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A friend of my wife ask me if I would help her son-n-law with a project. He is in his senior year to be a mechanical engineer. This is his senior year project. Make a collapsible bicycle frame out of aluminum pipe. This is all we got done so far. Personally I don't think it will telescope in with out pivot points. But who am I? I can't even spell engineer.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:More pictures. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:More pictures 2. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:That looks interestingly head scratching to say the least. I would guarantee pivots somewhere, but looks great so far. Looks like we may need Mr. Mzank to the rescue soon. Looks great so far tho bud!!!!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:He has made a few miscalculation so far. He said the first cope he made by hand took him 45-minutes. I showed him how to do it with a hole saw. He about fell over!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Nice job. I'm not into bicycles, but I haven't seen anything like that before, never know but there might be a market for something like that. Cool project, keep the pics coming.
Reply:That's something different. Pretty cool little project you guys got goin on there.  Pidge
Reply:I get the biggest kick out of these kids. Things we take for granted, they think is the coolest thing ever. Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Not sure about the rear triangle, but if the down tube is unpinned then the other two should telescope.  Did he say what the need was for an overly heavy bicycle that folds up?
Reply:I don't see why it wouldn't collapse, but it certainly won't collapse by much. Not to mention you'll have to remove the wheels and many components and cable routing is probably going to be hideous. And probably twice the weight of a regular frame plus a degree of instability and wobble, I'm sure. It would be fun to have to lock up, too, seeing as it all comes apart, heh. Fun project, and it looks like you're doing a fine job, but I don't see a future in bike design for him. Looks like the seat tube was cut short, too -- no room for a clamp. Wonder how he plans to attach the seat...
Reply:Originally Posted by XJ_2_CJDid he say what the need was for an overly heavy bicycle that folds up?
Reply:Now that looks like a real fun project! What part do you think won't work without a pivot? It's hard to see what the back of it will do, but the front looks to me like it will work as it should. Is he doing all the work including welding with you just supervising? I'll be watching this one! Hope you keep us updated.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Originally Posted by welderjIs he doing all the work including welding with you just supervising?
Reply:I don't know but getting it all tacked up might save some headaches later.
Reply:CEP that's really good on you for taking the time to participate. Too many people today have the know how but no desire to help kids learn or let them use their tools. I could go on for days how how good this is but I'll stop for now. Here's to you.
Reply:Your giving Zank a run for his money....Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI get the biggest kick out of these kids. Things we take for granted, they think is the coolest thing ever.
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerCEP that's really good on you for taking the time to participate. Too many people today have the know how but no desire to help kids learn or let them use their tools. I could go on for days how how good this is but I'll stop for now. Here's to you.
Reply:Thank God you failed to give away that Dynasty.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:How are you holding the parts so they don't pull when you weld them and change the angles? That would be the hardest part for me on this job.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhen I started out I got all kinds of help. Even from other trades. I never had anybody tell me to take a hike when I asked them how to do something. Pipe fitter welders were the best! My last job as an apprentice, the pipe welders would send their fitter to find me so I could watch them make a weld.So now it's my turn to help! Hence the title of this thread, Pay it forward.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BThank God you failed to give away that Dynasty.
Reply:What a great project for a soon to be engineer. Good to experience the difference between drawing and building. I'm not sure about the design but I can say I've never seen a bike like it. It may be a trip to ride... kinda like riding a snake as I'm sure every tube will introduce a little movement. Can't wait to see the completed bike.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireCan't wait to see the completed bike.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEP But who am I? I can't even spell engineer.Originally Posted by CEPI think this project is just to get them to build something with their hands, instead of with Auto-Cad.
Reply:When he's all done,, show him one of those folding bicycles they made for airborn troops in WWII. https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1939-1...troopers-bike/.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:It's hard to determine who is the most ambitious in the project. Hat tip to CEP for sure, for helping the blind learn to see.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWWhen he's all done,, show him one of those folding bicycles they made for airborn troops in WWII.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEP Personally I don't think it will telescope in with out pivot points. But who am I? I can't even spell engineer.
