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@Mikenetic
This might be the last major update for a bit, because yesterday I pretty much completed the frame.
First up I added the front derailleur mount. We have a handy gizmo to help with holding it in place. Doing this on the alignment table means you can use an engineer's square to check that everything is parallel.
Heating the braze-on thoroughly assists in pulling the silver braze through and around the contact point. You can see how the silver has flowed around the edge.
Another tip I picked up was to apply a moderate amount of heat around the opposite side of the tube. Not enough to make it glow, but it helps even out the thermal expansion, reducing any lop-sided forces.
Then the STI stops and head tube reinforcements went on.
Bit out of focus, phone seems to really struggle with tubes.
The HT rings are stainless steel. This heats up pretty fast, so you apply heat to the inside of the head tube and let it soak into the rings. You then dot silver on the outside and use the torch on the outside to pull it around the ring. Also, it's worth tacking them as they can slip under the pull of gravity otherwise.
Stress relief hole and seat clamp slot were cut, and the top of the tube shaped.
Finally I got busy with the frame prep tools, chasing and facing the BB, reaming and facing the head tube, tapping the BB for the cable guide and reaming the seat tube. The amount of force needed to ream the tubes is a bit scary. I've done it before, but it was a while ago. Also, it pays to have a seat post on hand to make sure you don't ream too much metal away.
And then, a frame appeared.
I'm going to clean it, put on some of the parts to check that alignment & spacing are alright and attach the head badge. If that goes alright it'll be off for paint, and then I'll build it up. I may even get to ride my winter bike this winter :)