RADBMX.CO.UK

Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: sawzall on July 12, 2008, 08:04 PM

Title: fork repair using lead
Post by: sawzall on July 12, 2008, 08:04 PM

heres a few pics of some fork drop outs i repaired today using lead,before the days of plastic car body filler lead was used to repair dents fill seams and joints etc,i thought i would give it a go on some drop outs that had deep washer marks and it worked a treat  :)this sort of repair will only work if you are going to paint frame (not sure about powder)maybe dan would know???? lead is a much stronger repair and wont crack or shrink if it's applied properly,could also be used to fill dents etc ;)
before....(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/y77/sawzall717/005-8.jpg)

applied lead.....(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/y77/sawzall717/006-5.jpg)

sanded down ready for paint....(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/y77/sawzall717/008.jpg)

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: MartyC on July 13, 2008, 03:06 AM

Nice job, I would have thought that it can be powdered as lead conducts electricity  :daumenhoch:

Be interesting to find out if it can be chromed, I think it can but not certain about it  :-\.

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: Bob_Acid on July 13, 2008, 03:33 AM

Excellent job.   :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: firebird4130 on July 13, 2008, 11:55 AM

How is that done then? Where do you get the lead?

cheers

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: sawzall on July 13, 2008, 07:04 PM

fraz you have to clean metal until its nice and shiney then tin the surface with solder paint using a blow torch, warm up lead and spread over repaired area which has been tinned using a wooden paddle lubricated with tallow(fat),it wont stick if it's not tinned first, once its applied just sand down using production paper 80-then 180 grit,its a lot more involved than plastic filler but will last ;)
you can get the lead etc from body shop suppliers,

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: pickle on July 13, 2008, 08:19 PM

looking good Phil (as usual) but couldn't you get the lead from old burner tubes?   ;)

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: firebird4130 on July 13, 2008, 10:21 PM

cool might give that a go on some dropouts ,thanks for the info  :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: jT Racing on July 14, 2008, 08:34 PM

it's good untill the first time you tighten a nut and the soft lead distortes again. better use a really big assed washer.

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: gjs on July 14, 2008, 09:33 PM

what does lead melt at,and how hot is the oven for powder coating :LolLolLolLol:

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: davie1967 on July 15, 2008, 08:35 PM

Nice job there. a word of warning about lead though. its very toxic and breathing the fumes is not recommended. if you dont know what your doing i would suggest not trying it . if the lead when melting/melted comes into contact with water it can explode.
 we use it in the blacksmith trade for securing raikings etc.

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: pkradman on July 16, 2008, 10:37 PM

 :LolLolLolLol: fookin ell health and saftey at its best here ... oh and btw answer to the qestion "where do u get the lead from "  ....... church roofs ffs ! :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: jT Racing on July 18, 2008, 04:37 PM

Quote from: gjs on July 14, 2008, 09:33 PM

what does lead melt at,and how hot is the oven for powder coating :LolLolLolLol:

about 350-400 and about 160-180 i think. but i could just be guessing.

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: double chevron on July 18, 2008, 05:11 PM

Nice clean job Phil.
But what's up when you fit wheels again?
Can they be bolted tightly or will dropouts go back to their original mis-shape ?
Lead is quite a soft material

Title: Re: fork repair using lead
Post by: sawzall on July 18, 2008, 05:39 PM

i will fit a washer before nuts are tightened and its only on a show pony,the lead is usually used on car body work and is quite robust ;) it would also be good for filling large dents that wont pull out,