Welding Ti frames?

ginger1
ginger1 Posts: 94
edited April 2011 in Workshop
Developed an annoying creak whilst out yesterday. Got home and had a closer look only to notice a hairline crack two thirds of the way round the chainstay, just behind the BB.

The frame had a lifetime guarantee but Im assuming that expired when the company that made it for me did.

So, is it worth (or possible) to get it welded and if so does anyone know any TiG welders in oxfordshire!?

Cheers
P

Comments

  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    You can get it welded - no problem at all.

    The difficulty is finding someone a) who is good enough b) does Ti.

    Ti is a pig to weld and not many people will touch it. Your average man with a Tig in a shed may well not know what he's doing.

    Call a couple of the frame makers who work with Ti - they will be able to help you. Your average welder won't.

    I did a very quick Google on "British bicycle frame builders" and came up with this:

    http://www.ceeway.com/custom_uk_bicycle ... ilders.htm

    If that draws a blank, try a couple of the m/bike dudes - someone like Harris or Spondon may be able to help.

    Bear in mind as well that the finish around the weld may be affected by the welding, so perhaps figure a full frame polish/powder coat into the whole affair.
  • ginger1
    ginger1 Posts: 94
    cheers Yossie. I'll check that out. Really helpful.
    P
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Enigma cycles and probably the only ti frame-builders in the UK.

    Alternatively, look up metal fabricators in Yellow Pages - you might find a titanium specialist. You need someone with experience of thin-gauge tubes otherwise you'll just blow a hole in the frame and render it useless.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • marcusjb
    marcusjb Posts: 2,412
    +1 to Enigma probably being the only frame builder in the UK currently who actually do the Ti stuff here. I think Burls have it done in Russia (might be worth talking to as well, though it could end up being a pricey experience if the frame set has to take a trip to Russia).

    What's the frame? With you saying the company has gone - is it a Setavento?
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • ginger1
    ginger1 Posts: 94
    thanks for the suggestions all. Yes it was setavento. Its been an excellent frame for the last 6 years so cant complain too much. Its cracked either side of the weld so assume poor welding?

    P
  • shockabuku
    shockabuku Posts: 19
    I put a crack in a Ti frame (Singular Pegasus) & got it welded up by Enigma just last week. £90 all in & it's a really tidy job. Just don't go upstairs to the showroom, or if you do, leave your credit card at home!
  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    A cracked chainstay will most likely need replacing. Assuming you will not be able to get the exact same, the advice might be to replace both chainstays.
  • rockmount
    rockmount Posts: 761
    Berk Bonebonce wrote:
    A cracked chainstay will most likely need replacing. Assuming you will not be able to get the exact same, the advice might be to replace both chainstays.
    Why's that then ?
    .. who said that, internet forum people ?
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    ^ I was trying to work out the same - there's no reason why a good weld would leave the chainstay stronger than before. Does depend on the location of the crack and whether you can get a decent pass with the welder.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    i thought the whole idea of a titanium frame was to laST a lifetime.
  • rockmount
    rockmount Posts: 761
    rake wrote:
    i thought the whole idea of a titanium frame was to laST a lifetime.
    Perhaps ... but the company didn't last a lifetime...so, what can you do ?
    Titanium
    .. who said that, internet forum people ?
  • ginger1
    ginger1 Posts: 94
    come on, 6 six years is almost a lifetime.......

    Funnily enough Jim at Enigma also suggested that both chainstays may need replacing. Need to send him some photos. I have almost talked myself into one of their frames with possibilty of a repair of my old one thrown in.

    P
  • cossington
    cossington Posts: 36
    My Ti Colnago developed a crack in the seat-tube/ top tube weld a few years ago.
    Vernon Barker (Dronfield, nr Sheffield) repaired it. He had a good reputation as one of the few UK Ti builders. He gives you another option.
    http://www.vernonbarkercycles.co.uk/contactus.htm

    Good luck,

    David
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    ginger1 wrote:
    come on, 6 six years is almost a lifetime.......



    P

    are you joking?
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    rake wrote:
    ginger1 wrote:
    come on, 6 six years is almost a lifetime.......



    P

    are you joking?

    + 1

    6 years minimum, no way near a lifetime.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    My oldest bike is nearly 30 years old. That isn't a lifetime.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,573
    Cossington wrote:
    My Ti Colnago developed a crack in the seat-tube/ top tube weld a few years ago.
    Vernon Barker (Dronfield, nr Sheffield) repaired it. He had a good reputation as one of the few UK Ti builders. He gives you another option.
    http://www.vernonbarkercycles.co.uk/contactus.htm

    Good luck,

    David

    I had some cantilever studs added to a Ti frame for me by Vernon and can second David's recommendation, he did an excellent job for a very reasonable price.
  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    rockmount wrote:
    Berk Bonebonce wrote:
    A cracked chainstay will most likely need replacing. Assuming you will not be able to get the exact same, the advice might be to replace both chainstays.
    Why's that then ?

    My thinking is that a cracked chainstay, whether steel, Ti or Al, has had it, and the frame builder wll think in terms of replacing the chainstay rather than attempting a repair.
  • rockmount
    rockmount Posts: 761
    Berk Bonebonce wrote:
    rockmount wrote:
    Berk Bonebonce wrote:
    A cracked chainstay will most likely need replacing. Assuming you will not be able to get the exact same, the advice might be to replace both chainstays.
    Why's that then ?

    My thinking is that a cracked chainstay, whether steel, Ti or Al, has had it, and the frame builder wll think in terms of replacing the chainstay rather than attempting a repair.
    My thinking (as an aerospace materials engineer with experience in titanium & titanium welding), is why would you ? I guess I'm looking for a more scientific description of "had it".
    .. who said that, internet forum people ?
  • ginger1
    ginger1 Posts: 94
    rake wrote:
    ginger1 wrote:
    come on, 6 six years is almost a lifetime.......



    P

    are you joking?

    surely quite clearly :?

    Thanks for the further recomendations andy and cossington. I'll let the engineers amongst you argue out the technical elements. But as a frequent flyer I'd best go with the opinion of the aerospace engineer!

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