By attaching a handle for carrying, and making suitable connections, a portable trouble light was made of a dry battery. A strip of iron was bent to the shape shown, for the handle, and fixed to the binding post on the carbon. A bell from an alarm clock was drilled and tapped to fit a small light bulb, and fastened at the zinc post. The upper edge of the bell was bolted to the extension of the handle, as shown, leather washers insulating it. A small switch, riveted loosely to the iron strip, controls the light.—Carl A. Haberlein, McPherson, Kan.
¶Books to be stacked or carried should be arranged with the backs on alternate sides.
Pulley and Weight Exerciser Homemade in the Orient
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
When the Necessary Hardware Was Not at Hand, a Satisfactory Rigging was Made for Exercising, by the Use of Novel Substitute Materials
Finding it difficult to obtain materials for the making of a gymnastic exerciser, I made one with makeshift parts, typical of this locality. Later I was able to get the necessary hardware and made an exerciser, as shown in Fig. 1, quite similar to those manufactured commercially. The original arrangement is shown in Fig. 2. I mounted a bamboo rod on two iron brackets fastened to the wall. Small pegs provided guides for the ropes, and the smooth surface of the bamboo caused little wear. Other bamboo rods were used for the handle and to support the weights. These were made by filling cans with sand, and tying them with cords. This arrangement was quite practical, but did not give the desired freedom of movement.—M. A. Laner, Hongkong, China.
Scoop on Painter’s Knife Catches Scrapings
By fitting a sheet-metal scoop to a painter’s putty knife or wall scraper, much of the dirt and refuse resulting is caught in the receptacle instead of falling to the floor and being tracked into other rooms. The scoop is a rectangular can, and is fastened into place by small bolts fitted through the scraper.