Originally Posted by
guy153
Yes go for it
When I say a bit of brass, I mean I would use TIG silicon bronze, just as a kind of filler, after welding the crack with a steel rod. You could skip the brass though-- it isn't really necessary. Just car body filler is fine. So long as you have a good weld of the actual crack it's all good. Also make sure you bolt a dummy axle in place before welding to minimize distortion. You will probably still need to make some minor adjustments afterwards but this is fine.
People put huge dimples into chainstays anyway so I don't think a dent will do any harm. Also a broken CS while riding is the sort of failure you will probably get away with. Of course don't sell the frame after repairing it without full disclosure!
There's not a chance I would sell this frame after attempting to repair, but you're helping give me the gumption to attempt the repair for myself (would probably just make it a single-speed grocery-getter). I figure that I don't have much to loose, as the frame's toast either way. I'll post an update if we decide to tackle it! Thanks for the encouragement, I'd much rather have it be something ridable rather than tossing it into a landfill (or cutting it up into pipes, which is something I've done in the past).