Originally Posted by
repechage
some tack braze, some use tacks or nails.
the frame or sub assemblies are in either case fixed in position prior to brazing.
for most the scheme is to hold things in position and the frame or sub assembly is brazed free of obstruction.
as an example, if the bottom bracket was held in position with cones, when brazing the torchman cannot get flame in or a visual inside the shell.
way back I considered tacks or pins a production line technique, think Raleigh, but later considered it having an advantage as the flux is only activated once.
Richard Sachs has refined his approach to multiple "pins" actually tapered finish nails he tapers on a belt sander. The multiple pins undoubtedly restrain the parts even more so the components remain where they are wanted to be.
Repechage,
Thank you for the thoughtful response to my question, and I also apologize for this late response on my part.
The construction of these frames really was (and is) a form of industrial art, and art history.
Speaking of history – I'm interested learning about the amateur racing culture in (especially) Italy during the 20th century. There were so many independent frame builders, and they had to be building for a hungry market, yet I haven’t been able to find very much information about amateur cycling culture, and the way in which the majority of these bicycles were used.
I wonder whether you or perhaps some other folks have any information, or can point me to some source material. I imagine a lot of people would be interested.
Chris