44 Bikes Frame Shop

[c/o say]

That is going to be one sharp shop I like the fact your using the old siding. And yes its very good to get to know your neighbors. I call it networking. Keep up the good work. BTW the bikes are damm nice too.

[fortyfour]

Thanks - the old boards are really nice and wide. It would be a shame not to reuse them I agree. Still noodling the two large doors. Anyone have a good source for strap hinges with pintles that don't cost an arm and leg? Preferably the lift off type. Thanks in advance.

[Bib Overalls]

Originally Posted by fortyfour

Thanks - the old boards are really nice and wide. It would be a shame not to reuse them I agree. Still noodling the two large doors. Anyone have a good source for strap hinges with pintles that don't cost an arm and leg? Preferably the lift off type.

Why don't you make them? I have seen them made out of tubing and plate with bronze/oilite bushings.

[onewaydave]

Ditto on the praise from all those above.

I'm a roard bike type myself, too old now, but always dreamed of making frames. You do very nice work and seem to have been down wind from your Granddad.

One thing I don't get. You named a useful, efficient tool that works (in the grand scheme of things) that is low cost of both initial investment and maintenance after a lawyer?

I named it "Moe". The ring leader of this knucklehead "do-we-cheetum-and-how" operation...

I would have preferred to read that you named it after the 3 Stooges character.

Won't mention when I got my entrenching tool (thankfully I wasn't infantry and therefore didn't have to prove I could use it that much. There are other, more modern manual digging devices I would prefer.

Your land, site and buildings are beautiful and I agree that your wife has a green thumb.

Dave.

[shopnut]

Love all the windows - certainly not the typical place you see a bridgeport in.

Keep up the good work.

[fortyfour]

Originally Posted by onewaydave

One thing I don't get. You named a useful, efficient tool that works (in the grand scheme of things) that is low cost of both initial investment and maintenance after a lawyer?

I would have preferred to read that you named it after the 3 Stooges character.

SPREAD OUT. It is named after Moe Howard! "Do-we-cheatem-and-how" was their numbskull lawyer outfit in one of their episodes.

[fortyfour]

Originally Posted by Bib Overalls

Why don't you make them? I have seen them made out of tubing and plate with bronze/oilite bushings.

I may just end up doing that! Still working on getting power out there. Friends return this weekend so hopefully we can pull 200 ft of wire to get that done.

[pfmg]

Very nice 44, I saw you mention Ted wojick, do you know Chris Lauria?

[flybefree]

44- great story, I think the bike is a work of art...right up my alley, hard tailed american steel. Best of luck in your business.

Shaun

[red92s]

Love the shop, love the bikes. Worked in an independent bike store for a most of high school, lost the love when I found beer in college, recently reunited now that I am a working stiff. First thing I did was track down the two bike I always wanted, but could never afford when working at the shop as a 17 year old: An Ibis hardtail and an Ibis road bike.

[sscustom]

awsome bikes loving the big chunky wheel at the front

[Pneuking]

Mtbr.com'er here too. I decided to read this post just b/c of the bike aspect. Custom bike construction is by far one of the neatest fabrication exhibition of skill and flavor around. Fat tire, rigid, or single speed is not everyones flavor, but I cannot deny the craftsmanship is top notch and there is an attraction.

[Pneuking]

Mtbr.com'er here too. I decided to read this post just b/c of the bike aspect. Custom bike construction is by far one of the neatest fabrication exhibition of skill and flavor around. Fat tire, rigid, or single speed is not everyones flavor, but I cannot deny the craftsmanship is top notch and there is an attraction.

[Strouty]

Originally Posted by PeteMoore

Took me ages there to work out how the hell you got the bikes to remain upright

Nice

How did you do it?

Great shop, welcome to the GJ and I look forward to seeing more of your build.

[abstamaria]

Very nice, 44. I browsed through your thread and will read more carefully tonight. You have a lovely place.

In 1877, I had a 10-speed frame built for me by Colin Laing, an English builder who moved to the US. He made it out of Reynolds 531, but with Columbus Superlight chainstays, which he preferred. It was beautiful and I have it still. And I correspond with Colin still also.

I love the lines of a steel road frame, but ride a mountain bike more. Old age.

Thanks for posting.

Andres

[rlwhitetr3b]

Originally Posted by abstamaria

In 1877, I had a 10-speed frame built for me by Colin Laing,
Andres

Wow you are even older than I am!

[garfunkle24]

Originally Posted by Strouty

How did you do it?

Prop rod on the rear hubs.

[Mike14k]

Nice working environment

[fortyfour]

So last night I cut the last remaining 3 4'x10' SIP's for the stud wall's insulation. Very happy to be done cutting foam I have to say. Today I finished up my work this morning and headed out to the shop for a few hours of clean up and finishing some loose ends. Started in on the ceiling. Here's a shot of the southern corner looking west: (Yes, those are two holes in the floor...)


Progress Report #001: 8.11.2011 by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

Another shot of the North corner of the shop looking west again:


Progress Report #002: by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

After some clean up, the space for the Bridgeport is all set. Just need to move it into that far left corner. When I have the floor poured, I'll just simply move it the short distance through that large opening for the time being. When I do move it, I'm going to put it up a bit so I can get something easily under it like a pair of machine skates or a dolly. In hind site, when I had purchased it I rented a forklift the day we brought it home and I should have put it up on blocks. Oh well... Next time!

And something shop related for all the machinists out there. I picked up a used Gerstner Journeyman's chest a while back (close to their #52 Journeyman chest today) and it was in pretty tough shape. I spent this spring refurbishing it and putting all new felt in it. Here's a few shots of that. It's currently in my studio beside my desk. An arm's reach away for when duty calls to break out the precision on a product design project.


H. Gerstner & Sons - Open #2 by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr


H. Gerstner & Sons Machinist box by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

Dayton, Ohio! Still made there too.


H. Gerstner & Sons, Dayton, Ohio by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

This will definitely take up residency in the shop.

Many of my tools are inherited or in many of the machinist tools case I have, previously owned by machinists. It's always nice to know what their back story is. Some have the names of the machinists on them or their initials. Pretty cool to put them back into service.

[M-technik-3]

Cool bike and digging the windows in the shop. Would love to install some big windows like that but it invites curious Ex's. They get tend to snoop, and then there is theft. What you can see you can't steal.