Wooden Jigs

        I decided to start building frames around Sophomore year in college right after reading the Talbot manual on framebuilding.  He used wooden jigs, so I thought this was a good way to start off.  It still is, with a few caveats.  One: it is not very accurate.   Two: they catch on fire if you braze in it.  So, I think it may work IF you only pin the joints in the jig, then align the pinned frame on an alignment table, and then finally braze it up outside of the jig.  But when you're starting out, anything is better then nothing.  As you can see from the pictures below, I followed none of my own advice.  In fact, my first and last frame built in this jig had so much head tube twist (4mm to be exact) that when I aligned it on the alignment table, the downtube buckled.  Needless to say, I built a set of metal jigs ASAP.   If you use the wooden jig thing, carry a bucket of water nearby. 

Side shot.  One clamp for each of three main tubes and one outrigger for chainstays. 

Bottom bracket peg.  Notice burn marks. 

Example of downtube clamp, adjustable in the sense that it can slide along grooves cut in the backplate.

Chainstay outrigger.  I think at one point it had a dummy axle going through it as well. 

Top tube clamp. 

Fork jig. 

Clamp the steering column here.