Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

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Topic author
Distagon2

Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by Distagon2 » Sun Dec 18, 2022 7:28 pm

I have a fairly decent set of windshield support rods for my 1912 Roadster, with the exception of cracking as shown in the photos. Since I believe these are brass plated steel, I am thinking they could be repaired by TIG welding and then replated. I am guessing you brass guys have run into this very thing. Any advice?
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RGould1910
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Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by RGould1910 » Sun Dec 18, 2022 8:41 pm

Looks like a good candidate for silver soldering. Amazon sells Harris Safety Silv 45 and flux as a kit. I was told this stuff approximates the color of brass and is a good general purpose silver solder. I will be using it on a crack in my windshield frame.


Allan
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Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by Allan » Sun Dec 18, 2022 9:58 pm

Are the rods usually made by flattening the ends of some plated steel tubing? Mine gave separate brass cast ends, inserted and pinned to solid brass rods. One of these was broken and i carved a replacement out of solid brass rod.

Allan from down under.


Topic author
Distagon2

Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by Distagon2 » Mon Dec 19, 2022 11:37 am

I don't know the answer to your question, but I have seen both types of support rods. The ones I have came with the car, FWIW. One question I do have, is are they brass plated steel or some sort of steel rod with a brass sleeve pressed on it. I would think it is brass plated steel, but one authority insists that they are steel with brass cladding. Makes a difference in any repairs.


RGould1910
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Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by RGould1910 » Mon Dec 19, 2022 4:54 pm

The one original that I've seen was a brass tube over a steel core


Harry Lillo
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Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by Harry Lillo » Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:03 pm

The original pair that I have are also made of steel tubes with a thin
brass tube covering the steel. They too have longitudinal
cracks in the brass that need silver solder repair.
Harry Lillo


SurfCityGene
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Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by SurfCityGene » Mon Dec 19, 2022 6:52 pm

FWIW My '12 Torpedo has a cast fitting at that connection for the brass tube. Never had any cracks or problems top or bottom. Check your tube with a magnet.
1912 Torpedo Roadster


Topic author
Distagon2

Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by Distagon2 » Mon Dec 19, 2022 7:02 pm

There is a picture of this type of rod on page 122 of the Bruce McCalley encyclopedia. It is shown on a 12 Torpedo.


Allan
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Re: Repair of 1912 Windshield Support Rods

Post by Allan » Wed Dec 21, 2022 1:45 am

The brass clad tubing was also used on antique brass and iron beds. When restoring those I used chrome plated,brass sheathed bathroom towel railing, until they started chrome plating directly onto the steel tubing. Then I had to go to solid brass tubing. The brass covering on the steel tubing is not plating. If rust gets under the brass, it can literally be peeled off.

Allan from down under.

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