Re: [CR]Heat Gun versus Open Flame was Frozen Stem / Seatpost

(Example: Framebuilding:Paint)

From: "heddarr" <heddarr@indianaconnect.com>
To: "Raoul Delmare" <Raoul.L.Delmare@worldnet.att.net>, "C.R. List" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <BB296B8B.2472%mail@woodworkingboy.com> <011901c342ff$868a2540$e64efea9@oemcomputer>
Subject: Re: [CR]Heat Gun versus Open Flame was Frozen Stem / Seatpost
Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2003 00:05:52 -0400


Warmest greetings

I have an acquaintance who is a diesel mechanic for an oil and gas drilling company. He deals with rusted frozen stuff all the time. He told me that an old timer told him to heat the inside piece as hot as the circumstance would allow and let cool over night. The inner piece expands against the outer and then contracts.

The LBS that I assemble for occasionally had a Schwinn Peloton that had an indexed head set. This stem had been twisted, beaten and soaked. The fork had already been bruised in the attempt to free it from the stem.

I directed the owner of the shop to receive permission to ruin the stem. He used a torch to heat the stem only from the top. He called later on to say it turned off surprisingly easy. He didn't let it cool overnight.

Paint remained very yellow.

Howard Darr
Clymer PA