Re: [CR]Fillet brazing when did it start,who does it still?

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

In-Reply-To: <20020721235753.LRIK15849.mtiwmhc22.worldnet.att.net@webmail.worldnet.att.net>
References: <20020721235753.LRIK15849.mtiwmhc22.worldnet.att.net@webmail.worldnet.att. net>
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2002 17:48:32 -0700
To: jimmycue@att.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Brandon Ives" <monkeylad@mac.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Fillet brazing when did it start,who does it still?


At 11:57 PM +0000 7/21/02, jimmycue@att.net wrote:
>Was wondering when fillet brazing frames started and who
>might still build frames in this manner?

I'm going to assume you're talking about bikes. Looking through G. Donald Adams' "Collecting and Restoring Antique Bicycles" it goes at least as far back as Ordinarys and almost all of the early Safety bikes were fillet brazed too. I have a frame from between 1900 and 1910 that is fillet brazed. I think a better question is when did fully lugged construction begin?

Most builders still working in steel can build using fillets, though most prefer lugs. My buddy Jeff Lyon <http://www.lyonsport.com/ > is the only builder I know who actually prefers to build lugless. Columbine Cycle Works built one of the most beautiful unfinished fillet brazed tandems about 7 years ago and showed it off at all the bike shows. Of course he builds with ornate lugs too as shown by pictures in the photo gallery. I think any of the list member builders (Dave, Brian, Richard, ETC. . .) could, and have, build fine fillet brazed frames. I just don't think there's whole lot of demand for them. If you don't give the public what they want you don't stay in business very long. I don't think fillet brazing get's the respect it should from folks, but that's just me. Was there ever a real production fillet brazed frame? ciao, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives Just ordered my first custom surfboard today in Santa Barbara, Calif.