Venting a Funnel
When using a tight-fitting funnel in a small-neck bottle, trouble is usually experienced by the air causing a spill. This can be easily remedied by splitting a match in half and tying the parts on the sides of the stem with thread.
Contributed by Maurice Baudier, New Orleans, La.
Lubricating Woodscrews
A screw may be turned into hardwood easily, by boring a small hole and lubricating the screw threads with soft soap.
To Make "Centering" Unnecessary
For drilling a hole in a chucked piece, centering is just one operation too many, if this method is followed: First, face off the end of the piece, making a true spot at least as big as the diameter of the drill. Put a center punch mark where the tool lines indicate the center of revolution. This serves as a rough guide for placing the drill between the tail stock center and the work as usual. Clamp a tool in the tool-post and, on starting the lathe, bring it in contact with the drill and keep it firmly so until the drill is in fully up to the lips. This prevents the drill from wobbling, and when once in true up to its size, it cannot change any more than under any other starting conditions. After being entered, the drill does not need the tool, which should be backed out of contact.