tsunehiro cycles at the tin shed technology center

About two months ago we got a new neighbor down here at the Tin Shed Technology Center: Rob Tsunehiro of Tsunehiro Cycles fame. I met up with Rob last summer after I noticed a set of our Panda Treat grips on one of his bikes that was on display at Legares in Portland. The bike later ended up as part of a display about Rob and his craft at the Portland Patagonia store. Rob, who is originally from Madison, WI, joins the other Wisconsin ex-pats here at the shed (Erik and I used to live in Madison and Shawn from Ruckus Components is from Mineral Point).

Yesterday I stopped by Rob's new space and shot some pics of him at work:

Rob's personal bike, a sweet 650b city ride with full fenders he built and raced for last fall's Oregon Manifest show.

Putting the finishing touches on the top tube.

Fitting the tube into the jig.

The first tack weld.

Here Rob has flipped the entire frame in the jig and is doing the tack weld on the underside of the tube at its opposite end.

Bike out of the jig, starting on the bead.

A finished weld.

Several of the bikes I own are TIG welded, so it was really cool to watch a couple of steps of the process. Knowing that Rob has a degree in mechanical engineering, it isn't a surprise that he is a TIG welder. Looking around the shop you can see he has also made some of his fixtures, including a really sweet flux tank. I'll check back with him in a day or two and snap more pictures of the frame as it progresses.

Thanks for letting me peer over your shoulder, Rob!