Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries failed to give a man an added appreciation of the value of the name "Reo" on a mo­ tor car or motor truck. The standard of excellence to which every department must measure up, and does measure up, leaves no opportunity for the smallest detail to go wrong in the finished product. For those who cannot visit the factory in per­ son, a glance through these pages will give at least a partial idea of the care and thoroughness which makes the name "Reo" a guarantee of quality and efficiency for every motor car or motor truck that bears it. REO MOTOR CAR CO. REO MOTOR TRUCK CO. Lansing, Mich.

Copyrighted, 1914, Reo Motor Car Co., Lansing, Mich.

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries WAS trying to sell Jones a Reo. Reothefifth was right up " on the "Well, the band's there all right Jones, you know, is one of these bit" all the way, fairly skimming - 30 pieces, too, and the way they I "from Mizzoury" fellows who along the hardpan, eating up the regale the populace on Saturday believe nothing they hear and only sandy stretches, taking the hills nights and holidays is enough to half what they see. A tough like an express elevator- whe-e-e-e- · send old Herman W. Creatore out customer, Jones is. Hard to sell, up- and then o.ver the brow, vol- · on the streets with a hurdy-gurdy." but once convinced that your planing down the other side, as the "Say, man, if your line of con­ proposition is right, he's your airship fellers say, witn-,tpe power versation were anywhere near as friend for life, and a steady booster cut off and not making a sound that good as this car, you'd have had my to boot. So my mind was made up you can hear above the rusb of air signature on the dotted line long to get his order or take my sign past your ears. · ago", snorted Jones, as we slipped down off the door. "Some car," Jones admitted. up Michigan Avenue, past the Jones liked the car- he couldn't And all the time I was feeding him Capital buildings. hide that. He liked her looks­ little fragments of useful informa­ "Well, if you want her, say so. her performance- her price. tion about the factory, such as They can't turn 'em out fast "But," said Jones, "how about "Did you ever see a structure more enough, and there's no telling but the factory behind the car? • Do than two blocks long, all under one what the sales manager might they build the cars to last, or just roof? Our main factory runs from swipe this one, if he saw her stand­ to sell? Is the factory in business Washington Avenue through Platt ing out in front of the factory, and for today only, or for the future? Street and Cedar Street. And ship her out to the dealer who You've got to sell me the factory, that's only one of the buildings." happens to be hollering the loudest my boy; I want to know something And again: "Employes! Say: for cars right now," I prodded. about the men who build the Reo; if the Reo bunch were to join hands The factory was looming into something about their ideals and · and form a line, the line would view. "No," returned Jones, "I their intentions. Tell me about reach three miles!" guess a factory that size doesn't the Reo organization, because a As we zipped through a little have much trouble keeping ahead car is no better than the men who village some boys in an adjoining of orders. Wh-e-e-ew"~ as his eye make it; you know what I mean. lot stopped their ball game to take took in the length of the main Now what have you got to say a slant at the car that was showing building- "What a plant! Enor­ about that?" such a speedy pair of heels. "That mous! Why, I had no idea it He thought he had me skidding. reminds me," said I, "they have a would be such a whopper. Do That's Jones- he knew I had the six-team league in the Reo shops. they need so much room?" best of him when it came to talking Guess that's some factory, eh? We drew up to the curb. "car," so he thought he could put Not just one nine, but a whole "You bet they do," said I. "All one over on me by springing the league-full." but the store-room. But we'll factory on me. This got Jones' goat. come to that later. This is the Lansing lay thirty miles away, "Oh quit your kidding," he main office building, and that one as the speedometer flies. It was popped. "You'll be telling me on the right is the engineering nine o'clock in the morning. about the Reo band that's going building." "Jones," said I , "jump in and we'll to meet us at the front gate, next." Jones looked at his watch "Fifty min­ have a look at the factory. utes," he exclaimed, · '"That's We'll be there in less than traveling some, over country an hour, and you can see roads." " Neve r mind that now," I returned , "It's the both how she runs and how factory you came to consider, she's built. That's my not the car, you know. Come answer." on and take in the sights One thing I admire about inside.'' Jones. You can't bluff him. " All right," he rejoined quick­ I don't know whether he ly. You haven't sold me yet, not by a long shot. The fac­ thought I was bluffing or tory's the thing." not, but anyway, in he "Then walk in," said I, and climbed and off we went. opened the front door.

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries R E 0 MAGAZINE The Men Who Make the Reo

T IS always an inspiration to see a The studious looking gentleman, on big man at work. Emerson said the left in the lower illustration, is Mr. I that an institution is but the length­ Thomas. H e is talking over a very ened shadow of a man. If that is the particular point with Mr. Harry Teel, case, then when we see a big "shadow," who holds the important position of we may reasonably expect to see a " big" general factory superintendent. On the man responsible for it. theoretical knowledge of Mr. Thomas, · In the case of this institution, we backed by the practical application find not only one man of large capacity, given by Mr. Teel and his men, depends but we find that he is big enough not the actual road service of every R eo car. to attempt to be the only large man Mr. Thomas has been connected with around the place. He has surrounded the R eo organization ever since the pre­ himself with other men oflarge capacity, sent company was formed, - in fact, who work together as a general and his Mr. Scott secured him as soon as he staff on the field of battle - each in graduated from the technical school absolute charge of his brigade, and each where he received his professional educa­ dominated by a sense of loyalty to the tion, about fifteen years ago. His whole banner they are fighting under- a ban­ engineering career has centered around ner that bears the magic name "Reo." Reo the Fifth, and no small share of Before we step out into the big its success is due to his untiring efforts in guarding every engineering detail. factory, where we hear the hum of industry faintly reaching our I n this department, generally under ears like a great hive of bees, the personal supervision of Mr. T homas, let us drop in for just a few exhaustive tests are taken of samples moment's chat with the men who of every kind of material that goes into have made this big factory pos· the R eo product. sible, and whose generalship and Not all these tests are conducted in the experience keep it working as laboratory. Many of the heavy mechan­ smoothly as a watch. ical tests are conducted out in the factory, but they have all been worked out in ad ­ First, this is Mr. R. E. Olds-a vance by Mr. Thomas, and results are re­ man whose name is forever linked with ported to him at frequent intervals. the very first beginnings of the motor R. E . Olds President Mr. Thomas says: "The Reo Motor Car car in America. It is more than 27 Company has the good fortune to be man ­ years now since Mr. Olds first sur­ aged by practical men from the president prised the natives of Lansing, and down. • The prevailing idea in the engi­ adjoining cities, by actually produc­ neering department is to work strictly along ing a road vehicle that could propel practical lines, progressive, yet depending itself without calling on our old friend on sound, common-sense judgment, making the horse for assistance. no blunders for which the purchaser must As a boy, Mr. Olds was of a mechan­ pay. Every step we take, every invest i­ ical turn of mind, and spent every spare AGlimi>se lhto th~ Engi­ gation we make, is always conducted with moment in his father's machine shop, which one man in mind,-the ultimate user of the is still standing near the river, at Lansing. he~ring Departmeht Reo car. For after all, it is the final judg­ From the very first, the gasoline engine ment of the man who sits at the steering interested him, and from building and ex­ UT on your hat a moment, and we wheel that makes or mars Reo reputation." perimenting with them, his inventive turn will run over to the Engineering Mr. Teel here advances a few interesting of mind led him to dream of the possibili­ P Building, and have a short chat comments on the factory organization of ties of the gas engine as the means of pro­ with Mr. Thomas, head of the engineering which he is the immediate head. pelling a road vehicle. department. This fine looking building, " The factory proper is run under m ili­ In 1886, Mr. Olds finally brought out a j ust south of the general offices, is devoted tary system and discipline. The general " horseless carriage," which, mounted on entirely to the engineering and testing lab­ superintendent is directly responsible to three wheels, actually did carry him and a oratories. Here Mr. H. T. Thomas reigns the general manager. H e is assisted by companion with sufficient ease and safety supreme over his domain, guarding the division superintendents, whose duties in ­ to bring to his prophetic mind a vision of high standard of Reo quality, by mechan­ terlock but do not conflict. Grading with ical and chemical tests, too fine for our un­ a great future. these heads of divisions, we have a pro­ trained eyes to grasp or, in many cases, duction manager and a chief inspector. Model after model succeeded this first even to understand. infant, and ten years later saw Mr. Olds placing his wonderful idea on a commer­ cial basis. The famous curved dash run­ about that bears his name came shortly after this, and was the first American built motor car ·to meet with a nation-wide ac­ ceptance and sale. With the persistence of the true inventor Mr. Olds developed model after model, until when he became satisfied that his ideas had reached the point where they represented a permanent basis of value for years to come, he organized the R eo Motor Car Co. in 1904. But Mr. Olds' achievements are known and need but a passing reference. Let us rather shake hands with him and get a hint of the genial personality reflected in his kindly eyes. He is a man worth knowing.

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries T H R O U G H T H E R E 0 F A C T O R Y 3.

"It is the duty of the production man­ proud, give the inspectors as little cause to ager to handle all stock, working in close report defects as is possible. The Watch Dog of the touch with the purchasing department. "While we are on this subject," says Mr. He not only checks all stock as received, Teel, his face lighting up with enthusiasm, Tr~asury but follows it throughout the factory, step " I want to say a word or two on the human by step, and can give a report, at any time, element in the Reo organization. In a big us drop in of the amount of stock and its condition in factory like this, you might think that men "LETandhave a short any process of manufacture. quickly become mere machines. On the chat with Mr. "The chief inspector has a keen-eyed, contrary, we want our men to stay men. Bates," says our guide. critical force of men, responsible only to Many of our workers have been in our em­ " He is the man who him, scattered throughout every part of ploy since the business was first started. guard~ the treasury, the factory. These men inspect the work Intelligent, loyal men they are, and re­ and keeps the financial spond to square treatment by giving the as it leaves the machines, and their alert­ wheels revolving." best thay have in a way that is good to see. Mr. Don E . Bates is ness cuts down loss to a minimum. The Many of these men have reached a degree chief inspector is jointly responsible with a tall, young appearing of skill and efficiency only attained by spe­ man, who greets the the foremen of the various departments cialists. These men, working with the fin­ visitors with a pleasant for the quality of their work. You may est machinery and tools that money can smile. be sure the foremen, who are experts in buy, enable us to produce a car of which "Yes ," said Mr. their lines, and of whom we are justly every man in the factory is justly proud." Bates, in answer to our greeting, " it takes care­ ful watching on the financial side tokeep a A Bird' s-~e View of th~ Gen~ral Manager factory like this mov­ ing. With an annual HEN Mr. Olds looked into the oline engines and motor cars, and Mr. output, the retail value of which represents future and with prophetic vision Scott very wisely made the gasoline engine over fifteen million dollars, we must watch W saw his first "horseless carriage" pay the expenses, as far as possible, of de­ every corner to see that our money keeps duplicated by the hundreds of thousands, veloping the motor car. Soon their ef­ active. A little neglect would quickly and literally swarming along the highways forts were crowned by the production of tie up more working capital than I like the famous "curved-dash" runabout which to think of. gave Mr. Olds an established position in "These buildings and equipment repre­ the field of invention. Its commercial suc­ sent a total investment of between three cess likewise established Mr. Scott's un­ and four million dollars. You can imagine usual ability as an organizer and manager, the size of our pay roll, too, when I tell you and ever since these early pioneer days the that we have over 2,000 employes work­ history of Mr. Scott has run parallel with ing right here in these buildings. Most that of Mr. Olds. The success of each has of our capital is Lansing money, and we been a tribute to the ability of the other. keep it circulating here in the city as much Mr. Scott's hobby is his business. By as possible. way of recreation, he sometimes spends an "In other words, the business of this afternoon or two in the week in his garden, office consists of a great deal more than but this is rather in the way of balancing carrying a neat, well-filled black satchel his efforts, and to clear his brain for an to the bank cashier at regular intervals, hour or two, so that he can tackle his busi­ and keeping an eye on the ledger between ness problems again with renewed vigor. visits.

