A Demonstration of Garage Appliances.
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ATWO-DAY demonstration of the various implements handled by Messrs. Harvey Frost and Co., Ltd., of 148 Great Portland St., W.1, was held last week at the garage of Shell-Mex, Ltd., Town Mead Road, Fulham, London, S.W. One can form but a slight idea of the usefulness of these appliances from merely looking at the apparatus, or from studying illustrations of them in catalogues or advertisements ;, it is not until one sees them in actual use that their true value and their capabilities in saving time and money can be fully realized.
In the spacious garage of the ShellMex Co., lent for the demonstration, there was ample room to show what could be done by these useful appliances. A breakdown :ambulance wagon was shown fitted with a crane which can lift either front or rear of a lorry, in cases where some part has, been damaged so• that the vehicle cannot run on its own wheels. Further than this, a lorry Was shown where the front wheels arellfted
by means of the crane, and the rear axle is supported by the special device that acts as jack and trolley, by means of which a lorry could be brought home, even if so badly damaged that all its wheels were rendered inoperative.
A very useful bridge was demonstrated, holding up the rear of a lorry so that its rear axle can be removed or any other repair work executed. The advantage this bridge has over the usual means of supporting a lorry by means of jacks is that a clear way is provided by which the axle and its appurtenances can be removed; another useful feature is that the vehicle can be moved about, as the bridge is mounted on castors. This bridge can be used for removing such units as engines, gearboxes, etc. When an engine is removed it can be wheeled to a patent engine stand, where it 'can be turned in any Position to suit the requirements of the mechanic.
A very convincing demonstration of the "Hutto" cylinder-grinding device showed how a cylinder can be reground in a few minutes by means of a tool of trivial cost and of such sirnple construction that it can be used by any ordinary mechanic. • Machines; were shown in operation for drilling holes in brake linings, forcing out old rivets and burring newones. Machines were shown for boring bigend bearings and aligning pistons with the big-end bearing. A hydraulic press could be seen straightening axle shafts, etc., which will exert a pressure up to 40 tons. A very useful appliance is the machine which will lift a heavy lorry wheel so that it can be taken oft or placed on its axle ; being mounted on castors, portability and ease of handling are ensured.
An interesting demonstration was that of cleaning cars by means of a jet of compressed air at 150 lb. pressure, into which water is introduced. The water is projected by the air with such force that it instantly dislodges dirt from the wheels or body.