Part 119 (1/2)

** How to Make an Ironing-Board Stand [429]

Secure some 1 by 3-in. boards, about 3 ft. long, and plane them smooth. Cut the two pieces A and B 30 in. long and make a notch in each of them, about one-third of the way from one end, 1 in. deep and 3 in. long. These

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ironing-Board Stand]

notches are to receive the piece D, which has a small block fastened to its side to receive the end of the brace C. The brace C is 36 in. long. The upper ends of the pieces A, B and C are fastened to a common ironing board by using iron hinges as shown in Fig. 1. As the piece D is fitted loosely, it may be removed and the brace, C, with the legs, A and B, folded up against the board.

--Contributed by Bert Kottinger, San Jose, Cal.

** A Home-Made Electric Plug [430]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plug]

A plug suitable for electric light extension or to be used in experimenting may be made from an old electric globe. The gla.s.s is removed with all the old composition in the bra.s.s receptacle, leaving only the wires. On the ends of the wires, attach two small binding posts. Fill the bra.s.s with plaster of paris, and in doing this keep the wires separate and the binding-posts opposite each other. Allow the plaster to project about 3/4 in. above the bra.s.s, to hold the binding-posts as shown.

--Contributed by Albert E. Welch, New York.

** How to Make an Electric Fire Alarm [430]

On each end of a block of wood, 1 in. square and 1 in. long, fasten a strip of bra.s.s 1/4 by 3 in., bent in the shape as shown in the sketch at A, Fig; 1. These strips should have sufficient bend to allow the points to press tightly together. A piece of beeswax, W, is inserted between the points

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fire Alarm Device]

of the bra.s.s strips to keep them apart and to form the insulation.

A binding post, B, is attached to each bra.s.s strip on the ends of the block of wood. The device is fastened to the wall or ceiling, and wire connections made to the batteries and bells as shown in the diagram, Fig. 2. When the room becomes a little overheated the wax will melt and cause the bra.s.s strips to spring together, which will form the circuit and make the bell ring. Each room in the house may be connected with one of these devices, and all on one circuit with one bell.

** Home-Made Boy's Car [430]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Boys' Home-Made Auto]

The accompanying cut shows how a boy may construct his own auto car. The car consists of parts used from a boy's wagon and some old bicycle parts. The propelling device is made by using the hanger, with all its parts, from a bicycle. A part of the bicycle frame is left attached to the hanger and is fastened to the main board of the car by blocks of wood as shown. The chain of a bicycle is used to connect the crank hanger sprocket to a small sprocket fastened in the middle of the rear axle of the car. The front axle is fastened to a square block of wood, which is pivoted to the main board. Ropes are attached to the front axle and to the back part of the main board to be used with the feet in steering the car. To propel the auto, turn the cranks by taking hold of the bicycle pedals. --Contributed' by Anders Neilsen, Oakland, Cal.

** Photographs in Relief Easily Made [431]

Relief photographs, although apparently difficult to produce, can be made by any amateur photographer. The negative is made in the usual way and,

[Ill.u.s.tration: Reproduced from a Relief Photograph]

when ready for printing, a positive or transparency is made from it in the same manner as a lantern slide or window transparency, says the Sketch, London. Use the same size plate as the negative for the transparency. To make the print in relief place the positive in the frame first with the film side out and the negative on top of this with the film side up in the usual manner.

Put in the paper and print. This will require a greater length of time than with the ordinary negative on account of printing through double gla.s.s and films. In using printing-out papers care should be taken to place the printing frame in the same position and angle after each examination.

** Wireless Tip [431]

Place the transmitting instruments of a wireless outfit as close together as possible.