The largest obstacle for opening the shop is obviously money. So in an effort to save a few hundred dollars I am looking for a couple of welders to help us out with some DIY bike stands. This is the best one I have found. Looks pretty stout and workable. If you or anyone you know welds or even better has an extra bike stand lying around please let us know.
Thanks
Alan
PS- If you have any old tools that you don't need and would like to donate to the cause drop us a line as well.
Training log week of 10 August 2015
8 years ago
5 comments:
Alan,
Ditch the welders, here is a much better rendition of that angle iron mess you found - http://journals.neebu.net/khuon/archives/2005/May/homemade_bicycle_repair_stand-000517.html you can assemble this one yourself and the 2 x 4 clamping faces provide a much better interface for thin wall bike tubes. My warnings though...there is no safeguard on this setup to keep you from crushing the tube or seatpost you are clamping. Most shop quality stands (Park) have a cam that keeps most dummies from crushing. I was actually quite impressed with this stand...
fyi- i am a fixie hater...but, i think you are on to something very positive with the co-op. i'll give you all the advice i can.
Using 2x4's for the clamp might be a good idea...
You can create a number of 2x4 templates to use for different diameter tubing, which would also help alleviate some of the tube crushing problem.
However, I can probably get you in contact with a welder if you decide you want to use a welded stand. As usual, feel free to call me up if you want any help with this stuff.
brent, thanks for the info, i am checking into different diy stands. i think once we really get going we will be using more of the portable park and/or bontrager stands so that we can have more stations for people to work and move them in and out of the shop into the parking lot.
fyi. this co-op is open to all styles of cyclists. not just fixies. feel free to come to one of our meetings/events.
you might ask around at the local shops for their hubbed out tools. most mechanics have a bin where "old" tools go to rest. 90% of the tools in my home shop are "old" tools from shops i wrenched at. common tools that get tossed are - cone wrenches, cassette tools...stuff like that. they still have life, just not optimum.
i haven't seen, or maybe missed, if you have plans for say inner city kids... if you want support from the city and most of the community i think you should consider. my wife and i have drawn up a business plan for a program called "breaking cycles". just my opinion, but if you added more of an emphasis on that aspect i think the funding would happen. check out a program called "bikes not bombs" for an overview.
anna, another board member and founder, is working on developing a youth program involving the southtown housing projects. we have been looking at bikes not bombs, sopo, rubarb, and 816 bike collective.
thanks for the heads up at shops. i am going to be calling around today.
thanks
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