I am a frame builder AMA

Any recommendations for the smallest/nicest 12mm TA rear dropouts? I don’t like the look of the snap ring on Paragon’s

Have you looked at the Paragon Syntace dropouts? I think it's a rather elegant design, from an engineering viewpoint if not so much aesthetically, and the Syntace inserts give you some wiggle room on alignment. I used them on my ultracycling bike, and they haven't fallen off yet. Only real downside is you need to use some proprietary Syntace parts but they're reasonably widely available and not too expensive.

Yeah I can’t do that. Probably an excellent solution practically but the drive side one is not at all elegant.

I’m after a solution for a super sleek, lightweight Sunday best road bike.
Maybe I should just go QR

There's the Bear Frame Supplies dropouts. Although I think they're a bit fugly TBH. Still, YMMV.

Yeah saw those too. Neater than the PMW I reckon.

There's always the vanilla PMW ones. That's me all out of ideas, anyway!

There's the plate ones of course, but they're pretty fugly.

Maybe I should just go QR

Rim brakes or discs? If the former, go QR.

Probably disc.
If rim, it'll definitely be QR.

Undecided really. Trying to build myself a dream road bike. Gonna be overoversize Spirit HSS.
Only thing stopping me going disc is I would like to keep it as light as possible

QR and i'll build those tune hubs to my 20mm deep carbon rims. Go sub 6kg

That’d be ideal only the hubs are 28h front and back.

I've found a cheap kit with an AGA X11 set

Is this suitable for brazing or overkill?

This one
https://www.dba.dk/svejsesaet-aga-ilt-og-gas/id-1064494324/?utm_source=copylink&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android_share_listing

Has anyone seen someone make use of the shimano bar end junction in the downtube position on a custom frame?
I'm considering using an HSS downtube with a flattened top and thought something like this may be doable:

that would be cool, might need some serious reinforcement though.

anyone know someone who can do frame repairs in London?

Winston Vaz is usually the LFGSS go-to person for London frame repairs. If you can post it, Geoff Roberts in East Sussex does sterling work on repairs.

great, thank you

Of course you could always take it to Condor Cycles as an alternative. But (don't tell anyone) they'll just send it down to Geoff and slap a mighty premium on top...

Bought a bike from there about 3 years ago and nearly changed my mind after the shop salesman kept telling me the build would be 'trad rad' he kept repeating it and I couldn't tell if he was taking the piss or not. Anyway emailed varohna.

Spoke to Winston yesterday, he’s shut the workshop for a while :(

Are there any dropouts available anywhere for Sram’s UDH?

Best way to coat a raw steel frame with no paint?

Rust

Linseed oil?

Clear coat?

Constant maintenance of oiling or clear powdercoat are the semi decent options. Clear coat paint is useless without a colour coat underneath. It will rust all the same underneath the clear.