Popular Mechanics 1920-11: Vol 34 Iss 5

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arn Tractor DUS] Tract sid Flying USINESS a= A Month You learn best here in this great school, now in its 14th year. The fine success of over 35,000 graduates—16 years and older proves the unlimited opportunity for your success. I make the learning easy for you to get in 6 to 8 weeks. No special schooling and no previous experienced needed. Best of Opportunities The thousands of Rahe Trained Men now im, in business for themselves in every state EER tay are always sending tome for more Rahe ‘tS trained men than I can furnish. By ‘\= coming here, you get preferred op- portunity for a good job, or for a business of your own, immedi- ately upon leaving school. Main building. Note flood daylight construction. Plenty of ventilation and fluor space. Ideal working rs ; as iy he S ch oo/ 2 Million Dollars Invested § Automobile-Tractor-Airplane Four Great buildings full of up-to-date equipment and modern real Tractor farm and Flying School grounds. Hundreds and hundreds of real Motors, Automobiles, Trucks, Tractors—all makes. And real airplanes in Flying School. Actual practice training—real tools on real machines under direction of Master Instructors. 300 Instructors and Assistants, Capacity 3,000 students. You get the best training here, and after that you have the best op- Commercial garage and repair op. Itis the most modern and best equipped garagein the country. portunity for employment at high pay. Plenty of opportunity to earn part of living expenses while in schoo : Let me send you the proof. Read my a ctor training farm. 40 acre Catalog Free catalog, or call at my office before you Sieid for actual practice in driving make arrangments to go to any School orShop. I save you time and use of tractor implements, and money, Catalog explains all. Write me your name and address. Use the coupon below—it’s handy. HENRY J. RAHE Dept. 2898 Kansas City, Mo. BIBS SE Sassansaseaaesoeoean rl Mail This Coupon i for special tuition offer and big 6%-page illustrated catalog giving proof of graduates’ success and show- ing opportunities now open. All sent FREE, 2898 i : III inthis loncaciabeadian biessincenae nade eileen eEna can iesihsneteinnAe i Rahe avartments. Living quarters i ID iiciccddinedieuns Jor students. Hotand cold water, i n G bath rooms, steam heat. Age ...Occupation ’ oe ee ee ee

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Popular Mechanics Magazine REGISTERED IN U. S. PATENT OFFICE WRITTEN SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IT ™ ' . -— — a = ———— ay VOL. 34 NOVEMBER, 1920 No. 5 —— THE SUBMACHINE GUN BY MAJOR A. B. RICHESON NEW type of automatic weapon, certain point, the wedge ceases to hold the submachine gun, which is a and unlocks the breech, and the opera- machine gun in the tion of the piece auto form of a_ pistol, is g matically continues. shortly to appear on The use of this the market in the wedge principle is con United States, and on sidered a_ signal ad- the battlefields of Eu- vance in the art of gun rope. The new appli- making. It results in a cation of a scientific weapon small enough principle has enabled to be carried under the the inventors to do coat, yet fully capable vay at one sweep of delivering a stream with all the numerous of several hundred heavy and more or less shots in a minute. Of hulky parts required ficial tests at a United for the operation of States armory, and on other existing types of target ranges, have automatic and machine proven the sturdiness, guns, reliability, accuracy, The scientific princi- and all-around satisfac- ple invoked is the force tory qualities of the of adhesion, which, gun. It has few parts, when called into play and can readily be dis by the sudden, heavy mounted without tools. bore pressure devel- Considering the au oped by the firing of a tomatic gun as a gas cartridge, causes a engine, the inventors small, specially de- of the submachine de signed wedge, to lock cided it should be oiled the breech as if in a like a gas engine, and vise. Then, when the inserted an oil pad in pressure falls below a the breech. Every time The New Automatic Machine-Gun Small in Detail in the Lower, Is Remarkable for charging a Magazine of 20 Shots in 1.2 of 50 or 100 Shots. The Breech-Locking the Firine Pressure, the Most Arm, Seen in Use in the Upper Picture and Its High Rate of Fire, in One Test Dis- Seconds. It Normally Uses Disk Magazines Mechanism Is a Simple Wedge Actuated by Significant Feature of the Gun

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642 POPULAR the bolt is kicked back by the operation

