The troublesome opening of a latch hook on a gate or door, permitting intruders to enter or possibly injuring the door in the wind, can be easily overcome by fitting a small catch over the hook, as indicated in the sketch. The U-shaped locking device is cut from a piece of tin, and fastened on the screw over which the hook is set. When locked, it is pushed back over the head of the hook, and cannot be easily jarred out of place.
A Vanishing-Cuff Parlor Trick
A trick which is interesting and amusing for the entertainment of the home audience, is performed with a derby hat and a gentleman’s cuff. The effect is produced as follows: The performer takes the derby from his head and shows that it is empty. He removes one of his cuffs and drops it into the hat. He tips the hat over so that the spectators can see the inside, and the hat appears empty. He then shakes his arm, and the white cuff reappears, whereupon he places the hat back on his head. The explanation is simple: The white cuff, dropped into the hat, contains a false cuff link, and the inside of the cuff is painted black. A thread holds the cuff in shape until the latter is dropped into the hat, when the thread is broken without the spectators being aware of it. The cuff just fits into the hat, and its ends are deftly snapped beneath the hatband, the hat thus appearing empty. The duplicate cuff is kept on the forearm of the performer, and with a shake, slides into place.—Merritt Hale, Hartford, Conn.
¶A little fresh developer added occasionally to old developing solutions will bring them up in speed and intensity.
Inexpensive Table Lamp Made of Electrical-Fixture Parts
A small table lamp that is light and easily portable, can be made at a cost of less than $1 from electrical-fixture parts, either old or purchased at a supply store for the job. The base is a bracket, with its brass canopy inverted, as shown. The upright is a ¹⁄₈-in. brass pipe, and it is fitted to a standard socket. The shade holder can be made complete from a strip of tin and two wires; or adapted from a commercial shade holder used for candlesticks. Various types of shades, homemade if desired, can be used.
Wire Holders Keep Cabinet Doors Open
