Cleaning a Clock with Kerosene Fumes
A simple way of cleaning a clock is as follows: Remove the pendulum and procure a ball of cotton wool, about half the size of a fist. Saturate this with kerosene, and place it in a saucer, or a tin lid, in the case under the works of the clock. Close the case and leave the cotton for several days. It will then be found that the fumes from the kerosene have brought down the dust from the works; in fact, the cotton will be covered with black specks. It only remains to oil the bearings of the works, and the clock will be quite in order.—S. Leonard Bastin, Bournemouth, England.
A Reversible Photographic Developing Tank
By LAWRENCE F. CAMPBELL
One of the chief difficulties in developing plates in a nonreversible developing tank is that irregular development takes place, because the developer tends to settle more or less, depending on the time necessary for complete development. The construction of a reversible tank is a simple matter, and the cost is slight. The tank described is 3¹⁄₄ by 4¹⁄₄, in. in size, but the dimensions can be varied for other sizes of plates. The tank is a box having grooves in opposite ends for the plates. By placing the latter back to back, 12 can be developed at a time. Sheet rubber is fitted between the cover and the body of the tank, and the cover, upon being screwed down, makes a water-tight compartment of the box. The asphaltum paint used is not affected by the developer, and preserves the wood. Fixing and developing may both be done in the one tank, but it is preferable to use the tank for developing only.
Assembly Views, Showing the General Construction and Detail of the Cover
The two sides are plain pieces, ¹⁄₂ by 4 by 4¹⁄₂ in. in size. The end pieces have ¹⁄₈ by ¹⁄₈-in. grooves, ¹⁄₄ in. apart and extending the length of the piece, which is ¹⁄₂ by 2¹⁄₂ by 4¹⁄₂ in. long. The grooves can be made either on a power saw, or by chiseling them out by hand. The bottom piece is ¹⁄₂ by 3¹⁄₂ by 5¹⁄₂ in. in size, with two ³⁄₈-in. holes bored to receive the bolts. The two bolt supports are ¹⁄₂ by ³⁄₄ by 1 in., and are also bored ³⁄₈ in. to receive the bolts, and are nailed to the end pieces. The cover is ¹⁄₂ by 3¹⁄₂ by 5¹⁄₂ in. long, with a slot in each end for the bolts, which are ³⁄₈ by 6-in. carriage bolts.
The Finished Tank, and Details of the Bottom, Ends, and Bolt Supports
The parts are assembled with screws, and the tank is given two coats of asphaltum paint. Care should be taken, before assembling the parts, to insure that the plates fit the grooves.