Looking Ahead With the Sales DeJ>artment ET'S drop into this inviting office the map that has ever been heard in the for just a moment and meet Mr. Reo plant. January business this year L R. C. Rueschaw, the Reo Sales doubled that of a year ago, and February Manager, and his assistant, Mr. H. M. business was equally far ahead of the same Lee. month of the preceding year, and March With the factory humming along at full shipments broke every record in the capacity, you might think that work in history of the Reo business." this department is in the nature of a snap. " Last fall," Mr. Lee tells us, "we built of the United States, he realized that he And Mr. Rueschaw himself, if you ask a new building capable of holding 1,800 had captured one of those big ideas that him, insists that Reo cars simply sell them­ cars. We hoped by storing a stock of cars come to but few men in a generation. selves. But for all of that, there is a great here, we could in a measure equalize our But he had the rare judgment to realize deal of important, carefully planned work production the year around, but since this that even more important than the design­ that must find its origin in the hands of time we have had a hard time getting ing and development of the Reo car was these two busy men. together as many as 500 cars here, and the designing and developing of the busi­ "Just now," says Mr. Rueschaw, "we have about given up hope of ever keeping ness organization that was to place the en­ are planning the sale of the Reo output for more than this number on hand at any tire idea on a sound commercial basis. 1915 and 1916. All the cars we can pro­ time.'' So Mr. Olds called in his old friend, Mr. duce for 1914 were taken care of months R. H. Scott, and put the job squarely up ago. Not right down to the individual to him. user, you understand, but the Mr. Scott believes in men and therefore situation in the entire United men believe in him. The immense Reo States has been carefully gauged factory, stretching away for over a fifth of a and we know, down to a pretty mile behind his office, filled with thousands exact point, just what we can of men, rank after rank whirling machinery, count on in every section. all the busy web of activity that results in "Take, for instance, the de­ sixty fully equipped "Reo the Fifth's" a mand for Reo cars in the big day, is a monument to this ability to make stretch of territory west of the men believe in him, and work for and Mississippi. Last fall we foresaw with him. a big increase in sight for this Mr. Scott faced the future with Mr. Olds section, and just now the demand sixteen years ago. With a force of only is on, and we are listening to thirty men, they built the first Oldsmobile. the biggest roar for immediate In those days they manufactured both gas- shipment of cars to this part of

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 4 R E 0 MAGAZINE

Receiving Department

assembly into which it enters; and the lhterpr~ting the Production System assemblies are in the same way compared with the finished machine, so that one can TEPPING out that there are over four thousand pieces in see at a glance just how far each part is of the rear door each car and that they are handled through ahead of its respective assembly, and how S of the admin­ the factory from five to fifteen times, many cars may be built with the material istration building, making an average of about two million on hand, figuring from the beginning of the we proceeded into five hundred thousand pieces handled each year's work. Each morning every fore­ the main factory, day, in order to meet the sixty-cars-a-day man is given a report showing those parts We are prepared schedule, we commence to grasp something or assemblies that are not keeping up with to see a busy place, of the work that is cut out for the pro­ the schedule, so that he knows what and we are not dis­ duction department. requires his special action. Otherwise his appointed; for All material in the shop is handled on work is all mapped out for him at the the visitor passes four-wheel trucks, with the exception of beginning of the year, no further planning through an as­ two-wheel trucks at the receiving dock, being required, due to the uniformity and sembly room, Small electric power trucks are used for all continuity of output. enters the long hauls, for the sake of rapidity and The whole matter, so far as this depart­ main mach­ capacity. ment is concerned, may be summed up in ine shop and You will note that every car or part which one word: output. That the methods looks down leaves the plant is carefully checked and used must guide, not hamper; must con­ the long rows of recorded. It is true that there are no trol, not de­ machinery-big grease-smeared cards, requisitions or other ter, is the machines, little forms of record following the stock around, Reofactory rn ac hin es, tall and you do not encounter a clerk at every slogan. Bert M. Foote machines and turn, but through the simplest method short ones, each all officials of the company are at all one hard at work fashioning a certain part times in touch with the whole situation. of a future Reo The Fifth, he realizes that All these notes and cards he never saw such a perfect illustration of come to one office where they Punch Press orming the word "busy." Machines buzzing and are entered on a large chart under pans at one humming and thumping and grinding; and later in a permanent s troke truckloads of raw material corning and record. On the chart the truckloads of finished parts going; here entries show a compari- and there a little knot of men gathered son between each part about some interesting operation-and so and the particular many different things going on all at once that to the uninitiated, all seems con­ fusion. So it is evident that we must take a well defined course through the factory if we are to come away with an orderly im­ pression of what we have seen. First of all we'd better talk to Mr. Bert M. Foote, Production Superintendent, and see if we can grasp the general scheme of managing the production and keeping track of the work. Mr. Foote admits that it's no small task to handle the material which goes to make up sixty or more Reo cars every day with­ out complication and confusion, but re­ sults talk, and the factory's daily mastica­ tion and digestion of raw material speaks much for a well-ordered physical make-up. The incoming material received and checked daily at the receiving room averages over one hundred tons. Knowing

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries T H R O U G H T H E R E 0 F A C T O R Y 5

curacy and quality, regardless of the number of cars going through in a day, in order to produce uniformly good results. " Our work is not so apparent as the work of the production department, but it is just as necessary. It makes the men in the production end mighty proud, and they have a right to be proud, when at t he close of a good day's work they line up in front of the production board, and pat themselves on the back for the quantity they have turned out since morning. Each division sees, put down in black and white, the amount of work they have turned out. The inspector looks, too, with a good deal of interest, but his work doesn't show. Where are his figures? stant surveillance. And woe unto the "He casts his mind forward a few months offending part, for no mercy is shown. The into the future. When the owner has hard-headed officials swoop down upon the COURSE, every Reo car gets a had the car in service, and is telling his "OF slightest suspicion of a fault, and the unfit friends how perfect in every detail he has thorough test before it leaves the part is banished for ever. factory," a visitor innocently re­ found " R eo the Fifth"- how free from marked. The Guide looked at him in But let us hear what Mr. Sherlock trouble and repairs it has been, how re­ amazement. "Test? Well I should Holmes Jacobi has to say about the in­ liable in every emergency, and how low in think so," he shouted. "Not only before spection system of which he has charge. upkeep costs; that is the reward the in­ it leaves the factory, but every part, every "My department is entirely independ­ spectors are working for. piece of material even, is under constant ent of the production department, and to "He knows that through his watchful­ inspection from the time it arrives at the a certain extent, we pay no attention to ness, the production men have been held Reo plant until it is assembled in the com­ the amount of production," says Mr. to the highest standard of accuracy and plete car. At frequent stages in the course Jacobi. "But, of course, the greater the quality. Perhaps he has had to argue the of construction it is tested, both mechan­ output per day, the more careful and vigi­ point occasionally, and perhaps his temper ically and chemically. lant must be the inspection. has been slightly ruffled once in a while, "When the Reo leaves us to go to its "The accuracy and quality of each part but he knows that every piece of work that future owner, we not only think, but we produced and accepted is strictly up to goes up on the production board has ac­ know that it is absolutely correct in every the inspection department, and is held to curacy and quality behind it. detail. Come a definite standard, regardless of the "Inspection throughout the factory is with me and I'll quantity produced. mostly floor inspection, each department show you what "High rate of production and inspection having one or more inspectors, who check the Reo inspec­ are very apt to clash at times, and more the operations as they are being com­ tion means." especially in this age of interchangeability, pleted, keeping in close touch with the We follow our when parts are held as close to a given parts as they are machined or assembled. guide over and standard as possible to insure good as­ They are in this way able to catch any de­ are introduced sembly, but are made interchangeable to fect or mistake as soon as it appears, over­ to Mr. E . R. overcome any difficulty in replacing repair coming the danger of working up large Jacobi, whom parts. quantities of stock that are not up to the we are told is the "If we should allow accuracy and qual­ standard. This eliminates much hand­ sleuth-in-chief in ity to be sacrificed for high quantity pro­ ling of stock over a bench inspection, and command of a staff duction, the different departments of the gives the inspector a chance to stop faulty of hawk-eyed in­ factory would have trouble when they operation before any considerable amount spectors who have came to assembly, and the blame would of stock is spoiled. every corner and .. rightly lay with the inspection. You can "Our jigs and fixtures are fool-proof; nook of this big see, therefore, how necessary it is for us to our cutting machines are accurate; every­ plant under con- hold rigidly to the highest standard of ac- thing is kept in good condition; and in the

