Design and welding schools

[TiredPostalWork]

Does anyone know of any trade schools that offer adult classes for bicycle frame welding?

I can only find one, in Ashland Oregon, but its on the west coast, and I am on the east.

I know there are many schools for welding, but none seem to be specifically for bicycles.

Thanks.

[sbornia]

Hot Tubes in MA:

http://www.hottubes.com/ShopWebSite/Frame%20Building%20Class.html

[e-RICHIE]

i got it all here (http://peddie.org/) atmo -

[vaxn8r]

i got it all here (http://peddie.org/) atmo -
Wow, 37 large per year? Doesn't that eat up the college fund?

[e-RICHIE]

Wow, 37 large per year? Doesn't that eat up the college fund?
this is college atmo.

[Peter P.]

Many local high schools offer adult ed classes, as does the one in my hometown.

Want bicycle specific? Try here:
http://www.brewracingframes.com/id56.htm
Steve Garn has a longstanding high reputation in the bicycle realm. Don't be scared off by the motorcycle stuff.

[old_school]

Brew - there is a blast from the past ... a good friend of mine used to tig for them back in the early 90s (I believe). I still have a custom mtn stem made by Brew - also had a very nice set of road calipers.

[cpg]

I think Doug Fattic offers a class. He's in MI.

Curt

[dauwhe]

This is from the iBob list today, from Doug Fattic. Sounds great!

My vote from all your alternatives is for you to take one of my
framebuilding classes. You may realize, of course, that I am not a neutral
advisor. I can tell you a bit more about them which may help you decide
what to do. They are 13 days long with a day off in the middle. Some come
only for the first week because of time restraints. The tuition is $1200 +
materials which are usually between $150 and $300. Each student makes a
custom frame designed to just fit them (or whoever they want) and their
riding needs. Right at the start you learn how to braze and keep practicing
until competent enough to start putting tubes together. Most of the morning
is a typical class lecture/discussion period where I teach and demonstrate
the necessary skills followed by design theory and application and then
construction techniques. The afternoons and evenings are spent building
your frame. Few have had any prior experience and most possess just normal
hand coordination skills. Almost without exception, everyone ends up with a
very nice frame. Some come to make only one frame for themselves, others
want to eventually make more. Do expect it to be pretty intense, it takes
real effort to make a frame.

I was a teacher when I went to learn how to build frames in England and my
intent even then was to teach framebuilding when I got back to the states.
My first framebuilding class was in 1976. My observations about how this
class varies from normal classes (I taught social studies) is it is more
difficult but the results correspondingly more rewarding. Students are
really, really proud of what they have made and learned what to do. I
should warn you that the early middle part of the class can be really tough
when you know what you should be doing and your 2 hands aren't working
together yet as a unit. The excitement of anticipation at the beginning has
given way to the reality of difficulty. It looks so easy when I demonstrate
what to do and it can be really frustrating not to be able to copy the same
right away. But eventually, with practice, there comes a great feeling when
control is obtained over what you are doing.

I like to have a small class of 4 students where someone can ask questions
others haven't thought of and learn from the different types of frames being
built. They also form a support group during and after class. Herbie - who
built 50 frames for us in Ukraine - comes by from time to time to help you
braze. I different voice can facilitate the learning process.

Feel free to write or call for more information. This class combines my
passions of teaching and bicycles. My October class is full but my Dec 2 to
14 class has one opening. I haven't set dates for 2008 yet. My web
designer is still working on getting something decent online.

Doug Fattic
Niles, Michigan