[hpv] Framebuilding Jigs

[David Cambon]

I would like some suggestions for materials that could be used to make
framebuilding jigs. I will be building a few SWB tandem recumbents for
trial and destructive testing.

So far the best jig I have seen (and used) is the lovely one sold by Gary
Helfrich (Arctos Machine). Gary's jig could (I believe) be configured with
extra pieces to accomodate a SWB recumbent tandem but it really excels at
single upright bikes in its basic form. Off the top of my head I cannot
imagine that there could be a better jig material than the elaborate
aluminum extrusions that are available on Gary's jig.

David Cambon

[Jfree...@aol.com]

I have a jig (about 2.5k) sold thru Nova cycles and you can specify minor
changes to it to accomodate a SWB design. They put extra grooves on the plate
for not much extra. their tube holders are also not tube diameter specific
since it is shaped like a v gone sideways.

For a poorman's jig, a good desk tabletop made out of particle board maybe an
inch thick is a good platform. It's flammable so be careful ! You can
fabricate tube holders out of angle plates and bolts. I started out using
this system and it worked well. Hope this

J Gaerlan - Gaerlan Custom Cycles
http://www.gaerlan.com
<A HREF="http://www.gaerlan.com/">Framebuilding,Recumbent and Bike Parts
eStore</A>
(415)362-3866: (415)677-8943 fax
JFree...@aol.comhelps

[William J. Cook]

At 11:23 AM 3/23/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I have a jig (about 2.5k) sold thru Nova cycles and you can specify minor
>changes to it to accomodate a SWB design. They put extra grooves on the
plate
>for not much extra. their tube holders are also not tube diameter specific
>since it is shaped like a v gone sideways.
>
>For a poorman's jig, a good desk tabletop made out of particle board
maybe an
>inch thick is a good platform. It's flammable so be careful ! You can
>fabricate tube holders out of angle plates and bolts. I started out using
>this system and it worked well. Hope this
>
>J Gaerlan - Gaerlan Custom Cycles
>http://www.gaerlan.com

I can testify that J's system works very well, and I thank him for showing
me how to do it several years ago. Called "soft tooling" in manufacturing.
Of course, it is flammable. However, it's been several days since I last
set my wooden jig on fire.

William J. Cook, bc...@clark.net, 202-955-2493
Senior Writer, U.S.News & World Report
1050 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Washington, DC 20007

[Bill Volk]

William wrote:

>>For a poorman's jig, a good desk tabletop made out of particle board
>>maybe an inch thick is a good platform

>I can testify that J's system works very well, and I thank him for showing

>me how to do it several years ago. Called "soft tooling" in manufacturing.
>Of course, it is flammable. However, it's been several days since I last
>set my wooden jig on fire.

I bought a big piece of the square steel tubing with drilled holes along
it's length and threaded rod (and angle iron) with the intention of building
a adjustable jig ... but I actually built my bike without any jig ... just a
drill press and vise.

I will need the jig if I build my own chainstays etc.... so is the drilled
square tubing a resonable way to go?

Bill Volk

[At...@aol.com]

Dave asks about framebuilding jigs. I took some classes Gary taught in Oregon
a few years ago. I'm not familiar with his jigs but the Henry James jig we
used in the class before his was excellent. These were for a diamond frame
bike mind you, but were very adaptable. Worth a phone call for the spec. sheet
perhaps. For what it's worth I would be willing to spend my hard earned coin
on almost anything Gary H. is involved in. He is an extraordinary competent
individual.

Luck,

Mark, wishing I had room to braze in Manhattan, Z.