Originally Posted by
sisddwg
The frame arrived today so I got my first in person look at it. Well, firstly it is a very nice frame even better than I expected. Secondly, there are several holes drilled in the lugs. The bottom bracket has three holes top and bottom on each side and the holes are in descending sizes. Same thing with the upper and lower head tube lugs. The holes in the dropouts are countersunk. IMO they look good. I think that we can now say that the whole thing of drilled holes in this frame is purely ornamental. Thank you very much for your response. I learned something.
sisddwg; I can see the individtual pix today for some reason. Having seen them, I will swing my vote over to those who felt they were simply builder inspired delightful touches vice any specific purpose toward aiding the brazing (although they would do that also).
Regarding your note that the holes in the dropouts being countersunk. Yes this would be the correct way to do it. Coining the edges of almost any material with a sharp edge will significantly reduce the likelihood of a stress crack forming on that edge. In many cases a well place hole may actually strengthen the part or aide in it not bending under stress. If holed-out to an extreme then it will be much weaker and may break along the line of holes. I have most always hesitated to put holes in dropouts for those reasons. Perhaps one of the other posters can provide a more learned discussion or splash up some math to illustrate the points. That wouldn't be me....