head tube badges

[pyranha]

Anyone have a reasonable source for small production runs of head tube badges? I was thinking of something like laser cut or stamped stainless. I thought I saw a picture posted by e-richie of something similar to what I had in mind but I can't find the picture again. I have seen Jen green's badges and although they are really slick, I am looking for something more production and a less costly. Thanks.

Jason

[Dave Anderson]

Anyone have a reasonable source for small production runs of head tube badges? I was thinking of something like laser cut or stamped stainless. I thought I saw a picture posted by e-richie of something similar to what I had in mind but I can't find the picture again. I have seen Jen green's badges and although they are really slick, I am looking for something more production and a less costly. Thanks.

Jason

emachineshop.com :

[pyranha]

Thanks Dave!!! EXACTLY what I am looking for.

Jason

[Andrew R Stewart]

Jason- I also used EMachine.com. My 17 units were .040" SS, water cut, cost $212 delivered. It took longer to learn the drawing software then it took to deliver.

[e-RICHIE]

emachineshop dot com too atmo -

[WadePatton]

sweet-thanks.

and now i know what a richard sachs back scratcher looks like.

oh and hey andy--show us your badge-thanks.

[Zimmermanbicycle]

Emachineshopdotcom is fantastic,if you want to go fancier,Hook-fast industries is great also (in R.I. don't have the contact info on me)
-Eric

[Andrew R Stewart]

Wade- Here's the line up.

From the left is the hand cut prototype. From .049" SS tubing. I learned about jewler's saws.

Far right is the Emachine.com one in it's raw state.

Middle is a Emachine one that has had the "stamping" to the curve and some polishing done.

Only the hand cut one is "in use". Although not yet from the painter. I will post photos when on the road.

Prior to this SS work I've used 12 or 14 gauge copper wire and wrapped it around vice handles.

[Dazza]

Wade- Here's the line up.

From the left is the hand cut prototype. From .049" SS tubing. I learned about jewler's saws.

Far right is the Emachine.com one in it's raw state.

Middle is a Emachine one that has had the "stamping" to the curve and some polishing done.

Only the hand cut one is "in use". Although not yet from the painter. I will post photos when on the road.

Prior to this SS work I've used 12 or 14 gauge copper wire and wrapped it around vice handles.

Andy, I assume you braze the piece onto the head tube?
if so, why pre polish?
I find I get nice sharp edges for masking and demasking if filed, sanded, polished post braze.
If you are glueing it or attaching with screws, then cool.

[Taylor]

I used Nicola Cycles, I need to order again... but when I ordered last he charged $40 for converting the drawings $10 for the SS and $5 each for the badges... They all have a little corner tab that needs filed from the waterjet, but they are sharp and look great, for a really good price. Came to $102 for 10 of them. His site: nicolacycles.blogspot.com
I guess this is the best photo I have to show... yikes!

[Andrew R Stewart]

Dazza- The frame i was building at the time was a fillet one including the BB shell. Efforts were taken else where on the frame to soften the edges and lines that intersections and extentions can create. I wanted a frame that I could rub with a rag and not catch a thread. So as my first step into this SS badge thing I had gotten a piece of tubing and cut away. It is a bit thicker then the water cut plate ones and will stand out stronger from the HT surface. I beveled the edges on purpose and buffed it out both to get some project gratification and to soften it's features after it got the second, after brazing, finishing.

I will post shots of the frame when it comes back from the painter and gets built up.

[edoz]

+1 for Nicola. 10 head badges cost me $112 and the next run will be cheaper because he still has the cad file.

[creighton]

A proper head badge is more than sending files to E-machine. A well designed, made and repeatable pressing die is also needed.. not so easy.

[dbohemian]

I just use the local laser guy. Their is usually one in every medium sized town now. Mine BTW is significantly cheaper than e-machine shop and does a fantastic job (yes there is good and not so good laser cutting).

As for a pressing die. I don't find it that difficult. In fact for many things I just use a wood tubing block and press it in there with a dowel. I have a dapping block for silver smithing and occasionally pull that out but wood is good.

[creighton]

A proper head badge is more than sending files to E-machine. A well made and repeatable pressing die is also needed.. not so easy.

[dbohemian]

A proper head badge is more than sending files to E-machine. A well made and repeatable pressing die is also needed.. not so easy.

Was that a typo? that you said the same thing twice with a minor change?

All I can say is that ask 20 framebuilders get 20 answers but I think you know I have made but just a few head-badges in my day and I just don't find bending them that hard nor do I think it requires major thought in the design of a pressing tool. Now, if one was making a lot of bikes certainly a easy, dummy proof method would be advisable but when you are making sub 20 a year I don't find the 3 minutes used per badge that much of a biggie.