I would tend to say that you shouldn't let your framebuilder friend near your bikes...a silver-brazed frame will come apart right around the temperature where the aluminum melts, and many steel alloys don't much like to spend much time around/above the aluminum melting point (753 being the classic example).
Melting the aluminum out is *not* a wise approach to dealing with a stuck seatpost, unless I'm missing something.
Scott Minneman San Francisco, CA - USA
-----Original Message-----
From: cwstudio@aol.com [mailto:cwstudio@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 8:21 PM To: jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Semi-annual stuck seatpost thread
I'm currently dealing with the same problem. I've gone through the various l ubricants and the Kroil stage, and am finally considering simply cutting the post off then cutting it internally in two places, the length of the post, to remove it in pieces.
A framebuilder friend has suggested using a torch with enough heat to melt t he aluminum post, since it will melt before the steel frame. Seems like a ra dical solution. I have some reservations about it, especially since that hea t will be near the very nice seat tube cluster and might weaken the brazed j oint.
If there's a better method, I'd really love to hear of it.
Chris Wimpey
San Diego, California
USA
-----Original Message----- From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 7:47 pm Subject: [CR]Semi-annual stuck seatpost thread
OK, time for the semi annual stuck seatpost thread.
Received a 70's Trusty-era Viscount today. The setpost is stuck, which ha d caused the seller to remove the saddle but leave the seatpost exposed, which
punched a hole in the box. The saddle is a nasty cheap steel and rubber
Messinger and the post is a cheap aluminum straight post, so I dont care if I destroy both of them getting the post out. Reinstalled the saddle to use as
lever to try to move the post, no luck so far.
So any new magic formulas besides Coca-Cola, Ammonia, Kroil? I could cut off the post at the seat clamp, but that might just make it harder to get the remaining part out. Does the fact the straight post is aluminum, and theref ore soft, make it any easier to get it out? Any new suggestions or reposts of o ld ones?
Good news, I guess, is I only pait $86 for this, although the shipping was
almost as much. And it has a good set of wheels, Titlist deraillers and
shifters and Viscount bars, stem, pedals and brakes, which probably is worth the $86, but the frame could be an interesting rider if I can get the damn post out.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA