote:

Not necessarily the custom bridges, just the bridges in general. He claims plate bridges are stronger than tube bridges and ...more

Xxohioanxx wrote:

Not necessarily the custom bridges, just the bridges in general. He claims plate bridges are stronger than tube bridges and wishbones, which is just wrong. When he makes inaccurate claims like that, it doesn't give me much faith in the rest of his frame. But to be fair, some of the custom bridges are hilariously bad.

I know I've said this before, but I don't give a shit if something is "good enough" or "strong enough." I want my parts to be the best they can be.

...more

Wishbone bridges are a little weaker from my experience. Perhaps he meant as a whole and not just the bridge themselves? I am only trying to play devils advocate here.

Also have you ever seen a frame with issues on the seatstay bridge? That seems like a pretty specific spot to have issues at.

dave lawrence wrote:

Wishbone bridges are a little weaker from my experience. Perhaps he meant as a whole and not just the bridge themselves? I am ...more

dave lawrence wrote:

Wishbone bridges are a little weaker from my experience. Perhaps he meant as a whole and not just the bridge themselves? I am only trying to play devils advocate here.

Also have you ever seen a frame with issues on the seatstay bridge? That seems like a pretty specific spot to have issues at.

...more

My experiences are the opposite haha. I've seen plenty of frames crack on the non-wishbone bridge but never personally saw any wishbone ones cracked. Not to mention out of the 3 frames I've ridden (Not including my stock Haro) 2 of them had wishbone bridges and never had any issues with them, but the one that didn't have a wishbone I ended up twisting the back end. Not sure if that's entirely due to the bridge though.



I did however see one frame with issues on the seat stay bridge.. the old Van Homan frame from Fit. A friend of mine who had it split the jersey devil bridge



this thing ^^^

It didn't really compromise the strength though cause it was passed around a few people before and after it happened so even then it was still okay. I do really like that Laird frames can have custom bridges though, it's a neat little extra.

Hat does a frame without a bridge look like wtf mine has one that looks like a )

He does make good frames but is a little rough on attention to detail on the chain stay ends and what not. I noticed wavey cuts on the water jet cut parts, i would take the time and make everything look nice and address it as a final product and clean the edges

thats pretty badass.

i havent welded in forever though. dont think its somethign i could do.

nuclearbike wrote:

He does make good frames but is a little rough on attention to detail on the chain stay ends and what not. I noticed wavey ...more

nuclearbike wrote:

He does make good frames but is a little rough on attention to detail on the chain stay ends and what not. I noticed wavey cuts on the water jet cut parts, i would take the time and make everything look nice and address it as a final product and clean the edges

...more

Going into that, he uses a CNC plasma, not a waterjet, and with some of those bridges, you couldn't get a grinder in there to clean them up much. Sure, you could file them, but I imagine there is a point where attention to detail and spending too much time cross paths.

Yea true I just would want cleaner parts if I was to build a 100% custom frame. A dremel with the right attachment could clean up just about any tight spot. water jet cuts look alot cleaner minus the little pointy spot where the jet starts and stops. But maybe since it's a different type of metal the plasma table is the way to go. I'm an aluminum welder so I've always had more expirence with water jet machines. Just a fellow fabricator admiring other people's work.