44 Bikes Frame Shop

[Plum]

If you haven't decided on heat yet, and the floor is yet to be done, did you consider doing in floor radiant? Only issue with that is trying to mount anything to (in) the floor slab, like bolting down a piece of equip, but otherwise seems like a good way to go.

Nice work on the space btw.

Plum

 

[speedfreak87]

Great shop and sweet bikes!

Oh and, Canon is better.














And yes, I lurk more then post. lol!

 

[fortyfour]

@Plum: I have indeed considered radiant heat however the price of electricity here in NH is very high (apparently PSNH exports more power than the state uses but that's another conversation...). So I'm a bit reluctant and as you mention mounting things (Which I will be) may be an issue. I've been considering some other options such as propane. I have some leads and a friend is going to get back to me on a very efficient electric space heater. It would be nice to be able to bring this unit into the shop as needed, but on average during the other 3 seasons keep it out for space purposes. I have noticed a huge difference since finishing the ceiling though-the temperature is more consistent and does not go through such large swings. It's also much dryer inside as well. Time will tell though!

@Speedfreak87: thanks for the kind words. However, I am not married to a particular brand of camera. A good friend of mine who is a photographer has all Nikon gear and allowed me to try out some of his setup. I really liked how the camera worked and the interface was fairly intuitive. To each their own though. I can appreciate the brand loyalty.

I have more of an opinion on bike components...

 

[speedfreak87]

@Plum: I have indeed considered radiant heat however the price of electricity here in NH is very high (apparently PSNH exports more power than the state uses but that's another conversation...). So I'm a bit reluctant and as you mention mounting things (Which I will be) may be an issue. I've been considering some other options such as propane. I have some leads and a friend is going to get back to me on a very efficient electric space heater. It would be nice to be able to bring this unit into the shop as needed, but on average during the other 3 seasons keep it out for space purposes. I have noticed a huge difference since finishing the ceiling though-the temperature is more consistent and does not go through such large swings. It's also much dryer inside as well. Time will tell though!

@Speedfreak87: thanks for the kind words. However, I am not married to a particular brand of camera. A good friend of mine who is a photographer has all Nikon gear and allowed me to try out some of his setup. I really liked how the camera worked and the interface was fairly intuitive. To each their own though. I can appreciate the brand loyalty.

I have more of an opinion on bike components...

Have you thought of a wood burning stove for heat?

and I'm just busting chops on the camera's, they are both pretty much identical.

 

[moto367]

Have you looked into an outside wood burner? My best friend heats his machine shop with it and loves it.

 

[fortyfour]

@speedfreak87: I know you're busting my chops . I'm pretty stoked on my camera. I have a smaller digital camera that is a Canon. Stoked on that as well.

I have considered a wood stove. One caution is I will have acetylene in the shop. So not sure about having a wood stove in there.

I will look into the outside wood burner option though. Carting the doors up to the house this weekend to start fixing them and getting the last 'hole' filled so i can concentrate on finishing up the space's work tables, etc.

 

[jinjaninja]

i get soo psyched whenever i see an update man

def my favourite place in here

props for all your skills man

 

[Pete J]

wow!! Awesome build on the shop;love the winter shot with the blue doors shining through. Eager to see more!

 

[fortyfour]

Ok. It's go time. Spent this afternoon at Franky's place using the table saw making myself some replacement parts and the parts that will build the door frames to fill the last hole in the shop.

Exhibit "A" - the last gaping hole in the shop:



Exhibit "B" - The doors that need some TLC before they are reassembled:



Readers take note: I am working in the shop. Feels good.

I've got my work cut out for me with these. They were a pair of glass doors that led out to a deck. They saw a lot of weather so the bottoms have a lot of dry rot. This one had seen a previous repair to keep her going. No worries. We'll show 'em who's boss:



Ripped new bottoms and trim for both doors. The joints are a bit complex and I'll most likely do them by hand. They will be pinned with large 1/2" dowels once in place.



Things are glued up this evening and I should have some time later in the week to complete the mending. Then it's construct the frame and get the doors in place!

Obligatory bike in shop shot. Working on the 2012 Catalog and trying out some new filter effects. These are a few test shots to explore the process:





Not too long now. Getting my "other tools" ready...

 

[Bib Overalls]

The last picture you posted is "art."

