Steel bikes built in Durango, Colorado
Delivered another Wyvern complete build today. This one had a Fox Float 34, Reverb dropper, and DT Swiss 350 wheels. Should be a ripper! It’s also the first time I’ve seen the Surly Dirt Wizard in person, it’s awesome!
This is a Flat Powder blue powdercoat. It will be available under the “Flat Blue” color in the color options.
Can’t wait to see this out on the trails!
I really like bandsaws. They’re way quieter than chop saws, and don’t spray dust and metal everywhere. This week’s NTF is about my Harbor freight bandsaw. I bought this thing when I got tired of walking around my gigantic Carolina that took up twice as much space. The funny thing is, they have the same capacity, 8 x 12.
My favorite things about this saw are:
-It’s an extremely common model called the RF812 that’s sold under a lot of brands, so spare parts are very easy to come by.
-It has a 3/4″ blade instead of a 1/2″ blade, and I find that the blade just doesn’t deflect as easy, and makes cleaner cuts. You’re limited to a finest TPI of 14 though, unless you make your own blades.
-It’s an extremely efficient design. It’ll cut up to a 10″ piece of metal with the vise as it is normally set up, but you can move the stationary jaw and get an extra 2″ out of it. I like being able to cut big stuff if I have to.
-It’s available from HF for $700.
My least favorite thing was the motor. So I removed the enormous, cast piece of junk motor it came with and made a new motor mount. It’s spring loaded so it’s easier to change speeds. Then put a nice Baldor 1HP I got from the salvage yard on it, and now it just sings.
It was also really low to the ground as it came, so I whipped up a steel stand and put some real wheels on it. I hate having to bend over to use tools, and I use this one a lot. Now it rolls over stuff pretty easy and I can move it when I need to.
They say everything Harbor freight sells is just an incomplete kit, and you have to finish it. This saw is a perfect example.
I started doing New tool Fridays a while back with the Buttfeeler. I haven’t had a chance to continue the tradition, but I want to because I really like the idea. When I buy or make a new tool, I’ll post a few pictures of it on a Friday!
This Friday’s new tool is a belt sander that I made this winter for the shop. It’s modeled off of a “Kalamazoo” double 2in belt sander. My version also has 3 different speeds. I painted it a nice soft blue.
I like how it turned out, but as usual, I can think of some things I would do differently next time. I’ll bet this isn’t the last belt sander I make.
I keep 80 grit on the left, and 120 on the right.
Keep an eye out for more New too Fridays!
Last week I got back from a 2 week vacation in the Grand Canyon. I haven’t taken a trip like that in a couple years, so it was a much needed and appreciated break. Now that I’m back I’m diving headfirst into work.
The next couple weeks will see:
Myth Cycles is taking off! Thanks to everyone who’s helped make this possible! We’re shooting for the moon!
A couple weeks ago, I finished a bike for a friend of mine, and last week I got it back from powdercoat. She chose an amazing turquoise color that came out really really nice. This is a standard Wyvern frame size large, and I’m really happy how well it turned out. I’m really excited to offer these so that folks can get on a handcrafted steel hardtail for almost half the price of one of my custom frames. Check out the Wyvern page if you’re interested in one.
Can’t wait to see this thing shredding the local trails!