Author Archives: Michael Slater

Modern Technology

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Michael Slater

Jan Heine at Bicycle Quarterly writes excellent bicycle reviews. A lot of his tests are randonneur-style bicycles. These are lightweight steel bikes with fenders, and often, integrated lighting systems. They’re designed to be ridden from anyway between 200km and 1600km … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Ling’s PW

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Michael Slater

  Ling getting used to her new bike on the Kinetic trainer at Elite Custom.   This bike was finished in January.  I thought.  Then I discovered a….. technical issue.  Fixed it in February, but then I dithered with delays, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bike Projects, Ling's PW | Leave a comment

When vintage is not vintage

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Michael Slater

Normally when you see ‘vintage’ instructional videos from the WW2 generation, it’s corny stuff — naive nuclear fallout instructions, or hysteric precautions against gonorhea, and things like that. I just watched this video on turning tapers with an engine lathe … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication | Leave a comment

Machining things

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Michael Slater

I’ve been busy in the workshop, just not posting anything.  I’ve been trying to get the mitering fixtures setup and there are always bumps along the road.  Recently I’ve been busy machining a dummy headtube block for my Sputnik main … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication | Leave a comment

Tiny nibbles

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Michael Slater

Maintube jig mounted to my vertical mill Been taking tiny nibbles at the big project of setting up and using my Sputnik mitering hardware. Over the weekend I mounted the rotary table to the bedway of the mill,  setup a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Ass-puckering

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Michael Slater

No idea how to do those giant jumps.   This is apparently an Urban downhill race in Chile called the Valparaiso Cerro Abajo. (Could never happen in 100 years in Singapore or the USA) Looks like any pause along the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Ready to use my frame jig again

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Michael Slater

I finished the stand today.  The bolts I bought were too long (but not threaded), but I also had bought 2m of M8 all-thread, so I use that for a temporary de jure, permanent de facto solution. The stand seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication, Sputnik Jig Stand | Leave a comment

Got my torch back

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Michael Slater

  Lincoln repaired my broken PTA-17 torch for $107.  I had them replace the head with a PTA-17F, which has a flexible neck. I welded the attachment point for my jig onto another steel plate and drilled holes for bolts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication, Sputnik Jig Stand | 2 Comments

Crossed Eyes

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I bought a jewelers’ visor today with a set of different magnifiers.  I tried to use them to remove a metal splinter in my pinkie.  I tried the highest magnification, but it was excruciating because I had to nearly … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Unspeakable Weekend

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Michael Slater

Ugh is all I can say. Yes, those are dirt-rings on my neck. Been grinding.  

Posted in Bike Projects, Ling's PW | Tagged | Comments Off

Magnesium MVB Condensed

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Michael Slater

Did another headtube badge sample tonight.  A mild steel “S” in my favorite font, Magnesium MVB Condensed(*).  Took me about 20 minutes of sawing and I only broke one blade.  There are a two defects from haste, but I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Headtube Badges, Ling's PW, Metal Fabrication | Tagged | 1 Comment

Snap your fingers; snap your neck

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I was making good progress on the tower of my jig stand today when the head of my Lincoln PTA-17 TIG torch snapped off.   The flexible copper hose that links the supply line to the torch fatigue-failed.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication, Sputnik Jig Stand | 1 Comment

Great new tool: a Jeweler Saw

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Michael Slater

A few days ago I bought a saw and some fine metal blades from a professional jewelry manufacturing equipment shop over in Tiong Bahru.  The catalog is really interesting to read — so many specialized tools. My purchase was cheap: … Continue reading →

Posted in Headtube Badges, Metal Fabrication | Tagged , | Leave a comment

First things first

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Michael Slater
Posted in Bike Projects, Pittsburgh Climber | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Feet Finished

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Michael Slater

Spent four hours at the shop tonight, and finished the foot of the jig stand.  I welded a 1/2″ plate to connect the two feet and braced it with some rectangular tubing.  Then I tapped M8 holes for the four … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication, Sputnik Jig Stand | Leave a comment

New Bicycle Project?

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I watched a WQED video on an annual Thanksgiving bike race around Pittsburgh’s thirteen steepest hills.  Looks sort of fun and would be an excuse to go to the USA for Thanksgiving. Cannot recall the last time I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Bike Projects, Pittsburgh Climber | Leave a comment

Welding my feet

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I welded about 95% of the caster feet rails for my jig stand this afternoon.  Those four plates are piloted to take an M8 tap for bolting in the casters.  The casters are mounted close to the edge of … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication, Sputnik Jig Stand | 1 Comment

Whoa… THAT’s a steadyrest

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Michael Slater

  A huge collection of photos from a 1960s(?)-era British naval machine shop.

Posted in Metal Fabrication | Tagged | Leave a comment

Clearcoated and now curing

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Michael Slater

  Sulaiman applied the final clearcoat to Ling’s frame Friday and now it must cure for a week or two so that when I build up the bike I don’t mar the paintjob. He really saved my butt, repairing some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bike Projects, Ling's PW | Leave a comment

Cutting Steel

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Michael Slater

My Sputnik bicycle frame jig is huge and weighs a lot.  I need to build a rolling stand to hold it.  I ordered some mild steel plate and rectangular tubing to build it.   I have no excuse to not … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Fabrication, Sputnik Jig Stand | Leave a comment