New-York tribune., 1921-02-27
Tools Should Be
Complete Ii You
Would Drive Well
What Ought To BE Carried
by Mosorist Listed by Ex-
perf---More Than Rattles
Should Be Transported

many, are an essential part of the mo-
torist's equipment. Often they are
neglected by the automobile operator,
who thinks of them only in an emer-
gency. The article on this subject by
II. G. Brokaw, technical director of the
West Side Y. NJ. C. A. automobile
schools, is keenly interesting.
There are two kinds of automobile
drivers, the one that never carries any
tools and the one who loads down the
car with all sorts of patent contri-
vances, crew driver for every sized
screw IN the car, wrenches enough to
STOCK machine shop and profusion
OF useless junk good for nothing but
to clutter up the tool box. Of course.
every one knows that q woman can fix
everything with a piece of string and
d hairpin, but man cannot, and q lot
OF drivers do not even carry Jack or
tire pump and then when they are
needed they hail some car and borrow.
VI course, in some places a substi-
tute for the jack could be obtained by
using large stone and fence rail or
a heavy plank, but it is inconvenient.
There is no substitute for tire pump
and II it is not at hand it will cost
several times the value in rubber and
perhaps rim before one can be bor-
rowed
Then suppose the ignition breaker
points get out of adjustment or become
pltted so that they do not work, what
chance would the driver have of getting
under way without a wrench to fit
the adjusting nut or special file for
cleaning the points? Of course, the
fellow who had piece of fiat steel
and file might get out wrench that
would do in an emergency. The writer
was called upon some time ago to
diagnose the trouble of car which
could not be started, and located the
trouble in the breaker points When
he asked for wrench to make an ad-
Justment it had been lost from the
TOOL box. 1t was necessary to go into
a blacksmith shop, which happened to
oe near, and make a wrench which
would adjust the points. 1t would have
been much simpler had the driver taken
care OF the equipment which came with
the car, especially for ignition wcyk.
1t is not necessary to invest
hundred dollars or so in tools, although
IN this day $25 or $50 does not 20
very far. in equipping the car with the
proper. implements for road repairs.
One of the first things a man needs
is real good ball-pen hammer and
good cold chisel These can be used
10 oreak up the parts of the car that
refuse to be fixed, if not better use
is found for them.
Then one wants two or three sizes
of screw drivers--a large one for heavv
work, one medium sized, which should
De very long, such as the electricians
use, SO that one may reach otherwise
inaccessible places, and very small
one Tor the ignition system. A good
pair o. square.nosed combination PHI
ers, a small pair of side-cutting pliers
and a pair of adjustable pliers are
needed
In wrenches, first of all good
twelve-inch monkey wrench is advis-
anie, also forged steel six-inch ad- |
Justaole end wrench, not the kind Won
19d on the bargain counter or in the
lucent store, but really good one.
small stllson wrench is also very
handy, but it should not be used upon
nuts except in case where the cor
hers are already worn off and monkey
wrench will not take hold. Then set
OF or straight wrenches to fit everv
sized oolt or nut on the car. These |
either. '"A'e'S'
Three files are needed. one q tw.,vo
inch, double cut, that will not wear o,,+
with one using; an eight-inch smooth |
ME, and small file especially DESIGNED
Tor the breaker or vibrator contact |
points. Of course, a jack and q rood |
tlre pump will be in the equipment. A |
PAIR OF extension pliers is very handy |
70 hsh out nuts or screws or other
parts which drop into the grease nan |
under the engine.
rms is good starter for a coIlec-
1ion to carry on the car. If one ey.
pects TO make his own repairs in the
garage ne will need good substantial
Flee' large machinist's hammer. an
"tS "sSsorement OF cold chisels, files and
other machine shop equipment.
New cars always come with an as
sortment of special tools for that car
out the equipment of regular tools is
usually incomplete. Along with the
hon-skid chains there should be a sun-
ply or extra cross links and tool for
putting them on. 1t is mighty handy
10 nave small coil of soft iron wire
also. ihen IT one of the cross links
part company it may be wired fast
until the garage is reached, when a
links inserted. No one going on
very loong trip should venture out
without folding pail. Then if the
radiator begins to drip or if the water
Dolls away it can be filled. A collapsi-
oie tunnel Is also mighty handy for
tliling purposes.
Along with the jack there should be
pioch qt wood an inch thick, six
ihcnes wide and foot long. If YOU
nave to put the jack down in the mud
or loose sand you will have a founda-
eioh 1oT 1t. Do not trust to a handy
stone. Sometimes stones are scarce
and it is hard to find fiat one when
you want it. Do not carry a jack
without the handle. 1t Is not worth
much unless the handle is along.
In tive repair tools, one needs
wrench for rapidly removing the nuts
which hold 1t in place and one should
nave three-in-one valve tool in case
the threads on the valve become bat
tered. A box of new plungers is also
desirable. A tow rope is indispensable
and 1T should be long enough to be of
real use, not that you expect to be
towed, but rather that you may feel |
disposed to tow somebody else who is
In trouble. But tow rope may get |
you out of a rut or hole when moth |
ing else would.
There are many other things needed |
in car by the driver who is going |
on tour. One of these is q set Of |
electric light bulbs of the right volt
age and candle power for the particular
car. These may be bought in sets
boxed at any supply store. At the
same time, il the car has fuses in the
electric system, a set of fuses should
be carried. A small ball of stout twine
is likewise handy.
Here are some of the other things
that should be carried: A set of ignl-