Compactness in transportation and general serviceableness are features of the hammock tent shown in the illustration. It is made by sewing a piece of canvas to the sides of an ordinary “dog” or shelter tent and may be made of a piece of canvas or tarpaulin. The tent is suspended by the ridge from a heavy rope supported on trees or posts. It is kept taut on the sides by tent ropes attached to stakes driven in the ground. This form of tent is particularly convenient in providing a good sleeping place in very small space. It is free from dampness, and the camper is provided with a comfortable rest free from prowling animals, without the use of a cot.—Daniel C. Duvall, Washington, D. C.
Broken Spade Handle Repaired with Water Pipe
A garden spade, or fork, broken at the handle may be repaired by joining the broken ends with a piece of old iron water pipe. The broken ends should be trimmed carefully and driven into the piece of pipe. In order to make a more secure joint, holes may be bored and countersunk at each end of the pipe and screws fixed into them. If the break is so close to the handle that the latter is useless, a new one may be made by fixing a pipe tee, with a wooden rod as a handle, to the end of the fork or spade.—George H. Holden, Chesterfield, England.
Tilting Top for Camera Tripod
The Homemade Tilting Top Is Convenient in Making Photographs at a Variety of Angles
Pointing a camera up, or down, as in photographing tall buildings with the ordinary camera tripod, is awkward and requires much time to make a satisfactory adjustment. To overcome this, a tilting top was made for the tripod, as shown in the illustration. The extra top consists of two boards hinged at one end. The lower board has a tripod socket to fit the tripod, while the upper one has a tripod screw for fastening the camera. Two metal brackets are provided, having slots through which binding screws are fitted, and clamped with wing nuts. This permits the camera to be tilted at various angles, or reversed for vertical pictures, without removing it from the tripod. Several positions are suggested and a little experimentation will give numerous other possible uses. Devices of this character may be purchased, but the one shown is easily made and serves its purpose well.—R. C. Miller, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Homemade Electric Locomotive Model
and Track System
By A. E. ANDREW
PART III—Construction of the Track
System
Operation of the electric-locomotive model described in the [previous] [articles] is feasible only with a properly constructed track system. This equipment, including curves and switches, is to be described in this, the final, article. Two functions are to be performed by the track system: It must serve as a support and guide for the locomotive and provide a path over which the current from the source of energy is supplied to the motor within the locomotive and returned to the source. On this basis, then, the construction may be divided into two parts: the mechanical and the electrical features. If the mechanical construction is not practical and accurate, the locomotive will not operate satisfactorily. The electrical connections must be given due care also.