Anyone with a power boat can construct a blower for the whistle very cheaply. The whistle is attached to a suitable length of pipe, threaded on each end. The blower is made of two white-pine boards, 1 in. thick, cut as shown at A; a thin piece of leather is cut like the pattern B, to form the bellows part, and after it is shaped, the edges of the boards are glued and the leather placed in position, where it is fastened with tacks driven in about 1 in. apart. The bellows are fastened to the under side of a seat with screws, and a tension spring is attached to the bottom of the bellows and the floor of the boat. A cord is fastened to the lower board of the bellows and run up through to the cabin roof over suitable pulleys to a handle within convenient reach of the operator.—Contributed by John I. Somers, Pleasantville, N. J.
Filling In Broken Places on Enamel
Ordinary putty will not do to fill in cracks or broken spots on an enameled surface, such as a clockface. Fine sealing wax is much better, as it hardens at once, takes color without absorbing the oil, and does not shrink like putty. Use a wax of the proper color to match the surface as closely as possible. Fit it in and smooth with a warm, flexible piece of metal, such as a palette knife. Give it one or two coats of thin color to exactly match the other surface, and varnish. If the article has not a high polish, the gloss of the varnish can be cut a little with pumice stone.
A Twisting Thriller Merry-Go-Round
By R. E. EDWARDS
“Step right up; three twisting thrillers for a penny—a tenth of a dime!” was the familiar invitation which attracted customers to the delights of a homemade merry-go-round of novel design. The patrons were not disappointed, but came back for more. The power for the whirling thriller is produced by the heavy, twisted rope, suspended from the limb of a tree, or other suitable support. The rope is cranked up by means of the notched disk A, grasped at the handle B, the car being lifted off. The thriller is stopped when the brakeplate I rests on the weighted box L.
The Supporting Ropes are Wound Up at the Disk A, the Car is Hooked into Place, and the Passengers Take Their Seats for a Thrilling Ride, Until the Brakeplate I Rests on the Box
Manila rope, ³⁄₄ in. or more in diameter, is used for the support, and is rigged with a spreader, about 2 ft. long, at the top, as shown. The disk is built up of wood, as detailed, and notches, C, provided for the ropes. The rope is wound up and the car is suspended from it by the hook, which should be strong, and deep enough so that it cannot slip out, as indicated at H.
The car is made of a section of 2 by 4-in stuff, D, 10 ft. long, to which braces, E, of 1 by 4-in. stuff are fastened with nails or screws. The upper ends of the pieces E are blocked up with the centerpiece F, nailed securely, and the wire link G is fastened through the joint.