The Supply Department.
Page 19
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Selected Information which is likely to be of Interest to Makers, Owners, and their Buyers.
A Springless Cut-out, and Other Things.
A neat lever-controlled cut-out device has reached these offices from Brown Bros., Ltd., of Gt. Eastern Street, E.C. The cut-out, as will be seen from the photographs reproduced herewith, has no complicated mechanism which is likely to get out of order. The appliance can be easily fitted, is strongly made, and is supplied in various sizes up to and including l in. The price is Zs., and this includes a strong brass pedal with the necessary length of cable.
Whilst speaking of cables, it would perhaps be as well to mention the wire grip for brake wires which is known as the " Duco." This grip will take wires up to 11 in. in diameter. It consists of a flattened tube, fitted with special shaped nuts and bolts, on which the undersides of the heads are conicallyshaped. This construction, when the bolts are tightened up, crushes in the flattened tube, thus firmly securing the cable and at the same time allowing of easy adjustment and replacement.
A Low-pressure Starter.
We have received from Bramco., Ltd., of Coventry, particulars of its new Bramco self-starting outfit for vans and petrol lorries. This company has decided that the low-pressure acetylene system is the most satisfactory, and the advice of Mr. Henry Sturmey has been followed in devising the Bramco starting outfit One advantage which this system possesses is that there is no pulling the engine about when installing the apparatus, the only fitting to be done being the tapping of a small hole in the induction pipe, and the mounting of the special regulator on the dash. The generating tank is a drawn steel cylindrical shell, with electrically-welded joints. A steel division divides this tank into two compartments, the smaller being for water and the larger serving as a gas reservoir and for carbide. The large compartment is fitted with a self-acting release valve, and in the end of the tank the automatic water and gas regulator is fitted. The method of operation is as follows. A touch of the toe throws the special switch over to the open position, and this has the effect of opening the valve of the acetylene carbu retter and cutting out the magneto spark. This action stens the engine, which, as it runs to a stop, takes in charges of acetylene mixture from the gas tank, leaving an explosive mixture in the cylinders.
Boots and Leggings.
The Palatine Rubber Co., of Market Street, Manchester, send us their last-published booklet, and call our attention to the rubber boots and overshoes, and the leather leggings, of which they are making a speciality. These articles are light and serviceable, and should prove useful to the driver of the commercial van who has to make an extended round of visits in exposed places during the heavy winter months. It has been proved by now, that employers do well to ensure the comfort of their workers. A well-protected driver is more civil, and his manner cannot fail to bring an increase of business.
All About Piston Rings.
The British Chuck and Piston Ring Co., Ltd., of Coventry, has sent us a copy of its new booklet entitled "Notes on Piston Rings." This embodies, in a concise form, modern views on piston rings, and the suitable material and treatment for the manufacture of them. A short account of how the raw iron should be prepared for this purpose is given, and these notes should be instructive to the user of large quantities of these indispensable adjuncts to the petrol engine. The concentric and eccentric ring, and the design thereof, are fully treated, and a word is also given on preparations, joints, and the fitting of rings. This maker remarks that some piston rings there are on the market, the material of which renders them wore suitable for water pipes.
A Revised Tool Catalogue.
A large and comprehensive engineers' store catalogue has reached us from George Hatch, Ltd., of Upper Thames Street, E.C. This catalogue, which is of convenient size and strongly bound, runs to 624 pages, and contains a fully-illustrated list of British and American machinery tools and stores. The engravings are clear, and it is possible, by referring to these illustrations, for the prospective user to obtain a good idea of what he proposes purchasing. The prices of supplies which can be termed standard in any way are given, and this is, in our opinion, a desirable feature, and tends to save time which would otherwise be taken up by correspondence. Readers of this journal will find much to interest them in the catalogue in the shape of tools and supplies, and we are informed by George Hatch, Ltd., that it will be pleased to send copies of the catalogue free of charge to garages and works who care to apply for same.