Alex Wetmore is always busy with something... - All Comments

ALEX TO » Blog Archive » A little bit of progress on everything

ALEX TO » Blog Archive » A little bit of progress on everything — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:33:09 GMT

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making biodiesel

making biodiesel — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:20:44 GMT

Nice story! Can I use this for my blog? gr, remcowoudstra

ALEX TO » Blog Archive » Hiking in Salt Lake City

ALEX TO » Blog Archive » Hiking in Salt Lake City — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:21:41 GMT

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re: A little bit of progress on everything

Ethan — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:53:35 GMT

THanks for posting this, Alex. I'm following along, especially for ideas on converting old machine parts into fixture bases.

re: A little bit of progress on everything

AlexWetmore — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:29:43 GMT

Joe -- There aren't many machined parts required for the frame conversion. Pretty much everything is for building my frame jig. I was going to try and seperate those two stories (building the frame jig vs building the frame), but right now they are intertwined in the basement so the stories are intertwined as well. I don't think that a frame jig would be necessary for this project, but I want one for building full bikes too.

The only joint which really benefits from machine mitering is the through hole for the cargo tube. This could probably be done by hand with files and a hand drill, but I wouldn't want to attempt it.

I agree that repurposing of old frames is a great way to go. When I first got into bicycle related metal working I could think of many more repurposing projects than "build from scratch" ones. It's also saving me a decent amount of money and time to use an existing donor bike.

re: A little bit of progress on everything

Joe Broach — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:40:57 GMT

Remarkable, Alex. I can't believe how far your fabrication skills have come in such a short time. I only wish you were in Portland so I could drop by your basement from time to time.

Keep good notes. As you refine this cargo bike design, I can imagine this repurposing of old frames really taking off in the DIY bike community. Maybe this will be the new tall bike--certainly more practical.

Could the machined parts be reproduced through something like emachineshop? I guess that would still leave the mitering work for those without access to a lathe.

Thanks again for writing up these reports.

best,

joe

re: Hiking in Salt Lake City

Russ Norvell — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:22:31 GMT

Hi Alex-

I know of you from the BOB list. SLC is a great place to be, hike, trail run, and cycle tis' true -if you're in town again, give a shout. Heck, there's still skiing at Alta. Thanes is a nice option when the sun is hot, but not so great for views (and unrelentingly steep at the top). Glad you discovered the side trails. FYI, a traditional airport layover stop is the Red Iguana, one of SLC's best mexican places. Don't miss the killer moles!

-Russ

re: Hiking in Salt Lake City

mike — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:45:14 GMT

SLC is a fine town for playing outside... in 30-40 minutes you can be in Park City or Alta for skiing. You can also head up the Cottonwood canyons - cycling, hiking... etc.

I debated relocating or timesharing there as part of a project for work - I had the same thoughts as you - relatively flat - a few cool neighborhoods - and playtime within a short drive or ride.

re: Saturday morning by bicycle

AlexWetmore — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:29:29 GMT

Jimmy -- The U District one is at 50th and Brooklyn on Saturdays from 9 to 2. If you guys ever want to go just give us a call on Saturday morning. We could meet at our house, get breakfast (there is a good place halfway between here and there) and walk down to the market. It's a 10 minute walk.

My current plan is to permanently braze the rack into place. I don't see too much of a reason to make it removable.

JimG -- I'd take those. I don't plan on doing remote steering for this cargo bike, but if I feel like it's front heavy then I might retrofit that.

re: Saturday morning by bicycle

Jim G — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:41:09 GMT

Hi Alex, let me know if you need any tie-rod end ball joints -- I think I have some unused ones laying around from my old full-suspension bike project. If they're something you can use, you're welcome to 'em!

re: Saturday morning by bicycle

Jimmy Livengood — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:01:10 GMT

Nice, I hadn't even realized the U District had one. We'll be hiking Sat, though.

What are your thoughts on attaching the cycle truck's rack? I was wondering if you're going to make it removeable, like the one above, or like the James Black ones, or more permanent?

re: Saturday morning by bicycle

AlexWetmore — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:28:55 GMT

Robert -- Typically smoked salmon and cheese, or whatever veggies look good in the fridge. The important thing is good eggs from the farmer's market which is are so much better tasting than what I can buy at the grocery store (even Whole Foods).

Jimmy -- We go to the University District market most weeks. The Ballard Market is good too, but has a little too much crafty stuff and not quite enough produce for me. We'll be there tomorrow, probably on the tandem.

re: Saturday morning by bicycle

Robert — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:20:40 GMT

What's in the omelet? Don't leave a guy wondering.

re: Saturday morning by bicycle

Jimmy Livengood — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:45:34 GMT

I like the twin tie rods on that bike. Not sure they're necessary, but I like 'em anyhows. The last couple of weekends we(Emily and I) have been going to the Ballard market for gorceries. My homemade bucket-panniers have gotten many positive comments. Which market did you go to?

re: Saturday morning by bicycle

Perry — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:08:07 GMT

Looks the life of Riley out there. :-) Good hardware stores are a sign of something good about a community and having nice bikes like that one around is inspiring.