I think people are free to have their opinions about what they like. I like lugs but I've also built a lot of tig and fillet brazed frames. I don't think people necessarily need to know how to do something just to appreciate it but some first hand knowledge is useful. Regarding Chuck's comments about fillets, you're right that if done properly a fillet shouldn't leave much to see. In here lies the beauty, it takes a great deal of skill, hard work and artistry to accomplish this. I think Greg defended fillets citing Taylors. I couldn't disagree more. These for the most part are pedestrian examples of fine fillet brazing. If you want to see artistry in fillet brazing, check the work of Glenn Erickson and a close second would be the work of list member Mark Bulgier.
Regarding tig welding, I think it offers less opportunity to express the builders abilities and style. This isn't to say there's no opportunity, it's just less so. The differences are subtle but they are there.
I think too many people that like lugs only like them because they're there not because the use of the lugs was executed well and artistically. I won't pick on any brands but one comes to mind. They built a lot of bikes with a famous and fancy lugset but the execution was amateurish at best. People love these bikes and they should but not as great works of artistry or building skill. They are point in time bikes that generally ride quite well, nothing more. I'm sure many of you now are saying "who does this snot-nosed kid think he is?" I'm just somebody that prefers to build with lugs but can appreciate the different skills needed to incorporate other joining techniques.
Curt Goodrich Minneapolis, MN -----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of Chuck Schmidt Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 11:27 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Re: cookie cutter bikes
Greg Parker wrote:
> So, an Herse frameset and a mass-produced TIG-welded aluminum whatever are
> both lacking any artistry in your opinion?
We are talking about joining tubes artistically. You said a lug gives the opportunity to express artistry. You also said a TIG-welded joint doesn't. My point is that a smooth fillet hardly expresses much artistry. A masterpiece with a fillet? I could say the same of a TIG-weld.
> This from the guy that calls the the newfangled TIG'ed wonderbikes
works of
> art?
You putting words in my mouth, Greg? I never said such a thing...
> You can't have it both ways!! ;-)
Recap on what you stated: Lugs=artistry TIG=sucks Fillet=masterpiece?
Fillets are so boring...
Chuck Schmidt SoPas, SoCal _______________________________________________
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