Originally Posted by
CliffordK
If it is actually 4130 Chromoly, it can be tig welded, and possibly has been welded (mig/tig).
It looks like that is a cast Campy-Style horizontal dropout (complete with the set-screw). At least generally not found on department store bikes.
What type of bike was it on? Do you have photos of the whole bike?
Is the bike brazed and lugged or welded? Some dropouts are also welded in place.
Anyway, if the frame is as cheap as you indicate, then it won't be worth paying "shop rates" to repair, and end up with a repaired/repainted (or touched up) frame. Strip it and move on.
If you can do the repair yourself, or have friends or family that could do it, that would be another question.
I'd lean towards doing a quick and dirty tig welding unless the bike seemed to have significant value. Or, perhaps donate it to somebody wanting to do something like installing track dropouts on a classic road frame.
I got a seat tube silver brazed into my steel road bike for $40 and a six-pack. It would require careful planning to source the parts, some prep work on the part of the bike owner, and a plan to get some brazing help. If the frame has sentimental value as well as practical transportation value, I wouldn't consider its repair to be ill advised.