Disk Talking Machine as China-Banding Wheel
A serviceable wheel for banding hand-painted china may be had by adapting a disk talking machine for the purpose. Three old records are placed on the wheel, so as to bring the surface of the upper one slightly higher than the center pin. The piece of china to be banded is set on the exact center of the disk, with the rings on the record as a guide, and the brush may be rested on the arm of the machine. Care must, of course, be taken not to injure the talking machine.—Mrs. W. Read Elmer, Bridgeton, N. J.
Emergency Collar Button
Requiring a collar button, and, as usual, having no extra one on hand, I devised the holder shown in the illustration. It proved to be better than a collar button for use at the back of the neckband. It was bent into shape from a hairpin and has the advantage of keeping the collar fixed with little chance of becoming unfastened.—William S. Thompson, Hopkinsville, Ky.
Making a Coasting Toboggan
By A. M. PARKER
Essentials of a good toboggan, whether for coasting or use in transportation, are strength and lightness, and when it is to be made in the home shop, the construction must be simple. That shown in the [illustration], and detailed in the [working sketches], was designed to meet these requirements. The materials for the toboggan proper and the forms over which it is bent, may be obtained at small expense.
Smoothness of finished surface, freedom from tendency to splinter, and ability to stand up under abuse being requisite qualities in the wood used to make a toboggan, three varieties may be mentioned in their order of merit: hickory, birch, and oak. Birch is softer than hickory and easily splintered, but acquires an excellent polish on the bottom. Oak stands bending well, but does not become as smooth on the running surface as close-grained woods. Do not use quarter-sawed oak because of the cross-grain flakes in its structure.
While the best toboggan is made of a single board, both the securing of material and its construction are rather difficult. Narrow strips are easily bent to shape, but do not make a durable article. A toboggan made of four boards is practical. The mill bill for one 7¹⁄₂ ft. long by 16 in. wide and for the bending frame, is as follows: