This Friction-Drive Cyclecar was Built in Spare Time by a Mechanic, Using Largely Makeshift Material
The front axle is of 1-in. gas pipe fitted with suitable-size solid nipples, and washers, at the bearings. The steering knuckle was made of steel shafting turned down to fit a pipe tee, set in the axle. The drive shaft is ⁷⁄₈ in. in diameter, and has a ball thrust bearing on the end. Sprocket gearing gives a ratio of 6 to 1, on high speed.—E. L. Munsen, La Conner, Wash.
Mending Aluminum Cooking Utensils
Holes in aluminum ware may be mended by plugging them with rivets as follows: Make a rivet of lead or solder, and enlarge the hole to fit the rivet tightly. Insert the rivet from the inside and back it with a piece of hard wood, or metal. Rivet the other end to fill the hole and lap over it slightly. Suitable rivets may be made by cutting a lead wire, about ³⁄₄ in. long, and of the desired diameter, on which a head is formed by riveting down the end. The wire is set in a hole in a block during this operation.—L. C. Burke, Madison, Wis.
Feeding Cards into Typewriter
Trouble is sometimes experienced in feeding cards into a typewriter, and this may be overcome by providing a paper sheet as a leader. Run the sheet of paper into the machine and feed the card in after it, lapping their adjoining edges. This prevents the edge of the card from catching on the rolls.
A California Bungalow for Canaries
An outdoor birdhouse, which has proved popular in various sizes, especially for canaries, is that with a bungalow roof, and sides of wire netting, as shown in the photograph reproduced. While a number of these houses were made in a workshop to order, the construction is so simple that boys will find considerable fun in making them, especially in framing the roof. The house shown is 18 by 28 in., and 14¹⁄₂ in. high to the eaves strip. The body of the house is made in two side and two end frames, fastened at the corners with screws. The wire is put on the frames before assembling them. A small, sliding door, of wood and wire, is provided, or one end may be made in two frames, one of which is hinged for a door. The eaves should extend at least 2¹⁄₂ inches.—H. L. Coolidge, Pasadena, Cal.