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 6 R E 0 MAGAZINE

quenched in an oil bath in a Gleason hard­ "Line shaft bearings are carefully in­ ening machine. Here the gear is held in a spected, connecting rods and pins are gone special fixture between two large air oper­ over, and must have perfect bearings. ating plungers, which keep the gear from Timing gears are carefully noted. All going out of shape in the quenching pro­ parts that have any movement and are of cess. It is now ready to be cleaned, and vital importance to motor, are gone over after all oil is removed, it is ready for in­ and very carefully inspected. spection for hardness. "After passing this inspection, the motor "This is a most interesting operation, is ready to be assembled with the chassis. and must be undergone by all hardened The chassis, or motor, transmission and gears. The gear is first tested by a file, rear axle, with sub parts, must now under­ and then by the Shore scelerescope, which go a very thorough test. Large wheels or works on the following principle: A pulleys are substituted for rear wheels and given weight with a diamond point, these hung in belts with the front of the dropped from a certain height, will re­ chassis resting on special jacks. The rear bound higher or lower according to the of the chassis suspended in this manner is hardness of the metal. The harder the driven by the motor at different speeds for metal, the higher the rebound, and vice­ given periods of five hours. best of repair. Our workmen have been versa. "The belts driven in this test are at­ educated in the great importance of being "This rebound is noted by an adopted tached to a large fan, which furnishes a careful. All this, backed by careful, con­ standard of figures on the tube. Any gear cold blast on the radiator and practically scientious inspection, insures an output that is thereby shown not hard enough, or the same result is obtained as though the too hard, is returned to the heat-treating that is, for all practical purposes, perfect. car were running on the road. department. The gear is now ready to be straightened, all small kinks being "The whole chassis is here carefully in­ Th~ Rec~iving lhsp~cti2n taken out, until it is as near to its original spected for any error of assembly or miss­ All parts, either rough or finished, shape again as is possible. After another ing parts, action of different units, etc. brought into a department from outside, inspection at this point, it passes to the Any faults or defects discovered in this test must pass a receiving inspection. Any grinding room, where the large hole and are taken care of at once, either in this de­ piece not up to standard, either in accuracy back is ground from the pitch line, assur­ partment or by returning the assembly, or quality, is rejected. ing a true running gear. and when corrected, the same test is made Particular attention is given to forgings, "Here it returns to an other session with over again. especially those making up the vital parts the Gleason testing machine, the same as "The valves after this test are reseated of the car, such as drive shafts, all gears, it had after it was cut. It must pass this to insure a perfect seat to overcome any axles, steering spindles and arms, crank inspection perfectly, or it will be thrown danger of a corroded valve and seat from shafts, connecting rods and caps, certain out. the first tests. This operation makes a levers, and many other such parts. Sam­ "Now the gear is ready for the final rear perfect seating valve on all motors leaving ples of these are submitted to the chem­ axle assembly, and in the axle unit, it is the factory. ists for laboratory inspection, and under no given another inspection. Even here, "The chassis is now taken into the pump circumstances can work be started on this owing to the different surroundings of the test room, and here given a most severe material until the test is made and pro­ gear, it sometimes fails to pass final inspec­ test. The rear of chassis is again sus­ nounced satisfactory. Even the smallest tion, and is taken out and scraped. pended in belts with large pulleys on axles studs, nuts, and other minute articles are and to pulleys and shaft overhead. This thoroughly examined and measured. How th~ Motor is T ~sted shaft is connected to a powerful pump with A careful inspection is given all acces­ an adjustable valve, acting as a brake sories, such as lamps, windshields, all "I think you will be interested in seeing against a seventy pound pressure for nor­ electrical parts, or units, such as gener­ how the motor is tested. You understand mal. The motor is tested for full load of ators, coils and batteries. that every part of the motor has already horse power at fifteen miles per hour and " It would take too long to show you, been inspected before being assembled, and the results noted. or even describe to you, however briefly, now must undergo a thorough and rigid "All parts are inspected and carefully ad­ the many different tests made by this de­ test of its ability to run quietly and justed and timed and any shortcomings in partment, but it is sufficient to say that smoothly as a unit. any way are here taken care of or returned every piece of material or part that enters "From the motor assembly floor, motors to the proper department for correction. into the construction of the car, received are placed on a 'run out' or stand test, adequate inspection, from the.rubber tires where they are limbered up, the process "A cold air blast, the same as a car to the mohair in the top. There are, taking from eight to nine hours. During would receive against radiator, is also used however, several important tests that we this time they are carefully watched and here. can follow that are not only interesting, given plenty of oil to insure a well finished "After passing inspection, all dirt and but will serve to give you an idea of the cylinder and bearing. This test, being at grease is thoroughly cleaned and washed extreme thoroughness and scientific ac­ a slow speed, gives all moving parts a off, and the chassis is ready for the paint curacy with which this work is done. chance to adjust themselves, from the ma­ shop. "Here is one that is especially interest­ chined surfaces to that of a higher finished "After the car is completely finished, it ing and vital to the successful running of surface by friction for a perfect working undergoes the usual road or outside test the finished car-the test of the bevel gear part. and inspection. Passing this, the car is drive. "Motors are then fitted with pipes, ready for shipment. "Owing to its peculiarities in the hard­ plugs, carburetors, magneto, etc., and "You can see for your­ ening process, odd shapes and large diam­ placed on the block test for eight or nine se 1f," concluded Mr. eter, this gear must be handled very care­ hours. They furnish their own power Jacobi, "that there is very fully throughout its different operations. against a medium brake test, and their ac­ little chance for even the "From the gear generator, the gear un­ tion is closely watched for any inefficiency slightest dergoes a very close inspection on a Glea­ of power, vibration, noise, knocks, com­ fault to es- son bevel gear testing machine. This ma­ pression, or other trouble. c ape our chine holds the gear in the same position " From block test to inspection is the notice. in relation to the pitch lines as on the car next step, and here the motor is carefully "Everything in actual use. It has close reading ad­ looked over and taken apart, special atten­ that human justable heads, is power driven, and con­ tion being given to the cylinder, piston and precaution nected to a powerful brake. rings. The rings that do not pass a true or skill can "Each bevel and pinion is gauged from bearing inspection are thrown out. Here do is done. a master gear, and must pass a close stand­ the cylinder and piston has a mirror like "When we ard limit for tooth bear;ng surface, clear­ finish from its day and a half of work, and are satisfied ance, etc. It must be especially quiet and as all REO cylinders are ground and held with the car, smooth while running under brake test. within .001 of an inch for diameter and the purch­ "The gear is now ready for the carbon­ taper, pistons should have no difficulty in aser is sure izing department. Passing through these wearing a true surface and with true rings, to be satisfied operations the gear is reheated and compression must be good. as well."

Scleroscope Test for Gear Hardnes s

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries T H R O U G H . T H E R E 0 F A C T O R Y 7

Portion of Machine Shop

en it with new special machinery, and and these two organizations furnish social through the production of quick-a.cting events all the year around for the benefit automatic jigs. of the Rea employes. " It is really wonderful what can be ac­ "We have picnics, ball games, and out­ complished in the production line by using ings of all sorts in the si.:.mmer, and dances efficiency methods combined with up-to­ and indoor athletic contests in the winter, the-minute machinery. Experience has in this way keeping up the friendly spirit taught us here never to be satisfied with which is absolutely so essential in getting the number of pieces a certain machine that spirit of understanding and harmony turns out. It always seems possible to which should exist in a factory like ours. increase the capacity by at least one "Look at this operation," said Mr. Lau­ more piece. The slight altering of a tool zun, stopping in front of a machine. " Did or a jig means, sometimes, an increase of you ever stop to think how many parts it from five to fifty per cent of output. It is takes to make an automobile? And then this increase that we are always thinking think how each and every part must be about and planning for by careful study. held to an accuracy measured in terms of "All of our work is routed to certain de­ a thousandth part of an inch. Just stop partments for certain operations, but it and think for a moment what .001 inch often becomes necessary to 'double up' means. If you were a foreman and an in­ by leaving one department to help out in spector would tell you that he was about another. Right here you will see a friend­ to scrap a dozen pieces which were turned ly contest on between the foremen of these or ground .0005" under the limit, wouldn't two departments, each one trying to you feel like fighting. Well, that's what show up' the other on output. we have to contend with. The limits are "It is all friendly rivalry, however. set for us on the blue print, and we must Our force of foremen throughout the shop work to them. are about as fine a bunch of fellows as you "The inspector pounces upon a piece Through the Machin~ Shop will meet in any factory. They all pull .0005" under the limit like a young chick together, and are always helping each upon an angle-worm. But he is right. T ET US stop for a few minutes chat other. It could not be otherwise, when If we didn't work right to the specified J..Jwith Mr. Armidas A Lauzun, who is you consider that the entire force from limits, we know we wouldn't be turning out in charge of the machine shop. We the President down to the humblest a car fit to bear the name of 'Reo.' look down row upon row of busy, whirling sweeper is made up of carefully chosen, " Do you machinery. Some looks familiar-lathes, well satisfied men. scrap many presses and drills such as we have seen in "I feel that is one big secret in the suc­ pieces?" we other factories. Others are new and cess of the Reo product. The car is built ask. "Well, strange. We will have to ask Mr. Lau­ by well satisfied men, and the buyer can­ see for your­ zun to explain some of these operations as not help but be well satisfied with the car. self," Mr. we pass along. "The human element must be consid­ Lauzun re­ "Busy!" says Mr. Lauzun in response to ered in the successful running of a big fac­ plies. "A nor­ our remark. "Well, I should say we are. tory like this. You cannot treat men like mal scrap· You see, it is this way. Our superintend­ machines, if you want them to put their page is ent, Mr. Teel, has orders to fill the store heart into their work. Look at those fel­ about 3 house, and our sales manager, Mr. Rues­ lows around you. Every one of them is chaw, has orders to keep it empty. Nat­ bent over his work, and you can fairly see urally we have to back the "Old Gent" the interest in his face. They feel almost and see that he makes good, but we have as much responsibility in turning out their to go like sixty to do it. work right as the men higher up. "As far as this department is concerned, "There is a good reason for this spirit of it is simply a question of machines and the loyalty. The management is continually right kind of men to run them. Our ma­ in touch with the wants of the men, and chines have always been of the most mod­ they have never failed to stand back of ern type that money can buy, and we have their employes in anything they wanted only to ask for more when we need them. to put through. We have an athletic as­ As soon as we see a weak spot, we strength- sociation here, and a fine band of music,

