FREDERICK A. DRAPER

We have now reached a part of the work where the reader must rely upon his own diligence to a certain extent, provided he desires to keep the cost down to the lowest point. By this is meant that the exercise of a little "shopping" may be productive of important results in the way of securing finished parts all ready to be assembled at little or no greater cost than the wrought forgings would cost.

If the reader lives in the vicinity of any automobile manufactury or repair shop, a visit should be made to such places to learn what may be obtained there in finished state, and the writer's own experience is that such investigations will save much work. The body, springs, axles, hubs, spokes and other parts, were obtained in this way at a most satisfactory price to the buyer. Of course one has to take the parts as they are and adapt the vehicle he is making to the dimensions of such parts, but a little study will usually bring this out all right.

Those who have to make up the front axle will require two knuckles to fit hubs, as described in the last chapter, yokes for same, a piece of iron pipe about l 1/2 in. (iron pipe size), and two spring seats. The size of piping will depend upon the yokes, or a solid axle may be used, in which case a piece of square bar steel is welded to the yokes.

About the only dimensions that can be given, therefore, are those for the tread, 4 ft. 6 in. from center to center of the wheels. This is a trifle less than standard, but is suitable for a light car. The spring seats are also to be located to suit the body, and those with bolts for fastening are recommended, as the location can be changed if found necessary, which cannot be done if brazed on.

The ends of The knuckles are joined with a rod, 1/2 in. round steel being large enough. Yokes for the ends of these rods are to be had of dealers for a small sum, and can be easily forged to the rods. One knuckle, also, is connected to the end of the rod leading to the steering gear. A. plain rack and pinion gear is ample for a car of this size and will be described later. It is mentioned here, as readers may feel inclined to get the more complicated and expensive kind, which is unnecessary.

As the rear axle will be taken up in the following chapter, readers should look up equalizing gears, as the shaft and gear casing will depend on the style of gear used. The general design of rear axle of the " Franklin" car is recommended as being simple of construction, strong and not likely to get out of order.