I needed an AN-6 bung brazed to a 1/2" hole in a Ford power steering pump reservoir - this to be the return for the hydroboost brakes in my '75 Ranchero. Asking around locally the shops all told me they no longer had the equipment for brazing because it is just too expensive. This sounds like total BS to me. I never knew acetylene equipment to be expensive. Searching around a bunch more I finally chanced upon a welding shop some 20 miles out in the country. On calling the owner, a one man shop, he said he could certainly braze this but silver solder might be an even better idea. Wow! Not many even know what silver solder is these days. Took my new reservoir (less the pump) and bung out to this welding shop and what a find! Older guy, self taught just like my Dad, all manner of fabrication equipment AND a large lathe and milling machine as well. Guy said he should retire but cannot afford to quit. I mentioned that I would like to chrome plate this reservoir and the guy asked me where I could find a plating shop since the EPA had shut most of them down. He himself used to own a plating shop. I then mentioned powder coat as an alternative and he said he could do that as well and what color would I like! We chatted for some time - my Dad's shop when growing up, his past experience - all most enjoyable. A true gold find. Places like this are just too rare anymore. The result:
Not many of those guys left............We have one kinda like that here but not the powder coating part..........
