Reynolds 631

[Ke1th]

Hi,is it unusual for a Reynolds 631 frame to be built using lugs?

[mercalia]

Hi,is it unusual for a Reynolds 631 frame to be built using lugs?

My Dawes 1-Down is welded I think the difference between 531 and 631 is that 631 is surface hardened giving a bit more strength. 10%?

Do you have a bike in mind?

[AndyA]

No, loads of lugged frames made in 631. 631 can be welded or brazed no problem. I suppose it is slightly unusual in that 631 came out after the heyday of lugged frames, and that the majority of 631 frames are welded.

[Ke1th]

Thanks for replies. I have seen a bike local to me, thought it would be more likely to be welded but this one is lugged.

[geomannie]

Thanks for replies. I have seen a bike local to me, thought it would be more likely to be welded but this one is lugged.

My Dave Yates 631 frame is lugged and very nice it is too. I was offered the option of lugged or brazed.

Cheers

[PH]

Lots of Mercians are 631 and lugged.
Because it's easily weldable, I think a lugged 631 frame is more likely to have been built by a small scale traditional builder than a high volume one (Though there are probably exceptions) Previous steels which weren't so easily welded were more likely to have been lugged by all builders, so lugs themselves are not an indication of quality. Likewise, although a craft builder is less likely to weld a frame, there's nothing wrong with those that are - I hope not anyway, my three steel frames are all welded, 631,725, 853.

[botty]

I've just taken delivery of a lugged 631 Mercian.

[mercalia]

https://www.reynoldstechnology.biz/materials/steel/s-631/

though it says

Utilising the same chemistry as 853, Reynolds 631 is cold-worked and also has the advantages of air-hardening after welding.

so does that mean welding is best?

[pwa]

https://www.reynoldstechnology.biz/materials/steel/s-631/

though it says

Utilising the same chemistry as 853, Reynolds 631 is cold-worked and also has the advantages of air-hardening after welding.

so does that mean welding is best?

Presumably a well chosen lug is supportive and makes a strong join, so not much to worry about there. The air hardening is just another approach to making a strong join zone. What you wouldn't want to do is weld a tube intended only for lug joins. Lugged 631 has been around for quite a while now with no issues.

[LollyKat]

Can you replace a damaged tube on a 631 frame, either welded or lugged? The downtube of my son's 531 Mercian was badly mangled after someone tried to lever open the D lock, but after Mercian replaced it and resprayed the frame it was as good as new.

[mercalia]

Can you replace a damaged tube on a 631 frame, either welded or lugged? The downtube of my son's 531 Mercian was badly mangled after someone tried to lever open the D lock, but after Mercian replaced it and resprayed the frame it was as good as new.

How much did it cost?

Some thing similar happened to my Dawes Horizon, but with a trolly at Sainsburys. I decided the cost was too high

[PH]

Can you replace a damaged tube on a 631 frame, either welded or lugged?

Lugged yes, it’s no different from doing it on any other lugged frame. Welded, probably not, though you’ll probably get a replacement welded frame for the repair price anyway.

[David9694]

When you say welded, do you mean fillet brazed?

[LollyKat]

Can you replace a damaged tube on a 631 frame, either welded or lugged? The downtube of my son's 531 Mercian was badly mangled after someone tried to lever open the D lock, but after Mercian replaced it and resprayed the frame it was as good as new.

How much did it cost?

Some thing similar happened to my Dawes Horizon, but with a trolly at Sainsburys. I decided the cost was too high

It was nearly 20 years ago and I don't remember how much it was - not cheap but a fair bit less than a new frame.

[LollyKat]

When you say welded, do you mean fillet brazed?

Not being an engineer I'm not too sure of the difference . I meant lugless.