Reply:like the idea, will be watching.wants to look on atomic zombie bikes.in middle of building my mkii tadpole trike with underseat steering and front suspension.here's a little project i did with my 6yr old girl she even did some of welding.
Reply:Awesome job ... its great that u are taking the time to work with him!!Located In SE OklahomaLincoln Mig 135Hobart Ironman 230 Mig5x10 CNC Table with DTHC & FTHypertherm PM65 on the tableMiller Bobcatwww.caneyagequipment.com
Reply:Welp, I was wrong! It does collapse. He had to get back over the mountains for class tomorrow morning. So we'll finish it off next week end. I sent him home with some 100, and 320-grit emery cloth to clean the pipe up better. Along with a round, and flat mill file to take care of any burrs. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Did get him to play with the Dynasty a little bit. Pretty quick learner. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Just promise never to put wheels on it.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverYou are correct. You basically have a triangle and you're taking one corners and moving it further out, in doing this all the angles change.
Reply:I was also wondering if the tollerances would cause binding as well. I got a good lesson on that on my handicap lift. I was worried the the slider would be to tight to slide since I only used a 1/4" regular flat washer for spacing. Turned out that that was too much. The inner frame would tilt enough, even tho it was 3' long, with less than 1/8" space that the top of the tubes would gouge the plastic slides I used. I had rounded the corners, but it still bit enough to cut into the plastic. I tried grinding a 45° on the edges thinking that would work as a ramp, but it still cut in where the angle met the tube side. I ended up grinding a carefull radius on the top and bottom of the tubes and that stopped the cutting at least. It still binds a bit with no weight on the lift, but just a jiggle or slight push and it goes down. No problems when someone is on it. I was very surprised that such a small amount of movement with that large of frame would allow for binding. When I look at this I wonder if that will be a problem too, with the shorter lengths they can easily get cockeyed and bind making it hard to collapse if the tolleraces are too much. Also if the tollerances are too tight extending would more likely be an issue if my guess is correct. I think finding the sweet spot could be a challenge here. I'll be watching to see how it works out. Really loving this post by the way. As John, the guy who taught me to would would say, " if I was doing this project and you had a feather in your backside, we would both be tickled". Lol JonYeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Just wondering if he has a spec to meet as far as how much it needs to collapse and expand? Or did he get to decide that himself?Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Originally Posted by XJ_2_CJI thought the same till I saw that the down tube could change length as well.  The angles don't change, just the side lengths.  It may be prone to binding depending on his tolerances.
Reply:There are no dimension, or degrees on his drawings. He calculates everything with a protractor, and scientific calculator. Keeping everything in line was some what of a challenge. He was killing me with the layout of the holes. So I went and got a center head to transfer the line from one side of the pipe to the other. He had never seen one before.Remember, no one will ever ride this bike, once we build the units with a notch in them to accept the rear wheel this project is a done deal. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPThere are no dimension, or degrees on his drawings. He calculates everything with a protractor, and scientific calculator.
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverthe hells he's got it drawn up in CAD for then? :facepalm:
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverthe hells he's got it drawn up in CAD for then? :facepalm:
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireI still don't get it. If I designed and helped build such a cool bike frame there wouldn't be any way in the world I wouldn't take it for a spin. I'd find an old bike (ie garage sale, cl, goodwill, etc), rob the parts needed and go for a test ride. My vote is he finish the project! Otherwise it's a wall hanger and a fail.
Reply:Going to break my heart too to not see it in action.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:It will break the operators *** if it does see use. 6061-t6? You'd need to heat treat it after welding. Brompton and Dahon have made similar (to each other), folding bikes since the 80's. They actually work really well, with the swinging fold system, like the Raleigh "20" from the late 60's. Like Mike said, "2 joints, not 200"SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:I would have some vinyl stickers made that look like hand grenades.  Put one at each of the pin hole locations."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopYour giving Zank a run for his money....
Reply:Originally Posted by asdfI'd like to hear what Zank has to say about this. Seems like actually >riding< this bike would be a challenge: any slop in those adjusting pins would allow the flame to flex, and going over a bump would create wear over time.
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverIt would be like walking while balancing a 10foot tall stack of upside-down cups