Filling Dents

[William Chitham]

I recently filled a small dent in a chainstay with ordinary plumber's solder and it think I got a good result, seemed much more satisfactory than using an epoxy filler, but I'm absolutely brand new to metal work and wondered if there is any problem with such a technique? Photo here if anyone's interested: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/27344909@N02/7222324926/in/set-72157629787124332/>

[John Wilson]

You should be ok unless you plan on powdercoating the frame. PC cures at around 400 F, which would melt out solder. My '48 Schwinn Town and Country tandem was fillet brazed and then leaded to smooth it up at the factory (there was some discussion a while back on the CR list whether Schwinn would do this - I assure you, they did!). My powdercoater advised me of this and did a test heat before pc. Of course, the lead melted out. We then pc'd it and it still looks good sans lead.

Regards,

John Wilson