Re: [CR]Silver Solder vs. Silver Braze

(Example: Framebuilders:Alex Singer)

Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 02:18:28 -0700
From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
To: Wolfman231@aol.com
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Silver Solder vs. Silver Braze
References: <15e.12e6455b.2a9c9736@aol.com>


Wolfman (Jack?),

The technical differance between solder and braze is the melting temp. Solder melts below 800 degrees. Silver brazing alloy suitable for bike frames melts around 1100 degrees. Therefore the braze material we framebuilders use is classisfied as braze and not solder. I understand that "common usage" of these terms pretty much dictates that we accept either term because we all understand what we're talking about. Please pardon me when I make these distinctions; but to be honest I personally cannot use these incorrect deffinitions for the materials I work with that are very specific. Everything else I do is precise; I most certainly am not going to drop the ball in my terminology. There was a discussion on the framebuilders list about exactly this; and the use of the terms "frame jig" in place of frame "fixture". As I recall it was somewhat vigoriously debated (without me, of course) and I don't remember the outcome; but I think it ended up since most people call it silver solder and frame jigs that that was going to be the standard. Pardon me if I don't participate in that one; but you might as well scratch your fingernails on the chalkboard because that's what I will hear on this end. Don't mind me though, I won't make an issue of it past this point.

Really, I don't mean to be a snob, it's just that I've always used the term silver braze, and I've been useing the word fixture ever since the first time Dave Tesch jumped down my throat about it in 1982. It's habit for me now.

Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA