Passing Comments
Page 30
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Superfluous Skill
A LABOUR problem threatens to retard the 1-k development of the use of plastics in bodybuilding. Panel-beaters are refusing to work with plastics unless their present wage rates are maintained. Their anxiety is natural, but to employ workers on the panel-beater's scale would make the use of plastics uneconomic.
One of the virtues of these materials is that semiskilled labour can produce a first-class result. Panelbeaters are, therefore, becoming superfluous and some bodybuilders who are using plastics are anxiously awaiting labour developments.
A Venture in Lamps THE artificial lighting of offices, garages, stores and warehouses is a matter of considerable interest to many people in the road transport industry. The normal requirements for these purposes are good, well-diffused and non-dazzling illumination without shadows or any suspicion of flicker or hum.
All this can be provided by the normal type of electric lamp of 100-200 w. if the fittings for it are suitable.
The most modern example is an entirely new design in which the diffusing unit is of white, translucent plastics taking the form of an inverted half-cone formed in one with a louvred base. This allows direct downward light within a cone of 90 degrees, A28 with a cut-off angle of 45 degrees which eliminates any view of the bare lamp from all normal angles of vision.
The top of the unit is entirely open except for the bulb itself and its anodized-aluminium holder. Keyhole slots in this holder give three positions for the diffuser, so as to position it accurately for use with a 100 w., 150 w. or 200 w. bulb, the connection being by ball-ended chains. Suspension can be by quickattachment ceiling mounting, flex or tubular pendant.
Known as the Ventura 80, the complete lamp is marketed at retail prices of 22s. 8d. to 30s. 8d., plus tax of 4s. 3d. to 5s. 9d., by The Merchant Adventurers of London, Ltd., 43 Portland Road, London, W.11.
Power of a Soft Question
MOST of us have suffered at some time from one of those epidemics of "wrong number" telephone calls, but few would consider them conducive to good humour. A reader tells us that recently while wrestling with a problem concerning his job, he was called on the telephone several times by mistake.
When the bell rang again he used language calculated to fuse the wires, but on lifting the receiver he heard a woman's voice ask: "Is that the Young Men's Christian Association?" He was so tickled by ' the query that he felt good tempered for the rest of the day. Thus a soft question can turn away wrath.
Did He Merit the Birch?
A MUSEMENT at the recent dinner of the Traders 1-1 Road Transport Association was caused by the naive way in which Mr. Raymond Birch overcame the implied restrictions placed upon him, when he replied for the guests in his capacity as an educationalist.
He said that for this reason he could not speak of the foolish difference in the permissible lengths of doubleand single-deck buses; the obsolescent speed limits, the traffic congestion caused by cars and the grossly unfair tax on derv—which was used free of tax by the railways. He then proceeded to solicit the help of employers in granting facilities to, and otherwise encouraging the younger members of the industry to complete their training. He suggested that employers should, contact their local technical institutes, provide text books and select suitable officials as part-time instructors.
Runaway Car StopsTraffic
RETURNING from Brighton to London, a member of the staff of this journal pulled into a " lay-by " fronting a hut at which fruit and eggs were on sale. Shortly afterwards, a small car was driven in a few
yards ahead, the driver of this and his passenger also alighting to make some purchases there.
The " C. M." man, carrying a box of eggs, was opening his off-side door when there was a wild hooting and shouts, and to his astonishment, asahe turned round, the car previously parked in front was gliding by without a driver. Catching it with one hand and holding the eggs in the other, he was dragged for some little way mad the runaway was arrested when it was half-way across the main road.
Its driver explained that he had an unfortunate habit of forgetting to put on the hand brake and that already a larger car that he formerly owned had been smashed up as a result of this neglect. He had then bought a smaller, type as he thought it less dangerous!
Castors Aid Handling
A N interesting idea for handling fairly heavy articles
with flat bases, or on trays, either for machining or transfer is referred to in Target. It consists of using swivel-type castors mounted upside down on a stout plate and arranged at distances apart to suit the articles to be dealt with. They are employed at one works for switching boxes of components between two conveyors.