Contributions from Drivers and Mechanics.
Page 20
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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 trwtors, and mechanics and foremen of garages or shops, are invited to send short contributions on any subject which 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 will be disclosed. Payment will be made immediately after publication. Address your letters to The Editor, THE CoNranscIAL Moron, 7-15, kosebery A venue, London, E.C.
In Reply to Yours.
L935]" H.T." (Cheltenham).—With reference to the letter in which you describe your method of driving the new stay tubes, your plan was a sound one, but not of sufficient novelty to warrant publication. We are glad the " D..M." tips are so useful to you.
[936] " W.W." (Uhislehurst).—We have perused the description of the arrangement which you made for the use of the feed pump on your Foden wagon, in order to maintain a pressure in the boiler for testing purposes. It is interesting, but we have already described a similar method of operating such a pump by hand. If you have your files handy, we would refer you to letter No. 877 from " H.J." (Nantwich), in the issue for lath May last. We shall be pleased to consider any other contributions which you may care to submit tap us.
Stuffing Boxes for Valve Guides.
The sender of the following communication hat been awarded the Ws. prize this week.
[937] H.B." (Sandbach) writes :—" I send you herewith a short note with regard to a repair to some valve-stem guides of a motor engine, which I have recently seen completed. The guides were all badly worn, especially at the top and bottom ends, and this was probably due to the fact that dirt was drawn in there. The slack which was present meant a con siderable loss of oil, and, of course, on that account the engine always looked dirty. The method of repair that was adopted was to turn the top end of the guides parallel for a distance of about I in., and then to cut a fine-pitch thread on this parallel portion. The guides were also conically recessed, as shown in the sketch [We have had this redrawn.— ED.]. Four brass caps with similar internal threads were then made, and these caps were slipped over the valve stems, and, with the aid of some suitable packing, a good joint was made. The packing which we found most useful for this purpose consisted of some pieces of soft scrap leather mixed with spun yarn. When this was screwed tightly home, a good oil-tight job was obtained. I think you will agree that this is a novel use for a gland or stuffing box, but as•the cost was very trifling, and it effected our purpose, the end justified the means. We had no more leaking."
When Off to the Cape.
[938] " HOMOCEA " (Eshowe, Zululand) writes :— " I should like to offer a word of warning to any drivers and mechanics who may be anticipating taking an engagement to come to South Africa in connection with the driving and maintenance of tractors or other commercial motors. A trained man should not think of coming out here under £20 per month. Even a young hand who wishes to gain some experience should not come out for less than 15 a month. The cost of living here is quite three times as much as it is in England, and there is also to be taken into consideration the unavoidably bad conditions under which it is necessary to work. The general discomfort of the climate and of other conditions, are matters which should be seriously considered by those intending to try their luck here. Above all, such venturers should not put any faith in the glowing descriptions which are invariably given by purchasers who want them to go out and look after their machines. Such descriptions are, as a rule, no more than a snare and a delusion. My information is primarily only in regard to places where tractors and commercial vehicles would be required in this country. I think Iron would do well to bring this warning to the notice of my fellow-drivers at home through the medium of the columns of your valuable journal."