SOME MISCELLANEOUS HINTS AND TIPS.
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Useful Contributions from Our Driver and Mechanic Readers.
FOLLC/WING the recent contribution from a steam-wagon driver cm "method " in operating a wagon of that type,,the letter Which we have received from " A.E.," of Manchester, for which we have awarded him the 15s. prize this week, is of interest. He tells us the things which drives and mechanics should not de, putting most of his advice in the form of " don'ts."
(1) Don't forget that the principal help towards the avoidance of accidents is the cultivation of a habit of observation, which is not a gift, •hut may be acquired jest as skill in any avocation may be obtained.
(2) Don't confuse advice and warning : they are two very differentthings, 'although both are, seemingly, tendered when least desired. Warnings are generally given by these who feel deeply the importance of what they are saying. They usually speak from experience, and most often from hitter experience, which they would wittingly spare others. (3) Exercise particular care whenever railway, tracks have to be crossed, and look both ways before proceeding.
(4) When using slings for lifting purpeeps be careful-not to allow a kink in the chain.
(5) Don't stand under -a suspended load, no matter how safely you may think it is held.
(6)' Don't use open lights in a garage or oil stores; only safety or electric lamps are permissible.
(7) Don't throw down matches.
(8) Don't remove the guards from a machine unless in the case of absolute necessity, such as for repairs, alterations, cleaning, or testing.
(9) Keep the floor, near any machine, free from obstructions, and thus avid the risk of someone stumbling over an obstacle and coming into contact with a moving part of the mechanism.
(10) (This is a corollary to No. 9.) Don't leave tools or other articles lying about; Have' a place for everything, and keep things in their places.
(11) When relining bearings, be most careful to clean the mould and eliminate all traces of moisture before commencing to pour the molten Metal. The presence of moisture is a frequent cause of explosions.
(1.2)When about to remove shavings or drillings from apiece of work in the lathe ler drilling machine,' stop the machine, or, if that be impracticable, use something other than the hand to effect the removal.
(13) Don't. use hand tools which have burred or 'mushroom" heads, or locese.
or defective .handles. Such procedure may easily cause a piece of steel to fly,: and may deprive a fellow workman of the sight of •en eye.
(14) Don't try to use welding uppers, tus without wearing the proper protec tive glasses. Dark green glasses are the best for oxy-acetylene work, and deep violet for electric arc welding apparatus.
(15) Be most careful never to use a band or circular saw without the guard.
(16) Don't allow yourself to be splashed with aid i of any kind. When lifting carboys use the handles.
;17) When chipping be careful Where the chips are flying; don't allow them to be directed towards another workman.
(18) Don't attempt to replenish oil lamps .when they are alight. Always carry out that work by daylight, never by artificial light, unless the lighting be by electricity.
(19) Don't disregard a warning sign eust because you don't happen to be able to realize the danger.
(20) Don't start drilling operations in the machine until you are sure the work is properly secured.
(21) Don't try to retard a revolving emery or grinding wheel by means of your hands.
(22) Never attempt to secure a grinding wheel on the outer side by means of a nut. A flange of adequate dimensions is essential.
(23) Don't fail to pay periodic attendon to your brakes.
"W.E.G.," of Kidderminster, sends an interesting sketch of a load indicator. A bracket is made of a couple of pieces of fiat bar, one L-sbaped, the other straight. They are bolted to the chassis frame as shown in the sketch, and located on the rear transverse member of that frame, in line with the worth housing. To the latter is bolted a thin
strip of metal, whichwill support a hook.
The bracket on the frame carries a spindle, which is bent at right angles at one end, and at the other is fitted with a pointer. The pointer works over a dial, which is also carried by the aforesaid bracket. A spring keeps the pointer always tending to return to the zero mark, • which may conveniently be one of the bolts which holds the dial to the bracket. The bent end of the spindle is coupled, by means of a cord, to the hook on the axle case, and the cordprovided with means of adjustment—tat shown on the sketch is a terminal with setscrew.
The cord is first adjusted so that, with the wagon light, the finger points to zero. It is then loaded to the rated capacity, and the dial marked at the position of the indicator. This mark serves as a guide in the future, when a different class of material is being carried, and it is desired to guard against overloading. When the Wagon is running the cord is detached from the hook on the axle case, so that there is no wear of the mechanism.
The second sketch ahoWe a more elaborate construction,in which, in order to get mare accurate reading on the scale, the movement is multiplied in the proportion of about three to one, by the simple expedient of fitting • a second shaft, driven off the first one by means of a pair of clockwork wheels.
"R.G.G.," of fou.noon, had an American chassis which was fitted -with a starting han-dle of the-detachable type, and he did not like it. He set about securing the handle to the chassis, and his method of doing so may be of interest to readers similarly placed, and haying similar views on the matter.
The spring on that part of the starting handle which ISM actually a fixture on the chassis was held in place by a pin (A), which also served as means of engagement for the detachable portion of the device. Remove the pin (A) and procure a bolt (B) of the same diameter, and long enough to pass right through the starting handle proper. File a flat onthe head of this bolt, as shown in the sketch, and cut a corresponding slot in the handle. P111311 the bolt through and secure with a nut, and the job is done.
He also had trouble with -a petrol tank which was supported in the chassis by means of brackets, which were riveted and soldered to the tank. The inevitable happened; as the result of vibration and strain, the tank developed leaks at the juncture of the brackets, leaks which nothing could permanently cure. "R.G.G." took off the brackets and filled up the holes left in the tank
by their removal. He then made a couple of straps out of some old bed lathes, securing the tank with these in the manner illustrated in the sketch.