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SOME USEFUL WORKSHOP METHODS.

11th August 1925, Page 29
11th August 1925
Page 29
Page 29, 11th August 1925 — SOME USEFUL WORKSHOP METHODS.
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Advice Given by our Driver and Mechanic Readers in Connection with Common Classes of Work,

REPAIRING petrol tanks is at all times a risky job if a blow-lamp be used, owing to the danger of eiplosion. " P.E.F.," of Wandsworth, advocates a method which is claimed to avoid risk both to the operator and to the tank which is being worked upon. This week's prize of 15s. is awarded to him.

A common defect is a loose hanger bracket, the rivets of which have slack

ened and cannot be tightened unless a hole be cut in the tank to Obtain access to them. After placing the empty tank with the bracket uppermost, the paint should he scraped away and a few pieces of red-hot scrap-iron or similar material placed one or two at a time upon the bracket. • As they cool off, fresh ones should be substituted in a hot state until the solder around the joint is quite fluid. The bracket is next wedged up clear of the tank, and firm and solder worked underneath with a thin hacksaw blade until the surfaces are prepared.

After removing the wedges, the bracket and tank are well tinned and the whole is brought to a good heat by changing the pieces of heating metal until the solder at one side flows right under the joint. The heat is then removed, and the bracket gradually cools while a fillet of solder is run round the edges and the rivets.

In a similar manner, a gas socket or red-hot bar of scrap-iron can be used to apply local heat in cases of cl6fective screwed collars or seams respectively. Two precautions are required in every case, namely, leaving the filler cap off and the removal of all naked lights from the vicinity.

SOLDERING wire cables or Bowden

control wires is the subject of a contribution by " R.H.," of Trowbridge. It is usually cagier to fit a complete new wire rather than to waste a great deal of time trying to thread a splayed wire through a small hole, and the wire also is apt to become rusty, which renders

tinning difficult. , It js easential that the solder should run right through the nipple, and that a mere blob on the top should not be relied upon.

The wire should be tinned before cutting for about 1 in. on each side of the intended cut. This reduces fear of the wire " flying" when cut, an operation which is best accomplished by means of a sharp cold chisel on a soft iron block.

A groove cut in the soldering bit helps matters, and " R.II." states that wire can be drawn out to a point if it be heated to a bright red, and, at the same time, twisted tighter and pulled apart with two pairs of pliers.

OIL lamps are frequently found on commercial vehicles, but the best results are not always. obtained owing, in many cases, to lack of attention. "RM.," of Trowbridge, describes a few points in this connection. The lamp should be in an upright position in order to avoid smoking of the glas's or reflector. A new wick should first be soaked in vinegar and dried before fitting in the burner. The wick should he trimmed 80 that its centre is lower than the edges, thus giving a better shape of flame.

Constant cleaning is required, and accumulations of soot in the chimney and also the ventilation holes should be removed. The wick should be taken out from time to time and dried, the old oil removed and the reservoir cleaned, as water sometimes accumulates at this point.

THE fitting of taper bare drop arms

is not always carried out with the scrupulous degree of care which is desirable. " S.W.N.," of London, S.W.1, describes the practice which• he follows. rrhe bore of the arm and the taper on the shaft are thoroughly cleaned, and then ground in together by means of a little medium emery paste, care being taken to apply equal pressure all round. This grinding process is continued until the surfaces indicate a good contact throughout.

• Good quality key steel is selected, and careful measurements made of the depth and length of the keyways. The latter is important as a good fit must be ensured, whilst the depth of the key is that of the two keyways added together less about 1-64th in. If no clearance be allowed between the key and the keyway bottoms difficulty may be experienced when fitting the lever on to the shaft.

A plain washer and castellated nut are employed ; there should be no fear of slackness, which often occurs, due to the ingress of water when bad fitting has taken place.

ANOTHER method of dealing with

leaky petrol tanks is suggested by " LI.," of London, W.11. He drains off as much of the petrol as possible and leaves the filler cap off. A quantity of Pyrene fire-extinguishing fluid is next squirted into the tank, care being taken to ensure that an adequate amount is put in. All petrol taps and plugs are removed and soldering is carried out in the ordinary way, even a blow-lamp may be employed. "1.3." claims that when the repair is over the small amount of Pyrene fluid remaining in the tank will do no harm.

WHEN making shims for big-end bear

ings, an adjustable jig will be found to be useful in that it saves time and ensures better workmanship in 80 far as a pair of the same size can be produced at one operation instead of being made one at a time. This is the claim of " E.E.T.," of Ryde.

The jig is composed of a hardwood block of suitable size and two ordinary brass or iron wood-screws, one of normal type and the other with its head shaped to farm a cam which, when turned, forces the straight sides of the shims. together. One-half of the shim is mounted by the wood-screw and then the other, held by the cam-headed screw, is clamped against its fellow by the Powerful action of the cam.

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