In your workshop
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Tim Blakemore reviews e latest in trans oort ec uipment and tools
Two in one
KEW SALES has launched a new combined high pressure water cleaner and compressor which makes a versatile piece of workshop equipment. Called the ''Power Twin", the machine uses KEVV's six-cylinder pump and is available in two models — the 150 bar (2200 psi) KS150 and the 90 bar (1300 psi) KS90. Both models have a compressor as well as the pump, and switching from water pump to compressor is simply effected by turning a lever.
The KS150 is more suitable for commercial vehicle workshops, having water pressure adjustable between 70 psi and 2200 psi, and a twin-cylinder compressor capable of delivering 19.8cfm of air at 10 bar (140psi) or 9.5cfm at 6 bar, making it suitable for power tools or spray guns.
A single-cylinder compressor is used in the KS90 model with a capacity of 9.9cfm at 10 bar or 4.8cfm at 6 bar. Both compressors turn at 1450 rpm.
An interesting feature of the electric motors used on both models is that they are class-F insulated, meaning that they will continue running even when soaked.
Various attachments, including a sandblasting lance, are available for the Power Twin.
Retail price of the KS90 is £995 excluding vat, while the KS150 is £1250. Both prices include a tyre-pressure gauge. KEW Sales Co Ltd is at Carleton, Penrith, Cumbria. Graham and White Instruments Ltd of St Albans has two new tachometers suitable for automotive work — one optical and one designed specifically for diesel engines.
The D30 is the optical tachometer with a liquid crystal display which, it is claimed, allows speeds to be measured in direct sunlight as well as in covered areas. Light from the single lens is reflected from a strip of suitable tape on the rotating shaft back to the instrument and displayed as a numerical reading.
The tachometer will operate up to 1m (39in) away from the rotating object and its speed range is 200-20,000rpm with an accuracy of ±1rpm. When the operating button is released, the rpm figure is held on the display until the button is pressed again, making it easy to use in areas difficult of access. An arrow on the display indicates when the tachometer is correctly aligned.
The DT900 is for diesel engines and also has a liquid crystal display. A clamp on detector is attached to an injector pipe on one of the cylinders, and the injection pressure pulse is sensed. The voltage signals are processed to indicate the rotational speed of the engine over the range 400-6000rpm to an accuracy of ± 1rpm. Power for the tachometer comes from four 1.5v batteries.
Retail price of the D30 tachometer is £139 excluding vat, while the DT900 is £251. A NEW RANGE of grind wheels, claimed to cover requirements of 98 per ceni bench grinding machines general use, has been int duced by English Abrask Ltd.
The wheels are of alumini oxide grit in two grades medium /fine for high spe steel tool and drill bit finish, and coarse for general worksljobs.
Diameters are 125, 150a 200mm (4.9in, 5.9in a 7,9in) and thicknesses 13, 1 20, 22 and 25mm (0.5, 0 0.8, 0.9 and lin).
Packed in cartons of tv, adaptors are included with 1 wheels where necessary to able one bore size to fit up three spindle diameters.
Full information on the ran is in a colour leaflet, availat free from English Abrasives L PO Box 85, Marsh Lane, Lc don N17 OXA.
Lighting-up time
As well as being "fla proof", the EHB fluorescent spection lamp from Britii Central Electrical Co L offers the additional advanta of giving shadowless illumir tion for looking up into tl chassis of vehicles.
An 8w fluorescent tube enclosed in a shatter-resista acralon sheath with a neoene handle. It is particularly itable for use in inspection ts where any potential source ignition for petrol fumes ithering there must be Cost of the RS4 single tube 10V model is £33.60 retail cluding vat. Further informain on the EHB range of lamps available from British Central ectrical Co Ltd, Unit 10, arvers Industrial Estate, )uthampton Road, Ringwood, ampshire.
I ole takeover
The UK marketing and selIg functions of Mole Tools Ed has been taken over by /ode Ltd, manufacturers of xi-Stick. Mole Tools is a subdiary of M. Mole and Son Ltd Newport, Gwent, and claims have 50 per cent of the UK arket for self-grip wrenches. The Mole name has become monymous with this type of rench in workshops throughit the country in the thirty ?ars since its introduction.
:lean machine
A new brake-drum cleaning nit has been introduced by lilfisk. The BT 275N is deigned for cars and light vans iith brake drums between 78mm (7in) and 305mm 12in) in diameter.
BT Sales and Service make he stand and the cleaning hood irhich is connected to the Nilfisk uction unit. A filter fitted to this init is designed to ensure that io asbestos dust can reach the tmosphere.
The hood has an air gun fitted Iside, and since it can only be ised with the brake cleaner it is inlikely to be "borrowed". A raleting kit comprising brush, ;one and separate hose for use vith the detachable suction unit is included in the price of £325 plus vat.
Leasing facilities are available from Nilfisk Ltd, Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Explosive situation
A pneumatically controlled protective box has been developed in Sweden to shield mechanics if a heavy tyre should explode while being inflated. The box is mounted on an arm and lifts the wheel and tyre from the floor and rotates it until the pumping position is reached.
When the tyre is inflated, the wheels are lowered to the floor. An air bell for automatic inflation is incorporated in the air gauge.
The equipment can be mounted either on a floor or wall and can handle wheels and tyres up to 400kg (8cwt) in weight. It is manufactured by Centrabringen, Umea, Sweden.
High pressure cleaner
Karcher's latest high pressure cleaner has a new twinpiston pump and infinitely adjustable pressure and water flow. The temperature control ranges from 30` C to 150'C, and the heating coil has a water-softening device which is claimed to help prevent furring of the coil and increase the effectiveness of most chemicals and detergents.
A new patented nozzle with a spray angle adjustable up to 90' is available for the lance.
A one-year guarantee is given with the equipment, but the heating coil is guaranteed for two years. Retail price of the HDS70 is £1150 excluding vat. Karcher is at Tramway Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Good deal from Ford
Ford has a dealer equipment programme which enables dealers to refer to a list of workshop equipment that has been tested and approved by Ford. The service was started for car dealers last year and is now being extended to the 141 Ford commercial vehicle dealers in the UK.
Two hundred and sixty-five items including lifts; engine and exhaust gas analysers; wheelbalance machines; hand-held testers for alternators, starters and batteries; headlamp-beam testers; and cleaning equipment for engines brakes and components are now included in the catalogue.