AN UP-TO-DATE WORKSHOP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 190, 1 November 1927, Page 7

AN UP-TO-DATE WORKSHOP

FULL ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT Figures have recently been worked out in America and England which indicate that, of the total amount of money spent each year in the motor business, 55 per cent, goes in service work and only 45 per cent, on new cars. The significance of these figures has been seen by Mr. It. M. I-loyes, of '.he Auckland firm of Moves Motors, who has organised his garage and workshop on a thoroughly modern basis. “Headlight” had the pleasure of an interesting journey round this service department. It is the boast of Air. Moves that his workshop is the most up-to-date in the Dominion, and certainly it is the best equipped That “Headlight” has seen. Every laboursaving device possible has been installed and electricity is in universal use throughout. Electric drills, lathes and compressed-air machines of course are common, but there is also a little electric machine that grinds engine valves almost automatically. Then there is a specially designed electric drill for quick work on brake lining, and an electric tyre vulcaniser. The lathes are equipped with a special reversing switch that saves all the bother ot altering for reverse work. The cleanliness of the place is quite noticeable. There are no pits in the floor, but cars needing repairs to their under gear are held up on a gteel stand, permitting the mechanics to walk freely about their jobs. An overhead runway and tackle is provided for removing engines and conveying them to repair benches. The service department is fullyequipped for every class of work from panel-beating, painting and case hardening. to a patent high-pressure washing outfit.

Repairing Mudguards With the aid of a sand pillow dents in the mudguards or body of a car can be removed very simply. A canvas sack is filled with sand and a board is fastened to one side. The soft side is placed in the depression, while the opposite side of the dent is hammered with a wooden mallet. The sand pillow will offer sufficient resistance to the blows of the mallet to remove the dent, without the possibility of further damaging the metal.

GETTING OUT OF A BOG Sometimes when a heavy car gets bogged considerable difficulty is expeiienced in getting it out of the soft ground and all the usual methods o. dealing with such an emergency prove abortive. In such a case an excellent scheme is to join the spokes of the front and rear wheels by a strong rope in such a way that when the rear wheels‘turn they pull the front wheels also. Thus the advantages of four wheel drive are obtained, while, as the front wheels are seldom in the mire so deeply as those at the rear, they may serve to pull the car on to firmer ground. * * * VALVE COTTER-PIN TOOL Owners of cars fitted with overhead valves sometimes find that changing valve springs is an awkward job. An overhead valve spring compressor is offered of simple construction. The tool is placed on top of the valve collar and hand pressure alone will be found sufficient to compress the spring easily so as to allow the cotter to be withdrawn through the slot.

Motoring Guns! Rifle fire from the rear: "Put out your hand.” -We turn at the next corner.” "Didjasee that truck, dearie?” "You didn’t putoutyerhan!” "We turn here again, dearest.” "Fer heaven's sake watch the bumps!” "Put on the brakes!” "Drive slower; I missed that!” "Drive faster; whatta you waitin’ on ?” "Stop gawking at them women!” "Well, for lands sake!” "You just missed him!” "Somethin’ wrong? Outa gas, I'll bet! ” From the big gun in front: "Here, dearie, you drive; I’m tired! ”