Latest Equipment for the Service Depot
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APART from the labour-saving aspect of the use of specialized service equipment, it is probably true to say that a much better job can be carried out and in less time. It would, indeed, be a poor tool or appliance which did not save its own cost within a reasonable period, so that the purchase of good equipment represents a sound business investment.
Usually it is not good economy to buy, say, an elaborate item of test equipment unless its potential usefulness justifies the outlay. In such circumstances it would be a wiser policy to pay for occasional outside service, rather than to tie up capital in apparatus that may be needed only occasionally.
Plug Cleaning Equipment In the normal way, the cleaning and testing of sparking plugs can be a long, tedious job, especially with those of the non-detachable type. An item of equipment recently introduced by the Champion Sparking Plug Co., Ltd.. Feltham. Middlesex, not only cleans the plug, but enables tests of insulation efficiency, gas tightness and spark intensity to be made. All these tests are carried out under a pressure equivalent to that obtaining in the engine on the firing stroke, and the functioning of a plug can be visually observed. Cleaning takes but a few seconds, and 18 nun., 14 mm., 10 mm., ft in. S.A.E. and ft in. taper plugs can be serviced.
The unit can be supplied for working off 110-250 volts with a tapped transformer, for 200-250 volts without transformer, and for working off a 12-volt battery. No model is available for working off d.c. mains. Any com pressed-air supply, having a constant pressure of 100-150 lb. per sq. in., will be found satisfactory.
Kerry's (Great Britain), Ltd., Worton Road, Stratford, markets an eight-speed self-contained drilling machine giving a range of spindle speeds from 86 r.p.m. to 3,360 r.p.m. This feature means that small numbered drills can be used with the same facility as the largest within the capacity of the machine, which is {} in.
Power is supplied by a ft h.p. electric motor for working off 400-440 volt. 50-cycle, three-phase supply mains, but other types of motor can be supplied to requirements.
Another useful tool marketed by the same company is the Kerry Kingley high-speed hacksaw. Whilst cutting times naturally vary according to the specification of the material being cut, a mild-steel bar 1 in. in diameter can be severed in a minute, or a 4-in.-diameter bar in 7f minutes. High-tensile steel of comparable dimensions takes 21 minutes and 23 minutes, respectively.
It takes a 12-in, blade which, on the non-cutting stroke, is hydraulically lifted from the work. A 1 h.p. electric motor stfpplies the power, and two speeds are available.
Much is heard these days of rapid battery chargers, and doubts are sometimes expressed as to the safety of putting a full charge into a battery in so short a period as an hour. The great danger, of course, comes from excessive temperature rise as a result of passing a heavy current over a relatively long period.
Full Charge in an Hour With the Crypton rapid battery charger it is possible safely to charge any healthy 6or 12-volt battery in 30-60 minutes. Further, it tests and indicates the condition of charge and shows whether the battery is suitable. for rapid charging, or is in need of repair or replacement.
An important feature of its design is that the temperature within the battery is automatically kept within safe limits, so that there is no possibility of damage resulting from this cause.
The capacity of the charger is such that it can deal with 10 6-volt or five 12-volt batteries at a time, at a charging rate of 10 amps. At the 6-amp. rate • it will take 16 6-volt or eight 12-volt • batteries. In view of the heavy loads now being imposed upon vehicle batteries, a charger of this type should form a particularly practical addition to the equipment in any service depot. The maker of this charger—Crypton Equipment, Ltd., Bridgwater. Somerset —is the concern responsible for numerous items of specialized equipment for the testing of power units and electrical a31
apparatus. Operators may be interested in the Crypton exhaust-gas analyser, a piece of apparatus which simplifies carburetter testing and adjustment.
What the instrument does is to measure the thermal condactivity of the exhaust gas and visually record it in terms of air-fuel ratios and combustion efficiency. A mechanic who has the services of such an instrument does not have to adopt a hit-or-miss method of carburetter tuning in order to obtain maximum efficiency.
