The Boy Mechanic Part 5

[Ill.u.s.tration: Stand Attached to Table]

is pressed down against the outer notch which jams against the table, thus holding the board rigid and in such a position as to give free access for ironing dresses, etc.

--Contributed by T. L. Gray, San Francisco, Cal.

** A Desk Blotting Pad [17]

Procure four sheets of blotting paper, preferably the colored kind, as it will appear clean much longer than the white. The size of the pad depends on the size of the blotting paper.

Fold four pieces of ordinary wrapping paper, 5 by 15 in. in size, three times, to make it 5 by 5 in. Fold each one from corner to corner as shown in Fig. 1 and again as in Fig. 2. Paste the last fold together and the corner holders are complete. Put one on each corner of the blotting paper. They can be fastened with a small bra.s.s paper fastener put through the top of the holder. The blotting paper can

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 1, 2, 3 Paper Corners for Blotter Pads]

be easily changed by removing the holders and fasteners. Corners complete are shown in Fig. 3.

--Contributed by J. Wilson Aldred Toronto, Canada.

** Sleeve Holders for Lavatories [17]

A very handy article is an attachment on wash basins or lavatories for holding the sleeves back while was.h.i.+ng the hands. It is very annoying to have the sleeves continually slip down and become wet or soiled. The simple device shown herewith can be made with bent wires or hooks and attached in such a way that it can be dropped out

[Ill.u.s.tration: Wires Attached to a Lavatory]

of the way when not in use.

--Contributed by L.J. Monahan, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

** Removing Tarnish [17]

A pencil eraser will remove the tarnish from nickel plate, and the ink eraser will remove the rust from drawing instruments.

** How to Make a Bra.s.s Bookmark [18]

Secure a piece of bra.s.s of No. 20 gauge, having a width of 2-1/4 in. and a length of 5 in. Make a design similar to that shown, the head of which is 2 in. wide, the shaft 1 in. wide below the

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 1 Fig. 2 The Pattern and the Finished Bookmark]

head and the extreme length 4-1/2 in. Make one-half of the design, as shown in Fig. 1, freehand, then trace the other half in the usual way, after folding along the center line. Trace the design on the metal, using carbon paper, which gives the outline of the design Fig. 2.

With the metal shears, cut out the outline as indicated by the drawing. With files, smooth off any roughness

[Ill.u.s.tration: Drilling and Sawing the Metal]

and form the edge so that it shall be nicely rounded.

The parts of the design in heavy color may be treated in several ways. A very satisfactory treatment is obtained by etching, then coloring. Clean the metal thoroughly with pumice stone and water or with alcohol before the design is applied. Cover all the metal that is not to be lowered with a thick coating of asphaltum. Allow this to dry, then put on a second coat. After this has dried, thoroughly immerse the metal in a solution composed as follows: 3 parts water, 1 part sulphuric acid, 1 part nitric acid.

Allow the metal to remain in this solution until the exposed part has been eaten about 1/32 in. deep, then remove it and clean off the asphaltum, using turpentine. Do not put the hands in the solution, but use a swab on a stick.

For coloring olive green, use 2 parts water to 1 part permuriate of iron. Apply with a small brush.

The lines at A and B will need to be cut, using a small metal saw.

Pierce a hole with a small drill, Fig. 3, large enough to receive the saw and cut along the lines as in Fig. 4. A piece of wood with a V-shaped notch which is fastened firmly to the bench forms the best place in which to do such sawing. The teeth of the saw should be so placed that the sawing will be done on the downward stroke.

The metal must be held firmly, and the saw allowed time to make its cut, being held perpendicular to the work.

After the sawing, smooth the edges of the metal with a small file and emery paper. The metal clip may be bent outward to do this part of the work.

** Cheesebox-Cover Tea Tray [18]

The cover from a cheesebox can be converted into a tea tray that is very dainty for the piazza, or for serving an invalid's breakfast.

First sandpaper the wood until it is smooth, then stain it a mahogany color. The mahogany stain can be obtained ready prepared.

After the stain has dried, attach bra.s.s handles, which can be obtained for a small sum at an upholsterer's shop. A round embroidered doily in the bottom adds to the appearance of the tray.

--Contributed by Katharine D. Morse, Syracuse, New York.

** Piercing-Punch for Bra.s.s [19]

Drill a 1/2-in. hole through a block of pine or other soft wood 2 in. thick. Tack over one end of the hole a piece of pasteboard in which seven coa.r.s.e sewing-machine needles have been inserted. The needles should be close together and pushed through the pasteboard until the points show. The hole is then filled with melted babbitt metal. When this is cold, the block is split and the pasteboard removed. This tool makes neat pierced work and in making bra.s.s shades, it does the work rapidly.

--Contributed by H. Carl Cramer, East Hartford, Conn.

** Kitchen Chopping Board [19]

Cooks can slice, chop or mince vegetables and various other food rapidly by placing the little device, as shown, on a chopping board. Ii is an ordinary staple, driven in just far enough to allow a s.p.a.ce for the end of an ordinary pointed kitchen knife to fit in it. The staple is driven in the edge of the chopping board.

The knife can be raised and lowered with one hand, as

[Ill.u.s.tration: Knife Attached to the Board]

the material is pa.s.sed under the blade with the other. Great pressure can be applied and the knife will not slip. --Contributed by M. M. Burnett, Richmond, Cal.

** Carrying Mattresses [19]

Sew straps to the sides of mattresses and they can be handled much easier.