Originally Posted by bostontrevor
I do agree that lugged frames look better, or maybe more correctly, they offer the builder more opportunity to add flourishes than welding.
There is also "lugged" construction where the lugs have internal sleeves that fit inside the tubes. They generally have a very smooth look to them, similar to fillet brazing but without the built out joints and usually with visible seams. They're not very common.
Oh, and a big advantage with a lugged frame is that should you have a wreck that irreparably damages one of your tubes, you can take it to a builder to simply replace the affected tube. This isn't possible with welded frames. I suppose it's theoretically possible with fillet brazed frames, though I can imagine that it's substantially expensive.
The ability to replace a tube is really nice if you paid a lot for the frame.
It's possible with all types of steel and titanium frames, regardless of construction. The debate is how good will the frame be subjected to multiple heat cycles.
If the ability to replace a tube is a priority, then you should probably consider silver brazed lugged construction. However, unless you were a bizarre combination of psycho mountainbiker and contender for the 'Worlds most un-coordinated man', why bother?
On the other hand, if you're worried about dentability, just go for thicker walled tubes.