MTFCA Forum

I'm working on what appears to be an original condition 1914 steering column. I have noted past forum posts on repairing the brass two-piece gear sets riveted to capture the spark and throttle rods. I don't recall anything being said about the gear case being soldered to the lower portion in addition to the rivets employed. I believe you can see the line of solder on this unit.

Not that this is an issue, I'm just curious. Any thoughts ?

Yes rich, they are riveted and soldered.

Thanks Mike !

As I recall, the mating surfaces of the two pieces were very lightly tinned first. Then assembled and rivets installed. Too much tinning, and the rivets won't pull down tight enough, or the two pieces may not sit together flatly enough. Without tinning, the solder applied after being riveted may not draw in far enough to make a solid tight hold between the pieces. Solder when heated will travel farther into tight spaces that have been tinned than it will untinned.
After the riveting is completed, additional solder is added until the bond is as complete as the parts are willing to accept. They should draw in a significant amount of fresh solder.

I have toyed with the idea of tinning the pieces, leaving it a bit heavier, and assembling the pieces with temporary bolts. Then heating the pieces and while still hot enough for the solder to flow, quickly tightening the bolts down hard. That should make a good tight bond between the two brass pieces. Then, one at a time, replace all the bolts with proper rivets.
One possible drawback to that idea, is that some or all the bolts might accept the solder and become difficult to remove?

If you try your bolt method, I would recommend painting your bolts with a product like McKay spray graphite.
A friend is using this spray on Babbitt molds. It works excellent in this application.

I don't believe the solder is added for strength. I believe it's done to seal the joint from leakage of grease/oil.