Contributions from Drivers and Mechanics.
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TEN SHILLINGS WEEKLY for the Best Communication Received, and One Penny a Line of ten words for any thing else published.
Drivers of commercial-motor vehic es and tra:lors, and mechanics and foremen of garages or shops, are invited to send short contributions on any subject wmch is likely to Prove of interest to our readers. Workshop tips and smart repairs ; long and successful runs ; interesting photographs : all are suitable subjects. Send a post .card, or a letter, or a sketch to us—no matter how short,or how written, or how worded. We will " knock it into shape" and prepare sketches, where necessary, before publication. The absence of a sketch does not disqualify for a prize. When writing use one side of the paper only and mention your employer's name as a guarantee of bona fides. Neither your own nor your employer's name wtli be disclosed. Payment will be made inintediately after publication. Address your letters to The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL. MOTOR, 7-75, Rosebery Avenue, London. E.C.
Will the correspondent, who recently submitted. for publication in these columns, a description of the fitting of a false flange to a broken cylinder casting, forward his full name and postal address to this office. The letter should be marked D.M.781.
A Valve-dressing Tool.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the 10s. prize this week.
[778] " A.L." (Notting Hill) writes:—" Some whil.. ago, I sent you a sketch of a cutter which was specially intended for the truing-up of the ends of mushroom v al,s:
this communication was published in the CM.' on the 12th of May last. I have now contrived a device for truing up the setutings and enclose a sketch of this tool herewith. [We have had this redrawn.—En.] "In the garage in which I ern at work, there is only one lathe, and it always happens, of course, that, when a job like the truing-up of a valve wants doing. the lathe is not available. It was to avoid this delay that I schemed the present dodge.
" The sketch, I think, almost explains itself. Where a lot of valves has to be ground, the links A. A. can be made as fixtures, and so set that the three lugs, to which the pieces of steel file are soldered, shall rest on the bevel of the valve centrally with the screws by which the lugs are pivoted. I made the links on mine adjustable. The centre tube can be made out of 1i in. round stuff, with a in. hole through the centre. Two collars (B, 131 must he brazed on to the ends, as is shown in the sketch. Any man who is handy with his tools can make one of these little fittings, and if the two measurements, which I have marked on my sketch, are employed, any ordinary size of valve can be dressed up by its means as well as the job could be done in a lathe and with half the trouble. " The method of using is to put the valve stem in the in. hole and then to set the lugs in the manner suggested earlier in this letter. Then the valve should be turned with a brace, and the bits of file will cut the valve in the right way. The lugs can, of course, be made to suit any particular bevel. If the stem of the valve be under in. diameter, a few turns of copper wire, wound round it. will hold it quite firmly in the socket."
Aluminium Solder and Other Things.
[779] H.II.S.'' (Luton) writes : " During my experience as a fitter, I have found it handy to know how to solder aluminium. I have effected some satisfactory repairs of this kind myself. I use a solder which any handy titter can make and use. It is comprised of equal parts of tin and zinc. The surface of the job has to be cleaned. thoroughly, and to be heated to the melting point of sulphur—a piece of pure sulphur should be rubbed on to the part which is to be treated. A little tin should be added to the joint after the solder has been applied. " Whenever I have to fit piston rings, I use a special holder with which I find I can fix them without any fear of breakage while they are being filed on the sides. I enclose a .sketch which should make my meaning plain. [We have had this redrawn.—En.] I simply turned it up out of a chunk of wood.
" I would also suggest a big type of tap wrench, which is adjustable, and which can be taken to pieces quite
easily so that it can be kept in the ordinary fitter's toolbox. A fitter, who has a small adjustable wrench, like one of mine which you described some while ago :Letter No. 0981 28th April, 1910.--En.], as well as one of the larger size as shown in my other sketch herewith, shook. be quite well set up."
Good Men Wanted Abroad.
One of the leading British manufacturers of agricultural motors, from time to time, has vacancies for men to go out in charge of his machines to various parts of the world. Such men, to be suitable, must be used to the adjustment and care at internal-combustion engines and must be capable of effecting running repairs and adjustments. Men of good character, who have acquired such experience in motorbus garages, or in similar commercialvehicle undertakings, are likely to prove suitable. Applilotions, which appear to fill these requirements, if marked AGRIMO, care of the Editor of this journal, will be forwarded to the right quarter.