Drivers and Mechanics.
Page 23
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In connection with the prize of two guineas which we are offering to the driver who sends in the most complete and genuine list of replacements and repairs executed on a steam or petrol lorry of which he is in charge, during any definite period of 12 months, we must remind our readers that the last date for sending in letters is the first day of July, 1912 .
Scrapers and racing Tools.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the 10s. prize this week.
A.P." (Leeds) writes :—" Being a regular reader of your valuable paper for about three years, I thought I would send you particulars of one or two
useful tools that I have made for myself when working on repair jobs.
"The first is a scraper for eccentric straps. An ordinary flat scraper is of no use whatever for scraping these fittings. The tool I have made is of square mild steel, with a ;, in. bolt to hold the scraper. A 11 in. by in. slot is cut in the middle of the steel, which is about 12i in. in length overall. The ends are drawn down to a point to suit a couple of file handles, and I went to some little trouble in filing and rounding off the corners to make the tool presentable. The scrapers themselves are made from old files ground up to the shape required. They can be of many different sizes and shapes, and they should be ground with opposite eating edges so that a cut can be made on both the forward and backward strokes without taking the tool out of the strap and
changing it, right over. If the cutting edges are
ground its suggested it is only necessary just to turn the holder over. Further scrapers can be made for scraping out brass bushes and so forth, and these can be made of any required depth.
" Another useful tool which should be in the kit bag of every man who goes out on repair jobs is a flat drill for use as a facing tool. I have found this very useful when bolt heads, etc., arc too thick and require a little thinning down. The drill should he knocked out in the smithy in the ordinary way, and then it should be filed square on the cutting edges, and the centre made as nearly true as possible. When using the tool a goad big centre-punch hole should be knocked in the centre of the bolt head, which may either be held in position on the job or in the vice, and then the drill stand and arm can be fixed up, and with the aid of this flat-nosed drill the bolt can be ratcheted down to the required thickness."
Manipulating Accumula tors.
[10481 " R.T." (Andover) writes :—" Although the magneto for ignition purposes is very largely adopted, there are still quite a number of accumulators in service, and bearing this fact in mind I wish to place before your readers a few little hints and tips on the upkeep and repair of accumulators. Very often batteries are put aside as useless, or remain idle for long periods, although they are extremely useful as an auxiliary means of ignition. " When the charging instructions have been properly carried out, and the battery fails to retain the charge, a careful examination of the interior should be made. The terminals should be unscrewed, and a sharp penknife run round the joint of the lid, which can then be prized off. If the cement be set very firmly, a rag soaked in very hot water should be applied to the joints to soften them. The plates can then be lifted from the case, and if the batteries have received ordinarily fair usage the positive plate will he found to have suffered most from the charging and discharging of the cell. Unless the paste has become loosened from the grid, the plates can be replaced in the cell after they have been washed in a hot soda solution. Should buckling have taken place the plates may be straightened between pieces of wood, gripped between the jaws of a vice. When replacing them in the cell, care should be taken that the plates are properly insulated. When replacing the lid of the cell a firm joint should be made with celluloid cement. It is a good tip to smear the terminals with a little vitseline, and thus prevent rusting and corrosion. When the, cell has been filled with acid of the required specific gravity, it may be wired up for chargng. Units which are overhauled in this manner periodically are kept in good condition, and it is always cheaper to give a little thought to the accumulator than to wait until it is almost worn out and then replace it with a new one."