brazing/soldering old brass in PO9 or E11 or nearby

[JohnD]

I have a fancy Victorian letterbox. Some clumsy buffoon (not me) dropped it on a concrete floor and broke the backplate intto several pieces.

Is there anyone who can invisibly mend it for me? Near Havant or Wanstead if possible. I don't want to post it but can call round.

TIA

 

[Alarm]

Only people I know who could do that ( and it will require a repair plate on the back to keep the joint strong, because of the movement) would be in Chingford. ( close to you of course)


http://bcametalworks.co.uk/default.aspx
Give them a call first to be sure.


If not call these in Chelsea http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/chelsea-metalworks-ltd-13939048.html If these cannot its not possible.

 

[JohnD]

'mmm

I was hoping for some old bloke in a shed with a pipe and a cloth cap who'd do it for a few quid.

Fantasy, eh?

 

[Alarm]

Its broken in more than one place.
Even I would not try that and I`ve done a bit of Braising. Mainly on thicker material as you are mentioning, so was able to pin it together too. But that was generally repairing old hand made locks to hand made doors. One of the joys of also being a (non practising generally now) Locksmith.

So unless you know "some old bloke" with the skills and equipment still, I think the above are the best option. Or ring them and ask if they use a "old Brasier" for intricate work. I know of the Chingford lot from word of mouth. Chelsea lot have known for many years.

 

[wotan]

'mmm

I was hoping for some old bloke in a shed with a pipe and a cloth cap who'd do it for a few quid.

Fantasy, eh?

Near fantasy, this breed of person are getting extremely rare.
Attitudes have changed, the question now asked is what can I screw out of someone, for a job like this.

Wotan

 

[JohnD]

it's a casting, not sheet. About 1/4" thick. I reckon I could solder it but the line would show white.

At the moment the 4 pieces have been put together like a jigsaw, and screwed to the door with a screw through each.

 

[Alarm]

Which makes it worse IMHO. Its probably broken along a inherrent weak point, air bubbles ect.

Solder the back, braise the front, and polish. Maybe pin it but I would not just in case it shattered again. But I still feel repair brackets at the back would be the best way. Brasied on and then the front, polished. Should give you a good finish.

 

[Alarm]

PS meant Brazied.

Derrrrrrrrr

 

[Symptoms]

John - your local welding workshop (Yellow Pages) will be able to fix this thing for you. Any welder worth his salt will be able to 'braze' this thing for you. Options will be: brazing, phosphor bronze welding, or silver-soldering depending on its construction; I'd suggest doing this on the rear to maintain any decorative work to front face.

 

[Jasonb]

If you were nearer I'd do it. Silver solder would be best as that will fill the cracks as it flows into the joints but Braze will just form a fillet. It is likely that the joint will show as a faint grey line over time as the silver will tarnish.It would not need any form of backing plate the solder will be quite strong enough.

Oh and I'm not an old bloke with pipe and flat cap but I do spend time in my shed.

J

 

[Stivino]

PS meant Brazied.

Derrrrrrrrr

You meant brazed even.

 

[Alarm]

Yeah, thanks.

 

[JohnD]

Thanks chaps!

Why do you all live in the wrong place?

 

[Alarm]

Surrey is not far from Havant.

Know from experience going from London to Hayling fightclu oops Island

 

[JohnD]

Where in Surrey is your shed, Jason?