mock up

today was prepping the ST sleeve to match whats going on with the rest. That and some lug finishing... lotsa file work Yo!! Then to loose fit the sub-assemblies together to make sure what I have in my brain matches the work that is going on with reality. All cool so far! Just a little of this and that to fine tune curve and 'linewise' so it all plays nice!

sub-assemblies

with some atmo mixed in!! shore lines are good but the wash bothers me. Time and time again working will refine. The fork sockets are half done.. ran outa steam for this day.. now I just gotta match.

First try at lug work.. Just shaping and thinning little bit

Ahhh spring!

been a while.. yeah..

Looong winter here in Chicago and because I do not have proper ventalation in the basement... yet.. No open doors and windows to relieve fumes. There are also plans in the works to expand the work space. Additions of work tables, floor mounted park stand and vice for 360 degree access and storage of tool, tubes and components.

For now I needed a new fixture for an easier time of attaching the rear triangle. Here it is... solid and tight! Does what I need it to do!

C.

frame

Forget the fork in these photos.. I made a new one. Added this one to the 'remember' pile. My first fillet frame.. learning and learning and learning. All are for me and no one else. Not ready for 'prime time'

No delusions here Yo!!

shadetree fork making

The start... To build anything, one must have all skills available. layout, tool making, forming, filing, fit and hand work. Dont fool yourself.. if you cant even run a file or set up your torch... or even know what torch to use.. stop now step back and learn. I dont really care how you learn.. a few miles of shitty shop jobs or classes. Trust me, one or two classes aint gonna do it. Get over yourself and off the computer. Info like this dont fall off the electronic tree.. so to speak. I am leaving so very much description out of this process. To type it all out would mean volumes. I make mistakes.. yeah.. I have a fork and frame garden growing in my basement. there are errors then there are ERRORS!!.. Most of the time its the steel being just what it is and unpredictable in its minutia. I am learning about frame building which is its own vast specialty apart from basic steel working.

Here is some more.. dig the high tech method of preventing tube collapse during bending of the blades.

new fork for the recent frame

These are in sequetial order.. see the above post for pre- fit work

Equally bent blades.. sneak up on the curve if you dont have stops installed in the fixture.

2) ovalized TT bending lever with a 'soft' plactic insert to avoid kinking the blades when moving over the form.
I slot the blades after bending. With two wood blocks in the vice jaws to pad the steel, the blade lines up for better sight lines. This helps with hacking a centered slot to be finished with files.

Pinned and ready for brass

Nice, strait and true!! Both blades fall on center.. no turkey legging here Yo!!