Framebuilding Courses
Learn the traditional arts of
framebuilding
Would you like to discover the 'secrets' of designing and building bicycle frames? Dave can now offer a 5 day course in traditional framebuilding where you will design and build your own custom steel frame. All levels of skill can be catered for. From absolute beginners with no engineering experience at all to perhaps people who have the hands on engineering skills but have never had the opportunity to build a frame. The course is aimed primarily at the "enthusiastic amateur" who harbours the desire to realise a dream.
Click here to see some of the frames made so far on Dave's course.
Dave's huge experience of designing and building every type of frame (over 11,500 to date) combined with his experience as a teacher, will ensure that at the end of your 5 day course you will have a fully functioning custom frameset.
To ensure that Dave can maintain a high standard of personal tuition, places are limited to 2 per course. All courses are fully booked for 2008. However, if you would be interested in a place should we have any cancellations, please let us know either by email or by phone 01526 343322.
Dates for 2009 are:
9th-13th March 2009 (Fully booked)
6th-10th April 2009 (Fully booked)
27th April-1st May 2009 (Fully booked)
18th-22nd May 2009 (Fully booked)
8th-12th June 2009 (1 place available)
6th-10th July 2009 (1 place available)
27th-31st July 2009 (2 places available)
17th-21st August 2009 (2 places available)
7th-11th September 2009 (1 place available)
28th Sept-2nd October 2009 (2 places available)
Click here to read
an account by Steve Beech, 'How I Built My Bike' on Dave's course.
Areas covered on the Framebuilding Course:
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Mikael Przysuski proudly displaying his frame. Mikael, from
Sweden, was the first course participant in Dave's new workshop. You can also read an article published in Kadens magazine about Mikael's course by clicking here Thank you to www.kadens.se for allowing us to use the article, and to Mikael for translating it into English!
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CUSTOMER FEEDBACK "Thanks to Dave's teaching background and
frame building experience, his course creates the perfect opportunity for you to build
your own frame to whatever geometry you wish, regardless of your hand tool experience you
will end up with a perfectly good frame. Bill Lowes |
The course fee includes all tuition, a comprehensive set of notes to read before you
start, use of safety equipment and unlimited tea or coffee in the workshop! The
comprehensive set of notes will be made available as soon as a deposit is received.
Most tubesets can be provided. Reynolds is the preferred choice, but if we don't have what you want just ask - we can probably get it!
Free entertainment will be provided by the Eurofighters, Tornados, Jaguars etc of nearby RAF Coningsby. If you are lucky the Spitfires, Hurricanes or Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight may also make an appearance.
This is a unique opportunity. No one else that Dave is aware of is currently offering this service. Whilst at M Steel Cycles, Dave ran a successful course for six people. At the end of 5 days they all had a finished frame and went away wearing silly grins! You can read one of their accounts below.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the course is £795 + materials and consumables, which start at around £170.
Course times
Courses run from 9am until 5.00pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 1pm on Friday, with a 45 minute break for lunch. (You will need to make your own arrangements for lunch.)
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Two more satisfied course participants, Larry Strung from Canada, and Caspar Drenth from Holland with their frames.
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Patrick Couser riding the frame he made. Patrick has kindly supplied the following link to his record of the course, and details of how he designed his frame...... http://couserbirtles.org/pat/honkeynut1/index.html (PS Helping build chicken sheds is not a mandatory part of the course!) |
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Luke Muir and Dave O'Regan with their frames. Dave used Pauls dropouts on his frame, and he also made a unique seat stay bridge (below) |
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CUSTOMER FEEDBACK "Thank you so much for a fantastic experience on the framebuilding course. Building my own frame has been incredibly rewarding and I've learned so much. I had no previous experience and hadn't done any metalwork since school but Dave was such a good teacher. He was always there; never anything other than calm (no matter how much mess I made with the brass), always making me believe that I could do it, always encouraging, always patient, always ready to share experiences. I'm really looking forward to riding my new bike. I'm more than happy to recommend the framebuilding course to anyone who might be interested"Hazel Menzies |
Frequently asked questions
Is a week long enough?
Yes it is! The emphasis of the course is "hands on" under close
supervision. The system we use to build a frame is a series of definite steps that start
off quick and easy to do. The jigs and fixtures help reduce a lot of the fiddly stuff. By
the end of the first day you should have a set of sub-assemblies ready to start building
the frame on the second day.
Dave conducted a course for 6 people before, and at the end of the week they all had a frame to take away.
Is accommodation or lunch included?
No. There are a number of B&Bs and campsites in the local area. For lunch there are
local pubs, a cafe, take-aways and supermarket in Coningsby. For health and safety and
insurance reasons we regret that lunch cannot be eaten in the workshop.
What clothing or equipment do I need to bring?
Work clothes including some stoutish footwear. All safety equipment will be provided,
gloves, goggles, masks etc.
Is there any preparation I need to do?
Read the notes provided. Read anything else you can find, but don't take it as
gospel. Above all, don't worry! The course is designed to accommodate people with skills
ranging from none at all, to those who have built frames and want to refine their
technique.
