Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,344
Likes: 5,461
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
A few comments-
Don't assume TIG is stronger then fillet or lugged. Different HAZ location, yes.
With a tapered head tube you will be "tweaking" the lower head miter.
1. All the parts that are needed to complete your frame and to interface it with the components are what's needed. Ideally before you cut a tube.
2. Yes
2. Most all frames are built symetrically, side to side. Most all components that are manufactured are based on this. As you enter the ends of the bell curve in design/intended use this can fall off (recumbents, cargo bikes and extreme MtB bikes)
Silly questions, not really but indicating a lack of bike design understanding. Given this I suggest being willing to mock up situations, have all the parts on hand and spend some time understanding bike mechanics in general before cutting tubes. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart