The Chopper Compendium

Interesting points here and more info from everyone on their methods would be an interesting insight into different techniques.

I learnt and built for years without a frame jig. It actually taught me good practice (if you payed attention when welding) as it was extremely easy to get some serious distortion or stress in the frame.

Had to cut the whole front section off a trike that I was building a few years back as I got distracted whilst tacking a gusset on the neck and ended up welding half of it. Stood back to watch the neck and associated parts twist outta shape.

Well that just gets back to the crux of the situation and that is how well you are with welding stuff together. Even the best of us have had those 'moments' when we knew that we'd exceeded our limits. It's those 'oh-shit' moments that keep all of us in line. I've had a whole lot of those experiences both with and without a fixture but thats just part of the work we do. If everything worked out perfectly well each and every time then it'd all get pretty boring.

Yep I'd agree with that Gary.

The learning process is the fun part although sometimes frustrating. Always trying to improve my technique in metal working and welding etc.

It helps that I love welding. TIg, Mig or Stick it just always relaxes me.