The Universal Jig is a natural evolution of our original frame jig introduced in 1990. All the parts are different, but the purpose and concept have not changed. The Jig still builds any style of road or mountain bike frame. Henry James makes the most versatile jig, thanks to a combination of Henry's product development and engineering background, and his interest in lugged bicycle frames. The requirements for a frame building fixture for custom lugged frames are much more demanding than for jigs intended mainly for just tacking welded frames. Professional custom builders of lugged frames need full access to each joint when completely brazing the frame in the jig. Because the Henry James jig is a compact plate jig, it is probably the best one if you want to completely do the welding in the jig. The compact configuration and consequently light weight make it the easiest jig to orient as you complete your welds. However, most TIG welders normally just tack in the fixture, and then complete the welding passes on a welding bench. This is good welding practice as ideally, the welding should all be done "down hand" - from above so gravity assists, control of the weld bead is best, and short weld segments in a precise pattern can minimize distortion.

Our Jig allows for the limitations of Titanium (Reactivity with oxygen at welding temperatures requires inert gas purging), and Aluminum (The new Universal Tube Supports will not crush soft aluminum tubes)

New Universal Tube Supports

* Adjust to accept any tube diameter (Fast and easy two-step process)

* Accept non-round cross section profiles and tapered tubes

* Work with our Protractor to set lengths & angles anywhere on the Jig

Build with any material

* Oversize & regular steel tubing, megatubes, etc., all fit in this Jig

* Universal Tube Supports are gentle on soft aluminum

* Built-in purge gas plumbing for titanium

Use any assembly technique

* TIG Welding of Steel, Aluminum, Titanium

* Lugged construction - for Steel only (Lugged construction just isn't practical
for Aluminum & Titanium)

* Fillet Brazing - for Steel only (Fillet Brazing isn't practical for Al & Ti)

The Jig is designed for building

* Custom Frames

* Prototypes

* Production

Versatile Capabilities

* Errors in tube lengths or miter angles are clearly visible

* Fast and easy removal and replacement of frames

* Infinitely adjustable dropout spacing (100 mm. to 145+ mm.)

* Dropout slots are always parallel

* Builds forks with any steerer diameter

* Toggle Clamps for fast setups

* Toggle Clamps do not need resetting for every tube size change

* Designed to meet any Frame Builder's present and future needs

* Mounts on a Park PRS-3 Repair Stand