Fig. 47. Pieces of racing automobile
A square hole was cut through the centre of each of these disks with a knife, and they were then put together with glue and brads, making a very serviceable grooved pulley, which was slipped over the shaft and fitted over the square part in the centre. As it was a snug fit no glue was necessary, and the square part prevented the pulley from slipping on the shaft. The forward axle was made 33⁄4 inches long, 1⁄4 of an inch square, except at the ends, where for a distance of 5⁄16 inch it was rounded, 1⁄4 inch in diameter. This completed the wheels, axles, and transmission pulley.
The chassis, or frame, which supports the body, consists of two pieces of 3⁄16-inch basswood 8 inches long and 1⁄2 inch wide, with a 1⁄4-inch hole drilled 1⁄4 inch from each end. The floor of the auto, on which the body rests, is 1⁄8-inch basswood 6 × 31⁄2 inches, and it binds the whole machine together, giving it strength and rigidity, but it must not be fastened in place until the structure is ready for assembling.
The hood is simply a box 31⁄4 inches long, 21⁄2 inches wide, and 11⁄4 inches high without a bottom. The top piece may be left unfastened, if desired, with two cleats on the under side to hold it in position. The hood then becomes an available place to keep small articles, tools, etc.
The body of the automobile is composed of five pieces: the two sides of the shape shown at b, the dash-board, to which they are fastened with brads, the seat, and the back. This body can be taken off and replaced by other bodies, made to represent roadsters, touring cars, limousines, etc.
A block of 1⁄4-inch basswood 3⁄4 inch square is fastened to the dash-board. This block has a 3⁄16-inch hole drilled through it at an angle of forty-five degrees, and into this hole is glued the steering-gear, consisting of a basswood stick, whittled to 3⁄16 inch diameter, with a 1⁄8-inch wheel 11⁄4 inches in diameter fastened at the top, d.
The method of assembling is important. First, insert the front and rear axles through the holes or bearings in the chassis, or frame; then nail the floor to the frame with 3⁄8-inch brads. This gives a rigid structure to work on, the front edge of the floor being even with the forward ends of the frame. Now screw into the under side of the floor, 11⁄4 inches from the front end, a 1⁄2-inch screw eye or screw hook, or even a flat-head nail. This is to hold one end of the rubber band which is to supply the motive power.
The hood may now be put together and fastened even with the front of the machine by nailing it from the bottom with brads. The body is put on by nailing the two sides to the dash-board, and the dash-board to the hood. The seat and seat-back are afterward put in place with brads and the steering-gear glued in position against the dash-board.
The wheels should be put on last of all. Before placing them in position, slip two or three new rubber bands over the screw hook under the car, and tie the free end to the driving pulley so tightly that the cord will not slip on the pulley.
The front wheels are fastened to the axles by 1⁄2-inch flat-head wire nails, and worked until they revolve freely on these pivots; the flat head holds the wheel on.