frame jig

**hardtail69** · Apr 7, 2015, 04:12 PM

Yes there are many jigs for frame building out there, but I thought I might add mine and get some reaction. This jig was made with versatility in mind, since we build drift trikes now, but we may also be building motorized bicycles and perhaps eventually motorcycles as well. (Though we will probably just build them for our own use.) The frame consists of just 2x3 and 2x2 inch square tubing. The only real innovation we came up with is the use of what I call saddles, or wings as my son calls them. The reason we think that they are cool is we can slide them anywhere along the back bone of the jig and have a level, flat, and square surface, where ever we want one, for support or clamping. The wings have a piece of 2x2 tubing that is welded on, and that sits between the double back bone and we simply clamp it from the bottom, where ever we want it. The top of the saddle is made from 3/8 x 6 inch steel and in our case we made them three feet wide. Just carefully weld the center tube on the saddle so everything is flat, square, and true. The feet are just 2.5 inch by 1/2 inch bolts that fit into the nuts we welded on the bottoms of the 2x2 square tubing that are 21 inches wide. I hope this helps anyone thinking of building a frame jig. By the way, we bought the head tube part with the cones as we still do not have a lathe. Once we sell a few more drift trikes....well.... I have plans! Muahahahah

**DIYer** · Apr 7, 2015, 08:08 PM

Those saddles are an interesting feature, hardtail69. Would you care to post a picture of your drift trike? I'm intrigued!

**hardtail69** · Apr 8, 2015, 06:33 AM

the newest drift trike frame is pictured on the jig

**hardtail69** · Nov 29, 2015, 02:38 PM

i thought i should update this post with the latest iterations of the drift trikes we are building with this jig at this time.

**PJs** · Nov 30, 2015, 07:04 PM

Wow! Thanks for the update Hardtail. Love the simplicity of your frame and can't believe how low to the ground the white one is!! Might need some steel heals to ride that one.

Curious about the front rims, they each seem a bit different, spokes, tires width...and the green one has different forks. Are they different for different tracks or stunts...or both? The Green one Rocks!!!

Awesome site! Oh My, fairings and wheel covers! Too

to Rule! Thanks, ~PJ

**hardtail69** · Nov 30, 2015, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by PJs

Wow! Thanks for the update Hardtail. Love the simplicity of your frame and can't believe how low to the ground the white one is!! Might need some steel heals to ride that one.

Curious about the front rims, they each seem a bit different, spokes, tires width...and the green one has different forks. Are they different for different tracks or stunts...or both? The Green one Rocks!!!

Awesome site! Oh My, fairings and wheel covers! Too

to Rule! Thanks, ~PJ

we used to maKe the forks like the green one has, but the cost of those clamps became prohibitive. Now we bend them ourselves and they look like regular forks on the outside but much much stronger. They are all the same ride height and you don't need steel heels. The outriggers have foot pegs on them to keep your shoes from touching the ground. We pretty much do all the tubing based parts ourselves. We do have a few parts lazer cut and bent, like disc tabs for the brakes, and the pillow block mounts. Everything else is done in house, and by that I mean MY house lol. We are going to need a facility real soon though. here are a couple of pictures of the shop right before we changed it to make room for some new equipment. when it is all installed i will update you. If you are ever in NC drop me aline and come on over we will give you the ten cent tour.

**PJs** · Dec 1, 2015, 11:34 AM

Thanks Hardtail! Nice clean laid out shop! In the right corner of the second picture with the drill hanging off it, that definitely looks like a Cool Homemade Tool! I was reminiscing about 1/2milers wearing a "Shoe" and my son blowing up a pair of tenny's about every month and a half dragging his feet on his BMX.

I get it about the forks and the bent ones do seem more substantial!! My son was out in Charlotte for his work during the summer...we may be ordering one of your frames one of these days but would love a tour sometime, Thanks! Looks like this sport is taking off and wish you guys great success! Looking forward to hearing/seeing more about it. ~PJ

**FOMOGO** · Jan 6, 2016, 05:52 AM

Hi Hardtail. Went to the website and looked around. Sure like the look of the new trikes. Really like the new seat. Is that just a Tractor seat pan with a cover? It sure looks "right" for the trike. I have seen some of these with the most awful seats. A lot of them look like they would spit you off if you bumped over a stone... And I like the jig table you made. I always like a tool that makes the job easier and repeatable. Very simple yet very efficient. You sure have a neatly laid out shop too. My shop seems to always be a mess.... Just cant seem to stay ahead of it. Thanks for posting this. It just reminds me to not over think things as I often seem to do.

**kbalch** · Apr 8, 2015, 11:04 AM

Thanks hardtail69! I've added your Frame Jig to our Metalworking category, as well as to your builder page: hardtail69's Homemade Tools. Your receipt: