Brass Nugget in Chainstay Rattling

[Tom Gagliardi]

I'm just finishing up a frame and noticed a rattle in the non-drive side chainstay. It turns out there is a small brass nugget in there that's just a little too big to come out the vent hole in the bottom bracket. I must have dripped the nugget when brazing the dropouts.

Any suggestions on how to get it out? My thoughts were; make the vent hole bigger, melt it out or maybe epoxy the nugget in place, but thought I'd ask for input before doing something dumb.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

[e-RICHIE]

Won't it come out through the bb shell ports?

[Tom Gagliardi]

No, it's just a little too big. I can see it and if I shake it enough it sits on the vent hole so half is sticking out. I can kind of grab it with a needle nose, but can't pull it out.

[e-RICHIE]

Get a long drill bit and aim it at that vent hole in the shell. and egg it out. Or just shake the offending stay until the nugget rests in the hole and heat it until it melts.

[Tom Gagliardi]

Ok. I'll try the drill first and then try to melt it if that doesn't work.

It would probably be easy to melt, but was thinking it would be better to not apply extra heat to the bb shell. I can get it lined up right on the vent hole hanging out.


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[e-RICHIE]

If the hole is enlarged, or even left as-is, and the stay is perpendicular with the nugget in plain view, heating it enough to melt would be a no-brainer. If you're worried about the drill angle, just hog it out with a 4" round bastard cut file.

[Tom Gagliardi]

Thank you Richard. About 20-seconds of heat and it popped right out. There were actually a couple of nuggets in there. I must have been in an aggressive mood when I was brazing the dropout and feeding the brass rod.

[e-RICHIE]

You're welcome.
Show the material who's boss.
Once in a while, it concedes.