Primer, brown enamel.—A hard, quick drying enamel used for painting parts of horse collars, draft springs, et cetera.
Sal Soda, Bicarbonate of Soda.—A saturated solution of soda and water makes an alkaline solution that will not rust. The solution must be saturated, that is, at least 20% or one-fourth pound of soda (6 heaping spoonfuls to one cup of water). This solution is an effective solvent of powder fouling and should always be used after firing, whether metal fouling solution is to be used or not. It reduces the labor of cleaning with oil alone by more than half. Used also in a weaker solution (one-half pound to 8 quarts of water) in washing surfaces to be painted and to remove dirt and grease.
Soap, H. & H.—A neutral naphtha soap used in washing blankets, web and cloth equipment. Applied in the form of a solution (one cake to 9 cups of hot water). If for any cause this soap is not obtainable, a good laundry soap (ivory or equal) may be used, but in no case should yellow soap containing a large percentage of alkali be used.
Soap, castile.—An alkaline soap used in cleaning leather equipment. Applied on a moistened sponge.
Soap, saddle (Hollingshead).—A soap used as a dressing for leather equipment. Applied with a thick lather on a moistened sponge.
Swabbing solution, contains.—Ammonium persulphate, 60 grains or one half spoonful smoothed off. Ammonia 28%, 6 oz. or ⅜ of a pint or 12 spoonfuls. Water, 4 oz. or ¼ pint or 8 spoonfuls. Dissolve the ammonium persulphate in the water and add the ammonia. Keep in a tightly corked bottle. Pour out only what is necessary at a time and keep the bottle corked.
TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES.
In the repair of all equipment, it is literally true that “a stitch in time saves nine,” and that a timely repair will save the entire article.
Tool Kits will be kept complete and serviceable; edges of cold chisels free from nicks; drifts and punches properly shaped immediately after using; and files kept clean.
To prevent unscrewing, copper wire is used to lash nuts and other threaded parts which are not secured by split pins.