Re: [CR]Lugged frames v. fillet brazed..now v. bronze-welded

(Example: Racing)

From: <OROBOYZ@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2005 00:06:35 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]Lugged frames v. fillet brazed..now v. bronze-welded
To: norris@norrislockley.wanadoo.co.uk, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 12/2/2005 8:45:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, norris@norrislockley.wanadoo.co.uk writes:

<< The aspect of this issue that vexes me, perplexes me, enrages me..is that I am pretty certain that there is no such thing as a "fillet-brazed" frame. >>

Ha! Well, Norris, I certainly wouldn't want you to become enraged over our dissimilar use of language...

This business does remind me a bit of the 19th century French Academy declaring absolutely what the French language should be, with total disregard as to what it already had become!

The fact is, umpteen zillion ignorant people are already calling this technique of joinery, "filet brazing." If you would like to champion that phrase's demise, it will be a long and unpleasant battle, with a Don Quixote-like probable result!

<< Brazing is the process of drawing an extremely thin film of molten filler metal through an equally fine gap between pieces of metal to be joined. The flow of the metal is the result of a process called capillary flow...the same process that draws ink out of a fountain pen knib in the course of writing. IMHO and experience it is impossible to both create a fillet and braze in the same operation.>>

So, practically speaking, what are we to call this joint in which a silicon brass brazing material is used to join two similar metals, through drawing that brass into the joint via capillary action. At this point, the joining is complete, albeit not terribly strong, but could stay together as performed...

Then, inexplicably, the craftsperson/skilled worker performs a second step.. that of building a certain amount of additional brazing material (that same silicon brass) up around the penetrated joint to make a visible smooth transition between the two joined surfaces. No adjoining surfaces are Viola!

Now, the question is.. Has this mechanic made a brazed joint or a welded joint? (By your definitions.. the rest of us are already clear on this) I would propose that the above steps are accomplished by every frame building person alleging to practice "filet brazing" (in it apparent mythological state..)

You say Potato and I say Potatoe! Dale

Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC USA