Eom Drivers &Mechanics
Page 21
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Send its an account of any special incident of your work or experience. If suitable, we will edit your notes, supply a sketch when requera, and pay you for everything published. Mention your emPloyer's name, in confidence, as evidence of good faith. Address to The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, Rosebery d VeOlte, London, E.G.
Light Up Your Lamps At 6.29 on Thursday; 6.31 on Friday ; 6.33 on Saturday; 6.37 on Monday ; 6.38 on Tuesday; 6.40 on Wednesday.
To Loosen a Feather-key.
[1599] " J.W.P." (Sheffield) writes :—" I had recently to overhaul a clutch which was.operated by a muff sliding on a sunk feather-key. This key was worn badly and required renewing. I dismantled the clutch and took off the muff • the key, however, defied all my efforts to remove it. Eventually I turned the oxy-acetylene blowpipe on to it, directing the flame to the key, which rapidly became red hot. The sleeve in which it was embedded, however, still remained cool, and, as the key necessarily tried to expand, noted as a press. When everything became cool, the key was so loose that it could be easily picked out with the fingers. This, I think, is another addition to. the various uses of the oxy-acetylene flame."
Skidding to Advantage.
[1600] " H.J.R." (Stoke Newingto,n).—" I have been very interested in your P. and M.' pages for some time past, and have often gleaned useful and practical tips and information which have helped me to a great extent in the course of my daily duties.
" I was very pleased to read your most interesting article on the subject of skidding which appeared a few weeks ago. Although this subject has been dealt with at length in many technical journals, it is very doubtful whether a time has been more opportune than the present for its discussion.
"As I have gathered from your 'Despatches from the Front the numerous vehicles at present in military service on the Continent are encountering greasy and rain-sodden roads which, to say the least of it, tend to make the work of the driver most uncomfortable.
"Although many ideas have been carried out with a view of obviating the disastrous effects of a skid, I think I am very safe in saying that they have, in the majority of cases, failed in their primary object. Chains and bars have probably been more effective than many devices, but I would much sooner use an ordinary plain tire of a well-known make and take my chance. [The devices referred to are meant for use when the grip of the tire on the road is insufficient for driving purposes.—En.] "If the machine is in the hands of a skilful driver I do not consider there is any reason why a dangerous skid should take place. A new and inexperienced driver usually skids into trouble, but I think I can truthfully say that, though I have had a fair share of skidding troubles during my seven years of driving, directly I have noticed the vehicle swerve I have placed it very near to where I desired it to go. "To control a skid requires quick percePtion on the part of-the driver to counteract any deviation which may take place. I have found that the application of the brakes often-increases skid.
"The first thing which in my opinion should be done is to declutch quickly [We question the advisability of so acting.—ED.1 and then to use the steer ing with intelligence. If these two points were adhered to by drivers generally, I am sure there would be less likelihood of any serious damage resulting from skids, which I consider cannot be eliminated, but which can at least be minimized by careful 'driving."
How to Make a Box Spanner.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the 10s. prize this week.
[1601] " A. J. H." (Aldershot) writes :—" In the course of a long experience as a mechanic in a large i garage I have come to the conclusion that there s practically no chassis on which all the nuts are so well placed that they can be got at by means of the the ordinary spanner. In nearly every case some will be found which are inaccessible without the aid of a box spanner. In a garage, of course, it is possible to have a stock of box :spannerssufficient to be adaptable for any size nut which is likely to be met. If one of the right size is not obtainable, it is quite a simple matter to make one. All that is necessary is a short length of suitable tube and a similar sized nut to the one which it is desired to unscrew. File the top half of each face of this nut, so that it will resemble a truncated pyramid, and slightly round the top edges and angles, an shown in the sketch [which we have had rectrawn.—En.j. The piece of steel tubing: should -have an inside diameter equal to the width of the nut across the flats.
"Commence by driving the nut into the tube a little way, lay the tube and nut sideways on an anvil and hammer each of the sides in turn. It will then be found that the nut will go farther in, and the process should be repeated. When this nut has been driven quite flush the same process can be repeated with a new nut. Still further hammering will make the spanner an easy fit. All that remains is to drill a tommy hole and the box spanner is complete."