Hi all,

I'm going to be graduating from college with a Marketing degree in December and am interested in learning the ropes of frame building. I was considering going to UBI but decided that something hands on would be better. I'm hard working, drug free, and willing to move anywhere.

If you guys are builders looking for help, or know someone who may be and can steer me in their direction, please let me know. I have a resume and references as well.

Michael Kauk
785-221-4342
michaelkauk@hotmail.com
michael.kauk@washburn.edu
Auburn, KS 66402

bump :thumbsup:

I have sent out some emails to certain builders but have yet to hear anything

UBI is all hands on. You design the frame, pick the tubing, cut and miter the tubing, braze or weld and finish the frame yourself. They can also help you find an apprenticeship (or some folks start their own framebuilding shop right after UBI) since they have a network of framebuilders that are graduates...

I encourage you to do whatever you want that makes you happy.

But...

You've just completed your degree and could use that to earn a nice living, one which would afford you a home, reliable transportation, bikes galore, and maybe even a retirement.

Framebuilding is one of the worst-ever ways to try to earn money. Unless you have a hook and plenty of experience, the chances of success are minimal.

I'd like to suggest finding a job that keeps your marketing skills sharp (trying to go into marketing could be hard 5 years after graduation). At night you take welding classes twice a week. You buy the equipment you'll need and you practice a lot. When you have a cushion, then try starting the business.

And take that welding class before going to UBI. Welding/brazing are a challenge and you don't want to be overwhelmed with it as you're trying to absorb all of the methods used in building a frame.

I encourage you to do whatever you want that makes you happy.

But...

You've just completed your degree and could use that to earn a nice living, one which would afford you a home, reliable transportation, bikes galore, and maybe even a retirement.

Framebuilding is one of the worst-ever ways to try to earn money. Unless you have a hook and plenty of experience, the chances of success are minimal.

I'd like to suggest finding a job that keeps your marketing skills sharp (trying to go into marketing could be hard 5 years after graduation). At night you take welding classes twice a week. You buy the equipment you'll need and you practice a lot. When you have a cushion, then try starting the business.

And take that welding class before going to UBI. Welding/brazing are a challenge and you don't want to be overwhelmed with it as you're trying to absorb all of the methods used in building a frame.

Sound advice. But............

I'm assuming you're young? If so, follow your dreams. Give yourself a reasonable timeframe to "make it". If you don't, then get a big boy job and move on. At your age you can recover in terms of salvaging a career and wage earnings as long as you don't wait too long. If you can afford it financially, try to give yourself two years. Much longer than that and you will have problems marketing yourself to employers.

There are several things I would have done differently after obtaining my degree, rather than go right into the corporate world. Make sure you meet your financial obligations, (rent, food, gas, student loans, etc.) and enjoy it while you can. It might pay off.

If you do make it, you'll be happy for life. And you'll owe me a frame for the sage advice I have given you :thumbsup:

Honestly, your chances of finding an apprenticeship are virtually nil. It's simply not worth the investment of time and trouble for most one-man operations, especially given that the chances that you'll stick around long (and provide useful work in exchange for the time investment) after you've got some skill are low.

If you've got the determination to try framebuilding, spend $1000 on the basic tools you'll need and build yourself a frame. Take a community college welding/metalworking class. Find some framebuilders in your area and ask if you can hang out at their shop and ask questions for a few hours, or watch them build a frame. The resources (see the FAQ) are out there even if you can't find a pro in your area, and you'll learn "hands on" just fine on your own.

If you really want someone to hold your hand/teach you (and I'm not trying to be rude, but that's what you're asking someone to do here), consider UBI or another school. The money will be well spent, though you'll get far more out of it if you have a couple of frames (or at least attempts) under your belt before you go.

-Walt