Apropos of the article in a recent issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine entitled “A Cedar-Lined Oak Chest,” readers who desire the advantages of a cedar-lined box or closet may accomplish it by the use of cedar oil. Painting the interior of a box with this oil will to all intents and purposes convert it into a cedar chest regardless of the kind of wood used. The cost of the oil is not great. A closet treated in the same manner will likewise keep out insects.—Robert E. M. Bain, St. Louis, Mo.
Barnyard Gate is Operated with the Foot
This Gate is Unlatched by Operating the Foot Lever as indicated. It Is a Special Convenience When One has Both Hands Occupied Carrying Pails or Bundles
A gate which can be unlatched with the foot has proven a great convenience across a path on a farm where laborers frequently pass with both hands occupied carrying pails. Pivoted to the side of the gate, near its center, a beam, or foot lever, is hung in a vertical position, extending almost to the ground and having a shelf bracket fastened to its upper end. The horizontal arm of the bracket passes beneath a porcelain knob projecting from a pivoted bar that engages the elbow catch. By pushing the vertical beam to one side with the foot the bar is raised above the catch, allowing the gate to swing open. If the gate is properly hung it will close of itself, the elbow catch serving to prevent its being opened again, except when the bar is raised.—T. C. McDowell, Adrian, Michigan.
Improvised Post-Card Projector and Enlarging Camera
By HARRY MARCELLE
An outfit which may be used for either projecting picture post cards or enlarging photographic negatives was assembled as delineated in the [illustration]. An ordinary camera, which provides the lens and bellows, is required, in combination with a dark box which can be built in the home workshop. The method of construction is this:
Make a box about 8 in. square out of ¹⁄₂-in. planed soft-wood stock. Nail the sides, but omit, for the present, the top and the bottom. The two openings thus left will be called the front and the back. Mount an 8 by 8 by ¹⁄₂-in. board, D, which constitutes a door, on the back with hinges and provide a hook to hold it shut. Cut a square hole, of the same size as that of the opening in the back of the camera which is to be used, in another 8 by 8-in. piece, E. This will constitute the front board. This front board is so cut that it fits in between the sides of the box instead of on the ends, as does the back. In the top, cut a square hole for ventilation. A hood is provided over this hole to prevent light being thrown forward.
When using the arrangement as a projector or magic lantern two 40-watt tungsten lamps, A, are required. Each lamp is mounted in a porcelain receptacle held on the floor with screws. A lamp cord, one end connecting the two lamps in multiple and the other fitted with an attachment plug, passes through a hole in the floor of the box. Form the two reflectors, B, of 8 by 7-in. bright tinned sheet-iron pieces, each having holes along one of its edges to admit of attachment. The reflectors are bent to a semicircular contour before mounting. The card holder is detailed at C. It is a piece of tinned sheet iron bent to the form shown so that it will hold a post card. A hole is drilled in its center for a screw pivot. It can then be fastened to the center of the back door and can be turned into position for either horizontal or vertical pictures. A washer is inserted on the screw between the holder and the door. The thickness of the camera body having been determined, a slide is fastened to the front board, as diagrammed, to support this body.
