The Uppers of an Old Pair of Shoes were Used to Make a Set of Toe Clips for Snowshoes
The uppers from a pair of worn-out shoes may be made into a serviceable set of toe clips for snowshoes by cutting them off, as shown in the sketch, and fitting them to the lacing of the snowshoes. The clip is fastened in place by passing the tying strap through slots in the former, under the lacing of the snowshoe, and then around the ankle in the usual manner of fastening.—Richard F. Lufkin, Dorchester, Mass.
Mounting Tracing-Cloth Drawings on Muslin
Tracings mounted on muslin will give long wear and are more satisfactory in handling than the unmounted drawings. The method of mounting them is as follows: Stretch a piece of starched muslin, slightly larger than the drawing, on a flat, smooth board, fastening it with tacks. Coat the back of the tracing with a good varnish, and place it, face down, on a flat surface so that it may partly dry and become tacky, which usually takes two hours. Place the tracing upon the stretched muslin, varnished side down, and place a smooth sheet of wrapping paper over it. Using a moderately warm flatiron, and beginning at the center of the tracing, iron toward the edges, applying moderate pressure. To remove the tracing from the cloth, it is necessary to warm the cloth with the iron and strip the tracing and cloth apart gradually.—John W. Grantland, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sandpapering Square Edges on Small Machine Bases
The woodwork of small electrical or experimental machines and devices often detracts from the workmanship because proper care is not taken in finishing the edges. To smooth off the ends of a small baseboard squarely, proceed as follows: Square up a piece of 2 by 4-in. stock, 1 ft. long; place a flat sheet of sandpaper on the bench and set the 1-ft. block on top of it, holding it in place with the left hand. Hold the piece to be squared up firmly against the block and rub it on the sandpaper. A square edge of smooth finish will result. The edges should, of course, be planed as smoothly as possible before sanding in this way.—John D. Adams, Phoenix, Ariz.
Enlarged Lantern Pictures as Guides for Scenic Painting
Scenery for an Amateur Theatrical Performance was Made by Painting Outlines Projected from a Lantern