Sheet-Metal Stand for Flatiron
Considerable energy is consumed in lifting a heavy flatiron to the stand which protects the ironing board. The device shown in the illustration was made to overcome this objection to most flatiron stands and proved efficient as well as easy to make. The iron is shoved onto the stand at one end, provided with an incline. The layout for the sheet metal is shown in detail. The piece A is cut 4¹⁄₂ by 9 in., and the stop B, the incline C, and the leg D, are cut as shown, and bent to shape The stand is fastened near the end of the ironing board by means of screws.—Ernest Ward, Detroit, Mich.
Water-Coasting Toboggan and Slide
By D. J. HOUGH
Coasting down an incline and being projected through the air to plunge into the warm water of a summer lake, or other outdoor bathing spot, has thrills and excitement that appeal to the person seeking a new aquatic diversion. The illustration shows a slide, and the toboggan sled for use on it, that were built by a group of young men at a summer resort. While the slide shown is perhaps more extensive than most boys would care to undertake, the principle involved may be adapted easily to others one-fourth as long, less than 20 ft. The slide shown was strongly built of 2 by 4-in. material for the framework, 2 by 6-in. planks for the slide guides, and 2 by 12-in. planks for the bearing for the roller. Lighter material may be used for the guides and the roller bearing on a smaller slide, but the framework should be of 2 by 4-in. stock.
Thrills and Excitement That will Satisfy the Swimming Enthusiast and Provide a New Summer Diversion at the Lake or River may be Had from the Water Toboggan and Slide. It may be Adapted to a Smaller Size and Built by Boys. The Details of the Toboggan and the Construction of the Slide are Shown in the Sketches Above
The high end of the slide illustrated is about 7 ft. from the ground, but a proportionately greater incline is provided because the beach slopes gradually to the water’s edge. It is reached by a ladder fixed to a tree, which acts as an end brace for the slide. If no such natural support is available, the end of the slide must be strongly braced on three sides, to insure safety. It is inadvisable to build the slide unduly high to provide the necessary incline since this may result in accidents. A location where the ground is suitable should be selected rather than assume danger or risk.
The end of the slide nearest the water may be given a slight upward turn, so that when the toboggan leaves it the rider is carried upward before striking the water. The hold on the toboggan should be retained when entering the water, as injury may result by failure to clear it in the plunge. With experience a dive may be made as the toboggan leaves the slide.
The construction of the slide is shown in detail in the lower sketch. The framework of 2 by 4-in. material should be only slightly wider than the guides, and the supports should be spread toward the ground to give rigidity. The supports A should be nailed firmly, or bolted, to the horizontal members B. If lighter stock is used, the pieces at B should be nailed in pairs, one on each side of the uprights. The guides C and D should be of smooth lumber, and the edges of these pieces, as well as of the bearing plank E, should be rounded off to remove splinters. The joints in the sections of the guides should be made carefully and placed over the framework supports. They should be reinforced from the lower side by plates of wood.
The bearing plank E is of 2-in. stock and 12 in. wide. It may be made of lighter material in a smaller slide. The joints in it should likewise be made carefully, to insure smooth riding over them. They should be set directly over the framework supports, but not on those over which joints have been made in the guides. The plank forming the bearing for the roller should not extend to the end of the slide at the lower end, but should be set back about 18 in. This permits the toboggan to slide off smoothly rather than to spring directly into the air from the bearing on the rollers. The bearing plank may be nailed into place, but care must be taken to set all nails below the surface. A better construction is to use screws or bolts. Bore holes for them through the plank, countersinking their heads.
The toboggan, as shown in the detail sketches, is built strongly, and is to be fitted over the 12-in. bearing plank, allowing ¹⁄₄-in. play on each side. The sides are of 1¹⁄₄-in. stock and high enough to accommodate the rollers, which should be about 3 in. in diameter. The dimensions of 15 in. in width and 30 in. in length, on the top surface, are suggestive only, and will vary with the materials used. The toboggan will not stand the necessarily hard wear unless good-quality oak, or other hard wood, is used. The top and foot brace should be fixed strongly with screws, their heads countersunk.
The rollers are fixed in the sides by means of screws, or a bolt may be set through the length of the roller. In either case the bearing should be in holes bored through the sidepieces. Washers should be fitted at the sides of the bearings, and the latter must be kept greased. All the edges and corners of the toboggan should be rounded off so that there is little possibility of injury from slivers or contact with the edges.