The Supply Department.
Page 20
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Selected Information which is likely to be of Interest to Makers, Owners, and their Buyers.
A Supplier of Piston Rings.
In answer to a "One Hears" of a fortnight ago, in which we stated that a certain firm had experienced difficulty in obtaining piston rings, we hear from W. J. Bithell, of 170, Psalter Lane, Sheffield, that his workshop is fully equipped for the manufacture of piston rings in large quantities, at keen competitive prices. This concern will no doubt be pleased to quote any of our readers who may be requiring piston rings or motor-chassis components.
Tire Presses for the World.
We hear from Hollings and Guest, Ltd., of Thimble Mill Lane, Birmingham, that it has just despatched one of its band-tire presses to Cochin, in Madras. We understand that this concern has also two presses in hand for the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., which order forms one of several repeats. Mr. H. C. Bauly, of Bow Road, E., will take delivery of a similar plant during the course of the present week. Hollings and Guest, Ltd., also advises us that a press is on order for delivery to Japan. • A New Valve Grinder.
The " Warrow " reciprocating valve grinder has been given a test by a member of the editorial staff of this journal. The appliance, which is factored in this country by Brown Bros., Ltd., of Gt. Eastern Street, E.C., is meeting, BO we are informed, with a ready sale. The device, which is somewhat similar in general design to a hand drill, imparts a reciprocating motion to the spindle by means of three spur wheels, the centre one of which lacks rather less than onehalf of its teeth. This enables the valve to be worked round just over half a revolution to every turn of the handle. The makers claim that this tool grinds valveseatings more truly and quickly than any other. Brown Bros., Ltd., has happened on a. very happy little selling phrase, in connection with this grinder, which says : " Don't wait for the morrow, do it to day with a 'Warrow.' "
A Novel Oil-testing Machine. . .
The Stern Sonnehorn Oil Co., Ltd,, has now placed upon the market an oil-testing machine which fulfils what is generally acknowledged to he a long-felt want. None but engineers realize the importance underlying the use of the right oil on modern ma. chinery. It is not enongn to know the percentage of acidity, and the pitchy ingredients in an oil, as well as its specific gravity, viscosity, etc. ; the modern engineer must know far more than this.
This enterprising company has evolved a machine which tests and records on charts any particular oil which it may be desired to use under actual working conditions. By the use of specially-designed plates, the machine is capable of testing all qualities of oil, including cylinder oils, bearing oils. gearing oils, and so forth. The speed of the machine can be varied to produce an egilivalent of from 50 to 3000 r.p.m., this showing roughly a frictional surface speed of n in. to
• 25 ft. per second. Pressure can be varied, so say the makers, from 1 lb. to 750 lb. per sq. in., and the temnerature can be raised to about MO degrees Fahr. The charts show at. a glance exactly what the. oil under test is capable of under actual working conditions. The machine in question is onen to insnection at the offices of the Stern Sonnehorn Oil Co., Ltd., Royal London House, Finsbury Sonare, B.C., where prospective customers or users of the firm's products may take their own pt-mples of oil for testing purposes.
A Lamp for Night Work.
A matter of constant anxiety to users of motorvana is the question as to whether machines are receiving the care and attention which is so necessary to their well-being, when the vehicles are in service on badlylighted and unlighted country roads. It is an easy excuse for the driver to plead that the night was pitch dark and he was unable to see exactly ehat was happening when reporting an accident. Peto and Radford, Ltd., of 100, Hatton Garden, E.G., has marketed an electric lamp for attachment to the steering column of vans and lorries, which will, so the makers think, do a great deal towards overcoming this trouble. The lamp is cleanly designed, and the electrical portion is made entirely separate from the containing case in order to facilitate easy removal. This little attachment is inexpensive to maintain and to install, and it will undoubtedly be the means of saving much trouble and expense if it be fitted to motorvans and wagons.
Repairing Crankshafts.
Weldings Ltd. has, following several letters which have appeared in our "Answers to Queries" pages of late, sent as particulars of its method of repairing broken crankshafts. This maker, we understand, does not weld the fractured pieces of shaft together again, but it makes a special new forging, which is welded and machined as required on to the main part of the broken crankshaft. This method avoids the metal "taking un," and reducing the length of the part which is being repaired. The method of welding on a new forging allows the finished repair to be machined to the original dimensions. This job is not one that can be done at an extremely cheap price. On the other hand, when earned out, it makes a very satisfactory repair, both in the machining and the welding, and will also. say the makers, relieve the user of further trouble. Weldings Ltd, has also installed an oxv-acetylene plant for repairing broken gear, cam, eardan shafts, and so forth.
Wheels and Components.
A member of our editorial staff paid a visit, to the works of Smith, Parfrey and Co., Ltd., one. day last week Something like six years ago there appeared in this journal an illustrated account of this compa.ny's workshops, which were, at that time, chiefly devoted to the manufacture of wheels, and component parts for almost every description of horse-drawn vehicle. The work of manufacturing wheels for mechanically-propelled vehicles wa.s then striving to obtain a firm footing in these shops. It. is now nleasant to note that this work now constitutes a large portion of this firm's output. The finishing and overhauling of motor vehicles also forms an important feature in Smith, Parfre.y's activities. We understand that this company can turn out 2000 finished taxicab wheels per week, in addition to 400 comolete wheels for three and five-ton vehicles, as well as a large number of wheels for trailers. A wellpc-snipped engineer's shop for the overhauling of chassis has been opened, and an increasing business is being done in this direction. Many of the London taxicab companies make a point of sending their vehicles to the :Rannoch Street works for the purpose of overhauling. It is the boast of Smith, Parfrey and Co., Ltd., that its plant is capable of turning out everything appertaining to whods for motor vehicles. Owing to the demand from all parts of the world for wheels which will stand up under severe and varying climatic conditions, a huge and well-selected stock of timber is always " seasoning" in this firm's storeyard.