> From: Bob Freitas <freitas1@pacbell.net>
> I thought most painters would not reshape someone elses
> lug work. Isn't this like making something it is not?
> BOB FREITAS
I doubt most painters would think it was unethical to rework lugs, just impractical and perhaps not possible. Not every painter is a builder that would know what to do. If it was a frame of historical or aesthetic value, then of course no additional work would be attempted. However in my years of repainting frames, I've seen lots of mediocrity that was less than what was/is possible. The cost of improvement would probably be greater than the value of that frame. A customer is much more likely to get a whole new frame because probably more than just the lugs can be improved.
I should add that most framebuilding students do a fairly decent job of finish filing their frames. Their inexperience shows up more in how long it takes to get a respectable look. Almost always it will be as good or better than say a Bob Jackson. They will of course put a great deal of time in getting that result. However there comes along from time to time someone that just doesn't have much skill (like a voice in a choir that can't sing on tune). That is where using investment cast lugs can still give a good result.
Doug Fattic
Niles, Michigan, USA