PLAN No. 716. ICELESS REFRIGERATOR
This iceless refrigerator was made by a woman, and its cost was practically nothing. It stands in a tub of water and on the top shelf is a pan of water. A canton flannel covering should be made and hung smooth side outward, tied closely at the bottom, buttoned securely down one side, and the top laid in the pan of water with a weight to hold it. Of course, with this arrangement the cloth keeps itself continually wet with water supplied from the pan on top and from the tub in which it stands.
The central post should be substantial, with a large heavy base so that it will not tip. Two shelves 12 inches apart will hold the milk, butter, etc., and a third shelf at the top is necessary to hold the can of water. Keep the refrigerator in a shady place where air will circulate around it freely. On dry, hot days a temperature of 50 degrees can be obtained in this refrigerator if plenty of water is kept in the pan and in the tub.
PLAN No. 717. FOLDING IRONING-BOARD
This ironing-board is a step-saver. Being hinged to the wall, it is always ready and in place. It may be hooked up against the wall when not in use. The leg (braced) is hinged to the board and falls flat when the board is lifted. With it down and in use the leg is not in the way and skirts may be ironed without lifting or changing. The directions for making are as follows: The ironing-board is 57 inches long and rounded at the free end and should be made of thoroughly seasoned wood, 11⁄2 inches in thickness.
Its width at its attached end is 15 inches, at the free end 101⁄2 inches. The leg (brace) is 561⁄2 inches if the board is attached to the wall at 33 inches from the floor. If the board is higher the leg is longer. Attach the leg to the board 11 inches from its free end, by hinges.
The board should be padded with any heavy material such as cotton flannel or a blanket, and brought to the under side of the board and tacked smoothly in place. The ironing-sheet should be 4 inches wider than the board with tapes on opposite sides about 10 inches apart to tie it in place.
PLAN No. 718. SOLDERING KIT
An outfit for repair work by women in their homes is useful and will save considerable time and expense. The equipment includes a soldering iron, a small brush, a file, sandpaper or a brick to rub the iron clean and to clean the surfaces to be repaired, a porcelain or stoneware cup, and from the hardware store get 10 cents worth of muriatic acid, some zinc points, such as glaziers use, and some solder. Soldering flux is a solution of zinc in crude muriatic acid. To make it put half a teaspoonful of muriatic acid in the cup and add one zinc point. Be sure not to spill any on your clothes. It is used to tin the soldering iron and also for brushing the tin and soldering surfaces so that the solder will adhere to the tin.
While iron is heating, thoroughly clean the vessel to be mended, by scraping down to the bare metal, then brush over it with the flux. When your iron is heated, clean it free from soot or dirt with sandpaper or other means, then dip it into the flux in the cup and at the same time hold the solder to it, and the end of the iron will become covered with the solder, which is called “tinning” it. For small holes this is all the solder needed. Just touch the tinned iron to the hole and it is filled. For larger holes more solder is needed. For a still larger hole a zinc point can be laid on the hole and fluxed, then solder applied. A hot iron and clean surface will insure good work.