Welding aluminium frames ?

[RufusChucklebutty]

I'm thinking of a project to change the dropouts on a MTB frame to horizontal to build a hub gear touring bike, I already have the nexus hub gear wheels and a couple of frames, a MTB and a Hybrid, so I could build this bike for peanuts compared to buying new, I can get the TIG welding done by a friend of mine that's a coded welder and welding instructor but he's never done bikes before.

Can anyone give me any info on the welding , what alloy should the dropouts be made from, what kind of weld fit up , does it need re heat treating, what kind of jig is needed to set the parts up true ect ect.

 

[Mfezela]

Rather choose a welder who already has that knowledge and that experience. You and your welder chum are at real risk of spoiling a friendship. Every reply here will probably give you a different opinion.

 

[fossyant]

Should be heat treated. You might be better off sourcing a frame rather than weld one up. I assume you'll get it painted too.

 

[Sharky]

Slightly at a tangent, but just googled these adaptors:-
https://www.sellutionmtb.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MC-DR01

An interesting idea, but I don't think it would work with a rear rim brake. Would need extra long calipers?
Might work as a fixed without a rear brake and could throw out the steering geometry as well, but might not be noticeable.

Still worth a glance.

 

[Once a Wheeler]

Welding aluminium is a specialist job. I have done some amateur brazing and fiddled about with aluminium to see how it behaves, with the result that I would never try to weld aluminium myself. It is far too easy to liquify the whole job — seek a specialist.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Unless the OP calls a favour in from his mate, doing this must be uneconomic, even if you allow 'project enjoyment' on the credit side.

 

[RufusChucklebutty]

Where can I buy a no frills aluminium touring frame with hub gear dropouts ?

My level of riding I've never noticed any difference between a £200 bike's frame to a £800 bike's frame, no frame has ever broken or worn out on me.

 

[Drago]

As above, you'll destroy the heat treatment that gives most halfway decent alloy frames their strength and resilience. I'd use a pro, otherwise wouldn't bother.

 

[rogerzilla]

Horizontal dropouts get a lot of abuse as the wheel is slid into varying positions for chain tension. Aluminium isn't the best material for a bike with them, unless they have steel inserts or replaceable facings (like a Dolan Pre Cursa track bike).