Originally Posted by
3alarmer
...this is simply untrue. Dropouts are inserted into the stays, and brazed in in such a way that the expected force on them will be primarily along the length of the stays, pushing inward, with the hub and wheel inserted. This is an entirely different situation than pushing or pulling sideways on one or both of them, without a stabilizing hub inserted. Sketch it out for yourself in a diagram, if you don't believe me. Regardless, it's simply poor practice overall.
As a frame is ridden, dropped, cornered and sometimes crashed, the dropouts will be hit with forces from all directions. Since I’m getting ready to braze the dropouts on my 39th frame I don’t need to draw anything out. I’l stick with my original contention-if they break off that easily, they’re screwed up already and you’re doing yourself a favor by finding out now.