Originally Posted by
Chris W.
I'm looking for hints or direction for manipulating/pinching the chain stays (steel) to make room for bigger tires. I'm oly looking for a few MM. I know somewhere on the internet I saw a picture of this using a bench vice with a dowell pressed against the inside of the chainstay, but dang if I can find it again....
Hey, that's me! You'll need a set of Park Dropout alignment tools. You'll also need to know how to use them. I worked in a well know frame shop/bike store for 8 years, smashing 1020/Chromoly stays are fine if the frame is brazed. I can't comment on a welded frame, does the steel harden are cooling down? I thought the tubing/welding rode system was designed to be air cooled without excessive hardening.