I found a cheap workshop to rent thanks to the generosity of the local estate. Perhaps they were just curious and surprised that someone was trying to make tandems in such an isolated place. I found some old dinning room tables for work benches and set up a workshop space.
Photo: A workshop space instead of working in the kitchen.
Making a frame jig on a very small budget was going to be a challenge but aluminium box profile tubing was cheap and strong and could be assembled with brackets and self-tapping screws. Finally, attached to the wall and set up with a digital angle measure would make it a straight and reliable jig. It was time consuming to build and had to be adjusted to fit that specific frame, but it matched my budget.
Photo: A full size tandem jig made from aluminium box profile tubing and brackets.
Now I could attach the seat and chain stays in line with the frame and a tandem frame was born! It was only glued together but it looked like a tandem. I was amazed it had come together even this far. It had been so much fun to think and plan how to overcome all the challenges.
Photo: Chain stays added on.
Photo: Rear triangle in place. Chain and seat stays.
Tavelo Tandems 