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 8 R E 0 MAGAZINE

Crankshaft Department per cent in most factories. Our runs need never complain for lack about two per cent. That is one reason of proper equipment. we can give you so much for your money "But with all our special you don't have to pay extra for a lot of equipment and facilities for excess in waste parts and material!" handling accurate work, we Some one else asks, "Is there any chance have our troubles, but we for scrap pieces to get into the car?" keep them to ourselves," con­ "Hardly," replies Mr. Lauzun with a tinues Mr. Lauzun. "There smile. "It would be really interesting is no use telling them to the for you to see how quickly a scrapped 'Old Gent' because after he piece disappears. If it should reappear in has patiently listened to them the car, it would be readily traced back to he will say, 'Well, neverthe­ the place from whence it came, and the less, we must have our sixty responsible party would be made to feel a day.' very uncomfortable. As it is, all scrapped " So we just buckle in a pieces are taken in charge by the inspect­ little harder. Our foremen's ors, and they see that these parts are sent meetings help a lot. Once a to the scrap room, where they are placed week we all get together, and under the hammer, and are soon destroyed iron out our troubles, and beyond any hope of recognition." swap ideas. The thing that "I should think it would take a long·time is bothering one man seems to train these men in their work," remarks absurdly simple to another, a visitor. "Yes," replies Mr. Lauzun, who gives just the right recipe "but you see, most of our men have been for straightening things out. with us a long time. All our more diffi­ It doesn't take us long to get cult operations are in charge of men who on our feet, no matter what have been here in the factory since it the difficulties are. Through started, and who can be counted upon to it all you can't help but re­ work with knowledge, and in perfect har­ cognize the old spirit that mony with their superiors. It is this class shows that everyone is doing of men who have been advanced from his best. That's the Reo spirit Special Wheel Hub Drilling Machine time to time, and on whom the foreman -the spirit that wins." can depend to stay with him indefinitely. So you see we have to break the new men in only on the jobs that are easier to handle. As time goes on, they, too, will get their chance of advancement." It would take more than the time at our disposal to have Mr. Lauzun stop and de­ scribe each one of the many marvelous machines, as we pass through the shop. Here on this side is the wheel hub outfit. Over there they are grinding pistons and piston rings. Here they are latheing the drop-forged crankshafts, and grinding them to the required accuracy. Here they are milling ring gears. Here in this de­ partment, they receive the rough castings of the transmission and tum them out smooth and accurate. This is the tool room, where after each day's work, all tools must be returned for safe-keeping. All these men you see are working on tools, repai~ing, sharpening and adjusting them, so that the workmen Special 8-Spindle Automatic Machine Boring and Facing Wheel Hubs

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries T H R O U G H T H E R E 0 F A C T O R Y 9

Special Fixture Milling Steering Sectors Special Machine Drilling, Reaming and Facing Exhaust Valve Posts

Crankshaft Grinding Department

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 10 R E 0 MAGAZINE

/ . When he had put most All his Mazuma Traveled Road, too, and the Darned into the Preliminary Buzzwagon and was Thing was right in the Way. seriously Thinking of issuing a little Paper So the Gink got down under the Dis­ in the shape of Second Mortgage Bonds in couraged Dray to see what Ailed it. And order to keep the Payroll from having the Hot Sun Melted the Sweitzer Cheese Nervous Prostration, the Idea dawned on and it ran down the Gink's neck. And him that it was all Nonsense to put real, the Gink said It tastes Fine. I have Honest-To-Goodness Stuff into the Bus, eaten Lots of Expensive Welsh Rabbits because the Ultimate Owner would never that tasted Worse. Believe Me, this is know the Difference anyway, as long as Some Car for the Money. L. CLYDE SMITH LAN S I NG, Yea, Verily, the Gink was a Good Sport the japan on the Outside was Nice and Editor and a True Philosopher. Mkh. Shiny. c:MOR AL What is the Sense, he reasoned, of put­ Some Cars ain't the Cars they was when REO MOTOR CAR CO., LANSING, MICH. ting an Expensive Transmission into her? they was First Bought. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: A good strong Belt and Pulley will do the No-nor they Never Was. Harry Teel A. A. Lauzun Bert M . Foote Trick just as well. And so he put in a A. B. Redner Geo. L. Miller E . R. J acobi Sweitzer Cheese Differential because it CARCELY a day goes by without A. D. Wilkins wouldn't Show; and he saved the weight seeing a number of Reo dealers of an old Fashioned Rear Axle by using a S gathering in from the far corners of HE Editor has tried, in the few pages nice Basswood Invention of his Own that our big country. They come for two at his command, to make a maga­ was Justasgood. He discovered he could reasons. First, to try to coax Bob T zine that will be interesting and in­ save a bunch of Money by Painting an Rueschaw to let them have just a few formative to its readers. Many indi­ Imitation Radiator on the Cow Catcher more cars than he originally planned to let viduals and points of interest in and about that would Fool even the Experts. And them have, and in the second place, to im­ the Reo factory, however, have had to be he covered up the Absence of Upholstery bibe a little of the Reo enthusiasm at the omitted from this first issue; but his critics with a Chaste but Inexpensive Slip Cover, fountain-head. are cordially invited to step into the and by Skimping all the Essentials he Some factories that you read about are Editor's Number Eights and get the edi- Pinched Out enough Dough to add so disappointing when you actually come up torial viewpoint of the job. , many clever little Nicknacks, Appurte­ against the real thing. But we have First of all we were called on the carpet nances and Thingumboobs that the first never heard anybody complain about the and informed that we had been elected Gink who came Along took one Slant at it R eo not coming up to their expectations. Editor. "Be it," they said, "and be it and Grabbed it Off like he thought the First of all, the immense size of the place quick. Take your little Brownie and Tonneau was full of Diamond Shirt Studs. makes you gasp for breath when you see it shoot some pictures. Never mind asking And all he paid for it was $1,999.99. for the first time. And if you happen to questions-this is our busy day. Get a The name of the Contraption was a arrive just as the whistle blows and see move on and write some dope on the heads Good One. It was named the Wunse­ enough men stroll out of the place to start of departments, main features of the fac­ over, after the French. a young city, your respect for the Reo tory and everything. Hustle up-you When the New Owner got in, the Fac­ organization goes up by leaps and bounds. have three days to get out this factory tory Boys gave the Boat a Swift Shove But inside- well, one dealer told us that number." down the Hill. It was a Rattling good the real enthusiasm of the workers in every Well now, wouldn't that tickle your Buggy, all right, on the Down Grade. department-their real belief in their work G-string? It took three days to round up But at the Bottom of the Hill was a Large and themselves, could not be surpassed by the factory superintendents and get them Puddle of Damp Water, and the Tires, any organization of similar size in the to sit still so we could snap their handsome which weren't Rubber at all, but just country. maps. Others we had to sneak up on Make Believe, dissolved like a Gumdrop in We hope he was right. Without throw­ unawares-they were so modest and shy. a School-girl's Mouth. And the Steering ing any extra bouquets at ourselves, it But we got 'em, and we got 'em good. Gear wouldn't Steer because all the Bast­ amounts to this. We believe the Reo This is as good a place as any to ac­ ing Threads came out; and the Engine lost represents the highest automobile value knowledge the hearty cooperation of all the Interest when it tried to climb Up the sold today at anywhere near this price, and boys (and girls) who helped the Editor next Hill, and Laid right down in the we are all of us proud to be mixed up with with the necessary facts and figures. (The Road and Died. And it was a W ell- such a big, successful proposition. men furnished the facts, and the girls, naturally, had the figures.) Thank you. We believe the effort has resulted in a book that will give everyone a closer range on the Reo factory than has been possible before; and the introspection necessary in the preparation of the matter has left the 00K out for the next conviction with· us that the Reo organiza­ issue of the R eo tion, facilities and product are second to £ Magazine, 'The none. Dealers' Number. It What do you think? will tell the numerous The Fabl~ of the Motor Car Mfg., th~ secrets of the lives of Sw~itzet Ch~~se, and th~ Gink R eo D ealers. Safety­ First- M r. D ealer, send Who Was a G2od S1>ort. photo of yourself and . ONCE upon a Time a certain Man, place of business NOW, tiring of the Cheese Business, de­ together with a descrip­ cided to make his Mark in the world on that Dead Sure road to Wealth tion of your life as a Reo and Fame known as Automobile Making. D ealer to the. Editor of The Reason Why he. chose to make the R eo Maxazine, Reo Automobiles was because his Cousin Motor Car Co. ,Lansing, owned one of the things, and he thought it would be a Bully Proposition to make Mich. D o it today, so that Money out of on account of ·the Large, you won't be left out of Juicy and Succulent Price that ·an Mptor the "Terrible Number." Car Makers had the Gall to tack on. So he bought a Large Quantity of the Stuff that Automobiles are made of, and started to build One. The Press Notices said the first year's Output would. be 27,000. Be that as it may.

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries ~~...JJfil-l-H TWO BffS OR NOT TWO Bm OR JUST ONE BEE THAT 15 THE QUESTION

I . "=-..-\·/· HARRY LEE-YOU CAN DO IT WITH A REO DON BATES-THATS THE TUNE, OLD TOP

HOBBIES

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 12 R E 0 MAGAZ I NE

Small Parts Department

Gear Cutting and Heat Treating

ET us spend a 1 it t 1 e L while in the heat treating de­ partment under the guidance of the superintend­ ent of this divi­ sion, Mr. Allan B. Redner, watch the extremely careful and minutely ltlH.61~ accurate pro­ cess neces­ sary to pro­ duce the bevel gears used in the Reo. "People won­ der," said Mr. Redner, "how it is possible for us Gleason Gear Generators Finishing Teeth of Bev el Gears to build the best car on the market for $1175. Let me suggest, in answer to this, that if you will take a stroll with me through this one department, you will get an idea of the efficiency that makes this result possible. "Here we have built especially for this company, a line of lathes, under the con­ trol of skilled operators, capable of turning out gear blanks of six-inch diameter, by seven-eighths inch face, of fifteen per cent carbon steel, in four minutes, or at the rate of one hundred thirty-five pieces per day. " Then, we have our gear cutting ma­ chines so placed that the operator on the gear cutting machine takes the work right from the lathe, thereby eliminating the item of trucking expense. " You see we have three automatic bevel gear stocking machines placed so that one man can operate three at one time. He can rough thirty drive gears in nine hours. "We use stands with round bases, with a one-inch rod in the center to hold the gears. These are placed on the stands one above the other, and, as you see, the teeth

Rear Axle Sub-Assembly

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries T H R O U G H T H E R E 0 F A C T O R Y 13

Fellows Gear Generators Finishing Teeth of Transmission Gears

never come in contact with each other, so "Connecting rods are put through with­ there is absolutely no chance to put dents out being handled by anyone but the oper­ in them before they undergo the hardening ator in charge of each piece until it is fin­ "The stands also act as carriers and by ished. Their routine carries each piece taking hold of the top of the rod, one can from one operation to another in a regular roll them anywhere, the base acting as a progressive order, so that the workman wheel. does not have to double back like a rabbit, thereby losing a good start. "In the heat treating department, every­ thing is handled with the greatest care. "This principle is one that prevails in Nothing is taken for granted. For in­ every part of the factory. We have stud­ stance, the furnace is brought up to the ied for years to eliminate any fraction of right temperature of 17 59 degrees Fahren­ lost motion and lost time. The rough ma­ terial comes in through one door, and heit. The boxes filled with material to be moves out through another, a finished car carbonized are put in and the time re­ every nine minutes. corded. The furnace is kept at this tem­ perature for the required number of hours "You understand, of course, how rigid until the process of carbonization is com­ our inspection system is. And there are plete, which may be three hours, or ten so many little things to disturb the accu­ racy of the process of this department, that hours, but they are not taken out ten min­ it often seems like a hard task to keep up utes ahead of time, or ten minutes late, to our required output of sixty cars a day. but right on the dot. The inspectors crowd us on one side and "The heat of the furnace is recorded by Mr Teel, our superintendent, is right after a pyrometer, so you see we do nothing by us on the other, which reduces us at times guess work. to the painful necessity of using near-pro­ "After the gears are tested and brought fanity to express our feelings on the subject. to perfect accuracy, they are ready for the "It is simply a matter of efficiency and transmission and rear axle assembly. This quantity,-that is the whole story. We work is done with great care to insure run­ have but one car to build and all we have ning. to do is to turn out the goods." Clutch As sembly

