Re: [CR]LUGGED FRAMES VERUS FILLET BRAZED FRAMES

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

From: "Pete Rutledge" <prutledge1@comcast.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <9327C3B25BD3C34A8DBC26145D88A90702CD4D@hippy.home.here>
Subject: Re: [CR]LUGGED FRAMES VERUS FILLET BRAZED FRAMES
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2005 12:28:31 -0500
reply-type=original

At least in the old days, nice smooth, rounded fillets on fillet-brazed frames were not all due to brazing talent. As mentioned in Mike Rother's article "Whole 'Lotta Brazing Going On--The Story of Schwinn Fillet-Brazed Lightweight Bicycles--1938-1978," on Sheldon Brown's web site, at least on the early fillet-brazed models, lead was used to smooth the fillets. This was similer to the then common practice of using lead to fill and smooth automotive body panel joints. I saw the leading first-hand when I stripped the finish from my '38 Schwinn Superior. It was apparent that the head and upper seatpost joints received the most smoothing attention--virtually no brass could be seen--only gray lead; the bottom bracket joint is not nearly as nice and showed little or no leading.

Pete Rutledge
Woodbridge, VA