Old Material Makes a Spray That Is as Good as the Manufactured Product, at Less Cost
In making a spraying outfit for garden use, or similar purposes, a 3 or 5-gal. kerosene can and tire pump may be satisfactorily employed. The latter is attached rigidly at the rear of the container with iron straps, as shown. A ball check valve is fitted in the top of the receptacle and connection is made between it and the pump with the pump hose. A 6-ft. length of ¹⁄₄-in. rubber tubing is wired to the drain cock. An 8-in. piece of ¹⁄₄-in. brass pipe is filed down and wired in the spray end of the hose to serve as a nozzle.—P. P. Avery, Garfield, N. J.
Keeping Tools Bright and Free from Rust
Bright-finished tools can be preserved against rust by coating with linseed oil, and allowing the oil to dry as a film. If more body is desired, oxide of iron, very finely powdered, should be mixed with the oil. Another antirust coating is made by dissolving ¹⁄₂ oz. camphor in 1 lb. melted lard. The mixture is skimmed, and fine graphite added to make an iron color. Clean the tools and smear with this mixture. Let the tools stand 24 hours, and rub clean with soft cloth.
A good method of removing rust is to cover the metal parts with sweet oil, rubbing it in well. Let stand 48 hours; then rub with finely powdered, unslaked lime. Next immerse the article for a few seconds in a solution of ¹⁄₂ oz. potassium cyanide in a wine glass of water. Then clean with a paste of potassium cyanide, castile soap, whiting, and water, using a toothbrush. Potassium cyanide is a strong poison, and should be used carefully.—E. Standiford, Youngstown, Ohio.
Repairing Leaks in Pipes
Frequently a cast or malleable-iron pipe fitting will leak through its side, the water oozing, drop by drop, from a pinhole—ordinarily due to a sand hole in the casting. Sometimes the leak can be stopped by hammering the affected spot with the ball end of a hammer. If this fails, it is necessary to replace the fitting. Where the leak is around a thread, screwing the pipe or fitting tighter constitutes the only, and usually effective, corrective.—L. A. Merton, St. Louis, Mo.
Corn Popper Made from Coffee Can and Broom Handle
A Corn Popper Made from a Coffee Can, or Similar Tin Receptacle, and a Piece of a Broom Handle