Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,344
Likes: 5,461
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
The millions of bronze brazed AND LUGGED frames might disagree with the suggestion that bronze can't be used with best results in a socket. It's all about the prep and the skill of the brazer. Actually the concerns about silver filler loosing it's strength with gaps beyond .005" is a greater one. With bent angles but no added interior build up then reaming/grinding back to the new angle and spec diameter THERE WILL BE GAPS.
As to a filleted joint not being solid just talk to the thousands of tandem riders who ride them. Or the early mountain bikes made by Ritchey and others, or the motorcycle frames, or...
Now the skill of the builder comes into play with any type of joint. It's just that to alter lug angles and do a good job with silver means that the skill lever goes up significantly. Andy.