Needing a permanent sign to be mounted on an iron gate, I made one of metal, which is more durable and better-looking than most wooden or other common signs that the home mechanic can make. I used sheet metal and marked out the letters to cut them from the smallest possible strip, by reversing some of them. They were cut out with snips and chisels, and the edges filed smooth. The letters were then soldered to heavy wires, which were bolted to the gate by means of sheet-metal straps and bolts, as shown. The letters should be polished from time to time, especially if made from brass or copper.—Hugo Kretschmar, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Reinforcing the Ends of Rubber Handlebar Grips
The flexible rubber grips used on bicycles and motorcycles have good shock-absorbing qualities, but they have a tendency to break off at the end of the handlebar. They may be reinforced by a small stick projecting from the end of the handlebar tubing. One end of the stick is cut to fit tightly in the opening, and the other to fit the flexible end of the grip.—George M. Zimmerman, Fort Sumner, N. M.
Film Holder for Photographic Developing
The amateur photographer who uses roll film and who does his developing by the tray method, will find this device a simple and reliable means for holding the film spool while removing the film, duplex paper, autographic carbon paper, gummed labels, etc. Once the spool is properly placed in the holder, there is little danger of its dropping. The holder takes various sizes of film spools. The side fingers are ³⁄₁₆ by ³⁄₄ by 23 in. long. A small peg is set in each finger, 1¹⁄₈ in. from the end, to engage the spool. The upper ends of the fingers are nailed to a tapered block of wood, ⁷⁄₈ by 3¹⁄₄ and 2¹⁄₂ in. wide, and 8 in. long. The holder can be conveniently fastened to a wall, door casing, or to the under side of a shelf in the dark room.—John Hoeck, Alameda, Calif.
Old Sink Installed as Dish-Draining Basin
The Extra Sink Replaces the Drain Board and Does Its Work More Effectively
An added convenience for the housewife is the installation, in the place of the drain board customarily attached to the kitchen sink, of a second sink, with waste connections. Light wooden slats in the sink bottom give it all the utility of a drain board, without the danger of dishes slipping off onto the floor. A sink, of the old-fashioned kind used, can be purchased about as cheaply as a good drain board.—E. C. Blomeyer, Waco, Tex.