[CR] follow on re- framebuilding course

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

From: "kevin sayles" <kevinsayles@tiscali.co.uk>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 10:39:43 +0100
Subject: [CR] follow on re- framebuilding course


As a follow on to my post regarding 'framebuilding in 5 days'......the reaction I've observed is as expected......a few in favour of such a course, others [the majority] seem to think these things can't be rushed.

I can understand the desire to build 'your own frame' and don't begrudge anyone embarking on such a project, though I still maintain a valuable learning curve has been lost by 'rushing the process'......so I wasn't intending to 'have a go' at anyone who has done such a course.

The industry needs fresh new framebuilders to continue the 'craft' into the uncertain future......many of the well established names are not getting any younger.....I myself have less than 10 years before the 65 year retirement cut-off.......though I intend to continue if possible. Naturally I'm hoping there will still be a demand for steel frames, I have made a full carbon frame.......but its just not same.....almost like making a big Airfix plastic model!

Incidently the course I had seen was not any in the USA...........I just wish the course would offer the teaching of framebuilding over a period of 5 months rather than 5 days!.......wonder how many would take up the offer then? And I think Jim Merz summed it up with his remarks.....I also think you have to 'really want to make frames' to choose framebuilding as a career....all I can say is in the close on 40 years I've been building frames I've enjoyed my work immensely.......but its not been without its difficulty's too, having to work part time in a supermarket until midnight for several years [as well as my full time job building frames] just to put food on the table was no joke........you won't ever get rich making frames, we either do it because wer'e mad.......or we love the work..........

Cheers
kevin Sayles
Bridgwater Somerset UK