This is slightly off topic of the timeline, so I'll keep it short...
I recently visited a factory where high end aluminum frames where being hand built.
Most list members would be totally shocked to see a modern aluminum frame being aligned as being built in the factory. Heat treating is such an integral part of the process now, that after welding and before being quenched, I've seen frames that are soft like butter until they finish the heat treating process... Salvador Dali would have a ball. These frames don't have to be "built straight", as a cotton glove and your pinky finger is all that's necessary to move the tubes into alignment, they off to the hot oil spa for strength! The resulting frames are so stiff, I wouldn't want to try re-aligning one later, Yikes!
Grant McLean
Toronto, could use some heat, Canada