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noticing when Mr. Miller has taken us Assemblihg the Motor and Chassis through every division of his department, E are now ready Every part is taken down and inspected, and that is the clockwork precision with to follow the and then re-assembled, after which it is which everything moves. Everything W work into the ready for the chassis. moves by exact schedule. department of Mr. George "Mr. Sprayman and Mr. Bassett have H. Miller, who charge of the chassis assembly. Here we assembles the also carry out the idea of having one man motors, and do only one kind of operation, etc. The the chassis, result is, not sixty different kinds per bringing the day, but sixty chassis just alike. · scattered parts "We must not overlook Mr. Brisbo, who together so has charge of the main frame assembly. that when he The one thing the visitor cannot help is through with a job, it begins to take a defi­ nite shape that we can recog­ nize as the old reliable "Reo the Fifth." "A motor is a very delicate Geore-e piece of machinery," says Mr. Miller. "We ff. Miller first go as far as possible with what we call subassemblies-that is, we assemble together as many as possible small parts into units, which later take their place in the final assembly. "Here we see Mr. Wooden's men, as­ sembling the cylinders, a class of work re­ quiring the most careful attention. Next we come to Mr. Clark's division, who has a number of small parts to fit to the motor, such as the starter, motor valve levers and supports, valve plungers and guide, rear crank bearing, cam gear case, etc. In this, as in the cylinder department, one man completes the same operation on all motors thereby insuring accuracy and efficient workmanship " Here we come to Mr. Babcock, fore­ man of the crank case assembly, a very important part of the work. "Now we come to the division over which Mr. Nelson is foreman- the motor assembly. This department uses the same system of having one · man do the same operation on the motor, just as in the smaller assemblies. "It is now ready for the block test and motor inspection, in charge of Mr. Wardell.

Motor T est

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Chassis Assembly

Frame Assembly

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Reo Motor Car Company

H . C. Teel, Supt. Reo Motor Car Co. and Staff of Assistants

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries T H R O U G H T H E R E 0 F A C T O R Y 17

Reo Motor Truck Company

C. W . McDowell, Supt. Reo Motor Truck Co.

r Car Company

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 18 R E 0 MAGAZINE

,, Chassis Paint Department

one of the most expert electricians of his Putting the Clothes On the Reo city to install for him a very fine electric horn, and it at once occurred to us that possibly the wiring of this horn had caused ET us and smooth, and will continue that way some trouble in the working of his starter. step in­ indefinitely. "Sure enough, after a careful investiga­ L to the "In preparing a hide of leather for the tion, we found that the horn wires running department market, it is split several times. The first from the junction box of the lighting sys­ where all split is used in the manufacture of shoes; tem, and from there between the hood sup­ the neces­ the second split is the part used in trim­ port and from the hood to the horn, were sary finishing ming high-grade automobiles. so placed that when the hood was left touches are put on, "You have probably noticed by this time down, the wires had chafed until they were that transform Reo that in every department, the Reo de­ bare,- thus short-circuiting the whole sys­ the Fifth from a mands the real thing, the genuine article tem. bare piece of road in every department. So we use only the "After explaining the whole thing to machinery in to a best of leather for finishing and trimming him, we ·fixed up the damage, and set comfortable, hand­ our car. All our leather goes through a everything right again, while he laughingly Albert D. admitted it was one on him. We had the W ilkins some, completely equipped motor car. thorough inspection by experts on arrival This department is in charge of Mr. at our factory. These men are profes­ pleasure of seeing him start for home with Albert D. Wilkins. In this department, sionals in the selection and treatment of a feeling of real confidence in his electric Mr. Wilkins assembles and mounts the leather. The part that gets by their eagle starter, and doubtless thinking a great body, paints chassis and body, trims eyes, goes to the upholsterers to be made deal of his home electrician. the car, which includes upholstering, the into cushions and backs, and placed in the "We are, as you know, running on a fac­ mounting of nickeled parts, etc., enamel­ automobile bodies. After all trimming has tory schedule of sixty cars per day. Sit­ ing, and the final assembly of all external been done in the body, it receives another uated as we are, at the final end of all parts and accessories, such as electric thorough inspection for workmanship. operations, we get the full effect of any starter, horn. tire irons, control levers, and "And yet, in spite of all this unusual smoothness or slackness in the running of everything necessary to complete the car. care and thorough inspection, a piece of the other departments. When they are In his department are also conducted the leather that appears to be of the finest moving especially well, and are exceeding belt test, power test, and final inspection quality will suddenly show a fault, crack their quota, as they sometimes do, then we of the car. After he has put the car and have to be replaced. It simply goes must increase our speed accordingly. Or, through a thoroughly satisfactory road to show how fickle even the best of leather if any department is held up temporarily, test, and given it a final tuning up and can be. No matter how high in quality it we notice it at once, and you may be sure cleaning, his duties end by shipping the car appears, there is this element of deception that the lagging division hears from us. to its proper destination. in leather that no man has ever been able As we stop and admire the skill of the to properly guard against, or account for. Body Paint upholsterers who are putting in the leather "A reliable, self-starting system is now Department seats, Mr. Wilkins remarks: a part of the regular equipment of Reo the "Many people who are not familiar with Fifth. This reminds me of an experience the various articles used in the construc­ we had several months ago. In the course tion of a high-grade car, would be sur­ of our daily routine, we prised to know how easily one can be de­ have many amusing ceived in the material used in the make-up experiences brought to of a car. Take, for instance, the item of our observation. For leather. instance, one fine day "As every one knows, leather has been early last June, a gen­ going up rapidly and steadily from year to tleman drove up to the year. The scarcity and trouble connected factory and came in to with securing really first-class hides are see us, bitterly denounc­ fast inducing many automobile buildP.rs to ing our electric starter. the use of imitation leather. We were hardlyprepar­ "Imitation leather sometimes looks all ed for this, as we know right at the first glance, but it will not our system has no su­ stand up against time and usage, as the perior on the market. real article will. "A few minutes' con­ "A good way to tell imitation leather, versation with the own­ when it is once in a car, is by the feel. er of the car brought Imitation leather is usually harsh and thin, to light the fact that he while high-grade, genuine leather is soft had recently employed

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries T H R O U G H T H E R E 0 F A C T O R Y 19

Body Trimming Top Department Department

"We have no permanent difficulties, however, and find as a whole that an out­ put of sixty cars per days keeps us going at a pretty lively pace. "Before you go, I want to say that every man in my department feels a real, honest pride in working on a car that posseses the sterling qualities of the Reo. While we maintain a fair rate of speed, no man is asked to hurry at the expense of doing his work with all the skill and thoroughness at his command. "We know our work is good, because it is backed by organization, co-operation, good fellowship and the pulling together of all concerned towards the one common end- to have every owner of the Reo a satisfied customer." Mr. Wilkins hurries away, with a part­ ing nod and smile, to answer the question of a foreman who wants him to settle some difficult point_ We step outside just in time to see four or five cars being brought back from their road test. They are mud­ dy and unfinished in appearance, but they will soon be transformed into the aristo­ cratic appearance that means that merry monarch of the road, Reo the Fifth. Soon they are turned over to Mr. Wil­ kins, who puts their party clothes on, and sends them out to the far corners of the country, where they will bring pride and pleasure to the owners for many a long day to come. Sewing Machines ·frim. Department

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 20 R E 0 M A G A Z -I N E

Rubbing Deck Body Paint Department

Final Assembly

.,,, .. ,,.. ... - ... ·· ,~......

Final Assembly

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Truck Chassis Assembly

A Visit to the Truck Factory "B UT what about room of this factory; A careful analysis Reo Motor is made of every shipment of steel by the Trucks," we engineering department before it is ma­ truck,-for while it will do it, the sales de­ asked our guide. chined. In· order to be absolutely sure partment want to play dead safe and never call it anything but a two-ton. I don't "We have been in that every part is up to, or even above, specifications, .every part, after being ma­ mind letting you in on the secret- 'With every department of a two-ton load, you'll never have any kind this vast institution, chined, undergoes a series of tests and in­ spections, making it a practical impossi­ of trouble.' but we haven't yet "The life of the truck is prolonged in­ seen them making bility for an imperfect piece to become a the motor trucks part of the finished truck. definitely from the fact that the motor is equipped with a hydraulic governor­ we have heard so " All gears and pinions are hardened, which makes it impossible for a careless much about." ground and tested,- all bushings, line driver to over speed in getting home to "Some of the shafts, spindle bolts, bearing surfaces, dinner. parts are made in front and rear axles are ground to exact this factory, but size, making a smooth, glossy surface and most of the work is absolutely correct fit. Rear Axle done in the "All springers, jackshaft hangers, corner Grinding truck factory irons, radius rods, axle ends are cast steel. on the other Hard to machine, as anyone will find out side of the who tries it, but very tough and impossible city," is the to break. reply. We " It takes a 20-ton learn with hydraulic press to amazement crown our rear axle, that this vast which is a hammer­ arrayofbuild­ ed forging. ings, men and "When our 2-ton machinery is not all of the R eo plant, and chassis is completed there is a factory, as large as the ordinary we put on a automobile plant, over a mile away, which rough body is also busily engaged in turning out a well­ and 1 o ad known R eo product. three tons of - We step outside, and into a waiting car, stone - the and in a .few moments we are dashing up drivers pay­ Washington Avenue, past the center of the ing especial city, and stop before a large building occu­ attention to pying about one-half of a large city block. the brakes Here we dismount, and on entering, are and vital greeted by Mr. C . W . McDowell, superin­ parts. Far be tendent of the truck department. it from m e to "You have seen the inspection system suggest to that obtains at the big plant," says Mr. any of our McD owell. "You will see the same idea prospects in operation here. A careful inspection is that they made of every individual piece of material should carry that enters into the construction of Reo three tons of trucks, as they come into the receiving load on this

