Brazing the Front Triangle Pt 1 - DIY Bike Frame Ep 6

[@maihranamn]

I never comment on videos but I've just find your channel and it really helps me to understand frame building process. I dream about building my own bike. Thanks for sharing and explaining everything straight to the point. Keep it up

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

👍 Thanks for watching (and for commenting)!

[@slimdog72]

Looking good. I am loving the new flammable backdrop look.

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

Ha! It’s not as close as it looks.

[@squeekywheel]

Another great video - really enjoying your frame build. Thanks for sharing the process!

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

Thanks!

[@erzsebetrostas-6841]

Great Video! What software do you use to make the mitering templates?

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

I use BikeCAD, but there are several websites out there that have miter template generators. Try searching for tube coping templates or tube notching templates.

[@erzsebetrostas-6841]

@@ThriftyFramebuilder thank you!

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

👍👍

[@lemuriformesUT]

Great job! thnx for showing ur work

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

Thanks for watching!!

[@sprocketandwheel]

A long time ago, I saw a frame building video where, instead of using brass, they used copper for the tack..it melts at a slightly higher temperature and when you finish the joint, there is less chance of affecting the joint..

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

Interesting. I’ve heard of people doing a TIG tack before brazing, but not copper. Wonder how much a difference it makes. That might also be the reason some people (Brodie) do a first pass with nickel silver.

[@sprocketandwheel]

@ThriftyFramebuilder I love nickel silver..it is strong and gives you a fillet..has a nice silvery appearance, and it is stronger than low fumming bronze..Bernzomatic NS3 is a great rod or you may check out a company called Gasflux ..both are a great option..as far as copper I have used the ground wire from a Romex cable..

[@arrowmid]

Thank you for these videos. What type of flux are you using for these joints? It doesn’t look the same as the stainless flux seen in a previous video…

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

Thanks, I forgot to mention that! I’m using Gasflux Type “B” bronze paste flux with Gasflux C-04 nickel bronze 1/16” rod.

[@DBen-k5m]

Thanks for making these great videos. You break down the process in a really accessible way. When you're doing the hockey stick, are you mitering all of the tubes to fit before brazing, or are you mitering as you go along (e.x. miter one side of the DT, then braze to HT, then miter the BB side of the DT, then miter the TT to fit HT and ST)? I could imagine if you mitered the TT ahead of time, things might shift while brazing by 1mm or so and it would no longer fit?

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

Thanks, and great question! A bit of both… my jig can’t hold all the tubes at once so I miter the ST to the BB, then miter the DT to the HT and BB before I braze anything. The ST is independent of the other miters, but I do both ends of the DT so that I can use the BB shell to hold the DT in the jig while I tack it to the HT (hope that all makes sense). Ideally the DT/BB miter is good to go, but if it needs some adjustment, I’m able to do it before I connect the DT to the BB. The notch in the DT (where it overlaps the ST) is done after the ST and BB are joined. Then, like you said, I miter the TT after everything else is joined together. I basically make sure the relationship between the HT angle and ST angle is correct, and fit the TT in place.

[@sven2793]

Loved the brazing footage! What is the advantage of the ‘hockey stick method’ over other brazing sequences?

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

Thanks! My jig doesn’t hold all the tubes at once, so I can’t tack all the joints in one sitting like some other builders. I also like that I can check each joint individually along the way and catch any issues before the entire front triangle is stuck together.

[@sempi8159]

Is brazing better than tig oder do you just prefer the look?

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

They each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The main reason I started with a brazing setup is because the equipment was cheaper!

[@sempi8159]

@@ThriftyFramebuilder interesting! Im able to use a tig maschine at my uni so im gonna try make my first steel frame that way, was just wondering if there is any inherent disadvantage to tig.

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

I think the only disadvantage to TIG is the look, and that’s totally subjective. TIG should be way faster (no fluxing, no tinning, no clean up, no fillets to smooth, etc.). Have fun with the frame project!

[@sempi8159]

@@ThriftyFramebuilder yea i think you might be right :) thanks for the great content!

[@tedwingate]

Pithy Bikes has a great series of videos on diy TIG frame building. He spent a lot of time building shielding gas inserts for the bottom bracket and head tube.

[@NickelExpressCycling]

im pretty sure my first build. im going to trust it like if i built it out of glass. lol

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

It is definitely weird at first, but you gain more confidence in your work with every ride.

[@joell439]

👍👍😎👍👍

[@ThriftyFramebuilder]

🙏