Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Does anyone know where to source the sockets used for making vintage style bicycle frames?

Cheers

Dave

[Jim.Walker]

Why not be a BUZZY BEE and Google 'Cycle Lugs' (not sockets). You will find loads of suppliers along with suitable tubing. You must not use mild steel tubes if you want to be safe.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Cheers, just found they are called lugs then read your post. Great minds think alike! Found a guy in Kent! Calling them Sockets was the stumbling block, as I did do a fair bit of searching and a fair bit more to find the Lug thing! Strange calling them Lugs when they are actually sockets don't you think.

What is your reasoning behind mild steel?

Is this still applicable after tempering?

Cheers

Dave

[Jim.Walker]

Firstly - Mild Steel cannot be tempered!
Secondly - Mild steel bends too easily and the whole thing could fold up if you hit a decent pothole etc.
Thirdly - Lugs and tubes need to be welded or brazed and a satisfactory joint might be impossible with dissimilar metals or alloys. Lugs are certainly NOT going to be mild steel.
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[the fly]

A company called renolds tubes could at one time suply the correct tubing for making frames dont know if they are still trading. Icant put a name to them but a company made frame lugs that were pressings of sheet metal including the bottom braket clever or what .Regards The Fly.