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 change to the Bentley Change Speed Lever Handle manufacturing process.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 86\4\ scan0064 | |
| Date | 19th October 1933 | |
| [Handwritten] GRV x 2-8v see me HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Typed] To-BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Sft.{Mr Swift} Sft{Mr Swift}/JRB. E.2/HP.19.10.33. Bentley Change Speed Lever Handle. The abovementioned piece, as you are aware, consists of a bakelite handle moulded on to a metal insert, the metal insert having a hexagon on the bottom end which has to be chromium plated. As the insert has to be of somewhat fine proportions on the latest design it has been made in steel which involves nickel plating as well as chromium, and if the plating is done after the moulding process it means that these pieces have to be undesirably immersed for a long period in the plating solutions. There is also a further difficulty in connection with possible damage to the hexagon in the die and in disengaging the insert. We are, therefore, endeavouring to wash out the metal insert entirely and we have moulded a handle completely in bakelite including the internal thread, using the existing die, and so far as we have tested it this handle seems to be very satisfactory. With this scheme we should not of course use the hexagon on the bottom end for tightening but rely on a friction grip, and we are now heating up the handle to see if it will come loose, or conversely if we can make it still tighter without damage. If this scheme proves to be satisfactory we wish to use it subject to the usual formalities regarding standardization and it will give us a much cheaper and lighter handle less liable to rattle due to engine vibration. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||