The Supply Department.
Page 17
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Selected Information which is likely to be of Isterest to Makers, Owners, and their Buyers.
Nickel-steel Tubes.
Several correspondents have written to us for the names of makers of hollow-drawn nickel-steel tube. We shall be glad to forward particulars from any makers who care to communicate with us. To the best of our knowledge tube of this description, which has chiefly been used in this country for flash steam generators, has, as a rule, been obtained from various French manufacturers. There is not a large demand for this speciality but we are interested to hear from a friend of ours that Howell and Co., Ltd., Brook Steel Works, Sheffield, has, from time to time, supplied him with satisfactory nickel-steel tube for the purpose mentioned above.
Time, Gentlemen l Please.
Bundy, International and Rochester Time Recorders are in use in a number of well-equipped garages and workshops, hut, at a time like the present, when horse stables are, in all directions, being converted into running sheds and inachine shops, and the commercial motor is bringing in its train increased orderliness and method into the despatch department, an accurate record of outgoings and incomings both of vehicles and men has become a stillfurther-recognized necessity. We have, from the International Time-Recording Co., 151-155, City Road, E.C., booklet which contains a number of descriptions of uses to which their recorders have been adapted.
Inspection Hand Lamps.
We have written in this journal on several occasions of the importance of good indoor lighting in order to ensure that the best class of work may be obtainable from fitters and machinists. Especially does this matter require careful attention in shops and garages where much night work has to be carried out. In many large running sheds, the use of are lamps has been discarded in favour of iustallations of numerous incandescent lamps, carefully disposed in positions where most work is likely to be undertaken. The provision of easily-reached wall plugs to facilitate the use of flexible cables and handlamps is another point which is also carefully insisted upon by a shop superintendent who knows his business. In this connection, we have been interested to receive some particulars from Brown Brothers, Ltd., 2244. Great Eastern Street, who claim the alliterative title of "the world's largest motor material merchants and manufacturers," of a new pattern of handlarnp which has been designed with a special view to withstanding the rough usage and general " knocking about" that such a fitting invariably receives in shops and garages. The insulation and connections are calculated to withstand high voltages, and the whole device is constructed to comply with the requirements of the Home Office in such matters. From these circumstances it maw be deduced that the risk of shock to the user is a negligible factor. The retail price of the holder complete. 7s. &I. each without the lamp, is one which for a well-constructed appliance, such as this, cannot be considered exorbitant. Magneto Components.
Those of our readers who may desire to have hightension magnetos fitted to engines not already provided with an alternative form of ignition, or as a complete substitute for the coil-and-accumulator system, cannot do better than write to Messrs. Brook, Shaw and Co., of the Crescent Motor Works, 264 and 266, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, who make a specialit6 of suitable sets of fittings for the De Dion and other standard types of engines. We illustrate one such set on this page and this comprises two steel bevel wheels, armature flywheel, clutch, cross bar, two long studs and clamp complete. Parts for any particular make of engine can be supplied at very short notice, and at reasonable prices.
A Magnetically-operated "Cut-Meter."
An instrument which will possess considerable interest for all those who have occasion to employ high-speed machine tools is that known as the Warner "Cut-meter." This is, actually, a small and handy form of tachometer, suitably calibrated to indicate speeds in feet per minute instead of in revolutions. The novel feature of this contrivance is the fact that it depends for its action upon the pull of a small revolving permanent magnet on a soft-steel ring, which is controlled by a hair spring. The soft-steel ring is carr i ed in an aluminium sleeve, upon the outer periphery of which are engraved the scale divisions that indicate the relative deflection of the lines of magnetic force, according to the speed with which the shaft carrying the magnet is rotating. This latter is mounted in carefullyfitted ball-bearings, and the hair-spring-controlled indicating sleeve is carried on a steel spindle. which is poised on sapphire mountings. So delicate is this assembly, that the instrument is claimed, after long service, to register a change in peripheral speed of as little as one-fifth of one per cent. The Warner Cut-meter" is now handled in this country by the Electric and Ordnance Accessories Co.. Ltd.. of Chest= Road. Aston. which, it may be remembered. is owned by 'Vickers, Sons and Maxim, Ltd.