Index for Popular Mechanics Magazine on Bookshelf
As it would be impossible to keep in one’s mind all the good ideas given in Popular Mechanics Magazine, I preserve my back numbers for reference, and, to reduce the amount of index and page searching, I have adopted a convenient plan of indexing any special article to which I expect to refer. I write, on one end of a strip of paper, the page and date of issue of the article. I place these slips at the proper pages in the magazine, so as to project at the top, as shown, making reference easy. If a slip drops out, it is quickly replaced. When articles are no longer needed for reference, the slips are removed. By keeping the magazines on an open shelf they can be reached handily, for reference as well as for removing them from the shelf.—J. E. McCormack, Haliburton, Ont., Can.
Trimming Board with Foot Control and Counterweight
A trimming board with the knife operated by a pedal, leaving both hands free to handle the work, is a device appreciated by photographers, commercial artists, and others who have more or less heavy paper or cardboard to trim. An ordinary trimming board is mounted on a packing box of suitable dimensions, as shown. A pedal is hinged to the bottom of the box, and a heavy cord, or wire, runs to the handle of the knife, so that pressure on the pedal operates the knife. The latter is returned by a weighted rope, passing over a pulley attached to a standard at the rear corner.—H. F. Blanchard, New York, N. Y.
Folding Card Table Handy for Invalid in Bed
When it is necessary to serve a meal to a patient in bed, and no invalid table is at hand, use an ordinary folding card or serving table. Unfold one end over the bed, and a splendid substitute table is provided, useful for reading, games, and other purposes. If the table rests too low on the bed, adjust it with cushions. This is far more convenient than using a tray.—John P. Rupp, Norwalk, Ohio.
Morris Chair with Newspaper Rack, and Smoker’s Trays
By J. E. Bronson
A comfortable and novel after-dinner chair for the man in the household can be made by fitting a morris chair, or other armchair, with devices which appeal especially to a man. The chair shown is that of the ordinary mission morris type. It is of simple outline and can be made by the home mechanic of fair skill in furniture making. The details of its construction, while not essential to a description of the special fittings, are shown in the several working drawings. The joints used for the framework are of the common mortise-and-tenon variety. The back is a plain frame, fitted with vertical slats, and hinged to a shoulder in the back legs, as shown in the side view. For a substantial piece of furniture, oak or other hard wood should be used; as a piece of porch or summer-cottage furniture, the chair may be made of softer woods. The cushion can be made of various leathers, or upholstery fabrics. It is built over a wooden frame and is removable. The seat bottom may be paneled, and a loose cushion fitted into it, and a similar one bound with thongs to the back of the chair.