EVT alignment check tools?

[JFW]

Hola,

I see that the Signal Cycles guys are testing out some rather nifty alignment check tools from EVT (EVT alignment tools | Flickr - Photo Sharing! and final check on the table | Flickr - Photo Sharing! ). Do any of you have more information on this? Or would Matt or Nate (or Brett?) perhaps fill us in?

Cheers,

Truls

[cardinal]

Sorry, I just saw this.
Yeah Brett is incredibly helpful to Signal. Usually he has an idea and cranks out a tool and throws it at us and says "See what you think of this." It is a pretty good position to be in. He designed a derailleur alignment tool that Shimano now produces and holds a patent on the design. Do you have specific questions about the alignment tool? I can try to explain in more detail, maybe post more pictures if it helps.

Thanks,
Matt

[EricKeller]

posting more pictures would be nice

[cardinal]

So I had a chance to talk to Brett and he's busier than ever these days, so I doubt any kind of alignment tools will be coming out of his shop any time soon. But the tools he made could be pretty easy to replicate. The hard part (coming up with the idea) is already done.
The table:



It's a little on the small side, but with the offset BB tower, we can work frames big enough for NBA centers on there.



The idea is pretty simple, it's designed around a 7/8" center rod. The height gauge is a go/ no go check. You put a plug in the seat tube and pass the bar under to check it. Different size plugs for different size seat tubes. Same goes for the head tube, it's a little more involved to install and remove the bar, but pretty quick.







The dropout check is a 7/8" bar that has been turned down to 10mm at the right height for the dropouts. You can just pop it in and slide it over. Really quick and easy to check seat tubes and dropouts. I hope that helps. If any of you think this is something you could use, please shoot Brett an email. If you decide to make yourself a set of these, at least let him know you think his idea is pretty cool.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

[EricKeller]

that is a pretty cool setup. Took me some staring to figure out which tool is which.

[bellman]

Hey Matt, looks like we are working off of about the same size set up, I have one of Brents beautiful BB posts as well, heres an add-on to the nut I did to speed things up a little.
cheers, jake

[cardinal]

that is a pretty cool setup. Took me some staring to figure out which tool is which.

There are better descriptions on my flickr page. It might make more sense to check there...

[Curt Goodrich]

How do you compensate for the frame sag from those tools?

[steve garro]

How do you compensate for the frame sag from those tools?

exacly my 1st thought. I cannot recomend these tools highly enough: http://jastein.com/Html/Tools_for_Frames_Forks.htm esp. the dropout tools {A++} the crown race remover/instalation tool & the stem facers - Garro.

[cardinal]

How do you compensate for the frame sag from those tools?

Are you referring to compensating for the heavy bar through the head tube? It can pull the frame off center. We actually haven't used the head tube checker yet, the cups were just a hair too big, and wouldn't fit (plus we only have 1 1/8") so we've been checking everything with the height gauge. We FINALLY got our lathe running (Monarch 10EE) and turned them down for a perfect fit. (I'm embarrassed it took us so long to get it running, but that is the life of a very busy guy).

It has been recommended by another very helpful builder that we use a jack to ensure the frame is on center. Brett had some supports made for another table with a different center, so they wouldn't work on this table. We'll get our best guy on it.

Stein? Really?

[steve garro]

Stein? Really?

huh? what do you mean? elaborate - Garro.

[cardinal]

huh? what do you mean? elaborate - Garro.

Steve, I'm surprised because my experience with the Stein tools (I haven't tried the alignment tools) has been less than inspiring. So they aren't the first name I think of when looking at alignment tools.

I appreciate your opinion & if you back them, I'm sure they work great.

That picture of the fork stabilizer is pretty amazing!

[steve garro]

The alignment tools are bike shop check'n'go. the tools I mentioned are kick-ass. All made in Prescott, AZ {I worked there briefly} He built actualyl purpose-made MTB frames in the SEVENTIES. Super excellent machinist, and a really, really smart guy. this tool pictured is the shit - Garro.

[e-RICHIE]

Super excellent machinist, and a really, really smart guy. .

jewish too right atmo?

[Curt Goodrich]

Are you referring to compensating for the heavy bar through the head tube? It can pull the frame off center. We actually haven't used the head tube checker yet, the cups were just a hair too big, and wouldn't fit (plus we only have 1 1/8") so we've been checking everything with the height gauge. We FINALLY got our lathe running (Monarch 10EE) and turned them down for a perfect fit. (I'm embarrassed it took us so long to get it running, but that is the life of a very busy guy).

It has been recommended by another very helpful builder that we use a jack to ensure the frame is on center. Brett had some supports made for another table with a different center, so they wouldn't work on this table. We'll get our best guy on it.

Stein? Really?

Yes, that's what I was wondering about. I'd suggest making the tools adjustable for actual center line instead of theoretical.

[OhYeah Bicycles]

The alignment tools are bike shop check'n'go. the tools I mentioned are kick-ass. All made in Prescott, AZ {I worked there briefly} He built actualyl purpose-made MTB frames in the SEVENTIES. Super excellent machinist, and a really, really smart guy. this tool pictured is the shit - Garro.

I had some experience with his tools when I worked at a shop in Prescott. All the tools we had of his I thought were pretty good... One being the dropout alignment tools that you have pictured here... Used them all the time, and I agree with you... the shit.

[steve garro]

jewish too right atmo?

I do believe so. used to share a booth @ interbike with Phil Wood when Phil was still around - Garro.

[steve garro]

I had some experience with his tools when I worked at a shop in Prescott.

which one, Yo? do you go down to biscutt, I need to send some jig parts to Jim - Garro.

[OhYeah Bicycles]

yeah i do. planning a trip.... prolly next weekend... maybe the one after. whats the word?

[steve garro]

yeah i do. planning a trip.... prolly next weekend... maybe the one after. whats the word?

mis-giving weekend? - Garro.