Testing and Caring for Files
To test a file hold it so that the light will be reflected sharply from the teeth and observe whether their edges are flattened and appear as white lines. If so, the file is dull and should be recut if of considerable size and value.
Files should not be thrown into drawers and mixed with other tools, but should be carefully set in racks or drawers for the purpose. A mechanic would not throw a straightedge into a drawer containing other tools, and a file should be given similar consideration, as every nick in the teeth impairs the efficiency of the file.
Files may be sharpened by dipping them into sulphuric acid, but care must be taken not to permit the acid to come into contact with one’s clothes or person. Water is used to wash off the acid.
Files should be provided with individual handles. This prevents injury to the hand of the worker and aids in the proper use of the file. Handles should be carefully fitted and be made of a size proportionate to the file. In removing a handle from a file, strike the handle at the end nearest the file, by sliding a piece of hard wood along the surface of the file, as the blow is struck with it. Do not use another file or metal object in thus removing a handle, as it will injure the latter.
Catching Large Fish with a Teaspoon
Teaspoons may be made into alluring trolling spoon hooks, of a size suitable for catching large fish, by the addition of hooks, as shown in the sketch.
Drill ¹⁄₈-in. holes near the end of the spoon handle, the tip of the bowl, and near the handle of the latter.
Procure three sets of triple hooks, a line swivel, and a strip of lead, about 1 in. long. Rivet one end of the swivel and the loop of one of the triple hooks into the hole of the handle. Wire the lower end of this triple hook to the handle and with the same piece of copper wire secure a second triple hook at the thin part of the handle. Drill a hole through the lead strip and rivet it, together with a third triple hook, into the upper hole of the bowl. Fix the lower end of this hook by binding it with copper wire, through the hole near the tip of the bowl.