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Reo Motor Truck Co. W arehouse "The building of a motor truck is quite a different proposition in every way from making a motor car. In the truck, we care nothing about speed, nor do we work particularly to secure grace and beauty of line. Substantial strength is the main requisite, and the work is necessarily a little slower than in the large factory where they have long ago reduced the building of sixty cars per day to a science. "Here is an interesting operation on a feature that is exclusive with Reo trucks. The Reo radiator is made of twenty-four independent and interchangeable units. If any one, or even several of these units should be injured in collision, the truck could still go on about its work until the end of the day; then, when ready for the repair man, he has only to take out the injured Reo Truck Chassis Assembly members and replace them with new units, making the radiator complete and as good "Simplicity is the big feature we have in country to be completely motorized, so far as new. Here is the way we test a com­ mind in every part of the Reo truck. We as it is possible to realize this ideal in a plete radiator: Mr. McDowell has the tell the business man that our truck does practical manner. workmen take one of the completed radia­ not require an expert mechanic to operate "The way in which the annual demand tors and, first attaching it to a rubber hose, it or keep it in running condition. The for Reo trucks keeps increasing shows us through which a current of air is passed, control, as you see, is verysimple,-a single conclusively that the proportion of trucks the radiator is submerged in a large tank lever in the center and the steering wheel bearing the R eo name will be at least equal of water. The test is perfect. Taking on the left side are all that the operator has to the proportion of Reo pleasure cars to one after another, one was found to emit a to think about when he is at work. the total of automobiles. few bubbles of air and was immediately When he drives up to make a stop, it is "The effect of the motor truck on busi­ set to one side to stop the leak discovered easy for him to dismount on either side. ness as efficiency experts have pointed by the air bubbles. "Let me call your attention to the heavy out,'is not only to reduce the per ton mile "Our motor is practically the same as armored frame. It would take quite a cost of hauling, but has introduced new the one used in Reo the Fifth, but it is shock to put Model ']'out ofcommission­ methods of handling merchandise in bulk mounted somewhat differently, and the in fact, anything that runs into a Reo Truck that has reacted to the greater benefit and chassis and sub-frame are much heavier. is apt to be the loser in the argument. profit of every department of the business. You will see that the motor is very nicely Notice, too, that the springs are exceedingly "Telephone companies, express com­ balanced on the sub-frame so that it does heavy and will stand years of hard service panies, contractors, millers, bottlers, not get the effect of the jars and shocks before they show the slightest signs of de­ wholesale and retail merchants of every that come from running at a fair rate of terioration in elasticity. kind are adopting this new method of speed over a heavy road. We have to as­ "Every indication goes to show that the hauling. Not only the United States, but semble the entire chassis with an idea of motor truck is coming into its own. The ten foreign countries are using Reo Trucks, standing the hardest kind of knocks. The business world, which so long held aloof and, and in 1915, you will see a fleet of Reo truck must stand the weight of the load at the best, gingerly experimented with Model J's running around the San Fran­ above its own weight and the continual jar this new tool of commerce, has now shown cisco-Panama Exposition grounds, loaded which comes from not being able to pick a real desire for a simple, strong motor with sightseers. its way over good pavements as the driver truck, and those companies that have been "The bodies, trimming and painting of a touring car can generally do. able to show a reliable product, have a real work are all taken care of over in the big difficulty in keeping factory, and we give the buyer the choice up with the demand. of several standard styles that fit all ordi­ "A well-known au­ nary requirements. thority on the subject "Or, if the truck is to be used for any recently estimated special work that requires a different body that in the year 1913 from any that we furnish, we sell the about 36,000 motor chassis, with only the driver's cab, so that trucks of all sizes were the purchaser can build his own body, to built- more than the suit his requirements. We find an in­ entire history of the creasing number of purchasers who want business had, up to to handle the matter in this way. that time, recorded. "The increasing interest in good roads This unusual output that is growing so rapidly in every part of is being rapidly in­ the country will greatly help in the sale of creased, until in a few trucks, and there is every indication that short years, we may even this large factory will have to be in­ expect practically all creased if the demand for Reo trucks keeps the road traffic of the on growing at the present rate."

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Regula r 3-ton test load ot Model J 2-ton Chassis

Reo Six T earn Leagu5;

HE Reo Motor Car and Truck Companies are not only famous for T their Cars and Trucks; but for their Reo Six Team League, consisting of five teams from the Reo Motor Car Co., and one team from the Reo Motor Truck Co. Each team played a class of ball that attracted many fans who patronized Southern Michigan games played at Lansing. At the close of 1913 Base Ball season the five teams of the Reo Motor Car Co. together with the other professional teams about the city admitted that the Reo Motor Truck Co. was the champion team of the city. This was proved by a challenge to the Reo Motor Car Co.'s "All Stars," also to several other Base Ball teams about the city. Just as the 1913 Base Ball season was about to close the Reo Motor Truck Co. defeated the Reo Motor Car Co.'s "All Stars" three straight games, which de­ cided the Championship.

EOPLE generally don't appreciate how far from home the American motor truck is making its way. A large concern in Costa Rica recently P ordered its seventh Reo two-ton truck. There are nearly a dozen run- ning around in the Hawaiian Islands, and several are doing service in other South Sea Islands. One in Tahiti is used as a combination freight and passenger vehicle. This was originally owned by a San Francisco man, and as a result of his success with the Reo, he has ordered twelve more to be used as sight-seeing cars at the big Panama exposi­ tion to be held there in 1915. Several are in use in South Africa, and they are scattered pretty thoroughly over the map of South America. Americans are not the only nation to recog­ nize a good thing when they see it.

Reo Truck Body Paint Department No. 2

Reo Truck Body Paint Department No.3

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 24 R E 0 MAGAZINE

Engineering Building considered rather crude will again be used. The so-called medium priced car will Analytical "Lab" reach an extreme of luxuriousness which a few years ago would have been thought HE analytical laboratory looks like impossible even in the highest priced the prescription counter in a drug imported cars. T store, and why shouldn't it? The practical efficiency of the car regard­ Here comes all the rough material for less of the price must be maintained. A examination-here prescriptions are com­ low ideal in this respect is more to be pounded that discover and cure all ail­ guarded against than one of luxuriousness ments known to metals, or any piece of and beauty. The proper balance and material that goes into a motor car or maintenance of both is the somewhat truck. Mr. L. W. Zonker is Mr. Thomas' difficult task that confronts the successful lieutenant in this division-perhaps we automobile designer. To secure an equalization of all the could more aptly call him the "chief medi­ elements that enter into the successful cal adviser of material." production of the properly balanced Mr. Zonker names the various chemi­ automobile, the sciep.ces which have been cals, and tries to explain to us that their applied successfully to the design of ships, Latin names resolve themselves into steel buildings, electrical machinery, etc., simple English, but we are dense. have also been utilized in perfecting the We can understand, though, when he The Ideal and the Practical motor car by our most successful manu­ says in brief, "Do not think for a minute facturers. that I have worked out all the system, Generally the practical engineer is not a formula, and data in this department." In Motor Engin~~ring good scientist- neither is the good scientist a good engineer. But when these two Twenty-five years experience in building By H. T. Thomas, Chief Engineer, Reo professions are brought together under one automobiles, watching every defect in 1"'1.otor Car Company roof, where differences can be reconciled by material that may occur through thou­ HAVE often wondered what would investigation and experiment, then the sands of miles of service is a contribution occur if every engineer and designer in final results are 99 % pure, and can be to this department that is of invaluable I the country were to indulge himself to accepted without equivocation. importance. Our laboratory is one of the the extent of designing and making an After the design of the car has been best equipped of its kind, and we believe automobile according to his ideals with­ accepted as correct, we analyze samples that the chances for a low grade piece out careful consideration of the practical of metals that are to go into its construc­ of material of any character are mighty in the result. tion. The Chemical Laboratory polishes slim, after our chemists have once turned This is a subject which to my knowledge and subjects them to a close scrutiny under the microscope and acid on it. has never been openly discussed as one of the microscope in order to determine the the problems in car building, but is a fibre and the presence of impurities, which All material in the rough, such as f~rg­ factor which would undoubtedly be a very may make them unsuited for the purpose. ings, material for stock, iron, babbitt, serious one were it not most carefully B earings are put in special testing brass, bronze, aluminum, etc., to be used watched. machines and the results compared with in the construction of REO the FIFTH The efforts of the pioneer designer were other results obtained through a long are subjected to analysis. plainly toward producing a machine that series of tests. Samples are tested under The complete analysis accompanies all would run and give reliable service. The compression and tension. In this way material to their individual racks in our last ten years have seen much of the im­ half a dozen men, each a specialist in his stock room. practical weeded out, and to day the auto­ own line, investigates the material from mobile is approaching a standardized con­ his own particular view point. From this carefully assorted stock the struction. This rigid and exhaustive inspection and material is made into the desired forgings, This is the period of extremes, and I am research has made the REO as nearly etc., after which samples are again inclined to predict that many of the old perfect as science will permit. Our taken from each lot and again subjected ideas which were considered somewhat laboratory and engineering methods and to the same chemical analysis, thus avoid­ impractical will be brought to life. The facilities rank second to none. ing possible error in any department of low priced car will be developed to the The watchword is thoroughness with using material that is not up to REO extreme of simplicity. T hings which were understanding. specifications.

