Second Handle on Hoe or Rake Saves Stooping
Much of the Tiring Labor in Using a Hoe or Rake is Overcome by This Simple Homemade Attachment
Anyone who has used a hoe or rake for days at a time will appreciate the labor saved by the attachment for the handle shown in the illustration. It is adjustable to various-sized persons by means of the holes at the front end of the horizontal piece. The two parts are each made of strips joined at the middle portions, and arranged to clamp on the handle of the hoe or rake. In hoeing around shrubs and large plants, the handle may be set to one side.—A. S. Thomas, Amherstburg, Ont., Canada.
Photo-Copying Lens Increases Angle of Camera
Trying to take some indoor pictures I found the angle of my ordinary lens was insufficient to “get in” the various objects I desired. Not having a wide angle lens, I decreased the focal length of the lens by using a copying attachment. The results were quite pleasing and while there is some distortion and less of the plate is covered than usual, there is a remarkable increase in the angle of view. To obtain definition, it is necessary to stop the lens down, but the pictures are very clear.—Samuel L. Pickett, Denver, Colo.
Belt for Sprocket Drive Made of Brass Strips
Being unable to purchase a small driving chain for sprockets made by cutting out every other tooth in gears taken from a clockwork, I used a brass strip, properly punched, and found it satisfactory. The strip was .005 in. thick and the points where the holes were to be punched out were indicated by dividers set from the gears. I made a punch from a nail leaving a small center on it as shown and grinding the end to an oblong shape. I used a piece of sheet lead as a die, on which to punch the strips. The marks made by the dividers provided spots on which to set the center of the punch, making the result quite accurate.—Edward M. Davis, Philadelphia, Pa.