A high-pressure washer with two guns forms one of the most recent additions to the equipment made by the Laycock Engineering Cot, Ltd., Victoria Works, Millhouses, Sheffield, 8. The pump has a bore of 114 in., with a 21-in. stroke, and is driven at about IGO r.p.m. Power is supplied by a 3 h.p. electric motor. Mushroom-type valves, working on detachable valve seats, are employed.
Jet or Diffused Spray
The guns can be adjusted to give either a straight-line jet or a wide diffused spray, the pressure being 375 lb. per sq. in. The'driving motor may be of the d.c. type, or a threephase or single-phase ac. machine, as required. A feature of this machine is that lubrication is carried out automatically from a built-in oil sump.
Of special interest to the small operator is the Laycock trolley compressor. which has a capacity of 21 cubic ft. per minute. It is driven by a 1 h.p. electric motor, and the working pressure is 150 lb. per sq. in. It is a particularly compact unit, and is trolley-mounted. the wheels being 8 ins, in diameter and fitted with solid rubber tyres.
Thomas Meldrum, Ltd., Freedom Works, John Street, Sheffield, has recently commenced production of 4and 6-arm wheel-nut wrenches which are sold under the trade name of Me!co. These wrenches are made of high carbon steel, the sockets being drop forgings. The crackle enamel finish provides a good grip even when the hands are greasy.
A first-class lifting jack is an important essential in any garage or maintenance depot. Joseph _Bradbury and Sons, Ltd.. Braintree, has recently added a 5-ton low-lift jack to its range of equipment, the company's rocket-lift self-flushing feature being incorporated.
The purpose of this device is to raise the crutch to the load-cOntact position in one smooth stroke—a great timesaver. In addition, every time it is brought into operation, oil is driven through the valves at high velocity so that dirty or sticky valves, which are responsible for the majority of hydraulic faults, are eliminated.
A Crutch Extension
The minimum height of the jack is 4.i ins., and it, gives a lift of 15k ins. When fitted with a 5-in, crutch extension, the maximum height is increased to that extent, so that a chassis can he raised sufficiently to permit of its underside being inspected.
Hydro-pneutnatic principles have been ingeniously applied to a jack being marketed by Timson Bros. (England), Ltd., Moor 'Street, Birmingham, known as the Brooke; it is designed to work off the air-pressure line such as used for tyre inflation or spray plants.
There is a quick-release coupling on the handle, so that the air-line can be detached when once the jack is supporting the vehicle. Lowering is carried out through the agency of a release lever, there being no need to recouple the airline.
The normal lift of this jack is 9 ins., which gives it a total height of 14 ins. The latter measurement can be increased, in two stages, to a maximium of 23 ins, by the use of extension pieces. For heavy, vehicles the air-pressure required is 150 lb. per sq. in.
A high-speed electric hand tool for grinding valve seats forms one of the many specialities made by S. Wolf and Co., Ltd., Pioneer Works, Hanger Lane, London, W.5. It is light in weight apd the motor provides sufficient power to drive valve,seat grinding stones up to 3 ins. diameter.
Universal-type motors can be fitted covering voltages from 50 to 250. The tool can be used for numerous purposes, and a comprehensive range of accessories which can be used with it are available. The input on full load is 270 watts, and the spindle speed, running light, is 16,000 r.p.m.
Socket Spanner Sets Of the many types of socket sets made by Abingdon King Dick, Ltd., Abingdon Works, Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, 11, the one covering seven Whitworth sizes from'b' in. to 1 in. should prove particularly useful to commercial vehicle operators. The sockets are of the ring type, so that engagement with the hexagon heads can be made at intermediate positions.
The accessories comprise' the following components: Alloy heat-treated ratchet; 4-in. 8-in, and 16-in, extension bars; sliding T-bar; and .4-in. by 16-in. tommy bar. Sets covering B.S.F., American A/F and metric bolts are also available. The Whitworth set sent for our inspection should prove to be a poicularly useful addition to the equipment of any garage or service depot. • As may be known this concern is responsible for a lame variety of spanners including doubleand singleended set, double-ended ring—straight, cranked and half-moon, adjustable types and box. The King Dick tension wrench is a particularly useful tool. It can be adjusted quickly to any poundage from 40 to 150 ft. lb.