The Purchase Department.
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Where to Buy your Supplies.
The Making of Wheels.
A very interesting stand at the Olympia Show was that of Smith, Parfrey and Co., Ltd., Pimlico Wheel Works, Rannoch Street, Hammersmith. This corn pany is equipped to turn out a, large number of heavy artillery wheels for vehicles up to six tons capacity every week. In addition, 2000 taxicab wheels can be manufactured in a similar period, as well as a large number of supplies for horse-drawn vehicles of various descriptions. It is not so generally known, however, that Smith, Parfrey and Co., Ltd., has recently opened a repair shop, where chassis overhauls can be undertaken. The company is also prepared to supply forgings, stampings, and similar fittings, either finished or in the rough.
Cable of the Bull-dog Breed.
Few outsiders can realize the great care and trouble that is taken in the making of cables for the conveyance of electric current of all voltages and powers, To the average outsider the question presents itself somewhat in the following form : Given a cable capable of safely conveying the required amount of current, is not the only service requirement in addition a suitable insulated covering'? Simple though the problem is, however, many wealthy companies posessmg the most up-to-date plant, together with years of experience, are sometimes at a loss to provide suitable cables in combination with suitable coverings. The St. Helens Cable and Rubber Co., Ltd., has produced a new form of cable which should meet with a favourable reception. This product is known as the St. Helens Patent Cabtyre Sheath Cable. It has been given this name in the first place owing to the gratifying success which the cab tires of this concern have experienced. Running on steel-rimmed wheels over bumpy roads, and on macadam in slush and snow and under many other undesirable conditions, this tire has stood up and given most excellent results. The company claims that its new cables will prove as satisfactory in use as the cab tires have done. Extra-Service Fan Blades.
One difference between a necessity and a.luxury is merely that the first is not quite so expensive as the latter. A luxury brought within a reasonable cost becomes to a very large extent a necessity. Some two or three years ago a fan placed on the desk of an office worker was regarded purely and simply as an expensive luxury. The increase in the efficiency of the fare together with a lower cost of operating these appliances, have now rendered such a machine almost indispensable on the desk of the office worker. Fisher's Patents, Ltd., 20, Bishopsgate, London, E.C., has recently brought to our notice a new patent multi-blade fan.
These are made for almost all purposes where a fan of the propeller type can be used. It is claimed that this fan will displace 40 per cent. more all that the fan-blade of the ordinary type. It runs, says the maker, silently; it consumes less current, and has a very much. greater all-round efficiency. The special feature of a fan of this type consists of a triple layer of blades placed one above the other.
The Butler Axle Types.
The Kirkstall Forge Co., Ltd., Leeds, has brought to our notice two excellent examples of the latest forms of the Butler patent built-up axles. Our illustration, the original photographs of which were specially taken for the " C.M.," clearly demonstrates the method of building up both a live and dead type of rear axle. The principal feature of both constructions is that the centre portion of the component is made out of a special quality of resilient mild-steel, while the outer ends or journals are of a steel specially suited to hardening and grinding. The joints are suitably flanged and caulked over, thus the rivets are not subjected to undue stress. The bridged type of rear axle was much in evidence at the recent Show.