Date:         Tue, 3 Apr 2001 08:53:29 -0400
Reply-To:     Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Get Bent??? go straight!-Maybe, Maybe Not.
Comments: To: Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I would think these people know their business.  Think of the
clientele--lots of lawyers with expensive alloys.

                                                             Jay




Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM> on 04/03/2001 08:45:20 AM

Please respond to JKrevnov@AOL.COM

To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:    (bcc: Jay L Snyder/AE/DuPont)
Subject:  Re: Get Bent???  go straight!-Maybe, Maybe Not.




In a message dated 4/2/01 12:53:28 PM, JordanVw@AOL.COM writes:
<< Audi A4 wheel there with a big chunk out of
the rim and they welded it back up, machined it, straightened it, and
painted
and clearcoated it.. looks brand new. >>
One should think twice before repairing a wheel because looks can be
deceiving.  Think of all the variables: the metallurgical composition of
the
base metal, something which is seldom known in casual repairs; the built up
stress from the welding process; the weld design and prep; most
importantly,
the skill of the welder.
I recently saw an example of welding which looked beautifully executed, but
was fundamentally flawed.  My wife picked up a Cannondale bicycle which is
touted by people knowledgeable of such things as being of the highest
quality.  In an effort to sucker me into buying one for myself, my wife
brought home a Cannondale catalog.  On the cover of the brochure,
Cannondale
showed one of their frames which had been sliced open to show a
cross-section
of their "high quality" welding.  It took one glimpse of that image to
convince me that Cannondale is more bullshit than substance for at the root
of the weld of the seat tube to downtube was a void.  It doesn't matter how
much filler material was globbed on and artfully blended, by any criteria
the
weld was junk.  So here is the foremost manufacturer of AL bicycle frames
proudly displaying his wares and he shows a weld which would bring shame to
even apprentice pipefitter.
I know men who are certified to weld on the primary coolant loops of
nuclear
power plants.  I know men who are certified to weld airframes.  I know men
who are certified to weld high pressure piping with 3 inch thick walls.
But,
I never met a welder who was certified to weld alloy wheels.
Rich