I had a similar crack, but at the chainstay to dropout joint rather than on the dropout itself. Paul Sadoff (Rock Lobster Cycles in Santa Cruz) repaired it by cutting a "V" groove on both sides of the crack, then welding and dressing both sides. The repair is virtually undetectable and has held up well for four years. I believe he charged about $50.

The bike is my 1987 Waterford Paramount. YMMV.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...IMG2445xsm.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...IMG2874xsm.jpg

ugh. add me to the list. miyata 1000. the first framebuilder i talked to won't do a TIG weld, but doesn't know if he can find a similar dropout either.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/...e42e841c_b.jpg

Just had another frame returned to me after a little needed work... some ass clown had drewed a beautiful handbuilt 531 frame with Nervex lugs and had ground off the dropout hangar and cable braze ons.

The drive side dropout (Campagnolo) had to be replaced (no option here) but a match was available and new cable guides were brazed on and now the bike is ready to be re-painted and built up into a 9 speed road bike.

The work was $100.00.

Find a different framebuilder.

-Kurt

kurt,

because he won't do a TIG weld or because he didn't seem resourceful? fyi, he's a very highly regarded buider in san diego.

Not resourceful. He's either not confident about it (ridiculous, considering it has already been proven to be doable and reliable), or is concerned about liability.

You're in California. Lots of builders in California. You don't have to give up because one said "no."

-Kurt

oh, i definitely didn't give up. i found a different guy who would do it for $60 without replacing the dropout. i'm waiting on a few more callbacks. thanks.