Good Morning,

Two questions in one when someone has a moment.

When Tig welding steel frames, is it necessary to drill vent holes in the headtube for TT/DT as well as in the seat tube for the seatstays?

Also, any tricks to getting the rear triangle all centered/squared up. I cut the chainstays and seatstays at equal lengths and equal miters and try to get the chainstays welded in the same distance from the outside edge of the bottom bracket, but always seem to have to do some cold bending adjustments to get my dummy wheel rolling true and center within the frame. Perhaps there are other variables that I am not factoring in, but was hoping for some suggestions.

My process right now: I have been tacking in the chainstays first, starting at the bottom bracket and then tacking to the hooded drops I use. I then check alignment and finish weld these before moving onto the seatstays.

I am using a dropout alignment tool and a dummy wheel that I have trued and dished, and is as straight as I can get it!


Thank you!
JD