Originally Posted by ksisler

OP; Nice frame...

Although I don't see any holes in the one big collage picture you posted (not seeing a set of pictures as mentioned...), but based on how they are described, I would guess that the holes in the lugs are there to aid the builder in getting two things: 1) Better access to the internal joint to more easily add brazing material; 2) to better observe the flow of the brazing material into the joint. At least I know that I do it for those reasons; especially if the lugs are very ornate/thinned and I want to minimize the heat on them or if the lugs are deeply socketed.

If the holes (and I haven't seen them) are small like 1mm to 2mm, then I would guess the lugs had been drilled for a pinned construction and then not used on that build. I know I have several sets of lugs on the shelf that I rejected rather close to the torch phase...for whatever reason.

When I have decided to use pins, I will drill the lugs ahead of time on the drill press and then assemble and align everything before drilling through the tubes using the holes in the lugs to keep the drill bit from wandering around. Basically reduces the total number of broken bits or skin that might get punctured...so to speak.

If this is the case, the builder in the later use of the lugs could have filled the hole in with braze or could have put in a dab of body filler before final paint prep (it looks like you are in for a respray, so a dab of filler would solve it. I certainly would never reheat a joint just to fill a cosmetic hole/flaw).

Hope that helps with your mystery
K