Starting a new frame build up and yes it is made in America with American made tubing and lugs
![]() Time for a new frame. This one is going to go to Rick Decker. As always this is the first part and I think one of the most important part the design. Rick is fairly straight forward 73 degree seat tube with a 59 center to center seat tube and top tube. |
![]() Pacenti Artisan Lugs will start the build up. |
![]() I insert the tubing into the lug mark it with a marker then start cutting away the tubing with a Dremel tool. You can also see the painted end this marks the end you can shorten. |
![]() This is the first cut still very ruff. Just to let you know the cutting was not done in the lug. I just put it back in for you to see the shape that it is starting to take. |
![]() Here you can see the miter with out the lug on it. Time to clean it up some more. |
![]() Here you can see the miter after I spent some tome on it. At first I used a small stone in that Dremel tool then finished up with a file. |
![]() The fit is starting to get good Just a little more work on the sides should do it. |
![]() A small gap is all that remains to take out. Be sure to keep checking the angle too. |
![]() I got it and the angle is 107 degrees. |
![]() You can see it fits flush in the lug. |
![]() This is the seat tube to top tube miter taking shape. |
![]() I am marking the seat tube as it exits the seat tube lug. |
![]() Remember measure twice cut once. |
![]() Marking the painted end again as it goes through the bb shell. |
![]() This is a fun picture because it show how I keep the lugs aligned to the tubing. I use the light reflecting off the tubing. |
![]() Down tube to head tube joint. |
![]() All the joints to the main triangle are done. |
![]() Time to start on the rear end of the frame. At this point I am ready to start brazing. |
![]() I start at the down tube seat tube joint. It is all fluxed up and ready for the heat. |
![]() The whole frame is set up now to check one last time. |
![]() Man at this stage it always looks bad. |
![]() Clean up is starting. I hate this part, my ADHD kicks in. |
![]() Now time to put on the rear end. |
![]() Wow, starting to look like a frame. |
![]() Brake bridge water bottle mounts all have to fitted and brazed in place. |
![]() Time to ream the seat tube. |
![]() Now the fork get made. Spend as long as you need to get those blades to be the same and at the right rake this is 43mm. |
![]() All most done now I had to take a peek at it with wheels on it. |
![]() I always wanted to try wrap over stays. The wrap is part of the chain stay I cut off. |
![]() James is helping me clean up the brazing. |
![]() All done with a Color Factory paint job. This is the first official Fat Man frame. Now time to build it up. |
![]() Built up and ready for it's first ride. Just for the record it got a flat on its first ride. |