it would be interesting to know if there are
(and how many) any professional builders that
never worked as an underling/helper/apprentice
at another builder's or manufacturer's shop
for a decent amount of time.

i think it's impossible to learn framebuilding
from text; the only way to forge a path forward
is to be routinely exposed to all the variables
involved in producing frames. once gleaned, the
choice is yours regarding what to make of it all.

it is possible to make a frame or two on one's
own. but then what? if you sell one, or even if
it's given to someone to ride, are you covered
for the consequences once the ride hits the open
road? once a customer comes into the equation,
all this newbie stuff forever changes.

imo, this list would have a different tone if
folks realized that framebuilding is not "the
art of..." or the romantic notion of "keeping
the flame burning...". it's noble to want to
see the seeds grow and help them blossom when
possible (jeez that sounds stupid) but frame-
building is also commerce and it's people
skills and it's market driven and many other
things in addition to the surface tables, cast
lugs, emery cloth and basics that are often
debated here.

from my perspective, and coat-tailing on kp's
post, it is sometimes trying when someone inquires
about "how to..." and then takes a snippet of advice
that took decades to learn, and then is dismissive
when that advice is added to or expanded upon.
i don't have a specific example to support this,
but i do feel that it occurs.

i think kp's idea has alot of merit, but as he said,
it doesn't spell the end of this list.

thanks for reading.
e-RICHIE