Stuff in the workshop

[Dazza]

Traditionally frame builders would show their style via lug embellishment. In this world of mass production and off shore production for mass consumption I do my best to maintain a blend of contemporary aesthetics with the best of the traditional ways. I very much enjoy this work. It stimulates my chosen path of professional expression. I started on a set of my "Custodian" lugs and completed the down tube lug yesterday morning.

[Tickdoc]

Beautimus.

[cadence90]

.... ..
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[8aaron8]

Thanks for sharing, Custodian lugs are some of the best out there.

[Dazza]

Silver brazing a set of Stainless Steel Dropouts. 56% silver content in the brazing rod. I have reworked the shorelines to concave lines leading to a fine point. The eyelets will be cut off and the filing and sanding and then polishing will be begin.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

Stunning.

[Dazza]

a bit more whizzz, file file , whrrrrrr, whizzz file file file

[sw3759]

really beautiful work.thank you for sharing.
kind of curious what percentage of your work comes to the USA ?

[Dazza]

Originally Posted by sw3759

really beautiful work.thank you for sharing.
kind of curious what percentage of your work comes to the USA ?

It varies from a one a year to 3-4 frames a year, pending the exchange rate. I was flat out coping as a lot of them were the Lucentezza models (stainless hand cut lugs) A few years ago the Aussie dollar soared in value and that knocked it over ( 1.10 us to buy 1.00 aud), but now it is where it should be. I bring the frames over with me when I do shows like NAHBS or Cirque or now when I am visiting Mary Ann's folks. At the moment the exchange is good, 1.00 usd buys 1.35 aud

[Dazza]

I will be contributing here in the days to come

http://www.handbuiltbicyclenews.com/...rom-down-under

[Dazza]

got back to the stainless steel Manorina lug set this week
been busy with a new project, steam workshop stuff and interstate visitors

[Dazza]

My first words are up, I will be getting deeper and cutting deeper as the months roll by

http://www.handbuiltbicyclenews.com/...lving-industry

[Dazza]

The year 1993 was when I first escaped to France for a 6 month sejour to rebuild my emotional self-worth. I shared a house with Luke and James and tried to race my bike again. Nothing special or fancy, a lot village races and some 2-3 day stage races in a 300 km radius of LeMans. I loved the racing in France, it was an aggressive style and on good courses and I only wished I got there 3-5 years earlier when I was stronger. Later in the season I was moving a bit better and was trying to win some-thing besides chasing the 20 franc primes ($4.00) The locals would not bother with these pissy primes but I would. Some-times it would add up to 200 to 400 francs which would be the grocery money for the week. Prize money was received at the end of the year, but the prime money was paid when we handed our number back in at the finish and this was a vital supplement to our food budget each week, as well as the unknowing generosity of the French Farmers. wink emoticon The local riders would think I was silly, but they did not understand, they went home to Mum and Dad or their paying job, I needed the coin to eat with or my budget would be blown. After James and Luke went to their new Belgium base I was going live on my own, however, Samuel a local French friend we had gotten to know well at races and on training rides invited me to live for a while at his parent’s house. I had a little mezzanine space above their garage floor where I slept, read HG Wells, Charles Dickens and in the evening listened to the BBC on a little radio. Gaelle who took this photo was Samuel’s twin sister, I don't remember much of the day, or how I got a little climbers points trophy, I must have popped off to get points earlier in the race? But I remember being on the elastic when the front group was on the finishing laps of the arrivee town, I was in the grovelling off and back on again situation. Samuel was riding better than me that day, but as the front group propped before the last time up the hill into town, I did what one can only do when you know you will be toast in the sprint, I launched off with the strength of a wet paper bag. I do recall Christian my DS yelling at me from the side of the road in the last 300m. As the chase wound up for the sprint they ran me down about 100m from the line as I slowed as if a ship's anchor had been dropped. But a team mate won! Some-how I got some points for a little trophy. I seemed pleased and Samuel got a trophy as well. Maybe I am pleased because I had a secret crush on Gaelle who was taking this photo. Gaelle was also very patient and persistent with me as she attempted to insert some French language into my cranium, she also gave me regular haircuts so I did not look like a vagabond. Samuel, Gaelle and their parents were very kind to me. They were very nice experiences.

[weisan]

Originally Posted by Dazza

I had a secret crush on Gaelle who was taking this photo. Gaelle was also very patient and persistent with me as she attempted to insert some French language into my cranium, she also gave me regular haircuts so I did not look like a vagabond.

And...?

Please please....tell me you have wrote up a chapter called "Gaelle" in the book?

[Fiertetimestwo]

Originally Posted by Dazza

The year 1993 was when I first escaped to France for a 6 month sejour to rebuild my emotional self-worth. I shared a house with Luke and James and tried to race my bike again. Nothing special or fancy, a lot village races and some 2-3 day stage races in a 300 km radius of LeMans. I loved the racing in France, it was an aggressive style and on good courses and I only wished I got there 3-5 years earlier when I was stronger. Later in the season I was moving a bit better and was trying to win some-thing besides chasing the 20 franc primes ($4.00) The locals would not bother with these pissy primes but I would. Some-times it would add up to 200 to 400 francs which would be the grocery money for the week. Prize money was received at the end of the year, but the prime money was paid when we handed our number back in at the finish and this was a vital supplement to our food budget each week, as well as the unknowing generosity of the French Farmers. wink emoticon The local riders would think I was silly, but they did not understand, they went home to Mum and Dad or their paying job, I needed the coin to eat with or my budget would be blown. After James and Luke went to their new Belgium base I was going live on my own, however, Samuel a local French friend we had gotten to know well at races and on training rides invited me to live for a while at his parent’s house. I had a little mezzanine space above their garage floor where I slept, read HG Wells, Charles Dickens and in the evening listened to the BBC on a little radio. Gaelle who took this photo was Samuel’s twin sister, I don't remember much of the day, or how I got a little climbers points trophy, I must have popped off to get points earlier in the race? But I remember being on the elastic when the front group was on the finishing laps of the arrivee town, I was in the grovelling off and back on again situation. Samuel was riding better than me that day, but as the front group propped before the last time up the hill into town, I did what one can only do when you know you will be toast in the sprint, I launched off with the strength of a wet paper bag. I do recall Christian my DS yelling at me from the side of the road in the last 300m. As the chase wound up for the sprint they ran me down about 100m from the line as I slowed as if a ship's anchor had been dropped. But a team mate won! Some-how I got some points for a little trophy. I seemed pleased and Samuel got a trophy as well. Maybe I am pleased because I had a secret crush on Gaelle who was taking this photo. Gaelle was also very patient and persistent with me as she attempted to insert some French language into my cranium, she also gave me regular haircuts so I did not look like a vagabond. Samuel, Gaelle and their parents were very kind to me. They were very nice experiences.

This is great! I think it needs a thread of its own so it is not just hidden away here.