Part 4

9. A perfect casting, that breaks when taken out of the mould, has probably not been allowed sufficient time to “set” or cool properly.

10. Never use a hammer on the surface of the mould. If a casting should stick, pry it out.

AMBU COMBINATION LINK MOULD

Using both sides, this mould casts five of the most used connectors for all batteries, using Standard Jars, 7-9-11-13-15 Plate four end connectors (two Dodge Tapers and two Standard Tapers, Negative and Positive), one end connector, ⅜-inch wire leed used on 12-volt Maxwell and other cars using wire leed. One small wire leed to connect with end post on storage battery requiring direct connection. Post support rings, which fit the two sizes standard rubber covers; also fit perfectly all posts cast with our post mould. Two handy washers that sometimes are badly needed when installing a new or rent battery.

Extra taper plugs can be furnished, also extra bushings for different size cable. Standard equipment as furnished includes four taper plugs, one large and one small cable bushing.

The top connectors most frequently replaced are the taper end connections and end connections with wire cable leads. For battery men desiring these parts, but not the large combination link mould, the AMBU-Washburn terminal mould, Figure 9, has been designed. It has the same general good features of the larger mould, and casts four end connectors, one wire cable leed and two washers.

AMBU POST STRAP MOULD

Perhaps the most expensive item of a stock in a battery station, is the supply of positive and negative groups. While two or three sizes of plates will fit practically every battery, each size battery requires a different size of group.

The AMBU-Washburn Post Strap Mould has been developed in order that a comparatively small stock of plates can be instantly available for making any size of group. You will notice in Figure 10, that the same features, as those of the link mould of Figure 8 are used, namely; a large substantial base, no need of handling hot parts and the easy removal of castings. All parts of the moulds are carefully machined to produce perfect castings and the patented movable tooth rack will make odd or even numbers of teeth on the post strap. The teeth are correctly spaced for all standard batteries, or by reversing the tooth rack, blank posts can be cast.

Two bushings, bored and reamed for standard size posts, are furnished, but special bushings are available making it possible to cast any type of post strap.

AMBU PRODUCTION POST STRAP MOULD

For the large shop or manufacturer, the AMBU-Washburn Post Strap Mould, is made with the special indexing feature of Figure 11. This is easily adjustable and will cast straps of both odd and even numbers of teeth for 7 to 19 plate groups. Otherwise its construction and appearance is the same as Figure 10.

Both of these moulds are made for real use and will turn out three perfect castings per minute. This unusual speed can be maintained because the castings are easily removed. In Figure 10, the upper part of the mould is resting on a part of the handle made for that purpose and a slight blow on a hardwood stick, on the top of the post, will drop the casting instantly.

AMBU CELL CONNECTOR MOULD

The AMBU-Washburn Cell Connector Mould is a combination mould which will cast practically all of the cell connectors used on standard storage batteries, 7-11-13 and 15 plate, such as the Exide, Willard, U. S. L., Vesta, Philadelphia and other nationally known batteries. Its design is similar to our Link Combination Mould.

Made of fine gray iron, carefully machined. Castings are easily removed, and it is heavy enough so that it will not overheat where speed is required.

After re-insulating or repairing, the job looks more complete and satisfactory to your customer if the battery is furnished with a new set of connectors. Use your scrap lead and make new connectors for each job. It pays.

AMBU SCREW MOULD

The lead capped screws of the taper type terminal are another of the frequently replaced parts. Although the round knurled head type is no longer installed, a great many men still use pliers on the square head terminal screws with the result that the soft square lead head is damaged to such an extent that a tight connection cannot be made.

The AMBU-Washburn Screw Mould, Figure 13, will cast standard square edged heads on four screws in one operation, two ^5⁄_{16}-inch and two ⅜-inch. It has screw adjustments in the base, making it adaptable to any length screw.

As the finished screws are removable from the top, the position of the mould is not changed while in use and castings can be made at the rate of 12 screws a minute.

AMBU LEAD STICK MOULD

In order to properly burn in and assemble the new lead parts, it is necessary that they be fused and new lead added, and this requires that a supply of lead sticks be available. These are usually made by melting the smaller particles of scrap and junk lead which is cast in convenient size.

The Ambu Mould, Figure 14, is especially designed for this purpose. It is made of heavy sheet iron, die stamped into grooves and mounted on a wooden base with a strong wooden handle at one end. A heavy pad of asbestos is placed under the iron to protect the wood.

This construction allows the lead to completely fill the grooves before cooling, but prevents the mould from becoming exceedingly hot with constant pouring. A pair of these moulds will keep one workman busy, as he pours one, the other is cooling. This eliminates all waiting and waste of time.

The sticks made are 15 inches long, ^5⁄_{16} inch thick, ⅜ inch wide at the top and ¼ inch at the bottom. In pouring in an open mould of this type, pour the lead in each groove at one end, so that the dross will all gather in one spot. Never move the ladle along the groove when pouring, as this will scatter the dross and make the entire stick dirty.

When poured at one end only, a short length of the stick may be broken off, thus removing all the dross.

Dusting the mould occasionally with Ambu mould compound will produce better castings and permit greater speed in the work.