The green ACE IR glasses were/are the single most important thing I purchased a year ago when I was exactly where you are. They let you see through the IR flare of the flame and you can actually see what is happening with the puddle. They are like having xray vision:

http://www.visionarysupplies.com/sto...CategoryID=340

And, like xray vision, they aren't cheap.

A couple of other points: Call Henry James and get the blue paste flux and the gas flux rod in 1/16". Clean the rod with sandpaper before you use it. Clean the tubes inside and out prior to brazing. Clean the sanded tubes with picklex20 or acetone, or thinner or something before brazing. When brazing, follow the rod with the torch. Stop to reposition the work often...use gravity to your advantage. You want to keep the puddle in that state between liquid and solid. Adjust the flame so there is a nice defined cone within the flame. Get right in there with the flame...nice and close. Of course, preheat the whole joint to get the brass flowing. Remember the brass will follow the heat, so you can pull it around once it gets going.

Do a bunch of practice joints. Then make something. A kid's bike. A ladder. A chair...anything. Make something to match the dimensions you've perviously laid out.

Practice filing miters. Keeping the miters in the center of the tube and in the correct phase from end to end, and at the correct angle. Get a protractor.

Practice filing your fillets with a small, fine bastard file. Keep the file on the brass...try not to nick the tube. Once it is close to fair, use sandpaper wrapped around the file to finalize the fillet shape.

Then save up some $$$ (beyond the ones you've already laid out for torch/tank/regulator setup and files and raw materials and measuring tools and a vice). Get a surface plate...look on Craigslist. You need like 2' X 3' at least. You already have a workstand right? Resist the urge to buy a fancy-pants jig (you're out of $$$ anyway). Build jigless...solving the alignment issues is part of the learning. Bring this frame to the LBS to get the HT reamed and faced and the BB threads chased.

Save some more $$$ for the BB threader/facer and the HT reamer/facer and the dropout alignment tool. Dream up fixtures to help you build the frame off of your surface plate...you can make them for far cheaper than buying a jig.

Plan on spending hours daydreaming about framebuilding. I'm designing frame #11 now. It's an addiction!

B