Thanks for the history lesson Doug, fascinating stuff, and a very talented protege you have there. One thing I object to or find curious about the preference some have for lugs is that the symbolism is all wrong in the modern world. The imperial or royal symbols are largely disrespected today, and the alternative one finds in say biker culture (dice, skulls, etc...) hasn't any connection to bicycles either. I think his patterns have , a nice relaxed modern look to them.

From the structural perspective I had wondered whether this method was possible so it is good to know it has a long history. It lacks the interlock in the tubes that one gets with penetration in the intersected sleeve, not to mention the welds. Though for that to be a problem would presuppose that the stuff was in motion and had failed in the first place. In a sense it is like a fillet brazed frame with home made butts, as much as, sharing aspects of lugged construction.