Help!... A while back I'd picked up a Simplex Super LJ front derailleur. The band had been broken off right where it encircled and pivoted around the chrome cable housing guide.
A local acquaintence, an older gentleman who'd worked his whole life as a machinist, mechanic and welder had looked over a detailed photo of the broken component and compared it to a perfectly good derailleur which I had at hand. He said without hesitation that he could repair it, and even showed me a small alloy piece (something like a watch bezel) which he'd recently repaired for someone... and had done so flawlessly. Unfortunately that fine gent suddenly suffered a heart attack and recently died before I could deliver the work to him.
I have no idea how anyone might make such a repair. I assume you cannot simply "solder" aluminum and must actually weld it - which makes such a micro-repair seem near impossible. Is there any type of epoxy which could be used for this sort of repair, or would it actually require the skill of a master welder (presumably with a super-tiny torch) to accomplish this type of a fix?
Appreciate any info or suggestions. Thanks!
Bob Hanson, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA