“The princess in the Christmas play was in need of shining armor. Half circles of tin overlapping each other not only served the purpose but were glitteringly gorgeous. The Three Kings in the play were badly in need of crowns; three oatmeal tins were beautifully fashioned into kingly headdresses for them.

“The Christmas tree was brilliant with hundreds of stars, diamonds, and crescents, and candle holders, which was the final contribution of our much sought and never failing friend, the tin can pile, as the hospital was evacuated soon afterwards.

“I have had entire charge of the work and have taught the other Aides the tin can work, as it was a most necessary thing for them to know. Many of these Aides were sent to other hospital workshops and introduced the work there.”

Mrs. Clyde M. Myers, R.A.

CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
Introduction[5]
Extract from a Letter Written from France by Mrs. Clyde M. Myers, R.A.[13]
I.Tin Cans[19]
VARIOUS KINDS OF CANS AND BOXES—PREPARING CANS FOR THE WORK—CUTTING IN AND OPENING OUT CANS AND BOXES
II.Tools and Appliances[28]
TOOL LISTS AND COSTS—LAYING OUT AND MARKING OFF WORK—SHOP APPLIANCES
III.Making a Biscuit Cutter from a Small Can[44]
CUTTING THE CAN TO SIZE FOR BISCUIT CUTTER—PUNCHING A HOLE IN TIN—FORMING THE HANDLE—FOLDING—MAKING A SUGAR SCOOP BY THE SAME METHOD
IV.Soldering[54]
SOFT SOLDER—SHEET TIN—THE PROCESS OF SOLDERING—HEATING APPARATUS—ELECTRICAL SOLDERING COPPERS—THE COMMON SOLDERING COPPER—FLUXES—TINNING THE COPPER—HEATING
V.Soldering (Continued)[71]
PREPARING A JOINT FOR SOLDERING—CLEANING AND SCRAPING—SOLDERING A PRACTICE PIECE—SOLDERING THE HANDLE TO THE BISCUIT CUTTER—A SECOND PRACTICE PIECE—ANOTHER METHOD OF APPLYING SOLDER
VI.Cooky Cutters[79]
THE PINE TREE DESIGN—CUTTING NARROW STRIPS OF TIN—BENDING TO SHAPE OVER DESIGN—SOLDERING COOKY CUTTERS—THE HANDLE
VII.Trays[86]
TURNING OVER EDGES ON ROUND TRAYS—USING THE FORMING MALLET—MAKING AN ASH TRAY AND MATCH BOX HOLDER
VIII.A Tray Candlestick[94]
THE CANDLE SOCKET—CUTTING A HOLE IN THE DRIP CUP—MAKING THE HANDLE
IX.Riveting[100]
MAKING A PAIL FROM A TIN CAN—CUTTING AWAY THE SURPLUS TIN AT THE RIM—FORMING THE LUGS FOR THE HANDLE—RIVETING THE LUGS IN POSITION—FORMING A WIRE HANDLE
X.Making a Toy Auto Truck[107]
FOUR WAYS OF MAKING WHEELS OF TIN CANS: MAKING A WHEEL FROM A CAN WITH SOLDERED ENDS—MAKING WHEELS FROM ROLLED RIM CANS—TWO TYPES OF WHEELS MADE FROM CAN LIDS
XI.Making a Toy Auto Truck (Continued)[118]
FORMING THE CHASSIS—USING THE WOODEN ROOFING FOLDER—FOLDING—USING THE VISE FOR SHORT FOLDING—USING THE HATCHET STAKE FOR FOLDING
XII.Making a Toy Auto Truck (Continued)[127]
MAKING THE HOOD AND RADIATOR—CUTTING THE VENTS—SOLDERING ON THE FILLER CAP
XIII.Making a Toy Auto Truck (Continued)[135]
THE DASH-BOARD—THE SEAT—ASSEMBLING THE TRUCK—SPRINGS—SOLDERING THE WHEELS ON THE AXLES—STRIP WASHERS
XIV.Making a Toy Auto Truck (Continued)[146]
TRUCK BODIES—DIFFERENT TYPES OF BODIES TO BE FITTED TO THE SAME CHASSIS—THE TANK TRUCK—THE STREET SPRINKLER—THE COAL OR SAND TRUCK—THE ARMY TRUCK—THE AMBULANCE—THE FIRE ENGINE
XV.Making a Toy Auto Truck (Continued)[157]
THE STARTING CRANK—THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN—MUD GUARDS AND RUNNING BOARDS—LIGHTS, TOOL BOXES, HORNS, ETC.,—DRIVERS’ CABS
XVI.Boats[166]
THE ROWBOAT—THE SAILBOAT—THE SCOW—THE TUGBOAT—THE BATTLESHIP—THE FERRY-BOAT
XVII.A Toy Locomotive[174]
THE FRAME—BOILER—CAB—WHEELS—CYLINDERS AND CONNECTING RODS—THE SMOKESTACK, STEAM DOME AND WHISTLE, SAND BOX AND HEADLIGHT—CARS—A PASSENGER CAR AND SOME OTHERS
XVIII.Simple mechanical Toys[182]
WATER WHEELS AND SANDMILLS—A SIMPLE STEAM TURBINE AND BOILER—A WINDMILL AND TOWER—AEROPLANE WEATHERVANE
XIX.Candlesticks[192]
WALL SCONCES AND A LANTERN
XX.Camp and Kitchen Equipment[195]
A COFFEE POT—BOILING PAILS—FRYING PAN—TOASTER—A CAMP SHOWER BATH—CANTEEN OR HOT WATER BOTTLE—A MATCH BOX
XXI.Preparing the Toys for Painting[200]
REMOVING SURPLUS SOLDER WITH SCRAPERS—MAKING A HOE SCRAPER—PLUMBERS’ AND ROOFERS’ SCRAPERS—SCRAPING AND FILING—BOILING THE TOYS IN A LYE BATH—VENT HOLES
XXII.Notes on Painting the Toys[206]