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The Drafting Mat~rial T ~sting Room LabQratQri~s HE Engineering HE P hysical and D epartment is the Chemical Labora­ T birthplace and T tories, in charge of perfecting point of the Mr. Philip J. Baker, Jr., ideas that lead to the perform a dual purpose. success of any manufac­ They go hand in hand, turing concern. because materials must This d e p a rt m e n t be up to physical speci­ when well equipped and fications as well as chem· having a personnel of ical, and inasmuch as capable and efficient en­ 1 he testing often intu­ gineers, designers and locks, it is evident that draftsmen, becomes the the work of these two key-stone of a manu­ laboratories must be in facturing industry. close harmony. Such an organization will have the knowledge Here, even before con­ and experience to con­ tracts are let, are con­ ceive and develop ideas stantly being analyzed that produce the final all sorts of materials result required by the intended for use in the management in the most Reo plant, and at the economical way. The same time samples of all most successful concerns materials that are being today are those employ­ incorporated into the ing competent men in CHIEF ENGINEER THOMAS' ASSISTANTS cars are under constaey this department. L . W. Zonker L.A. Pray L. C. Greenamyer check to see that thnt F . L. Radford P. J. Baker G. R. Albaugh True to this we point J. A. Herzog are up to the standard. with pride to the REO These materials inciude MOTOR CAR CO'S engineering depart­ turned over to the checker who should be steels, brasses, bronzes, aluminum, cloths, ment and to one of its principal factors, non-partisan, impartial and good natured, leathers, brake band linings, springs, tires, the drafting room. showing no favor but preserving harmony rims, babbitts, etc. To this room go the orders and the ideas and good will among the draftsmen. In addition to this work, the Physical of the chief engineer. He must also have had a thorough Laboratory passes upon and checks heat He desires a car designed, which, when theoretical and practical training in the treatments, carbonizing, hardening, etc. finished, must have a certain special automobile industry. The finished cars are tested for carrying weight, horse power, speed, carrying capacity and wearing capacity here. Ex­ His duties are to inspect all drawings, capacity and appearance. These require­ perimental work on all electrical apparatus checking over all and intermediate dimen­ ments must harmonize and the result must used in the car, such as magnetos, genera­ sions, tolerance, clearness, material and be a perfect car. tors, starting motors, dry and storage for scale and proper disposition of views. The method of procedure is to first batteries, has an important place in this make a general layout of the car. This He must also bear in mind the design department. An interesting feature of layout being a tentative assembly of parts of the individual parts as to strength, the work is the fatigue test given the to determine primarily the best distribu­ draft, finish, manufacturing economy and springs. They must pass 100,000 flexures tion of weights, clearances and appearance, final requirements. under heavy load and rapid vibration. and must be altered from time to time as After such corrections as the checker The quality of oil being used in the shop the design layouts progress and individual may suggest have been made the drawings has the constant attention of this depart­ parts are found to require alteration to are submitted to the chief engineer for his ment, and experimental work on various take care of interferences or facilitate in approval, when they are again returned oils is being carried on all the time. the ease and cost of manufacturing. to the chief draftsman for a final inspection The equipment includes: Following the general layout comes the and prints sent to the experimental R iehle' tensile testing machine. design layouts of which we have spoken. department where the experimental car Fatigue test machine for springs. These are made by the designers and con­ is built. Spring weighing machine. sist of group designs of the assembled If this car is accepted and pronounced Two furnaces, all pyrometer equipped components such as the motor, trans­ ready for manufacture, the drawings are for experimental work in heat treat­ mission, axles, steering gear, control, etc. indexed and filed in rotation for reference, ing and hardening. By the dissection of these layouts we and working drawings are sent to the shop Scleroscope. produce the details and tracings of the and specifications to the purchasing Microscope. separate parts. department with the assurance that not Torsion testing machine. The work which has proceeded thus far even the smallest piece used in the con­ Motor-dynamometer set for axle te~t- under the direct and immediate personal struction of the finished product has been ing. And other high-grade labora­ supervision of the chief draftsman is now forgotten. tory equipment.

G. E. Smith, Purchasing Agent and His Assistants Millions of dollars worth of material are purchased year­ ly in this depart­ ment. A knowledge of quality in ma­ terial, of the market and knowing the psychological moment to buy con­ s citutes in outline the perquisites of the purchasing department agent. So says modest Mr. Smith. Purchasing Department

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A Time-Saving Giant Just as we go to press, we received this picture of our new Toggle Press that is being installed. It is the most imposing piece of labor saving and cost reducing apparatus in the whole automobile industry. In one minute this machine will do the equivalent of fifty minutes' work by the old method. For instance, it will turn out twenty finished radiator cases a minute. Heretofore the three operations necessary to a radiator case have been done by hand. This was too slow a process. It didn't keep step with the Reo pace. But this new machine is sure to set a pace that will make the other time-economizers set up a cry for more oil.

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Michigan National Guard with their Reo Model J. Both saw active service during the strike at Calumet - just enough to make them eager to get a finger in the Mexican situation too. The Model J has displaced many of the old time mule teams and commissary wagons in the Quartermaster·s department of the army.

Herbert Barnet the smallest man in the world. finds any part of Reo the Fifth a comfort ahle place to ride.

An acid test was given this Rea Model] after the job of moving the three-ton vinegar vat was given up as too much for teams and wagon method. Three-ton loads are not re­ commended as a steady diet for two-ton trucks, but in an emergency the Rea turns the A Circus for Reo trick quite handily. Model J.

Unusual Incidents and Scenes

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The 0 Storeless" StorerOom- lst floor. One of the Largest Single Rooms in the Country

goes the " Reo Railroad." Such a sized would extend about a mile. The Reo Runway factory as this must take upon itself It is a great convenience "PIPE the Elevated Railroad," says some of the aspects of a municipality, in providing a clear road­ the visitor. "Where does it go and and since its product is naturally way for the cars as they why?" equipped with wheels, it was only nec­ pass through their various Where doesn't it go? It is like Tenny­ essary to erect trestle-work, and lay a stages. On these bright son's brook,-it goes on forever; over smooth plank floor to obtain perfect sunshiny spring days, they buildings, through tunnels, into the fac­ intercommunication facilities. present a beautiful sight, tory, out the other end, over to the shipping This is one of the sights of the as they go streaking along dock,-up hill, down hill, and on the level , Reo factory. If the Runway were the elevated roadway, stretched out in a straight line, it their polished bodies and bright trimmings shim­ mering and flashing.

There is no truth in the rumor that the Lincoln High­ way people are figuring on making the Reo "Scenic R ailway" a part of the coast to coast route. They recognize the prestige that would add to the National Gasoline Turn Pike, and would, no doubt, be delighted to re-route the highway so as to take in the advantages of the R eo plant, but, as a matter of fact, the Reo high road is so busy taking care of the local traffic that such a proposition would be met with a stern, unbending refusal. We need the right of way so that no immature R eo V. may be forced to run on the damp ground, get its feet wet and catch a cold that might settle in some vital organ of its body. P erish the thought. The Reo Runway

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Another View of the Storeroom-2nd floor The R~o "Storeless" Storeroom N designing and constructing the Reo cordingly he bends every effort to fill it, when his friend Teel is congratulating factory, it was thought that a huge urging his factory cohorts to strenuous himself that his theories are commencing I Storeroom would be essential, since efforts and holding up glittering rewards to be felt, and by superhuman efforts, he that seemed to be the fashion in other against the time when the big room will be gets as many as a hundred or two finished automobile plants. These illustrations so chock full of cars that not another one cars beautifully arranged on the storeroom give the reader a slight conception of the can be squeezed in. floor- curses r along comes Captain Kidd spaciousness of this enormous room, but to But there is a man by the name of Rue­ R ueschaw and his band of buccaneers and fully appreciate its size, one has to actually schaw, who has the most aggravating way runs away with the whole shebang. step into it. There are 120,000 square feet of grabbing the cars and jerking them out The two large pictures at the top of of floor space here- room enough to accom­ of the store room, almost before they've pages 28 and 29 show the battleground be­ modate 2000 Reos all at once. had time to cool off. Mr. R ueschaw in­ tween the production and sales depart­ This storeroom is a bone of contention sists that it is a desecration of nature to ments. On page 28, the first floor of the between tv,io estimable gentlemen of the break up the magnificent distances of this storeroom is shown. On the page 29 is Reo organization, They seem never to be vast expanse by allowing even a single Reo seen the second story as it looked a few able to agree on how it ought to look. Mr. V. to remain on the floor. He maintains months ago, containing the most cars that Teel thinks it would look ever so much bet­ that a chaste note of simplicity should it held all winter. The present crop of ter if it were packed full of cars, and ac- dominate the decorations here, and just R eos do not even get a look in here.

More of the Reo Runway

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries Early inventions of Mr. R. E. Olds showing the manner in which they were demonstrated Picture in right hand corner shows the First Side Door Tonneau Body in America

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Now try moving the book on the desk without any roller and you have a prac­ Remy Model OB Combined tical example of the advantage of rolling contact over sliding contact. Lighting and Ignition Line-Cohtact vs. Poiht-Cohtact Generator The book and pencil also serve to illus­ trate another advantage of Timken Ta­ HE REO having always maintained pered Roller Bearings: the position of leader and most pro­ The advantage of the line-contact of a T gressive of its class, this policy of roller over the point-contact of a ball. leadership was also carried into the elec­ trical equipment. Upon the advent of The rollers revolving between cup and electric starters and electric lighting the cone touch both the cup and the -cone in Reo Company immediately set out and straight lines, extending the whole length procured samples of every make, these of the roller. If they were balls instead of were submitted to many exacting tests to rollers, they would touch only in points. determine their efficiency and after giving Take a roller and a ball of equal diam­ all of these different makes of starters and eter. It is easy to see how the line-contact generators a thorough test our choice was of the roller enables it to carry the greater the Remy because it proved to be the sim­ load. plest, most efficient and best of them all. How Timkeh T apeted R21l~t B~arings The Model OB which we use as standard ~quipment, is a combined generator that Meet Ehd-Thrust furnishes ignition and current for both Timkeh In the diagram- the arrows lighting and starting. represent the direction in This bi-polar shunt wound generator Lih th~ Jewels ih a Watch which end-thrust bears upon starts charging at the exceptionally low O are the bearings in the axles of ·a the cup and the cone of a speed of 250 R.P.M., which is equivalent motor car. Timken Bearing. in car speed to about 4 miles per hour, and S As the jewels are necessary for last­ The fact that in a· Timken carries the full lamp and ignition load of ing service and year after year accuracy in Bearing the parts are tapered approximately 7 amperes at about 9 miles a high-grade time-piece-so good bearings makes it impossible for this per hour. are the prime service-essentials in the axles end-force to push the cup and Charging at a low speed is one of the that are to carry you in safety and comfort <- cone apart. characteristics of the Remy Generator, during the life of your car. To return to our experi­ and is a decided advantage as may be ment with book and pencil: Instead of judged from the fact that with the lamps Axle B~arings Must Do Fat M2re rolling the book on the pencil move it burning, the battery is only resorted to as Thah Cut Down Friction sidewise, or along the length of the pencil. a source of supply when the car is driven It moves easily because the straight roller at speeds lower than 9 miles per hour, or 1. At the axle ends in the wheels they has no capacity to resist end-thrust. when the car is left standing with the en­ have to carry the load and stand all the But, if your pencil were tapered, the gine stopped and all lights burning. To shocks due to roughness of travel. book would rise- you would have to push compensate the battery for the current Roller bearings do this along the whole it up hill. used under the last named conditions, the length of their rollers. In the Timken Roller Bearing this up­ generator furnished a current in excess of 2. They must stand end-thrust- pres­ ward motion can't take place because the the lamp and ignition consumption, in ent at every turn. inner surface of the cup prevents. other words it has the "Reserve Energy" Tapered rollers do this because they re­ So the Timken Bearing meets end­ and keeps the battery charged under all volve at an angle to the shaft. thrust. conditions. 3. At the differential and the driving­ pinion they must keep shafts in line and A very ingenious device called the Sum­ hold gears in perfect mesh as well as carry Why the Coh~ Has Tw2 Ribs mer and Winter Switch, is furnished with each equipment and is placed on the frame vertical and end pressure. As the rollers revolve about the cone, it Timken Tapered Roller Bearings do of the generator. The purpose of this is of extreme importance that neither of switch, as the name implies, is to regulate all these things- and do them all the their ends shall travel faster than the time- the amount of current generated to meet other. Summer and Winter conditions, as it is a Because they are adjustable. The slightest deviation from the true When the minute wear comes that is recognized fact that an increased charge position would destroy the straight line of rate is necessary in winter to compensate inevitable in any rotating parts, that wear contact and cause uneven wear. can be completely taken up by merely ad­ for the heavier demand of both lighting and vancing the cone farther into the cup. To get this clearly in mind starting loads, and the decreased efficiency Then the bearings are just as good as new. take a plain, conical, . glass of the battery. The switch in question is tumbler and lay a pencil ver­ l~·\ 1/ provided with three positions, viz., Sum­ tically along its side. You : ~ 11. mer driving, Off, Winter driving. The What the Timken Roller Beating is will note uniform contact 1.ll..J .. ~ ~ first and last positions are self-explanatory, and H2w it Works along the line of the pencil, and should always be adhered to. The First, a hardened steel cone, made with The moment, however, that " OFF" position is to be used in the event two ribs, which fits over the shaft. you twist the pencil out of that if the battery has to be removed and Second, a series of tapered, hardened­ the vertical, you will see that the owner is desirous of using the car: un­ steel rollers which revolve about the cone. it touches the tumbler only der no conditions should the battery be Third, a pressed-steel cage which guides at one point. disconnected with the engine running or the rollers into position, but does not touch We must have a rib on the run the engine with battery disconnected large edge of the cone in order 'J· without first placing the Summer and Win­ either cup or cone. Fourth, a hardened-steel cup. to keep the tapered rollers from being ter Switch in the "OFF" position, The This construction substitutes rolling pressed out between the cone and cup. entire Remy system of Starting, Lighting contact for sliding contact and thus prac­ The contact between the large ends of the and Ignition requires but very little care, tically does away with friction. rollers and this rib tends in a very slight an occasional oiling of the generator arma­ .., To illustrate this princi- degree, to retard the large end of each ture shaft and the distributor shaft being ple, take a smooth, round roller. the only attention required. lead pencil or other cylin­ So we must have another rib on the The Remy Starting Motor, Model 4, drical object and place it other end of the cone, against which a which is found as regular equipment on the on your desk, then put a flange on the small end of the roller presses. Reo, has been especially designed for our book upon it and move This prevents all tendency to twist the use. This Model 4 is a highly efficient, the book back and forth roller out of its perfect alignment on the ball bearing, series wound motor and de­ with your hand. cone. velops the necessary power to crank the

