Fillet Pro

[hmbatrail]

So I have been using Freddy's Fillet Pro for the last few frames and I really like it. It takes a little getting used to but what I like most is how easy it is to lay down the tinning pass. It is also a snap to clean up and finish. Has anyone else been working with it and what are your thoughts?

I attached a few photos of the process. I cleaned off the flux after the tinning pass just to take a few snaps.

[Craig Ryan]

Thanks Tim, that is beautiful.

[Freddy]

OK?
I have a question, what about distortion making the outer nice and full?
do you use heat sinks or is the process still below distortion temps?
Freddy

[hmbatrail]

Freddy,
I do not use heat sinks. I try to move fast and get the hell out of there.

For the tinning pass I use a bigger flame and pull the silver in and form a nice fillet on the inside. For the second pass I turn the flame down pretty damn small because too big of a flame and this shit will run away from you. I find the smaller flame allows me to build up a section, let it "freeze", and then I move on. I also find it is absolutely crucial that you are working from the top. If you try and lay the fillet uphill or downhill you'll regret it. So I am constantly rotating the frame to keep the work area facing up.

Unlike nickel silver or bronze where I make strokes across the joint with the rod to build up the fillet, with the Fillet Pro I start at the center of the joint and then feed silver into the fillet until it grows to the size I need. Am I making sense on that?

[suhacycles]

Those joints are very purty!

Tim, Freddy - Given the tensile strength of Fillet Pro is it safe to assume one can get away with doing a smaller fillet compared to brass, especially if one is using a light tube, say with 0.8 or 0.7mm butts?

Also, given the lower heat can you still use a lug-appropriate HT (31.7 dia, 1.0 wall) or is it recommended to use something beefier (33 dia, 1.5 wall)?

-Hansen

[hmbatrail]

I am quite certain that you can get away with smaller fillets than what I am laying down but I just like the look of a bigger fillet. It is personal preference based exclusively on aesthetics. One thing is for certain, it isn't making the joint weaker.

As far as tube wall thickness, I can't answer and don't have an opinion. All of the fillet work I have been doing has been for mountain bikes and I am running 37mm HT (and one 36mm) stock on those.

[Freddy]

Hey Doc?
Fillet Pro is stronger becuase it adheares stronger, copper is the limiting factor in all brazing rods.
So far many of the builds were in fact done to look like no filler was there?
Three to one seems to be enough for the tube to give way before the filler.
We are still doing models over here to set baselines with.

Short answer is a fillet made this way with the silver bearing bronze can be very small and light compared
to other rods and was intended for very thin tubes.

The Fillet Builder for cosmetics was not explained in the past years and was not re-made.
But stay tuned it will be

[Freddy]

Also Hansen, I am working on large project orders and consultations for industry almost all my waking hours.
I don't want you guys to think I am giving out flip answers or avoiding writing papers and posting them on my website.
My days have been around 20 hrs long just keeping my portions done.
I am trying now to put back up a web to explain in detail all of the methods.
I now have some dedicated help and a very detailed help site is coming soon.

Thanks for questions, keep them coming.

Your success is the most important issue.
Always has been.

[YiPsan]

Great work Tim.

I have been using this stuff for a while too, but I use it sparingly on occasions that calls for low / zero heat distortion. So, I used it on EBBs where I don't use heat sinks and do not want any post heat reaming and such. It works great. A bit of a challenge as compared with lfb, but the result pays off.

Thanks Freddy.

[suhacycles]

Also Hansen, I am working on large project orders and consultations for industry almost all my waking hours.
I don't want you guys to think I am giving out flip answers or avoiding writing papers and posting them on my website.
My days have been around 20 hrs long just keeping my portions done.
I am trying now to put back up a web to explain in detail all of the methods.
I now have some dedicated help and a very detailed help site is coming soon.

Thanks for questions, keep them coming.

Your success is the most important issue.
Always has been.

You da man Freddy... always a pleasure and a learning experience!

[Freddy]

Follow up for Fillet Pro.
The final formulas for a new all purpose Silver Braze for Lugs is now done, It will replace the weaker 56% but flow just as well.
It is a broad flow range eutectic that can fill large gaps and still flow down to the tightest fit.
We have named it 48 Lug Braze.
Pricing will be lower than 56% and once again it is great for SS using the Stainless Light flux.
48 Lug Braze can be used with inline fluxers for Steel lugs and tubing, only needs the SSLight for SS.
The LFB and the fluxes have been finished for several weeks and the last of the backorders have been shipped.
The Object is to cover the entire joining issue regardless of temp control issues, so the highest quality products
for joining can be sustainable to the community.
Now that we have an LFB system working at true mid-range temps, many applications will excel at very low cost.
Joining investment cast lugs and thin wall super tubes will now enjoy a system that covers the entire build at much lower cost and ease of control due to wider clearance flow to fill range.

CDG senior member Wade Barocsi will be taking over the web in a few days when updates are done, the Lug Braze was developed By Wade and Fred over the winter.
http://www.cycledesignusa.com

[CyclesNoir]

That sounds cool! New things never stop coming from you, do they?