This entire outfit, not including the anvil and vise, may be purchased new for about $20.00, so we have not been extravagant.
Magnet-winding Reel.—Some little preparation must be made, so we may be enabled to handle our work by the construction of mechanical aids.
First of these is the magnet-winding reel, a plan view of which is shown in Fig. [2]. This, for our present work, will be made wholly of wood.
Select a plank 1½ inches thick and 8 inches wide, and from this cut off two pieces (A), each 7 inches long, and then trim off the corners (B, B), as shown in Fig. [4]. To serve as the mandrel (C, Fig. [2]), select a piece of broomstick 9 inches long. Bore a hole (D) in each block (A) a half inch below the upper margin of the block, this hole being of such diameter that the broomstick mandrel will fit and easily turn therein
Place a crank (E), 5 inches long, on the outer end of the mandrel, as in Fig. [3]. Then mount one block on the end of the bench and the other block 3 inches away. Affix them to the bench by nails or screws, preferably the latter.
On the inner end of the mandrel put a block (F) of hard wood. This is done by boring a hole 1 inch deep in the center of the block, into which the mandrel is driven. On the outer face of the block is a square hole large enough to receive the head of a ⅜-inch bolt, and into the depression thus formed a screw (G) is driven through the block and into the end of the mandrel, so as to hold the block (F) and mandrel firmly together. When these parts are properly put together, the inner side of the block will rest and turn against the inner journal block (A).
The tailpiece is made of a 2" × 4" scantling (H), 10 inches long, one end of it being nailed to a transverse block (I) 2" × 2" × 4". The inner face of this block has a depression in which is placed a V-shaped cup (J), to receive the end of the magnet core (K) or bolt, which is to be used for this purpose. The tailpiece (H) has a longitudinal slot (L) 5 inches long adapted to receive a ½-inch bolt (M), which passes down through the bench, and is, therefore, adjustable, so it may be moved to and from the journal bearing (A),[p. 17] thereby providing a place for the bolts to be put in. These bolts are the magnet cores (K), 6 inches long, but they may be even longer, if you bore several holes (N) through the bench so you may set over the tailpiece.