07-23-2010, 04:16 PM
hello,
Can anyone tell me, if an aluminum frame has a crack in it can it be repaired?
Phil.
Can anyone tell me, if an aluminum frame has a crack in it can it be repaired?
Phil.
Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.
Best Black Friday E-Bike Deals 2024 | Up to $1,700 in Savings
New: Take Part in the November Giveaway: Starts November 18th
(07-23-2010, 10:44 PM)GeorgeET Wrote: Its weldable by a experienced TIG welder.(Tungston Inert Gas)
Its thin metal so its got to be a very good welder. Find one and ask him.
(07-24-2010, 02:58 PM)GeorgeET Wrote: . . .If the frame is cracked you got nothing to loose by trying to weld it. Try to cut a deal to pay if fixed. . . .
(07-26-2010, 02:18 AM)busymate Wrote: Hello,
It was more of a general question really. I have seen a couple of really high end frames for sale cheap, with cracks in them. But was unsure weather repairable or not.
phil.
(07-26-2010, 08:44 AM)Bill Wrote: To add to everyones good advice, here is my opinion. If I see a crack in a the frame the bike will never see the road again. Many uses for a retired bike frame after I put a hack saw through it to make sure it won't be rode again. Personally they are a danger to the rider and/or others around because if it went John Doe loses control hits someone then gets hurt as well as rider. Someone brings me a bike and I see it, I explicitly warning them of the dangers and offer them a bike with a discount for trade in. Then the frame gets to see Mr. Saw! Some bikes are just not worth the risk of fixing. Sorry all but I do have my own opinions about frames.
(07-23-2010, 04:16 PM)busymate Wrote: hello,Don't do it.
Can anyone tell me, if an aluminum frame has a crack in it can it be repaired?
Phil.
(07-26-2010, 10:20 AM)xerxes Wrote: but steel frames, especially lugged ones, can be safely repaired. If a tube is damaged it can be swapped out and replaced with a new one and small dents can be filled with brass. However, the repair will only be economical on better quality frames made with lightweight tube sets. With cheaper, plain quage steel frames, the repair will likely cost more than the frame is worth.
(08-21-2010, 04:36 AM)trevgbb Wrote: These frames are, of course, brazed and not welded, a different technique altogether. . . . .in fact, I am not sure you can still get the tubing.
(08-21-2010, 04:36 AM)trevgbb Wrote: These frames are, of course, brazed and not welded, a different technique altogether. My local frame builder, making and repairing frames in Reynolds tubing, stopped production several years ago, in fact, I am not sure you can still get the tubing.
(10-25-2010, 09:44 AM)xerxes Wrote: . . . Also, since the late 80's early 90's steel frames are more commonly TIG welded than brazed. Welding is cheaper, quicker and like fillet brazing allows more geometry variations than lugged frames where the frame butting angles are restricted by the availability of the lugs.
Quote: . . . a qualified weldor would likely charge as much to fix it as it would cost to buy a new frame. But ya never know with the economy the way it is. I know a lot of weldors that are looking for jobs right now. The problem though, an unqualified weldor may cause more harm than good.
If you decide to go with a weldor to fix it, ask him what his certifications ("certs") are or has. Can he weld aluminum? And are his certs up-to-date?
In all honesty, most qualified, highly certified weldors would consider fixing a bike frame a "junk job" and prefer real money-making jobs.