The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-16
Clutch and Brakes Are Inn
portant Parts of Car
Mechanism
BOTH IN CONSTANT USE
Although Working in Reverce Direc-
lions, Their Service Is Identical
Importance OF Lubrication-Re-
moving BOlts-Other Tips.

The clutch is the device by which
the gasoline engine is enabled to pick
up its load gradually and smoothly
and, having got it started to continue
to transmit the power positively.
The brake is a device for absorbing
the energy stored in the vehicle grad
ually and smoothly until the vehicle
comes to a standstill, when it positive
ly holds against further motion until
the brake is released.
Both devices are in almost constant
use while an automobile is being driv-
en-. Often the brake is applied with
out disengaging the clutch, and often
the clutch is let in with the brake still
partly applied. Although working in
reverse directions, their service is iden-
teal, and there is no reason why a
good brake may not be substituted for
the clutch or good clutch substituted
for the brake.
1t is peculiar manifestation of
habit, of imitation or like thinking
among designers that the brakes in
common use closely resemble each 9TH
er and are, with few exceptions, what
are known as hand brakes, consisting
either of constructive band to grip
the outer surface of the drum attached
to rear wheels or expanding bands
adapted to enlarge into the inner sur
face of this drum.
For lubrlcating the leaves of leaf
springs and also to prevent the en-
roachment of rust a compound con-
sisting of grease graphite and rubber
is recommended by some motorists.
Heated and properly mixed while in
solution the proportion of the ingre-
dents should be, roughly, two parts of
old rubber in the purest form obtain
able and one part each of grease and
flake graphite.
The Introduction of a little flake
graphite into the lubricating oil in the
proportion of about teaspoonful to a
pint of oil builds up even the most
microscopic irregularities on bearing
and wearing surfaces of pistons and
cylinders, resulting in better lubrica
ton of the cylinders. better compress
sion and great economy in OIL
When a bolt is to be removed from g
machine avoid using hammer direct
ly on the bolt unless absolutely neces
sary. Hard pounding wild invariably
ruin the bolts for further use, neces
Stating a replacement at not only ad
ditional expense, but often resulting il
vexatious delays and no end of trouble
The changing of speeds on cal
equipped with planetary gearins
should be done slowly and gently; 9th
erwise the strain on the gear is yer.
considerable. and stripping is not al
impossibility. fabrication of TIL
drums is quite permissible and is usu
ally provided for, but il not some thil
oil can be used to advantage.
Methods of extinguishing gasolin
fires are quite commonly known. WA
ter must never be used. In the frs
place it does not put out the fire. an,
I'm the second place it makes it worse
The latter is because gasoline float
on water and SO Is spread out in
more favorable form of Importation
Sand and earth, on the other hand, at
sorb the gasoline and prevent it
vaporization. Wood pulp Is one Of tn
best materials for absorbing gasOlln
and has been recommended as a film
for all storage tanks