Monday, August 31, 2009

More Frame And wheels

Ok, Insane Crazy Welder Boy here with more proof of my insanity. This is all Doohickie's fault. I swear.

The paint and sanding Faeries apparently decided to skip my house this week so I was forced to do the job myself.

First up, getting rid of the old paint on the frame. Tools? Wire wheel on the air grinder. Heh heh. I love power tools.

I decided on this versus sanding because of all that rust. Remember, this is a mild steel frame, not aluminum. The rust was mostly surface but needed a firm hand. You gotta let that rust know who's the boss or it'll walk all over you. Look, the crazy man is wearing eye protection again. Proving even crazy people have some sense.
It works very well though. Besides, it's all kinds of fun! See the cool work table? I made it out of a bar stool and a concrete paver. Yep, I'm that guy.
Of course there are some minor drawbacks to this method. See that wire? That's one of the wires from the wheel and it's embedded in my right forearm. I also got some in my face and all over my clothes. I looked like a metal porcupine. Propriety precluded taking a picture of the ones in my face. Besides, I couldn't figure out how to aim at my face without being able to see through the camera. I need to take up yoga apparently.
Here's a closer look at that repair, looking down on it from above. See? Rough but mostly straight. Mostly. It should be strong and that's all I care about so there.
All done with the paint removal and down to the bare frame. Have I mentioned I've never done this on a bicycle before? I have? It shows? Darn it.
I decided I needed to paint the bare frame, to get an idea where the problem areas were and to protect it from further rust. Yep, that's a can of OSH enamel. I had it on my shelf. It's cheap, sandable and covers well. This might be the final color. Unless I run out and have to find something else. I've gotta keep the costs down remember and that means using what I have wherever I can.
Really, I'm just cheap.

It needs a final sand, especially around the repaired area, but not too bad if I do say so myself and apparently I have to. Certainly no one sane person would.

The wheels were badly rusted. I thought I was going to have to replace them but the rust was all on the surface. I was able to power buff most of it off. I'll try the trick Doohickie gave me with lemon juice and aluminum foil for a final polish but I think they're definitely salvageable.


Hey, there's a wheel there! Now if only the hubs were going to be that easy. Sigh.

I didn't get to the worst, the rusty derailleur, crank set and the chain. I think all are history but remember that other frame I have? The one I hate? Yeah, it's got a good chain, derailleur and crank set. It's a single chain ring but beggars can't be choosers. Everything fits and I'm pretty sure the donor bike won't care.

Even if it does. Have I mentioned I hate that frame?

8 comments:

The DO said...

Well, apparently the idea of safety gear has managed to evade yet another generation. Brendan took his plyers and clamped down on the skin on his hip. Er... He was unhappy about it to say the least! At this point I'm just glad it was his HIP... If you know what I mean.

Six said...

There's just no way to really know what your tools will do unless you experiment first.
One never knows when one will need an emergency medical procedure. In the garage. Man, I hope he sterilized them first. Or at least wiped hem off.
As for the other possibility...Good thing I didn't send the vice grips huh?
Miss you.

Doohickie said...

It looks like your other bike has a rear derailleur, too. But if it doesn't, the parts may not be compatible with your Schwinn (i.e., bikes without derailleurs- three speeds and coasters and stuff use different kinds of chains than bikes that do have derailleurs).

Six said...

It does, thankfully. I'm still not convinced I can make it work though. It may take some more...welding. Oh Boy!!!
Also, I bought a chain breaker but I don't know if it should be included in the cost. It is a tool. Can I get a ruling here Doohickie?

Doohickie said...

Chain break is not part of the bike, so therefore not part of the bicycle cost. If you use a socket wrench on the bike, you don't add the cost you paid for the socket wrench, do you?

Six said...

Ok. Thanks Doohickie. Didn't want anyone to accuse the boy of violating the spirit of the challenge. :)

Doohickie said...

How goes the bike?

Six said...

It's done! I'll have to make the final posts in at least 2 parts.
I am so excited.