If a copy of a drawing is desired, and it is not necessary that the same relative left and right position be maintained, the original pencil drawing may be placed face downward on a sheet of paper and the back of it rubbed with a bone paper knife, or other smooth, rounded object. By going over the impression and making a reverse of it in the same way a copy of the original in the same relations may be obtained.—Contributed by J. E. Pouliot, Ottawa, Canada.
Pivoted Searchlight Made of an Old Milk Strainer
By JOHN J. SPAULDING
Both as a safety device and a practical novelty, a homemade searchlight for a canoe, or other small craft, is worth while making. An old milk strainer was used for the reflector of that shown, and many equally serviceable makeshifts can be devised easily from old cans, or formed from sheet metal. The detailed construction, as indicated, is suggestive only, since local conditions and materials available will govern the design of the fittings. The light has a double control, one cord governing the vertical adjustment, and another, arranged like that of a ship’s wheel, the horizontal pivotal range. The vertical adjustment is desirable, but not essential. The control cords are run in screw eyes along the coaming of the craft, so that one person can paddle the canoe, and adjust the searchlight as well. Dry cells, stored under the bow deck, or in a box set at some other convenient place, supply the current for the 6-volt lamp.
Canoeing and Boating at Night Is Safer and More Pleasurable if the Craft is Equipped with a Searchlight. This One was Made of Pick-Up Materials at Small Cost
The Support for the Reflector is Pivoted in the Deck, Reinforced as Indicated
The main dimensions of the fittings, as detailed, are: strainer, 10 in. in diameter and 10 in. long; vertical support, 12¹⁄₂ in. over all, and 6 in. wide at the upper portion; the wood used is ¹⁄₂ and ³⁄₄ in. thick, except that for the pivot post, which is 1 in. thick. The reflector is fitted with a wooden block through which the porcelain socket is set, as shown. A knife switch, placed near the stern of the craft, controls the connection with the battery circuit.
The inside of the reflector should be polished with emery cloth, and if the surface is rough, it may be painted with white enamel. The outer surfaces of the metal part are painted black. The wooden parts may be painted, or given several coats of spar varnish, to withstand the weather.