Weekend functional art project, copper basket/rack
#1
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Weekend functional art project, copper basket/rack
I couldn't find a good front rack that didn't get in the way of my dynamo-powered headlight (connecting to the upper fork and handlebars instead of to the fender bracket), so I made one from leftover copper pipe and fittings. It's strong, fairly lightweight and would probably have cost $40-$50 if I didn't already have most of the copper.
#2
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Neat. I borrowed a hedge trimmer from a pal several years ago and he apologized for the broken loop handle that was supposed to go over the top of the unit so I whipped one up from 1/2" copper. Made it much easier to use and impressed the hell out of him when I returned it.
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Very nice!
Next you'll have to take up wicker work so you can make a basket to fit in that frame.
Brent
Next you'll have to take up wicker work so you can make a basket to fit in that frame.
Brent
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Very nice! What made you decide to use copper? And do you know what it weighs?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#6
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Basically, I keep everything in my garage and try not to throw anything away. When I need so buy something, I first walk around in there and think of ways to build it. We, our society, buy and waste too much s**t.
I figure it weighs roughly the same as the typical front racks and baskets I see on amazon that are made out of solid aluminum. Copper isn't that heavy and these are hollow pipes, after all. I'd guess 4-5 lbs, altogether.
I still have a little work to do. The fork screws need to be changed out for stainless ones so there's no galvanic corrosion between the copper and the steel. Also, I need to put tape between the copper and the aluminum fork for the same reasons. The bailing wire that I mentioned will also have to be stainless.
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#8
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Hot and cold running water would be nice on a bike ride. Interesting very interesting
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You should hunt this guy down to work on getting your bike to match:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...rbea-orca.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...rbea-orca.html
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Nice work -- it would have matched my old copper-plated Bergmeister!
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That's really nifty. Necessity is the mother of invention. But the title of the thread says "basket" and there is no bottom to it and items would fall through. Are you going to put a mesh bottom on it or something similar?
Last edited by Jicafold; 03-10-20 at 11:46 AM.
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I couldn't find a good front rack that didn't get in the way of my dynamo-powered headlight (connecting to the upper fork and handlebars instead of to the fender bracket), so I made one from leftover copper pipe and fittings. It's strong, fairly lightweight and would probably have cost $40-$50 if I didn't already have most of the copper.
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All that nicely-sweated copper pipe and no valves?
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Now someone's going to steal your bike for the copper scrap.
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When I progressed down that route years ago I ran into a poor balance between weight and rigidity. The plumbing pipes are optimized for different purpose. Thinking harder, stainless steel can be soldered nearly as easily as copper, but sleeves for joints may be harder to get. Thinking further, while the soldered sleeve joints provide flexibility for a home brewer they will be adding weight over welds as a matter of principle.