Thanks for your reply. I don't know as much as I would like to know about this. I'll do a search for open hearth brazing. Are the Reynolds tubes made now designed to improve when heated? What about 531? Mercian uses a Reynolds 631 now, which I have not heard of before. I am aware that Waterford used a high-temperature silver solder when they made my frame, (853 & True Temper), in order to take advantage of this "heat treating" property. Or is this a marketing ploy to justify welding? Thanks, Frank (Who wouldn't own a welded or plastic frame if you GAVE it to me) Knox Greenville, NC
> [Original Message]
> From: Todd Kuzma <tullio@TheRamp.net>
> To: <jmkfmk@earthlink.net>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Date: 3/20/04 3:41:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Mercian new website & history
>
> on 3/20/04 2:18 PM, Frank Knox at jmkfmk@earthlink.net wrote:
>
> > I realize that Trek and Cannondale may not recommend this method, but
are
> > you saying Mercian makes inferior frames these days?
> > I've got a Waterford, but I have been hoping to have a Vincitore some
day
> > if the craftsmanship is good.
>
> You can check the archives for earlier discussion about open hearth
brazing.
> In general, this method heats up the entire frame, or very large portions
of
> it, rather than the small area heated by a hand-held torch in more modern
> silver or brass brazing. It's a bit harder to draw the brass where you
want
> it inside the lug, and hearth-brazed frames typically require more
clean-up
> and cold-setting afterwards.
>
> The British have built using this method for decades. While a bit cruder
> than what most modern builders do, their frames have appeared to hold up
> just fine. I'm not sure why they continue with hearth brazing. Perhaps
it
> is just tradition, but I'm not aware of any advantages it holds today.
>
> Here are some pics: http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/
>
> Todd Kuzma
> Heron Bicycles
> Tullio's Big Dog Cyclery
> LaSalle, IL 815-223-1776
> http://www.heronbicycles.com
> http://www.tullios.com