Brookfields Lad
master brummie
Yes. Gordon was the workshop foreman, I remember him well.
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Hi Bob, sorry to bother you again, just wondering if you could help. I’m still researching moderator edit. ... my dad Roger moderator edit..... at Smithfield. Do you know what jobs he would have done in the work shop moderator edit .............. ?
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As a car or commercial vehicle mechanic in the sixties until the mid seventies ...... moderator edit there was exposure to brake and clutch lining dust moderator edit ....... Normal practice was to blow the dust from the brake drums and clutch housing with a compressed airline with no thought to where this dust went. It was also normal practice to grind leading edges onto brake shoes to prevent brakes grabbing when applied, this was certainly the normal practice where I worked as a Coach mechanic moderator edit
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Brookfields Lad
master brummie
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Richard Dye
master brummie
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To be honest the smell of the dust didn’t bother us similar to the clouds of blue and white diesel exhaust fumes was just part of the job way before exhaust extraction and washing of brake components.
vicfarlowe
veteran brummie
At least Smithfield supplied barrier cream for the hands. Pink stuff called Rozalex? I always used it and I was only in the stores. If I remember correctly not many garages supplied it. No latex gloves in those days !
Vivienne14
Kentish Brummie
I am closing this thread for moderator review. Viv.
Vivienne14
Kentish Brummie
This thread has been closed to allow moderators to discuss its content. Posts have been edited to return the focus of the thread back to the history of the garage.
Please note the following advice from the Admin Team.
This Forum is first and foremost a history forum. It is not a place to seek information to build medical compensation cases against former employers and workplaces. Whilst we sympathise with those seeking information on behalf of anyone affected by historical work practices, the information colleagues or members of this forum can provide is subjective, is usually their personal opinion and may not be factual. Please refrain from seeking information through this site. Posts containing such information gathering will be edited. Thank you for reading this advice.
From The Admin Team
Please note the following advice from the Admin Team.
This Forum is first and foremost a history forum. It is not a place to seek information to build medical compensation cases against former employers and workplaces. Whilst we sympathise with those seeking information on behalf of anyone affected by historical work practices, the information colleagues or members of this forum can provide is subjective, is usually their personal opinion and may not be factual. Please refrain from seeking information through this site. Posts containing such information gathering will be edited. Thank you for reading this advice.
From The Admin Team
vicfarlowe
veteran brummie
I still use Swarfega and sand. Very effective. If I remember correctly Smithfield also had, by the standard of the day, very good washing facilities and the workshop had excellent equipment. I do not remember ever seeing a mechanic having to lie on the floor using axle stands unlike some garages I worked at.
Most main agents like Smithfield had good facilities but you have to remember that many of the smaller garages couldn’t afford to offer such good working conditions as they charged far lower labour rates and still do.
vicfarlowe
veteran brummie
Yes, I worked in some places where clouds of paint used to drift through the workshop and where electrical leads were plugged into wall sockets with matchsticks but that's the way it was then. You've reminded me just how many small garages there were in those days. Where did you work in those days? Which make of spanners did you prefer? You mentioning labour rates has prompted me to ask you all your opinion of the bonus system for mechanics. I know it was used at Smithfield and some mechanics were in favour but some said it encouraged not doing some tasks fully like not removing brake drums to check the condition of cylinders and shoes and blowing out brake dust.
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I started at Ryland Garage 1960 for 4 years, Stockland coaches for 3 years, Tommy Baumber but on contract to Esso then Finally Shell Mex & BP/Shell in various locations doing various jobs Retired 1996 at 50. Bedford Vanadium and Britool. Started with the cheaper then finished with Britool. Had the hex socket set to start with then the 1/2” britool later felt like the poor relative but you always bought your own hand tools. Hope i’m not going too much of thread again Admin please let me know if I am.
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vicfarlowe
veteran brummie
Do you know the name of Smithfield's Renault dealership please? I'm told it was in Marston Green.
From my days at Serck Services, if my memory serves me right, it was simply Marston Green Garage in the mid 70's then became a bodyshop only? Renault franchise moved to the garage at Bacons End / Cooks Lane in Chelmsley Wood. Long time ago!
vicfarlowe
veteran brummie
OK. Thanks very much.
Brookfields Lad
master brummie
If you go on to Facebook, you will find some ex employees on there.
Jonob
master brummie
Smithfield sold the Marston Green site in the summer of 1977 to Cheylesmore Garage of Coventry, but, they still had a garage in Warwick Rd Solihull called Broad Oaks Garage, John.
vicfarlowe
veteran brummie
I think I must have heard the name Broad Oaks all those years ago. Thanks for the info.