Suppliers of whipping posts?

[jclay]

It's time to drill my 4" granite plate and add a whipping post. I know Bringhelli offers one but who else does? I'd be interested in customer reactions, but only offline.

Thanks

[PaulE3]

I got my post from Joe. Love it and the price. I saw the Loco Machines booth at NAHBS Loco Machine and thought they had some good hardware too.

[Rody]

John,

One has to ask...why do you not make the post yourself? When speaking to the complexity of frame fabrication, alignment posts are a very basic undertaking.

If tools are the limiting factor, beginning a relationship with a local machinist would be an excellent step forward, as there will be many other projects that the relationship will prosper from in the future as you begin a path towards independence.

Take some time to define your vision of your alignment system and the necessary tooling to make it a reality, then do it. Make the tools that will work for your process, not adapt your process to someone else's vision and constraints.

Rody

[Amaro Bikes]

Hi John

First of all, I know you've asked for an specific question and I'm going to answer to a different one, don't take it personally... just a personal experience in case it's of any help for you (or anyone else)

When I made my alignment table I did also order a whipping post as it was how I was teached to check/correct alignments, but after some first test frames, I can tell you most of the things I made for corrections have been literally given away as I did not use any of those anymore. Great to have alignment checking things, but when things come to correction, specially if using the actual thin tubes from Columbus/etc, there's almost no chance to amend anything by force, if worst, things can be redirected with heat and partial second passes (not many as not to overcook the meal).

So, unless you're using old school tubes I would definetly not worry much about whipping posts and just be happy with a well built reference surface to check how the frame alignment is, and that's all, all the rest would have to be welding sequence procedure till you find your own way to make the frames straight (whatever straight limits are for your own quality levels). Make tight miterings and correct sequence and alignment will just become a routinary double check of what things should be.

Cheers.

P.D. If not, Rody's advise is good one (how possibly not!)

[Will Neide]

I really like that Loco table. I'm just a sucker for orange.

Is the post just something for alignment checks or are folks cranking on their frames to get them straight? You really don't need much for alignment checks, but I don't cold set front triangles so my bottom bracket holder is fairly straight forward. It wouldn't survive touquing on a frame to straighten it.

[jclay]

All,

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

Having been through fixtures from Talbot plywood variants (quite effective), beam jigs, cast iron table saw wings as surface plate, the conventional aluminum plate jig that I built (with accoutrements from Joe and dummy axles from Anvil (quite happy with both)), trying to rake blades in a hitch receiver (fail), a crap wooden raking mandrel I made, and doubtless other I've forgotten I have concluded that a whipping post would make my building life quicker and easier!

Until recently I used Vee blocks/HT as datum and a wooden lever to tweak my lightly tacked BB shells but its awkward and not as satisfactory as I'd like, though the HT will still be the prime reference. This is my latest whipping post proxy and while it got me there it isn't satisfactory.

Attachment 67361

As to making one myself I appreciate the sentiment (and rationale) but I am a life long do it your-selfer (including my house) and it simply isn't worth the time. I can get local machining if I need it. No, a store bought post is fine, I simply wondered what other makers out there had.

This is the frame jig:
Attachment 67362

And my raking mandrel which took a LOT of time with the file:
Attachment 67363

One day I'll replace the homemade roller with a proper rubber one.

Attachment 67365

I'll get up with Joe.

Thanks again,
John

[Rody]

...are folks cranking on their frames to get them straight?

If folks are using this equipment during the construction process for this purpose, the issue is with their process. No amount of equipment will fix that.

[Will Neide]

J, why not just drill your hole and drop in a 3/4" threaded rod, or whatever size would work with your headset/BB cups? You could use your headset cups on the rod and/or nuts to tighten everything down. Just needs to hold your BB tightly and the cones should center everything.

I have no idea what Joe charges, so hard to say what is best bang for your buck.

Good luck! Shop looks good.

[bencooper]

Have you seen the Alex Meade ones? I've got some of his kit (though not this) and it's very well made.

custom made frame building tools