Simple Arrangement for Releasing Camera Shutter from Distance
It is usually disappointing to the amateur photographer, when taking pictures of groups of which he is a member, not to be able to be in the pictures. However, most amateurs can construct a release arrangement, in a few minutes, that operates with satisfaction. A clothespin of the clip type is used. The spring should be weakened by bending it from the wood, so that it has just enough tension to bring the jaws of the clothespin together without a snap. Whittle the inner sides of the handles, as shown, so that the jaws accommodate the plunger of the shutter. Then saw a slot in the handles, ¹⁄₄ in. deep and ¹⁄₈ in. wide. Drill a ³⁄₁₆-in. hole in the whittled depression of one of the jaws, and cut a ¹⁄₈-in. slot to it, as shown. The small trigger piece is cut of hard wood. It should fit its slot snugly, at the other end of the pin.
The release device is operated as follows: Slip the plunger tube, with the shutter release cable, into its slot. Keeping the jaws wide open, place the trigger in the slots of the two compressed handles. It is only necessary to jerk a thread attached to the trigger to free the two handles, which in turn snap the plunger. If the tension on the jaws is too strong, put a rubber band around the handles to act as a check.—Werner W. Baumeister, Walla Walla, Wash.
A Crossbow Magazine Gun
The Arrows are Stacked in the Magazine and Fired in Succession by the Bowstring Released at the Trigger
A new type of bow gun that a boy can make, and which will give him plenty of good sport, is one of the repeating or magazine variety. To make the gun, cut a soft pine board, 40 in. long and 5 in. wide. With a saw and knife, cut the gun form as shown. Cut a groove along the top of the barrel, where the arrow will lie ready to be shot out when the hickory bow is released. The magazine holding the five arrows is made of thin boards, 24 in. long, and is held in place by four small strips. The magazine is 3 in. deep, thus permitting the five arrows to lie evenly in it without crowding. The bow is of seasoned hickory and is set into the end of the barrel. The notch in which the bowstring catches, should be cut just under the rear end of the magazine. The trigger is an L-shaped, pivoted piece, and pushes the cord off the notch when ready to fire. As soon as the first arrow leaves the gun the one just above it drops down into the groove when the bowstring is again pulled back into place behind the notch. Pressure on the trigger shoots this arrow, another takes its place, and the cord is pulled back once more. The arrows should be of light pine, 22 in. long and ¹⁄₂ in. square, the rear end notched and the front pointed. To make the arrow shoot in a straight course, and to give it proper weight, the head end should be bored with a ³⁄₁₆ in. bit, 3 in. deep, and melted lead run into the hole.—E. F. Dalton, Cincinnati, Ohio.
¶Ruling pens often work improperly, or have a tendency to cut the paper because of tiny feather edges at the points. These should be carefully honed and stropped off.