From Drivers and Mechanics.
Page 19
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TEN SHILLINGS WEEKLY is paid for the best communication received, and one penny a line of ten words for anything else published, with an allowance for photographs.
Workshop lips and smart rePairs ; long and successful runs; interesting Photographs ; all are suitable subjects. We will knock your letters into shape and will prepare sketches, where necessary, before Publication. The absence of a sketch does not disqualify for a Prize, When uniting, use one side of the Paper only and mention your employer's name as a guarantee of bona fides, Neither VOS.Er own nor your employer's 12.4me will be disclosed. Payment will be made immediately after Publication. Address your letters to The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, 7.15, Eosebery
Avenue, London, E ,C,
Annual Bonuses are given to the most succesidul contributors.
THE ADDITIONAL DRIVERS' PRIZE SCHEME. Ktte151511 of note for In connection with the prize of two guineas which we first offered some few weeks ago (issue No. 368, 28th March), to the driver who should send in the most complete and genuine list of replacements, and repairs executed on a steam or petrol lorry of which he was in charge, during any definite period of 12 months, we have decided, in response to many letters received bearing an this matter, to extend the competition until the 1st day of July, 1912. Many drivers have experienced difficulty in looking up invoices, and checking their costs, and we have received several lists which we were requested to enter for the competition, and in which details signed by the driver's employer would follow later. This extension, will, we hope, offer drivers and mechanics who enter for this competition ample opportunity to collect full particulars. Lists already received will, of course, compete with additional lists sent in between now and 1st July.
When the Tube Pates Bulge.
[1040] " IF." (Gloucester) writes :—'' I have been in charge of my steam wagon for over seven years, and during the whole of that time have not had any really serious breakdown. The usual everyday incidents, of course, have occurred in the usual everyday manner, and possibly some of your readers may be interested to know the way in which I overcame a little trouble with the boiler tube plates. I noticed, some four years ago, that they had developed a distinct bulge, and this caused the tubes to leak very badly. As it was almost impossible to keep a tight joint, and my firm did not desire to incur the expense of haying new tube plates fitted, I turned two of the tubes into housings for stay rods. I got a length of fin. diam. steel rod, and had a thread put on both ends. I next obtained turned steel glands to fit in each end of the tubes, and so, by means of nuts and washers, I bolted the whole lot firmly together. The bulge was drawn in, and a good strong job was made."
Waterproof Paint and Waterproof Whiting.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the 10s. prise this week.
[1011]" C.B. (Hornsey Rise) writes : --" Now is the time to revive your waterproofs, aprons, van-covers and hoods. I send you particulars of a waterproof paint that is very largely used by coachbuilders. I may state that this is a very old recipe, and was used by my father for 40 years, so your readers may rely on it. This paint dries quickly, and keeps a good
colour. When it is used the material is rendered pliable and waterproof, and it does not perish. Before applying the dressing, a sponge. soaked in turpentine, should be passed over the material which it is desired to treat, in order to eliminate all grease. The paint is made as follows:— " lb. beeswax should be dissolved in half a pint. of turpentine, and one pint of boiled linseed oil should then be added, together with one quart of Brunswick black. This should be well mixed together, and there will be more than enough to give the largest tarpaulin a couple of coats. The cost is about as. 6d. "The following little hint is also useful to bear in mind when waterproofing and whitening tires. Four balls of whiting should be dissolved in water, and about half-pint of vegetable black should be added ; half-pint of ordinary size should then be mixed with the whiting, and the preparation should be thinned with water and blackened or whitened to suit the user's fancy. This mixture will be found very useful for tires, stepboards, spare wheels, and so forth, as it does not easily wash off. "When drilling aluminium it is a good tip to use turpentine as a lubricant, as this stops the drills from clogging."
An Adjustable Scotch.
[1012] " X." (Cardiff) writes :—" I have pleasure in sending you particulars and also a small model of an adjustable scotch that I have made and tested in the garage, and which I have found to be very satisfactory in service. You will notice that it can quickly be secured in any position. This is an important factor when an engine is run in gear, with the rear wheels jacked up. In service, I have found the scotch to be handy, neat, safe, and not easily kicked from its place. It is also cheap to manufacture. I have found that the side bars are best made out of 1-1 in. by in. iron, They should be about 3 ft. in length."