By James Morikawa
Here are pictures of "measuring tools", with a brief description of each. For the sake of this webpage, I've named them "Measuring Tool #1", "Measuring Tool #2" . . . and so on.
MEASURING TOOL #1
A simple, easy to make tool. I use it for obtaining the miter angles for the all the tubes, and stays.
It's frabricated using an inexpensive plastic protractor purchased from "Home Depot". Taped to the arm of the protractor is an telescoping automotive antenna.
Using this tool — In the above picture, I'm obtaining one of the angles I'll need for seatstay mitering.
The tool being used to obtain the other seatstay mitering angle. I need these two angle to miter the seatstays.
The tool used to obtain the Chain-Stay angle.
Above, measuring for Top-Tube mitering angles. I already have the tube junctions mark out, so know where to measure.
Measuring for down-tube mitering angles.
MEASURING TOOL #2
Another simple tool. I use it to obtain "cut-lengths" for the tube or stay mitering process
The tool is frabricated from a telescoping radio antenna. Here I'm measuring for top-tube miter length. To create this tool, I grind a point the antenna tip, and brazed, or epoxy-glue a fabricated point on the other end of the antenna.. The idea is to have the antenna with points on each end.
I've marked out the desired junction points of the toptube — reference points. I extend the antenna between reference points to obtain the tube's mitering length.
Here, I'm obtaining the chain-stay miter length.
As I've mentioned in another part on my website, I get my miter angles, and length directly from the "dialed in" frame jig.
A tool for checking rear-wheel center alignment.
I want the wheel centered between the chain-stays, and seat-stays. This is the tool I use to check the "rear triangle wheel center alignment". Note the dummy axle which is used with the tool. The tool is adjusted to an appropiate reference point on the left chain-stay, or right, it doesn't matter which side I start with.
I flip it over to check the opposite chain-stay. I hope by inspecting the pictures, you'll be able to get the idea of how it works. It's actually quite simple. I use this tool through-out the build process. It's used during the Tig-welding process to estimate and plan the best weld sequence. It's used after welding to check for variations caused by welding. A very important tool in my build process.
An alignment checking tool I use throughout the framebuild process. Used to check, and re-check frame alignment.
There are two legs with "V" ends on each. These "reference" onto the a dummy axle. In the above, the dummy axle is part of the frame jig — it's also used off the jig. The long thin flat bar is adjustable "side to side" at the bar's base end. Here I'm checking for "rear-axle" to "top of seat-tube" centering alignment. The bar has been adjusted so it bearly touches the top part of the seat-post.
Next, I flip the tool over and reference it back on to the dummy axle, and check the opposite side of the seat-tube. I hope the pictures shows the idea.
Here I'm checking the bottom portion of the "rear-axle to seat-tube" center alignment. I use the rear axle as my main alignment reference, even for checking and adjusting the head-tube, and bottom-bracket on the frame-jig. I'll also mention here, that I build frames starting from the rear. The rear-triangle is always built first, and I make sure I have an aligned rear-triangle before building the front-triangle. The above tool is very important in that task.
In the above, I'm using this tools in conjunction with my Henry James Alignment System. It's actually a "let-down" when I do need to "cold-set". It means I can improve on my mitering, and welding skills.
Here's a tool that works similar to "Measuring Tool #4". I use it as when "cold setting" on my Henry James Alignment System, one of it's many uses. I don't think Hank Folsum (Henry James Bicycles) would enjoy all the personal modifications I did to my Henry James Alignment System. But, I have this personal opinion to state, "I really like my Henry James Alignment System".
Here's a "T" shaped tool I purchased from Nova Cycles many years ago.
Very handy to have. In the above, I'm checking my rear-triangle Seat-Stay centering.
The wheel-centering in the above picture looks good.
The trusty Park Frame Alignment Checking Tool.
A very handy tools to have! It enables the user to make a quick general inspection of a frame's alignment quality.
I'm going to end off on this subject. I have more "measuring tools" I could share, but I want to move on.
If anyone asked me, "What's the hardest thing to do in Framebuilding?" I would anwer, "To build and end up with a well aligned frame, with no or minimum variation from the design specifications"
The above tools help me do that.
Have a great day.