A CHEAP HUB SWITCH.
No doubt every one has seen revolving wheels, stars, pyramids, spiral stairs, etc., strung with lights, and many have envied the man who had the facilities for this work; but by following these instructions they can make an appliance that will do the work perfectly.
First make a pulley wheel twelve inches in diameter; then make two circles of one-inch wood six inches in diameter; nail together and fasten in exact center of pulley; insulate the 6-inch circles perfectly.
Next take two strips of spring copper three-eighths inch wide, and make two hoops to fit snugly over the insulation and to each hoop fasten a wire eighteen inches long; then put your hoops on your 6-inch circles about one inch apart, taking care to have them even and tight.
Bore a hole through pulley wheel, and run wire from hoop nearest it through hole; then bore a hole through 6-inch circles and pulley, and run the other wire through it. Use bushings in holes, and insulate uncovered wires. Next take two pieces of copper three-eighths inch wide, six inches long, bend in half circles, attach wire to end of each, fasten to a piece of 1×2, so they will form contacts with copper bands on circles.
Fig. 1 shows band of copper, two half circles on 1 × 2, and pulley when finished.
Now suppose you want to use revolving wheel on pivot. Fasten your appliance in center of wheel, run wires from lamps to wires running through pulley and connect them; then when your wheel is in position, fasten piece of wood with two half circles so each presses tightly on one of the copper bands; connect the wires from half circles to wires from switch, and as your wheel revolves you have a steady contact.
Fig. 2 shows front of wheel, and 3 shows wheel from rear with half circles in position.
For a pyramid or such fixtures simply fasten your appliance to bottom or top as serves your purpose best.
Make your work as near perfect as possible, so the half circles never leave the bands, and exercise great care in insulating, for, while neglect does not always result disastrously it is well to be on the safe side.