Preserving Paints and Pastes
White lead, thick shellac, and pastes that are used occasionally may be preserved by laying a piece of leather over the exposed surface. When these materials are kept in cans, cut a piece of leather from the upper of a heavy boot of such a size that it will drop freely into the container. Form a handle on the leather disk by driving a nail through its center from the under side. Press the disk down smoothly over the surface of the contents and a thin film of oil will soon form over the disk, effectually excluding the air. A loose cover is placed over the container, to keep out dust.—Contributed by Luther McKnight, Colorado City, Col.
A Burner for Soldering Small Work
As it was necessary for me to solder the joints of fine wires on electrical instruments, and other small work, I found myself in need of a blowpipe that gave a small but very hot and easily directed flame, was automatic in its operation and required no blast. I tried an ordinary acetylene burner on coal or city gas, and found it gave an intensely hot, nonluminous flame, due to the forced draft of air through the small holes. This flame will melt silver, copper and, also, silver solder. Its great advantage lies in the fact that it may be used for sweating together small articles rapidly and with great neatness. I always keep this blowpipe burning, as the gas it consumes is very small, and the burner is kept within easy reach by using a hanger, as shown in the illustration.
A single jet of flame is obtained by stopping up one of the tips, which is very useful in many ways. This flame may contain a small luminous spot on some city gas, but it does not interfere with the heat.—Contributed by Arthur Worischek, New York City.
A Safety-Match-Box Holder
A holder, as well as a tray, for safety matches can be made from any ordinary tobacco can. The metal on one side is cut as shown and the pieces bent up to form standards for holding the match box in an upright position. The openings left where the metal was raised are used for dropping the burned matches into the box. The hinged cover is used for emptying the tray.—Contributed by David B. Lutz, E. St. Louis, Ill.
