ROADSIDE AND GARAGE. _
Page 29
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A Page for Drivers, Mechanics and Foremen.
Repairing a Fan Pulley.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the extra payment of 58. this week.
(2365) " (Bromley) writes:— "I have had a lot of trouble with a certain W.D. type terry owing to fan breakages, the blades having a habit of coming off unexpectedly from time to time, much to the annoyance of other
occupants of the bonnet. After having tried various metals as material for new blades, I ultimately turned my attention to three-ply timber. As this proved to be just the thing for the job, it occurred to me that other drivers might like to know how the thing was done. I cut the blades from the wood so that the greatest resistance to bending would be offered in line with the aXiS of each blade. I drilled each to suit the holes in the fao boss, to which the original blades were secured by means of four small rivets. The holes, however, I enlarged a little so that they would aceommodate small turned bolts. In order to stiffen the blade at the point of attachment., I backed each Ohe with an alnminium plate. This was also drilled to accommodate the four bolts, and, in addition, was lengthened as shown in the accompanying sketch, where it was secured to the blade by a single rivet. I
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have had no breakages whatever since making this alteration, but, in any event, I should imagine that less trouble would be mused by one of the wooden blades breaking than, occurs when a metal one breaks. Moreover, since these blades are bolted to the fan boss, it is a simpler matter to replace one."
The Safety Valve. .
(2366) "A.W." (Dewsbury) writes:— " The boiler safety valve is generally fitted so that it allows pressure of steam wjthiu the boiler to rise to a certain predetermined limit, subsequently allowing the ;team to blow off as quickly as it is generated. As a fitting it is, as a matter of fact, a mechanical insurance against explosions' but in order to, remain effective and to prevent risks, it must he treated in a rational manner, If one of the valves leaks, and steam commences to blow before the right pressure is reached, the proper thing to do is to bed the valve down to its seat, and not to attempt to cure the leak by tightening the springs which hold the valve closed. This merely increases the risk of accident without preventing the leakage. " When the boiler safety valve is being reground, either powdered emery or some other grinding. mixture should be used, and the job 'finished by metal polish, which puts a fine polish on both valve and seat and makes a very good job
deed.
"In order to prevent the valves being tampered with, they are, in some cases, fitted with ferrules, which prevent them from being screwed down beyond a pre determined limit. As, however, the driver can, if he wiAies, remove and alter the ferrules when steam is .down; the result is the same, inasmuch as it is up to the driver in the end as to whether he interferes with it or not.
"I have known men, on occasions when the wagon was getting out of condition and not pulling as well as it opght, attempt to improve matters by screwing down the safety valve, thus getting a better head of steam. This, of course, is merely folly, since, if the wagon does not, run well with steam at its usual pressure, there is obviously something wrong in the engine or transmission, not in the safety valve." A Substitute Brake Rod.
(2367) "11.E.M.B." (Lincoln) writes: —"I had an unusual accident the ether day, one of the brake coupling rods of my lorry snapping off when I was ins the middle of a long journey over 'roads which, as regards hills, could certainly be said to be of the 'give-and-take ' order. An immediate repair VASS certainly necessary, but the method of effecting it was far from obvious, as there was no blacksmith's shop or garage within sight. Fortunately, at a little general dealer's, I was able to procure some 8 gauge iron wire. This I threaded through the brake lever eyes, as Shown in the sketch, carefully joining the two ends by overlapping and twisting. Fairly correct adjustment of the length of this rod was then effected, as shown, by the use of a tomrny bar."
Lamps Alight.
On Saturday, March 4th, light your lamps at 6.13 in London, 6.15 in Newcastle, 6.19 iii Birmingham, 6 20 in Edinburgh, 6.23 in Liverpool, 6.23 in Bristol, and 7.6 in Dublin.