 

[Plum]

@Plum: I have indeed considered radiant heat however the price of electricity here in NH is very high (apparently PSNH exports more power than the state uses but that's another conversation...). So I'm a bit reluctant and as you mention mounting things (Which I will be) may be an issue. I've been considering some other options such as propane. I have some leads and a friend is going to get back to me on a very efficient electric space heater. It would be nice to be able to bring this unit into the shop as needed, but on average during the other 3 seasons keep it out for space purposes. I have noticed a huge difference since finishing the ceiling though-the temperature is more consistent and does not go through such large swings. It's also much dryer inside as well. Time will tell though!

I have more of an opinion on bike components...

I was thinking about hot water radiant, nat gas or propane boiler (very efficient) or even an outdoor wood stove boiler. I think you can do a combined system too, burn wood when you have it, propane when you don't. Floor drilling does get tricky though.

Found my way over here from roadbikereview, love to see a bike builder's workspace. Would love to get into it myself someday.

Plum

 

[fergus]

Re: 44 Bikes Frame Shop :: 9.7.2011 Update

I'm reading your posts again on your doors, since I'm preparing to build my own. Did I read that right...that you had STAIN for the carriage doors matched to the other door? As in, not paint, but stain?

Thanks,

Tim

Started in on the Carriage Doors late last week before the rain started. The sides are T shaped with a ripped groove for the plywood. They will be insulated with 2" yellow foam. Here's a quick shot of the parts after they were laminated up, ripped and finished:


Pieces Parts by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

The grooves made sliding the parts onto the sheets of plywood a snap. Dry fit went well so I glued things up nicely and got to work. I simply propped them up on a pair of saw horses and used ratchet straps to hold things together while I drove in large stainless screws (3.5"). Sorry I did not take any shots of that stage.

Next up was starting on the details. I wanted a slight arc on the top. Here's a quick shot of the matched tops. I used my japanese rip saw to make the cuts and then tuned things up with a spokeshave and sanding block:


Twins by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

Where the strap hinges will be placed, I ran 1" x 2" pieces so they have something to be mounted to. I'll take a shot of the backsides in the future. So screwed / glued them on from the front, but then screwed and glued the details on from the backside so the screw heads are hidden. Here's a quick shot of the first one completed:


One Down... by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

Once the first one was done, I had that system down pat so I just marched through everything. As I was making the first one, I cut all the other parts for the second door at the same time to make things go together much faster for the second one. Running out of light for today but luckily finished before the sun goes down. It's raining like crazy here right now-so the natural light isn't as good as it normally is:


Carriage Doors Finished! by BLACK CAP Studio, on Flickr

Pretty tickled by how they turned out. I had the paint store match a blue paint in stain. It will be pretty much identical in color to the door in the upper right hand corner of the above shot. That door also is coming along nicely and was free. I was headed out last week for a ride after work and spotted it next to a dumpster. A quick knock on the door and a short conversation and I had it in my trunk. Free is good! More on the way soon.

 

[fortyfour]

@Fergus aka Tim: Yes you read that correct. I had chosen a blue in Behr paint (520B-6 "Brilliant Sea") and had that matched in a Behr solid stain. I made a test piece of the paint vs the stain. I cannot tell the difference. They are identical to my eye. Time will tell on the durability end of things.

 

[speedfreak87]

You got some skills man, that's for sure. I'm digging the black bike also, I used to have a Marin eldridge grade when i was younger, had a similar style frame and it saved my nads a few times out on the trial. lol! Still miss that bike.. Got a mongoose now..

 

[Barrows]

Beautiful bikes, workspace and design. I had a lots of fun with Bridgeports when I worked for Lie-Neilsen tool works.

 

[fortyfour]

Football game? What football game?

WHAM. Doors hung. Hole Plugged. It's go time...

 

[supra90turbo]

Ohhh yeah!

 

[superspec]

same here, i spent the whole game cooking and drinking. i probably spent 3 real minutes watching the game.

 

[Vicious Customs]

Let me just say, I am hugely envious of your space. Well done!

 

[dare23]

Fantastic space and great job documenting.

 

[Nighttrain]

Great job on those doors and as well as the rest of the shop.

 

[supra90turbo]

I have been looking at Behr's colors, since you put up those pictures, and I had no idea they made wood stain in such vibrant colors. Then again, I'm no woodworker... but this is good information to know!

 

[Bulldog13]

Great shop...this is honestly the first thread I have read all the way thru...its awesome to see someone get to do what they love for a living.Your bikes are sweet too...Im not a pedal bike guy but I can appreciate your fab skills and designs..

