A small quantity of the cement is heated over the lamp and six drops poured on the joint; then with the end of the file, which should be heated also, it is spread to give an even, thin coating. The beveled ends of the strip are similarly treated. By working quickly and carefully, the coating on the joint and strip are brought to a plastic state by holding in the flame, and the strip is quickly laid in place. Before the cement has time to harden, press the cork in, forming a neat joint. Bind a rag around the cork, leaving it until the cement is thoroughly set.
The corked joint will be too large to go into the joining section of the instrument. File and sandpaper it to a twisting fit. Though the cork should be truly cylindrical, it may be tapered a trifle smaller at the forward end. A coating of tallow applied to the joint will make it easy-fitting, but air-tight and moisture-proof.
The pads are disks of felt incased in thin sheepskin. After long usage, they become too hard to make an air-tight fit. Repadding should, therefore, be anticipated. Shellac will give good results in putting on pads. It is heated until liquid and poured into the key recess. The new pad is pressed into the liquid shellac, care being taken to have it well centered. For different keys, it will be necessary to use varying quantities of shellac to make the pad sit higher or lower, as required.—Donald A. Hampson, Middletown, N. Y.
¶A simple method of bracing a screen door is to stretch a stout wire diagonally across the lower portion of it.
Rustic Trellis to Shade Door or Window
Rustic Trellises are Easily Constructed and When Covered with Vines Add to the Attractiveness of the Home
Proper preparation in the early spring will make it possible for the householder to shade doors and windows from the hot summer’s sun by means of inexpensive rustic trellises that add not a little to the beauty of the home. A suggestion for a trellis at a doorway and one for a window are shown in the illustration. They are made of straight tree trunks and small limbs, having the bark on them. The curved portions of the window trellis may be made easily by using twigs that are somewhat green. Morning-glories, or other suitable climbing plants, may be trained over the trellises.—J. G. Allshouse, Avonmore, Pa.
Making Scale Enlargements with a Rubber Band
For reducing or enlarging maps, and similar drawings of irregular design, the device shown in the illustration will replace the ordinary instruments, and enable the draftsman to turn out a given amount of work in much less time than required when proportional dividers are used. The materials needed are an eraser, a rubber band, two pins, two thumb tacks, and a few drops of rubber cement. From the eraser two pieces are cut, as shown in the sketch, about ¹⁄₄ by ¹⁄₂ by 1¹⁄₄ in. Cut deep slits in each end of these pieces. Insert the end of the rubber band, cut at the splice, in one of these slits and place a thumb tack in the other. A pin is thrust through the eraser and trimmed close, to prevent the thumb tack from tearing the eraser. Cement the slits with rubber cement, and place the assembled device under a book weight, until the cement has set.