attaching a pugio frog disk

[jvrjenivs]

Hi All,

Some time ago one of the disks of one of my pugio frogs (from Raymond's Quiet Press www.quietpress.com/Images/RB26.JPG ) got loosed. I tried to solder it on again, but that wouldn't work. How could I attach it again?

[AntonivsMarivsCongianocvs]

Ave,

For flat pieces, JB Wield (cold wielding) works very well, but... for pugio frogs, you'll need something stronger. They appear to be made of metal so, I suggest that you braze it, brazing is also far, far, stronger than solder.

The process is very similar to soldering, e.g. melting some soft metal to secure two pieces of harder metal together but, you don’t use a soldering gun.

You need a small blow torch and some brazing, brass wire will work.

You’ll use the blow torch to melt some of the brass wire, and affix the two sides of the frogs together.

Basically, you swap the soldering gun for a blow torch and the solder wire for some brass wire and you're pretty much there.

Here’s some details:
[url:k40b1mtp]http://www.handyharmancanada.com/TheBrazingBook/contents.htm#Index[/url]

This is brazing

[Gaius_Calvus]

I've had that happen with one of his as well. Instead of soldering or brazing, I simply peened it again with a ballpeen hammer.

Set the disc back onto its mount, and hold it still while you peen the center portion of the frog disc/stud with a ballpeen hammer. Eventually, the stud will expand and the disc will be firmly attached again.

Good luck and regards,

Edge

[Hibernicus]

And if the stud breaks away completely or bends beyond rebending or ends up too short you can remove it drill a hole through the fitting and either braze on a new rod or use a copper roofing nail and braze it on.

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Drill a hole thru it and then rivet it.

[Matt Lukes]

Yup- there are a number from Vindonissa that were simply assembled with rivets.

[Magnus]

Duct tape.

[jvrjenivs]

Duct tape.

Ow, I like ti-rips more.

But basically you all say that I have to buy a blow torch and than fix it with that (just hamering it on again didn't work out well. What Sean already mentioned did happen, it all bends down.)

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Superglue.......

[Matthew Amt]

Don't go buying a torch unless you KNOW how to braze, or you may end up melting your frog! If the stud or peg isn't peening well, cut it off, drill a hole through the base (where the peg was), and stick a new rivet through. Easy peasy.

Magnus and Gauis--too many hits with the old silly stick, eh?

Matthew

[Hibernicus]

Duct tape.
_________________
- Let they who desire order prepare for chaos.

Magnus/Matt

That's Magnus/Matt! That reminds of a "re-enactor vs SCA" story.

Wayne "Shiraz" Robinson of LEGIO VIIII in the Land of Oz came to visit San Diego some many years ago. We talked about all manner of things Roman and re-enactor and SCA long into the night a conversation fueled by comraderie and uisge beatha from the auld lands.

His comment in regard to duct tape has become a staple in these parts*:

The SCA fighter says: "If they had duct tape they would have used it!"
The Re-enactor response: "Yes, but if they had needed duct tape they would have invented it!"

So, in the spirit of good natured rib jabbing, to the list of suggested repairs.. duct tape, super glue... let me add: "bazooka joe"...

[AntonivsMarivsCongianocvs]

Don't go buying a torch unless you KNOW how to braze, or you may end up melting your frog

True, true true but... I wouldn't expect Jurjen to just fire up his blow touch, hold the flame there for 20 minutes, and burn his frogs into a puddle of white hot goo! (that sounds more like something I would do! )

Seriously though, if you’ve soldered before (or even if not) I would obviously suggest practicing brazing a bit on some scrap metal before you take the flame to your frogs.

I kept practing circles and curves and how to emboss feathers on some scrap brass before turning my tools on my helmet visor. I do the same with my Dremel too... I practice routing or using the new bit on some scrap wood before taking it to my sword handle.