For those of you who aren't lucky enough to have a frame builder's shop in your neighborhood, Independent Fabrications have given us a sneak peek into theirs on their blog. I worked some in the metals lab during architecture school and all the machinery used to cut tubes and stock is so awesome. The smell of a metals lab is one of those things that stays embedded in your head your whole life. I don't know if that's the best analogy, but you get my drift!
It's really impressive to see the number of machines that go into making a bicycle frame and it's totally true, the machines do have a character of their own. Thanks guys!
Comments
cutting fluid and metal shavings...
a great smell , you said it.
i still prefer wood shops since that's my gig, but metal comes in a close second.
Posted by: jonnyneedledick | November 2, 2009 7:42 PM
I walk by our machine shop almost every day and I agree: there's something addictive about that smell.
I should share some of my pictures from customer visits around the U.S. I've seen horizontal lathes that chuck a 10 ton part, vertical lathes with a 60' table.
Posted by: Andrew | November 2, 2009 11:37 PM
A buddy of mine worked for a local builder and I got to tour the shop while it was in action. It's a little crazy, it was like How It's Made, but louder and with more flannel.
Posted by: bike locks | November 3, 2009 11:32 AM