From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Proposed sandblasted finish on road springs to improve paint adhesion, awaiting coachbuilder feedback.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\2\ Scan001 | |
| Date | 24th September 1920 | |
| X2658 X4429 R from Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} c.to G.F. c.to W.H. c.to Py. c.to Da. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c.to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c.to C.(Sales) WD {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} /NJ.24.9.20. Re Road Springs. In your letter R4/G2.7.20. to Mr. Fawcett of Thos. Firth & Sons Ltd. you pointed out that we have to provide coachbuilders with springs having a sufficiently good finish to enable them to do the highest class of paint work. You also confirmed that it had been arranged that a sample showing the finish suggested should be sent to us, to be afterwards submitted to the London coachbuilders, including Barkers and Hoopers. This morning I have received a letter from Mr. Fawcett, dated 23rd inst. as follows:- "When I had the pleasure of last meeting Mr. Royce 're the manufacture of Springs, I mentioned the fact that I thought on the outside surfaces, that is to say, where the Springs are painted, a sand blasted finish might be all that could be desired, as against the present method of roughly grinding, due to the fact that it being rough the paint would well stick to it, and he suggested that I forwarded to Derby a small sample for you to send on to one of your 'Coach Builders for their opinion. I enclose such a sample and shall be much obliged if you will forward this on to them, and let me have their opinion. Naturally it is not our idea to supply the working faces of the springs with this type of finish. Providing it does not affect the smoothness of the paint, I should say it would be a very good way to finish them, as even rough grinding might leave small places with scale on, which is liable to break away under the vibration, whereas by sand blasting it so attacks the face of the Steel that there is no possibility of any such patches breaking away." The sample referred to is being sent to you by post to-day. If you approve of the proposed finish, will you kindly forward the sample to C.(Sales) for submission to Barkers and Hoopers and will C.(Sales) kindly communicate to us the remarks thereon of these coachbuilders. Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} | ||