Re: [CR]Craft vs. Machine building

(Example: Framebuilders:Pino Morroni)

From: "Ed Braley" <edbraley@maine.rr.com>
To: "Douglas R. Brooks" <dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu>, "Classic Rendevous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Cc: "db" <dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu>
References: <200103021530.f22FUPA29005@troi.cc.rochester.edu>
Subject: Re: [CR]Craft vs. Machine building
Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2001 16:01:03 -0500


Raleigh "ring brazing"...

In "The Custom Bicycle", by Kolin and de la Rosa, on pages 86-87, there is description of the Raleigh "ring brazing" technology. According to the book, ring brazing was used to build production frames at the Worksop factory where most all of the Reynolds 531 frames were made. They put rings of brass between the tubes and lugs, tacked them together with copper, and then heated whole sections of the frame at one time by machine, causing the brass to melt and flow into the joint. The copper melted at a higher temperature than the brass, and kept the frame together until the brass set up.

Does anyone know more about this?

Ed.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas R. Brooks"
To: Classic Rendevous
Cc: db
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 10:30 AM
Subject: [CR]Craft vs. Machine building



> Classicists,
>
> I think all framebuilders I have spoken with agree that modern
> cast lugs and the quality of tubing nowadays is indeed an improvement
> over what was made in the early classic lightweight era. It strikes
> me as ironic that now that technology can create the best materials for
> lugged steel bikes we have ever seen, what we have instead are toothpaste
> TIGed aluminum...
> That said, I confess to riding techno-zoot bikes and liking them, though
> I have clear, reality-driven everyday preferences for things classic.
> But all that said, have a look here if you have patience for
> the download (or a cable internet connection that makes this come
> right up...spoiled me): http://www.bicycleworldusa.com/video_01/default.htm
>
> Here, at Bicycle World USA's site, you will find a series of videos
> featuring Colnago bicycles---the only ones this shop sells. In the
> particular video I have in mind you will see a steel bike placed
> on a machine that "pre-heats" the welds, leaving them glowing as
> it turns to the human welder who finishes them off.
> One wonders why Colnago/BW-USA thinks that this is something
> they would like to _show_ people: assembly-line, quasi-automated
> production for the world's "finest bicycles." Where is the craft
> left in this? I spoke with Grant about this a few days ago
> and he mentioned that he knew the machine, the company that made
> it for Colnago, and that other Italian makers apparently use it as well.
> I have no expertise or qualification to comment on the merits
> of this process but the whole matter defies my more romantic
> visions of Sachs, Baylis, Bohm, et.al.(short list) enacting
> their careful craft. What might have Confente thought of this?
> (rhetorical, of course)
> Perhaps the better cast lugs and modern tubes make this
> assembly-line process okay for building straight, functionally
> okay bicycles, but it is sure ugly to my eye.
> I don't mean to disparage modern Colnagos (though I share
> Steven Sheffield's suggestion in reply to Brian's Private View),
> but Colnago must think that this "heights of technology"
> presentation is obviously meant to inspire us.
> I doubt that production lugged steel in America (Serotta, Waterford,
> any others?) would think this is inspiring to potential buyers.
>
> Classic content question: Were there any production line style
> machines making bikes in the era of our interests?
>
> trying to stay on mission here, but darn curious what
> others think of old style building techniques in contrast to these
> modern ways,
> Douglas Brooks
> snowy, snowy today Canandaigua, NY