Can I bring my own tubes/materials?
In order to ensure that only tubes and materials of the highest quality are used, and to
ensure that Dave can check and prepare everything before your arrival, all tubes and
materials must be obtained from ourselves. If you have any specific requests for tubesets
and/or particular components we will do our best to obtain them for you.
What if I make a mistake and damage a tube?
The chances of this happening are slim. However, replacement tubes and components
are available, at cost, from our extensive stock. You will be closely supervised, so
usually you will be stopped before making a fatal error. Steel bicycle tube is remarkably
forgiving and will tolerate a fair amount of abuse without permanent damage.
Can I take photographs?
Yes, we have no objection to you taking photographs of your job as it progresses.
Can I paint my own frame?
Painting is not included in order to offer course participants the widest range of options
in finishing their frame:
- The frame can be taken away at the end of the course to paint yourself.
- The frame can be taken to your local sprayer if you have one nearby.
- We can paint your frame for you.
Can I bring my bike, is there anywhere to ride?
You certainly can. We have secure storage for your bike, and there is a huge network of
backroads to ride on. To the south towards Boston and beyond the area is pan flat. To the
north you run into the Lincolnshire Wolds, which is pleasant rolling countryside without
any major climbs. After a hard days graft in the workshop a short ride before dinner may
be just the thing to clear your head. We can advise on routes.
Can I bring anyone else with me?
For safety reasons, onlookers are not allowed in the workshop. However, there is plenty to
do in the local area, and we can provide information and advice. We can also provide
details of accommodation.
Can I build a tandem?
No! There is not enough time, nor a big enough shot blaster.
What software do you use to design frames?
Dave uses the stuff that is hardwired between his ears! He has never used a computer for
this aspect of framebuilding, and has no intention of starting now! If you wish to produce
a design using one of the many packages available that is fine. However, you might have to
be prepared to adapt the design when you come face to face with real pieces of metal!
Do you use a machine to mitre the tubes?
No. The course is based on traditional methods of framebuilding so mainly hand tool
methods are used, Some builders use a milling machine or lathe to mitre the tube ends but
not everyone has access to this sort of machinery. The traditional method of carrying out
this procedure gives you the knowledge to be independent of machinery.
How do I book a place?
First, please get in touch either by email or phone (01526 343322) to check if the
date you would like to attend is available. We will then hold that date for 7 days pending
receipt of a deposit of £250. Deposits can be paid by cheque (payable to Dave Yates) or
by bank transfer (account details will be provided on request.) Cheques should be sent to
Ivy House Farm, Hawthorn Hill, Coningsby, Lincolnshire, LN4 4UW.
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Bill Lowes and Craig Woodhouse (above) with their frames - the first Singlespeed MTB frames to be made on the course.
Click here to read the Singletrack Magazine article about Bill and Craig's experience on the Framebuilding Course.
What people have said after
the course......
"I expected to learn a lot from Dave (I did!)" CD.
"Dave knows his stuff, and is very very helpful - I'd recommend to anybody" SB."Many thanks again for the week. I'm very
happy with the frame" CW.
"I want to thank you for the great time I had while I was with you"
CD.
"Thanks a lot for a great week!" MP.
"Thanks again for putting on this great course. M is thrilled with her new
frame." LS.
"Thanks for a great week, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and your super hospitality." BL.
"I can confirm how much I enjoyed the course and how
rewarding it was. I cannot speak for others but the practical nature and relatively laid
back approach suited me perfectly. I liked the common sense approach and the ability to
make changes as we went along." SH.
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Rob Harris and Hazel Menzies with their frames (and mandatory silly grins!) |
Terms & Conditions
- To secure a place on a course a non-refundable deposit of £250 (cleared funds) is required at the time of booking.
- Deposits are non-refundable, however, if necessary, we will do our best to accommodate a change of date, providing this is agreed at least 12 weeks before the original course start date.
- The balance of the course fee must be paid at least 8 weeks before the agreed start date of the course. This is non-refundable.
- If booking a place within 8 weeks of the start date the course fee must be paid in full at the time of booking. This is non-refundable.
- To ensure that Dave can check and prepare everything before your arrival, all tubes and materials must be obtained from ourselves. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests for specific material. We reserve the right to substitute material of an equal or superior specification, if the original choice is not available.
- The material cost will be calculated after a frame design has been agreed. Any variation in the agreed material specification, or requirement for additional materials, must be paid for (cleared funds) before the end of the course.
- All payments must be made in GB pounds.
- The course fee covers tuition, use of the workshop equipment and safety equipment, unlimited tea and coffee in the workshop, and the answers to any questions you care to ask about framebuilding, during the course.
- Every effort will be made to ensure that course participants produce frames of high quality, however, it is regretted that these frames cannot be covered by any warranty.
- These terms & conditions may be reviewed and updated from time to time.
Dave’s Framebuilding Course
My printing apprenticeship finished in 1969 and had lasted for all of six years.
Imagine then, the fun of learning a difficult new skill over 30 years later, from a master-craftsman, all in the space of one week. Plus at the end of this course you have a lasting reminder - a new bicycle frame built exactly the shape you want it - by yourself!
Some of the journeymen who taught me my trade were curmudgeonly old sods to say the least but Dave Yates you’ll find, is the most helpful, skilled and patient master and a man with a fine dry sense of humour. So not only will you learn your craft and finish with a frame to be proud of, you’ll probably have made a good friend too.
I went on my course with some strong-minded cycle aficionados who each had their own ideas of what they required from their own frame. In the meantime, Dave had prepared tubesets, lugs etc. for us all. When it transpired that there were many diverse requests and angle-requirements - most decidedly non-standard - Dave simply re-arranged his materials and schedule and we were off, free to follow our fantasies.
All processes were ably demonstrated but The Man’s first tube-mitreing demo left us all gasping in awe. With vice, tube, hacksaw and a long-practiced hand-eye co-ordination the tube was angle-cut in two seconds. Offered up to its fellow at the correct angle it fitted flawlessly!
Such a man was to lead us through our working week and an inspiring week it was, as we learned to cut and file and fit, to braze and silver-solder as gradually bottom bracket shells grew main triangles to our chosen geometries and main triangles sprouted chain stays and seat stays.
If we were ever dubious about our more critical brazing - for example the downtube to headtube joint, then the ever-present master was there to supervise or in my case to perform the operation with his skilled torch. I had a respectful fear of brazing that one!
By the week’s end we had all bead blasted, filed and finished and had an immense sense of self-worth in surveying our efforts. Our successful apprenticeships were marked by the blessed existence of our very own frames - cleaned-up and awaiting that ticklish final decision. What colour?
Allan Forbes
Mikael Przysuski, from Sweden, was the first person to attend Dave's Framebuilding Course in his new Coningsby workshop, this is his account:
I found out about Dave’s framebuilding course from Peter at Ceeway and within days
Dave and I had established a good contact via e-mail. I told Dave that I wanted to learn
framebuilding, but had no brazing experience and asked what prerequisites were needed.
"Enthusiasm" was his answer and I knew I had found my teacher.
The first question was quite naturally what kind of frame I would like to build and I decided fairly quickly on a "stiff, fairly light, road racing frame". We decided on tubing, lugs and braze-ons during the following e-mail exchange, so Dave would have everything in stock when I arrived in the UK. The final design considerations, such as frame geometry, were made on site in Coningsby.
The course was basically performed so that Dave and I built two frames in parallel. Dave showed on his frame how to measure, mitre and fit the tubes and I did my best to do the same. Or almost the same. At least I tried.
In the afternoon of the first day I was going to do the first two sub-assemblies. Sweat pouring, I grabbed the torch and … well, this was the moment of truth, wasn’t it? I do not know what Dave thought, but I was pretty nervous. Very calmly Dave guided me through where I should point the torch, where I should not point the torch, when to apply the rod and when a section was done so I could move on. I did as I was told, or at least tried to, and by the end of the day I had done my first two first sub-assemblies.
As you get the hang of the brazing, there seem to be two development paths. Either you get a feeling for how much brass you should apply when brazing the joints together, or you become very good at removing excess brass quickly. At this point in time I was very happy for Dave’s shot blaster.
Then one day it was time to put all the sub-assemblies together in Dave’s jig. We measured, made adjustments, measured again, did another adjustment, measured, shifted a tube a little bit in one direction or another, measured, now it should really be alright, measured and eventually I had no more excuses. The frame was aligned and ready to be brazed together.
Lug by lug we went over the frame. Dave turned the jig around to give me the best possible angle while I did the brazing. Soon the frame was done and it looked awful. I had seen many pictures of frames that were supposed to have come straight from the jig, but none had looked as bad as this one. Dave thought it looked alright and when he returned with it from the shot blaster I could actually agree. Now it looked much more like the ones I had seen in the photos.
The next step was to apply all the braze-ons, which was done by silver soldering, yet another new technique to me. After a rather shaky start, where Dave saved the front derailleur boss from being overcooked, things went more smoothly and at the end of the day all small parts were added and the frame was done.
The final part was the frame alignment and once it was done, the frame was ready. Well almost, I believe there still was some excess brass to be removed …...
What can I say? attending Dave’s framebuilding course is one of the most inspiring things I have done for a very long time. The end result is that you get a frame, together with the knowledge of how to make one. It probably helps if you have some experience in brazing, but it is possible to manage without it. I promise!
Mikael Przysuski
Mikael has kindly supplied the
following photos of his frame...... (click on any of the photos to enlarge)
Mikael's frame above ready to come out of the jig
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Mikael's finished frame above, and stem below
and finally, below ........ Mikael's frame built up, and on tour in Mallorca!!
"The bike performs great. It's very
stable and predictable
on the descents." MP
You can also read an article published in
Kadens magazine about Mikael's course by clicking here
Thank you to www.kadens.se for allowing us to use the
article, and to Mikael for translating it into English!
Click here to see more of the frames made on Dave's course.
Click here to read an
account by Steve Beech, 'How I Built My Bike' on Dave's course.
