i think there are differing "schools of thought" on issues such as this; some builders are also good metalsmiths and/or have the time alotted to work over the 3 lugs to the point of having folks look at them and say, "wow!"*. not all zoot-finished frames are well designed and/or constructed. if "...the builder goes to the trouble of cleaning up the lugs nicely", that is swell, but is not an indicator of what lies beneath the paint. e-RICHIE chester, ct
*not an industry term.
I always thought there was a practical benefit for the builder in nice lug finishing. The point of cleaning up the lugs was to sugest that the entire bike was well built. If the builder goes to the trouble of cleaning up the lugs nicely, you can (hopefully) assume he was as careful mitering the tubes and completely brazing the joints. Not to say that a roughly finished bike can't be good (I've got an excellent riding Gitane TDF, but no one would admire the lug finish work), but well finished lugs are an indication of the quality of the build.
Harry Quinn was asked why he spent so much time cleaning up the lugs, and he replied "You needn't do it, but it's a sign of workmanship." The Custom Bicycle", Kolin & de laRosa, 1979, Rodale Press, pg 71.
Tom Adams, Shrewsbury NJ