photo by Brad Quartuccio
Next available week is September 2013
- $2,950.00 [TIG welding /luggless class]
- $3,150,00 [Lugged frame /braze class]
One week bicycle frame building class. [5 days 9am to 6pm Mon to Fri]
One on one, full week with me in my shop, building a frame set for you 
Materials and good lunches are included. Practice materials and materials for one rigid, TIG welded, steel frame and your choice of a steel fork style, powder coating instruction included.
Fork options are:
- Brazed lugged crown [curved or straight bladed]
- TIG welded UNI crown,
- Segmented strut fork [curved or straight bladed]
- ANT Dual plate crown fork with round blades.
Building a fully lugged frame is an option, for $3,150.00. Store bought lugs may not fit the bike you want to build, but we can custom make lugs [I will be TIG welding the lugs]. Custom Lugs can be made out of steel tubing.
“Josh brazing”
A one color powder coat instruction is included or you can buy a fancy paint job from Circle A Cycles or Hot Tubes for $300+ [probably $600]
We can build most any type of frame set you want:
- Road,
- Touring
- Cross
- Mountain
- Fixed gear
- BMX
- Basket Bike
- Roadster City bike
It will be your week, so it is really up to you and what you want to get out of this. There are many options of instruction that can be taught and how much you want to get out of this class.
I can format the class to fit your needs.
We can make this a fun vacation where you get to spend the week building the bike of your dreams and get out the daily grind, having fun and hearing stories about the bike building business or I can format this into an intensive crash course that may lead to you getting a job in the industry or setting up shop on your own.
I have a great one on one system for teaching you to TIG weld in a matter of days and have taught people to weld that either right handed [like me] or left handed.
“Kee welding”
I can construct the class to inform you about tooling and what levels of commitment are needed to start-up your own shop or we can just concentrate on building your bike.
Components for a complete bicycle, can be purchased from me. If needed wheel building instruction can be shown [I will build the wheels] and full bike assembly can be worked into and extra day [Saturday]. If we are making a complete bike we will need to have a discussion about your components, time for me to give you a price quote. Then I will need to get your payment in advance to purchase the components, before your class [will need to do this 2 weeks before your class]
I can box your bike for either shipping or for air travel for $30.00
Shipping:
- frames will range from $50.00 to $100.00.
- Complete bicycles will range from $100.00 to $200.00
You may very well take this week and use it to start your own frame building hobby/business….if you are really serious then I have another option [listed below].
In order to hold a spot for your frame class I will need a $500.00 deposit and will need to know what kind of bicycle you would like to build [so I can purchase the correct materials in time]. Your balance will be paid upon your first day of class.
In order to prepare for your class I will need to know:
- Type of bike
- Fork style
- Choice of braking system
- Dropout style
- Color
- Bring me a small bag of peanut M&Ms to let me know that you read text and can follow instructions
Logistics:
Here is a listing of Hotels in Milford Ma [closest to my shop] The LaQuinta is about the least expensive. If you book for 7 days it cost less than 6 days? To get the best rate [$490.00 for 7 days], you will have to call LaQuinta in Milford, not available on the website.
You can also try Airbnb.com This has a listing of people in the area [or around the world] that want to rent a room in their house.
There are no Bed & Breakfast or Inns here and there are no places to Camp out in Holliston or close by 
Some people have stayed in Boston/Cambridge area [20 miles from here] and commuted out. While that is possible, the class is pretty intense with welding and physically challenging, so you might consider staying in Milford.
Picking you up and dropping you off at the airport might be an option [this depends on timing of my family commitments etc...]. Holliston is 25 miles SW of Bostons Logan Airport and about 40 miles from TF Green airport in Providence RI. Providence is best for me, but I can do either. I can loan you a bike for going to and from the hotel [about 5 miles]. If your class is anytime from Nov to April, you will want rent a car and drive.
Food: As mentioned lunch and at least one dinner is included. We have a lot of great local eateries to take you too. Casey’s Hot dog dinner in Natick, Pajama Joes Crepe’s, The Supperette Deli, Coffee Haven sandwiches, Casey’s Crossing bar, Dosa Tempe [vegetarian South Indian], Acapulco’s Mexican, Imperial Buffet and on Friday the Holliston Grill for the best clam chowder in the world. Dinner at Stone’s Public house [fantastic].
If you are Vegan, then I can make some good lunches at home and bring it to work and or stock up on stuff at the shop.
Please let me know about any food allergies, dislikes etc…
A few details:
- You will need to wear cloths and shoes that protect you. No sandals or sleeveless shirts.
- You have to wear glasses or safety glasses [provided].
- No baggy clothing [will get caught in a machine]
- Don’t bring clothes that you really care about
- You can wear shorts, but they need to cover your thighs for welding.
- Bring a long sleeve shirt for TIG welding [T-Shirt is fine]
Here are what a few people have said about taking the class.
“Best time I have ever had in my life” Tomo Nakano, Kyoto, Japan.
“It turned out to be the best vacation and class we ever took” Anya Watson, New Bedford, Ma.
“This has been a great week, building my own longtail bike and never having to have my phone on!” Jackson Patterson, Natick Ma.
“A very informative, fun week and well worth the time and money” John Wesley Chisholm Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The next option is below
6 week intensive training with tools I make for you: $30,000
ANT 508-429-3350 antbikemike@gmail.com
