Welding in Phnom Penh?

[Blorg]

I have snapped a bolt on my bike that maintains saddle tension. It's a bit of a speciality item, it won't be available in Phnom Penh (or anywhere in Asia for that matter.)



I was hoping to try getting it welded back together. Basically the way it works is the bit that has broken off (at the right) pushes the nose of the saddle away from saddle rail. I don't need a permanent fix; if it lasts 1,000km that will be enough as I have a whole replacement saddle waiting for me in southern Thailand. The bike for that matter is rideable as is and I'll survive with it as is if I have to.

Anyone know where I can find a welder?

The other alternative would be if I can find a bolt in the same size and TPI, but it would have to have a head very like that one snapped off to fit- which I think is unlikely.

[robboat]

Looks like it is a small diameter bolt so brazing is a recommended form of weld.
This will be a smooth flow from the break to the bolt head and will be strong enough...
Electric welding will probably just blow a big hole in the bolt as locals tend to use too many amps to strike the arc.

You will need some one with either an oxy-acetylene welder or a propane blow torch -
Look for a plumber that uses copper pipes for building construction as they will be brazing and silver soldering all day long.
There is a machine shop on St 218 that had an oxy-actelyne set....but that was almost 2 years ago...
You could also try a larger panel beating shop - you will probably have to buy the bronze rod and flux.

Hope this helps - Good luck....

[Jackal]

Screw welding it - just forage hardware shop for a bolt of suitable size - or get one turned up on a lathe for you.

[Blorg]

The problem is the end, which needs to poke through a hole, holding it place, while the ridge pushes the end out, providing the tension. Having said that, a straight headless bolt with two nuts on it could possibly do the job (although difficult to adjust.) Any idea on hardware shops for bolts?

[Dad]

First find out what thread it is, metric or what? then buy some threaded rod and nuts.

[Blorg]

The issue is that the head terminates in a hex socket, so you can hold it still with a hex wrench while you use a small spanner (13mm) to adjust the tension. Where the disc at the end slots, if replaced by a nut, would not be accessible for a second spanner, although it might well stick well enough to hold the bolt still while tensioning it with the other nut. To be honest I am entirely happy with any sort of bodge; the saddle rail cracked before Christmas in northern Laos and so I have been riding it broken for a few thousand km already. I won't need to retension it if I can just get it fitted.

I don't know the thread (closest I can gauge from a quick google is "between 20 and 24TPI, probably 22TPI.") To be honest, though, it doesn't entirely matter if I was replacing the lot with a new rod and nuts, it would just need to be approximately the same diameter. Where are the hardware shops?

[Jackal]

Near Psar Kandal, small stalls there. Near Psar Chas there are a few.

Also, north of the roundabout at the top of Monivong Bvld. You may fine what you need.

The machine shop on the street above mine (154) would happily attempt welding what you have for something like $0.50. They welded the side-stand on one of my bikes for that fee not long ago (surprisingly the weld is still holding!).