Answers to Queries.
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A "Knacker" Wanted.
[1,613] " C.M." writes :—" Would you kindly let me know through the paper where they buy old motor lorries for breaking up? "
ANswiois So far as we are aware, no broker specializes in the purchase of old motor lorries for the purpose of breaking them up. Your best course would probably be to get into touch with some general second-hand-machinery dealer or scrap-metal merchant. If your machine is merely a second-hand one, and is likely to be of any further use, Martin's Motors, Ltd., of Fortess Road, Tufnell Park, N., would perhaps entertain its purchase.
Steam Chars-a-Bancs.
[1,614] " DR." writes :—" I am a. constant reader of your COMMERCIAL MOTOR, and I notice Some Darracq-Serpellet machines for hire. Are these steam? If so, perhaps the chassis would be suitable for chars-a-banes bodies ? We are in hilly country here, and good power would be required."
ANSWER.—Darraeq-Serpollet machines are of the steam 'class, and, subject to proper maintenance, do very well in hilly country. The address of the makers is Darraeq-Serpollet Omnibus Co., Ltd., Walnut Tree Walk, Kennington Road, London, S.E.
Timing an Engine: Insufficient Data.
-1,615] " J.D." writes :— " Having a one-cylinder motor engine, I have taken it to pieces to overhaul it, but am now puzzled about the timing. Could you kindly inform me how to do this, and how to eet the magneto? "
ANSWER.—It is impossible to give any definite advice as to the timing of your engine, unless we have further information as to its type, the position of its valves, the nature of the ignition system, and the r.p.m., etc. In any case, you will have to arrange that the valves' movements and the ignition spark take place at the proper points of the complete cycle of the engine. Ts the flywheel marked to show these points ? " The Motor Manual," price is. 61, published by Temple Press Ltd. from these offices, would afford you considerable general information on the subject of "Timing an Engine." If you care to send further particulars, we shall endeavour to help you by post..
*Paste for Cleaning Brass.
[1,610j " READING " writes :—" In your recent issue (Drivers' and Mechanics' contribution No. 673), there is a letter from one of your contributors extolling a mixture of lard oil, oxalic. acid and ammonia. I am sorry to say that my trial has not proved satisfactory, the fears I expected having materialized, and, though I followed the instructions exactly, I found that the oxalic acid, which is in the form of small crystals, would not dissolve. In -consequence, the mixture fails to clean brassin fact, only discolours it. I also found that the proportions mentioned did not result in a thick paste, hut merely an emulsion, which is readily agitated by shaking the bottle. I shall be glad if you will kindly pass on my remarks to your
• correspondent, and ask him to reply.
" It has occurred to me that it is not the intention for the oxalic acid to be dissolved, but merely to form a mixture, and for this purpose it should be reduced to a fine state of powder."
ANSWER.-The driver writes to us as follows : "In answer to yours in regard to receipt for polishing mixture, I can add no more than that published. I use the mixture myself, and only to-day I have cleaned two cornets with the same—my son's and my own. Your correspondent should have allowed it to stand a day or two before using. As for discolouring, I should like him to send me a sample of his mixture. 1 could then inform him as to what was wrong." The man's address is now being sent to you, and we hope you will write to him direct.
Licences and Other Payments for Chars-a-bancs.
[1,617] " OWNERS " writes -" We are about to put on a motor char-a-bancs, but can get no reliable information here as to what licence is required. We shall esteem it a favour if you will give us the information. The vehicles we intend to use are 27 cwt. and :37 cwt., unladen weight, respectively. We shall also be glad to know what is the attitude of the law on the subject of third-party accident?'' ANSWER.—The licences, etc., which you will have to obtain for each of your motor chars-i-banes are as follow: driver's police licence, and, probably, a conductor's licence; a police plate licence for the vehicle; inland revenue wheel tax, 158.; motor tax, exceeding two tons and not exceeding five tons (inland revenue), £3 3s.; motor driver's licence from the county or borough, 5s. ; and registration fee (not annual), county or borough, £1.
With regard to your last query, if there is negligence or carelessness on the part of your servant, and not contributory negligence on the part of the third party who has suffered damage, you will be held responsible.
A 20,000-ton Contract in Cornwall.
[1,618] " BITS/NESS " writes:—' I am the chairman of a china-clay company in Cornwall, situated about three miles from the railway station on the Great Western system, about 10 miles from the port of —, and six miles from another small port. We shall require about 20,000 tons of baked clay carted from our works to either the railway or the port. " We are negotiating with the Great Western Railway for the building of a siding into our works, but they are so dilatory that I should be glad if you could refer me to a motor-wagon manufacturer who could either build or contract for the work. If you can let me have any information before the holidays, I shall be glad. The matter is somewhat urgent."
ANSWER.—You could not do better than communicate with the Eastern Motor Wagon Co., Ltd., of 24, Coleman Street, E.C.! and Fodens, Ltd., of Elworth Works, Sandbach. You might. also he able to get a quotation from Mr. F. C. Wreyford, of 38, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, who is a contractor with Cornish experience.