Lug clean up?
 

Hi all,

Just inquiring if anyone has experience cleaning up lugs, what tools are necessary, etc. I've decided to give my trusty Raleigh Super Course a re-paint and would like to clean up the rather crude workmanship around the Nervex lugs. There are various file marks here and there, nothing major (Yes I'm investing more into the frame than what it's worth, but what price for an old friend :thumb:). I'm fairly good with handtools, and it doesn't seem too complicated.

Is this something best left to a frame builder? If so, I might leave them as is. Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers.

Dremel tool with attachments (no grinding, take your time)
Flexible metal file, Emory board.
Sandpaper
Steel wool from fine to 0000
Fine wire brush
Safety glasses
A good eye
Patience.

You can acheive great improvement in the "cleanliness" of the lugs, but don't wipe it out by powdercoating, unless you can find a guy who appreciates it and can go thinner....

Mask off the tubing with duct tape so that you don't nick the tubes with a file. Consider adding any brazed-on fittings you would like.

+1 on the Dremel. If they are the "fancy" Nervex lugs, the Dremel will help you navigate the complex curves. When working with tools that remove metal..go slow. You can always remove more metal..you can't add it back if you overdo it.

I'd avoid the Dremel unless you're pretty confident you can keep it under control. For complex shorelines like Nervex, I'd just get a set of rifflers and some abrasive cloth in a range of grits.

http://os2.dhs.org/~john/rifflers.jpg

Wasn't aware of these, even though I hung out with a very competent framebuilder years ago.
Agree..looks like these would be easier to control than a dremel for most folks.

What's the initial cost of a set of these?

And where can one aquire a set?

Maybe these?

I got mine at Harbor Freight and Tool < $10 I think.

Thanks everyone for the input.

The plan is to start slowly, maybe on the BB lug to get a feel for the material, and then work the more prominent headtube lugs.

No, absolutely not those. Those are rasps. They are meant for removing serious amounts of WOOD.

The shapes might be correct, but you need them in a fine FILE pattern (not a rasp).

P.S. - Are you trying to recontour/recut the edges? Or are you trying to remove errant file marks?

To remove file marks, I'd say go slowly at first - use sand paper. Files, even fine files, remove metal. They cut. It is all too easy to remove too much metal from a thin walled lug. Then what? Take your time.

You can always take more off but it is very hard to put it back on. :)

Looks like a trip to the dentist gone wrong. :p