Tools for Motor Users and Constructors.
Page 21
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A representative of this journal recently paid a visit of inspection to the showrooms of Buck and Hickman, Ltd., in the Whitechapel Road, and there examined a large and varied stock of hand and machine tools suitable for use in the workshops of the motor-van owner, of the motorbus depot, or of the manufacturer. To attempt to describe all the useful tools and machines would be impossible within the space available; only those of special interest to the motor repairer, therefore, will be dealt with.
The demand for a really stiff, adjustable spanner has brought many new patterns on the market, but, we think, after examination, our readers will agree that fhe " Hunton " is one of the best. It is light, strong, thin and rigid, and is easily adjusted. The rigidity is obtained by making the stock in two halves, each of which has one jaw forged solid thereon ; the two halves are dovetailed together. Another useful spanner is the " Newleva." This is a new and handy tool for adjusting or tightening nuts which are difficult to get at by means of any ordinary spanner ; it is made in three sizes and its usefulness will be appreciated by users. The " Roebuck" tool roll is a thing calculated to gladden the hearts of all motor mechanics who have had much roadside repair work to do. It contains a practical and complete selection of the tools necessary for emergency or roadside repairs ; these are put up in a convenient and accessible form, in a stout, cow-hide roll. All the tools are guaranteed by the makers, and the price complete is 45s. The company entries a large stock of all kinds of engineers' tools and gauges, and it may be of interest to know that it also keeps a stork of left-hand taps and dies for standard Whitworth threads, and a number of turned and ground piston-rings in sizes ranging from 21 inches to 12 inches in diameter, by threesixteenths or one-quarter of an inch square section. Any special size can be supplied to order in a few days. Forged box-spanners of substantial dimensions, for workshop use, also figure largely on the stock list.
A tool stand, which occupies only a .small floor space, but, at the same time, accomrruxlates a host of small tools or pieces of work, is a desirable thing in any workshop; a useful pattern is sold by the company. Forges and blowers of all sizes, as well as wet and dry grinders, are stocked in large numbers. At the time of our representative's visit, no less than 2,000 wood and metal belt pulleys were in stock; from such a large selection, almost any requirement could be met.
A noticeable feature in some of the showrooms was the overhead runways. The " track 77 oonsists of two flat bars, on the top edges of which, the trolley or monkey-carriage wheels run as on rails; the trolley is guided by rollers which arm, clamped by one lever; the feed tripping mechanism of struction obviatqs anv complicated system of points or switches, and enables the trolley to turn curves with a radius of 18 inches.
Coming to the machine tool section of the showrooms, the most useful machine, for a workshop of limited size and equipment, is the Brown and Sharpe, Universal, Milling Machine. The uses to which such a machine can be put are innumerable. The important features of the "B and S" machine are : the variable feeding mechanism, consisting ot spur gears driven by chain; the solid steel overhanging arm, clamped by one lever; the feed tripping mechanism of the double plunger type ; the twelve changes of speed in geometrical progression ; the wide swing of table, and the differential method of indexing. The machine is fitted with a single belt pulley and, consequently, the belt runs at a constant speed. Buck and Hickman also handles the wellknown Brown and Sharpe, automatic, gear-cutting ma chine for spur gearing, and the Gleason, bevel-gear planer, for both of which the demand is so great that the works output for some months ahead is already booked. These machines are too well-known to need more than passing mention. The Darling and Sellers, high-speed, heavy-service lathe is a good example of an entirely English type of machine. The patent " double-tier " bed is of unusually heavy section, and supports the saddle in front of the lead screw, as well as in the usual way. This appears to be a good point in its design and makes the tool particularly suitable for all general work requiring a centre lathe. For barwork, the Springfield, Rapid-production lathe, with its twospeed countershaft and twenty spindle speeds, all of which are gear-driven, is a good tool, and one which presents a remarkably quick means of changing from one cutting speed to another.
The turret stop mechanism on the Pratt and Whitney, turret lathes is interesting, inasmuch as it does away with any necessity for adjusting the tools in the turret, and passssses material advantages in point of simplicity and facility for the production of repetition work. The machines above referred to are, of course, beyond the necessities of many small workshops, but, for such as require smaller machines, the company's stock of sensitive drills, bench drills, foot and small power lathes, shapers, etc., is sufficiently large and varied as to meet almost any requirement. In addition to its large stock of hand and machine tools, the company also stocks bright and black mild steel and 'cast steel bars in a variety of sections, sizes and qualities, and mild steel plates up to 18 feet long, in widths up to 6 feet, with thicknesses ranging from to II inch.