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| The Frame | |
| The construction of
all my frames is based on a design utilizing top quality investment cast lugs, low
temperature silver brazing, and high quality alloy steel tube sets from TrueTemper,
Columbus, or Reynolds. Lugs provide a strong, stylish, timeless frame that, I believe, no other joining method can provide. My favorite lugs are the American made Henry James investment cast lugs. I also prefer the Henry James stainless steel dropouts. Their dropouts complete the rear triangle and fork, giving a smooth, sculptured transition from the frame to the wheel. The stainless steel construction eliminates rust in the most abused areas of the frame. Henry James lugs (also available in stainless steel) and dropouts are among the finest available, offering style, finish, and strength. Although Henry James lugs are a great right out of the box, I further thin and shape them to achieve the best possible finish, without sacrificing strength or durability. All joints are meticulously mitered by hand to ensure as tight a joint as possible for the brazing step. Tighter joints mean a stronger and more durable frame after the silver brazing. Silver brazing materials melt at a low temperature (1150-1200° F) and are highly fluid. The low temperature properties protects the tube set from being subject to property changing temperatures that can occur using other methods. The fluidity of silver brazing material ensures penetration into finely mitered joints, giving the frame joint increased strength. As a builder, I have been recognized, through testing, by Reynolds as a 753 Certified Master Frame Builder. Only builders carrying this certification are sanctioned by Reynolds to purchase and build frames using their 753 product. |
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Last updated on January 27, 2007