Hi, new member here. I have just enough welding knowledge to be dangerous!
In any case, does anyone have any experience with repairing bicycle frames? My nice Italian steel frame has developed a crack in one of the dropouts. Here's a pic:
http://homepage.mac.com/diddidit/DIDstuff/Crack.jpg
The frame is a chromoly steel, probably along the lines of 4130. The dropout, where the crack is, is probably investment cast, although it's possible that it's forged. I don't ride the bike a lot anymore, but I would like to have it available; the crack is in quite a highly loaded area.
It may be possible for a frame builder to replace the dropout (it's brazed to the frame tubing), but that would almost certainly involve a lot more money than I really want to spend for something that's no longer a primary ride. I'd guess that someone could GTAW the thing back to life; our local community college welding instructor apparently has quite a good reputation.
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks -
did