 

[fortyfour]

I have been looking at Behr's colors, since you put up those pictures, and I had no idea they made wood stain in such vibrant colors. Then again, I'm no woodworker... but this is good information to know!

According to the person I spoke with at the paint store, any Behr color paint that you see on the wall can be matched in a Behr Stain. I was taken back as the wall of color is quite the "Wall of Color"... Lots of choices. I chose a solid - not sure what the others may turn out like in semi's, etc. The match was perfect.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

fortyfour, on the doors; TOUCHDOWN!

Your shop will be comfy-cozy warm in no time now that the last hole is plugged. Speaking of which, is the window-wall of your shop oriented towards the south by chance? If they are, have you considered a passive solar mass 'collector' placed in that area? What I was imagining was a narrow(?) bench top over a number of black heavy gauge plastic barrels filled with a saturated salt solution (cheap freeze protection). I realize it's low-tech, but it might be a free heat supplement to whatever you install down the road. Its just a possible benefit from all that glass, and too, the barrels would make one heck of a solid base for a work table!

 

[fortyfour]

fortyfour, on the doors; TOUCHDOWN!

Your shop will be comfy-cozy warm in no time now that the last hole is plugged. Speaking of which, is the window-wall of your shop oriented towards the south by chance? If they are, have you considered a passive solar mass 'collector' placed in that area?

Thanks! Things have been coming together nicely. I was sitting on the 5 yard line for a while planning whether to pass, run or kick a field goal. Personally, I'm a ground man so I went with the run...

Those windows do indeed face south. Temps in the shop (in the fall) raise by a good 10-15 degree's with the sun out I noticed. I'll have to do some research on Solar - good suggestion. I have thought of it that is for sure.

 

[fgl123]

What's the T track type channel you're using for your jig. I have some but can't seem to find it on the web to order accessories. By the way nice Shop and thanks for any replies

 

[Tman]

Very cool to see you studied with Wojcik! Always dug his work.

 

[glsmaverick]

What's the T track type channel you're using for your jig. I have some but can't seem to find it on the web to order accessories. By the way nice Shop and thanks for any replies

Thats extruded t slot aluminum. Many people make it but you can buy it at McMaster Carr. Search 80/20. I think they are biggest company but I am partial to Maytec because they have killer free design software.

 

[fortyfour]

@fgl123: Exactly what "glsmaverick" states. Mine is specifically 80/20 and some earlier jigs I made for other operations I used another company named "Item". I specifically used the heavier gauge profiles from 80/20 to minimize distortion with heat and to act a bit as a heatsink. One recommendation I would make is to check out 80/20's ebay store. I picked up all of my profiles at great prices. They often have off cuts in a variety of their profiles for sale for much less. Most have minor cosmetic scratches and are specific lengths. I just was patient and waited for the profiles I was looking for to come up for sale in approximately the correct lengths. 80/20 is very helpful if you contact them directly.

In other news... A friend of mine just replaced his drop saw and we worked out a friendly trade. I'm going to retrofit a hydraulic piston to control the down feed of the arm so the blade does not wander and I can get better life out of it too.



Some fresh paint and elbow grease will have this back up and running in short order. Not necessarily an item I would have gotten but since it was free, it will be a big time saver.

 

[fgl123]

Thanks guys.

 

[supra90turbo]

I would love one of those band saws, nice score!

 

[glsmaverick]

Nice one on the band saw and I didn't know about the 80/20 eBay store so I will check that out as well!

BTW: ever consider a road bike????

 

[fortyfour]

@glsmaverick: Road bike proto this spring. Keep your eyes peeled...

 

[glsmaverick]

@glsmaverick: Road bike proto this spring. Keep your eyes peeled...

Funny because I am getting fitted for a roady in the near future and should receive a CAD layout from that.

Interested in a test subject???

 

[Grizz1963]

In a word: Awesome.

Pretty much agree with all the comments you have got.

 

[Nick's Garage]

Great Thread, I'm inspired to start a thread of my own.

I really appreciate your pictures and seeing how you create your jigs. I cant wait to see how the rest of this thread unfolds.... welding, shop tools and setup, work benches, tool storage, etc!

Thanks for your commitment!

 

[fortyfour]

 

[fergus]

Let the gas-shielded activities commence!

 

[fortyfour]

And how! Dialing in the setup and reading up on my welders capabilities / settings. Very different animal than what I've used in the past. Stoked!