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries 32 R E 0 MAGAZINE engine at a high rate of speed, thereby ma­ really more important than it appears, for terially assisting carburetion and resulting Hyatt Quiet Bearing with the ordinary solid roller, these irreg­ in easy starting. ularities result in a number of points of The Remy Motor is water and dust HE Hyatt Quiet Bearing is a roller contact instead of the full line of contact proof and requires absolutely no attention bearing of the parallel type. It is that .should exist in every roller bearing. T so very distinctive in character that whatever. The armature ball bearings The result of all this is that the strain are packed with lubricant at the time of it presents many interesting features pe<;ul­ on the surface is greater at those particular assembly and do not require any further iar to itself, from whence come many im­ points where the load is concentrated, so lubrication during the entire life of the car. portant advantages for motor car service. to speak, than at the others. The commutator and brushes are excep­ All types of anti-friction bearings are The tendency to wear and disintegrate tionally heavy, insuring perfect conduc­ fundamentally the same and consist of an at these points, due to this irregularity of tivity and commutation, and under ordi­ inner and outer race with a rotating ele­ load distribution, is very greatly increased nary usage will last indefinitely. ment between. as compared with the flexible roller,.which The ignition system as incorporated in In the Hyatt Quiet Bearing this rotating insures at all times absolutely uniform dis­ the Model OB, is of conventional d!'!sign element is a flexible roller in place of a tribution of load over its entire length. and very similar to the present type of high solid roller or ball. This flexible roller is Therefore in the flexible type of roller, we tension magneto, except that the low ten­ so strong that it cannot crush or roll out, have no overloading on any particular sion or primary current generated by the yet is sufficiently flexible under the heavy points. Model OB, is transformed or "stepp~d up" loads to which all motor car bearings are No adjustment is either necessary or by the aid of an exterior coil, especially pro­ subjected to perform many functions im­ possible. The single load non-adj1;1stable portioned for this service, This system of possible with any other type. type which belongs to the Hyatt insures ignition is extremely simple and highly It is well known that a motor car is sub­ extreme simplicity of design. efficient and requires practically no atten­ jected to enormous shocks which the motor The bearing is designed to operate defi­ tion whatever. The circuit breaker points car meets in its most ordinary travels, and nitely under certain conditions of spe:d should be inspected about once every 5,000 everyone has probably wondered how the and load allowing as is always allowed in miles and if found to be rough or blackened mechanism ever stands the strain, not­ engineering practice, a reasonable factor of should be smoothed and cleaned by using withstanding the cushion effects of the safety. tires and springs. a fine file . The break or distance between With this type of bearing the mounting these points when opened, due to the cam In addition to this we have the matter may be taken down any number of times action should be between 15 and 20 thou­ of alignment. As the frame twists and even by a novice without fear of difficulty sandths of an inch. The spark plugs bends under the shocks and distortions of in reassembling. This really means that should be · occasionally inspected and the road, the shafts and mountings are the construction is absolutely fool proof. cleaned, and the gap, or distance between more or less distorted, causing undue strain the points should be about 20 thousandths on the bearings and gears. It has been noted that the flexible rollers ofan inch. are hollow, therefore, they have a very In all other types of anti-friction bear­ great capacity for oil_ Further~ore, _the It is very important that the battery be ings whether roller or ball, there is pre­ spirals are alternated in the bearing nght given a periodical inspection to ascertain sented an absolutely rigid contact between and left. This insures the oil being dis­ if the plates are covered by the electrolyte the inner and outer race and it is between tributed all over the bearing. (the fluid within the battery). Pure rain these races that the shocks are necessarily or distilled water should be added to make transmitted. The rollers being hollow give an oppor­ up for any Joss, due to evaporation; never tunity for grit and dirt that accumulates The Hyatt Quiet Bearings present a flex­ to work through the slots of the rollers to add acid to the battery without first con­ ible contact. It is right here that this sulting a battery expert. the center, hence get away from the oper­ bearing performs a very distinctive service. ating surfaces where they would have a The Remy Company has prepared a de­ It cushions the severe shocks and m9unt­ tendency to grind these surfaces and cause scriptive and instructive booklet on the ings and relieves all the surrounding mech­ trouble. Starting, Lighting apparatus we are using, anism of sudden strain. Bearings of this type have been in serv­ and they will be pleased to forward a copy In addition to this, the flexible rollers to any Reo user upon application. ice other than in motor cars, in conditions adjust and minimize these distortions, which have been so bad in this regard that hence relieve all the surrounding parts. after operating for many years the center There are today over ten million Hyatt of the roller has been found absolutely Quiet Bearings performing these functions solid with foreign matter, the operating entirely unknown to the average owner, surfaces, however, being absolutely clean whenever his car is in use. and free. The ability of this type of roller to ab­ A solid roller under such conditions sorb and deaden vibrations is another feat­ would undoubtedly have ground itself in a ure of real value. comparatively short interval of time. We all know that sound is caused by vi­ Therefore, this self-cleaning feature of brations, set up by a blow, in the material the Hyatt Flexible Bearing ~s a matter ~f producing the sound. These vibrations in very material advantages in th~ condi­ turn cause the surrounding air to vibrate, tions attendant on motor car service. and such vibrations reach our ears as air As has already been stated, these advan­ waves. tages of flexibility, quietness, full line con­ This absorption is exactly the service tact, simplicity, oil capacity, e~c., are ~Je­ the flexible roller performs for the motor ments peculiar to the Hyatt Qmet Bearing R2land's Re2 and Cupid's Dart car. It cushions or deadens the sound vi­ and emanate from the fact that the roller brations that a solid or ball transmits, and is hollow and flexible. First he loosed the service brake perhaps even increases, hence it reduces It should be fully understood that in And then threw in the clutch­ the sound. Shoved the spark an inch ahead, obtaining these features there has been no Gear noises and other noises are mate­ sacrifice in principle. The principles of It didn't move- not much. rially softened or eliminated and that is the Then he looked into her eyes the Hyatt Quiet Bearing is absolutely cor­ reason the bearing has been called the rect in every particular. And sighed, Oh dear, Oh slush; "Hyatt Quiet Bearing." But with all his cunning, his caresses and Structurally the bearing differs from his gush, Full line contact has a very material ad­ other designs in the same manner as the His Reo wouldn't move an inch, it vantage over the point contact of the ball. other designs differ from each other; name­ wouldn't budge or "mush." From a practicable standpoint we get full ly, in the shape of the inner and ~:mt:r Then he got upon his ear line contact when the bearing is exactly in races. The same high class matenal 1s (Poor girl) and started to berate her; alignment with the shaft or when the used and the same accurate workmanship She, the dear, was not to blame, workmanship is absolutely perfect- a con­ maintained. As I will show you later: dition which is actually never obtained. The manufacturing processes are under For Cupid's dart had missed its mark, The Hyatt Flexible Roller will adjust it­ the most scientific control as to workman­ And pierced his carburetor! self to afford a full line contact under every ship and material, and still in addition to [The Editor assumes all blame for this. ] reasonable condition. This feature is this we have flexibility.

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries Two Triumphant Reo Models

Electric Starter, ec · tains, Mohair Slip Cover, Ventilating Horn, Extra Rim and Improved Tire Bra plete Tool and Tire Outfit.

Reo Model J-Two Tons Capacity Chaasis only, with Driver's Cab, $1,650 F. O. B. Lansing, Mich. Wheel Base, 130 or 146 inches, optional. Complete with Gas Headlights, Gas Tank, Oil Lights, Horn and Tool Outfit.

THE FRANKLIN PRESS. DETROIT

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries The Spirit of the Reo Orgahizatioh

ACH year a better Reo. How is it E that Reo defies the invariable rule that price and quality must rise and fall uniformly? The standard of excellence at the Reo factory is simply and easily stated: To build the best car that human ingenuity can produce, within the power of the men, the capital and the equipment at hand; to be a manufacturing institution all the time. The Reo organization realizes the importance of keeping the good will and confidence of the public, because there are many more years to come. Reo Motor Car Company Reo Motor Truck Cotnf:>ah)' Lansing, Michigan

Forest Parke Library and Archives - Capital Area District Libraries