Power Tools on Parade
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A Brief Review of Some of the Tools and Equipment of Interest to Operators, on Show at the Machine Tool and Engineering Exhibition THE first Machine .1001 and Engineering Exhibition since 1934 opened yesterday at Olympia, and will run until September 11. Although a visitor who is primarily concerned with the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles may have little more than an academic interest in the many complex production machines on view, his need to speed-up workshop operations is sufficiently related to manufacturing technique to render the scene stimulating.
General-purpose machine-tools such as centre-lathes, vertical drilling machines and bench grinders, of types that constitute the basic requirements of any repair shop, are well represented on many of the stands, but as such machines are often included in a range largely made up of quantity-production equipment, it is proposed to comment on the exhibits in a way that is usefully indicative of the types available, ra4her than to attempt a detailed stand-tostand analysis. This also applies to machines for more specialized repair work which include universal milling and shaping machines, surface grinders and boring machines.
Examples of the many suitable types of drilling machine exhibited can be found on the stands of Grimston Electric Tools, Ltd. (224). Progress Way, Purley Way, Croydon, Stirrey, and James W. Carr and Co., Ltd. (258), which also features universal milling machines. A 6-in, centre-lathe, with a swing of 16 ins, when the gap-piece is removed, is featured by Charles Churchill and Co., Ltd. (241 and 113), Coventry Road, Sott,th Yardley, Birmingham. in a wide range of machine and small tools. Among the other exhibitois showing appropriate types of centre-lathe can be included the Stedall Machine Tool Co. (90), 145-157 St. John Street. Clerkenwell, London, E.C.I, which concern, in addition. produces a heavy-duty double-ended grinder. Ward. Haggas and Smith, Ltd. (82), Eastwood Works. Keighley, Yorks, and T. S. Harrison and Sons, Ltd. (165A), Union Street. Heckmondwike, Yorkshire. are also exhibiting woodturning lathes and universal drilling "machines B. Elliot and Co., Ltd. (163). Victoria Works, Victoria Road. Willesden, London. N.W.10. stages double-ended toolroorn grinders, and the Selson Machine Tool Co., Ltd. (126 and 127), shows a wet tool grinder, and .a vertical crankshaft grinding machine. A crankpin grinding machine appears on the stand of the Churchill Machine Tool Co., Ltd. (91), Broadheath. Manchester. and George Cohen. Sons and Co.. Ltd. 1122), shows universal milling and boring machines.
Designed for cylinder-block boring, a six-spindle machine is exhibited by Kitchen and Wade, Ltd. (114), Arundel Street, Gibbet Street, Halifax, Yorks, in addition to single-spindle borers and cylinder-honing machines.
A machine that performs a specific operation is often precluded from a workshop on the grounds of economy, but the installation of a multi-purpose tool may be warranted if it meets a large variety of requirements. Of interest to many fleet engineers, therefore, will be the Vendis machine shown by Lorant and Co., Ltd. (8). 98-100. Croydon Road, London, S.E.20. It is adaptable to no fewer than 36 different operations, including horizontal and vertical milling, external and internal grinding, reciprocating slotting and disc filing.
Small tools for engine reconditioning and general servicing operations will be of first importance to many maintenance and repair staffs. A great variety of repair-shop tools • is covered by this classification, and selection is facilitated when exhibits representing a comprehensive range are suitably grouped in near proximity. E P. Barrus, Ltd. (135 and 281), Brunel Road, Acton, London, W.3, is a concessionnaire for a large number of companies, and a complete range of garage equipment, including cylinder borers and hones, connectingrod and main-bearing line-borers, valve refacers, compressors, hoists, spray guns and measuring instruments is shown.
As is well known, faulty alignment of crankshaft bearings will lead to rapid wear of practically all the working parts of the cylinder block assembly and crankshaft, and a dial gauge for checking this alignment, manufactured by Thomas Mercer, Ltd (227), Eywood Road, St. Albans, Herts, will be of interest to many repairers. Other dial gauges shown include a range of cylinder-bore gauges. and a universal test-indicator set.
Air-operated Hoist Desoutter Brothers, Ltd. (284), The Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W.9, shows its well-known hand tools, the portable drills, grinders and screwdrivers exhibited being either electrically or pneumatically operated. Accurate positioning of the load often presents a problem when using a hoist for fitting heavy units into a chassis or other assembly. An air-operated hoist, shown by Smallpiece, Ltd. (255), Parkshot, Richmond, Surrey, is so designed that it is possible to raise or lower the load a few inches manually without operating the push-button control. No safety stops are required, the load remaining suspended if the air pressure fails.
Good lighting is obviously of great importance in improving efficiency and working conditions, but there ia still a need for improvement, particularly in respect of directional lighting, in a great many workshops, especially when accurate finish is imperative. Lighting
equipment that will stay put in any position, and in which the lead is protected from strained abrasion, is shown by Mek-Elek Engineering, Ltd. (280), 17, Western Road, Mitcham, Surrey. Use is made of epicyclic-geared joints which give 360-degree movement, and included in a variety of different types of base is one for both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
The mounting of a dial gauge or scriber on a machine tool or engine block in a firm position often causes much waste of time, and a holder with a magnetic base, suitable for mounting on any suitable surface, offers very obvious advantages. Such a holder is manufactured by James Neill and Co. (Sheffield), Ltd. (267), Composite Steel Works, Sheffield. The control is by push button, and both sides become magnetic in addition to the V-shaped slot in the top face.
J. E. Baty and Co. Ltd. (212), 39, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, shows cylinder gauges for bores from I in. to 36 ins, among a variety of measuring instruments designed for the use of tool makers, inspectors and fitters.
Bench equipment and small tools are featured by B.S.A. Tools, Ltd (46). .Mackadown Lane, Marston Grcen, Birmingham, which concern is showing an extensive range covering such items as hacksaw blades, files and adjustable
reamers in addition to lathe equipmern.
Adcock and Shipley, Ltd. (79), Ash Street, Leicester, is showing mandrel presses and various vices, supplementary to the company's range of drilling and milling machines. J. J. Jones and Shipman, Ltd. (103 and 237), Narborough Road South, Leicester, includes in its exhibit all types of small and hand tools from hand presses to hacksaw blades, in addition to drilling machines and hydraulically operated grinding machines.
Woodworking machines to meet the requirements of body repair and bodybuilding shops are shown on a number of the stands. Metalclad, Ltd Neath, Glamorgan, is showing an 18-in. sawbench with a graduated table surface, and a 12-in, hand-planing, jointing, rebating and moulding machine, with an easily controlled depth of feed. The Oliver Machine Co., Ltd. (38A and 221), features a disc and bob sander, bandsaws and woodcutting lathes, in addition to a number of sheet-metalworking machines of which a vertical turning machine for roll forming the edge of vehicle wings without wire after flanging is of outstanding interest.
Welding equipment, particularly suitable for body building, is exhibited by Sciaky Electric Welding Machines, Ltd_ (139A), Farnham Road, Slough, Bucks, in the form of a portable spot welder, fitted with interlocked dual heads. Also in this range, and of unusual interest, is an a.c. hrC" welding machine.
The Lincoln Electric Co., Ltd. (52), Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, features arcwelding equipment of both stationary and portable types. Hydraulic power presses and assortments for body rebuilding, frame and axle work are exhibited by The Blackhawk Manufacturing Co. on the stand of E. P. Barrus, Ltd. (135 and 281)