MECHANICS 32, .38, and .45, the last using the United

of the piece, the mechanism is lubricated. States Army auittomatic- pistol cartridge At the official test, 2,000 shots were fired with which very effective work has been with only one malfunction, and the last done up to 500 yd., and with a special magazine of 20 shots was fired in 1% powder, accurate work at 800 yd. The aaa New York Metropolitan F TRIGGER, Police, and several South — » ol Y oa J . nisn-arue SAFETY SPRING automatic fire from the FORE-GRIP SCREW hip no stock or sights P ; + ; ; are used. The magazine The Remarkable Simplicity of the New Submachine Gun is Revealed _* ed Phe a air , by Its Small Number of Parts, as Compared with the Ordinary Machine are of the disk type, Gun. As Explained in the Text, the Insignificant-Looking Lock, Seen in : apacitie ’ =f | : rg 6 , with capacities of 50 the Left Center, Is the Ingenious Feature of the Weapon _ _— and 100 cartridges. seconds. The tremendous rate of fire, General John T. Thompson, retired, and the demonstrated smoothness and re- formerly assistant chief of ordnance, de- liability of functioning, were attributed to veloped and perfected the submachine the combination of the simplified breech gun, and has applied its operating prin- mechanism and the oiling feature. ciple to high-power rifles and to shot- The weapon is made in calibers .22, guns. THERMOMETER OF NEW TYPE brass, half the circumference of which DESIGNED AS ORNAMENT is plainly marked off into degrees. From A thermometer is not often seen in the well-appointed parlor, library, or office, one American manufacturing concern is convinced, because the ordinary instru- and hard to read. the company ts » ducing an in- : \ ment is both unsightly Accordingly now intro teresting thermom own de . ae my maeciatt et Pr? various tees —

and attractive eter of its sign. The models The New Thermometer That Claims a Place in the Living Room by Virtue of Its Ornamental Appearance gold, old ivory, old and art metal; but the same. Each a dished disk of are finished in silver, brass, colonial brass, all are mechanically mechanism is seen as the center of the disk projects a vertical rod which carries a little flag, or vane, and so indicates the temperature. The whole is inclosed by a hemisphere of glass. GIRLS IN CANADA WILDERNESS ROW TWO HUNDRED MILES Down the wild and ragged east shore- line of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, where not a farm nor a settlement breaks the desolation, two young women of eastern Canada recently rowed 200 miles in an open boat, taking a month for the trip and making their own camp every night. The collection of fossils, in which the region is rich, was the object of the re- markable journey. A lone Indian was the only human being sighted in the en- tire distance. The daring voyagers were deposited by a steamer at the mouth of the Berens River, about midway of the lake, and from that point were wholly dependent upon their own resources.

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USE TIDE TO INSTALL HUGE STEEL BRIDGE SPAN . ; ; 4 3 x i. 9 5 | } ° | IDAL waters rise and fall with an expenditure of energy that is usually a total loss, but the engineers now engaged in building the Key Bridge over the Potomac River, from Georgetown, | D. C., to the Virginia side, recently made an interesting and successful application of their power. | ae The new bridge is to be of reinforced concrete, and its center span is 208 ft. The task of the ee builders was to place, between the center piers, the Z00-ton steel arch on which the concrete will me be laid. The problem was simply solved. Two big river scows were lashed, broadside, across the © ends of a third. and on this huge floating foundation, a high falsework of timber was erected, to © fit the curve of the steel. At the height of flood tide, this great structure was towed, as pictured lie below, to its place between the piers. As the tide went out, the ends of the arch settled gradually ; down upon their abutments, until they were firmly seated. Then the scows and their falsework were withdrawn, for use on another span. When the concrete has been placed, the steel itself, | [..; installed as the upper picture shows, will be taken away. FI i $ ) 9 i “| . ? 5 4 if % 3 } J

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G44 POPULAR MOTORIZED BICYCLE CARRIES SIDECAR FOR INVALID Improved provision for the comfort of invalids amd cripples is one form of cur- The Invalid’s Sidecar, j Spring-Seated, Fastened D to the Bicycle with Four Bolts and Easily Removable rent progress that probably owes its impetus to the great war. The old- fashioned wheel chair, laboriously hand - pushed, seems likely at last to become obsolete, as mod- ern propulsive methods are adapted to the new purpose. In a recently designed outfit, the wheel chair takes the form of a sidecar on a light steel frame, which may be attached in a few minutes, by four bolts, to a standard bicycle of either diamond or drop-frame style. Spring suspension and deep upholstering make the side seat comfortable, and if occasion demands, it may be quickly removed and a box body substituted. The addition of a motor wheel to the bicycle frame contributes the final touch of luxury and convenience for both patient and attendant. @ During the last year 1,340,000 two-year- old seedlings, chiefly Douglas fir, have been planted in the burned-over areas of the states of Oregon and Washington. MECHANICS MIRRORS PICTURE MAN’S DEATH IN GAS-FILLED WELL Foiled by a jutting rock in their ef forts to rescue a well driller from the gas-filled bottom of a 74-ft. shaft in northern Illinois a few days ago, a party of his fellow workers resorted to a strange device. A mirror and an electric light were lowered into the depths, and through a second glass, a 6-in. hand mir ror, held at the top of the opening, the awed group helplessly watched the grad- ual effect and final triumph of the deadly fumes. STEAM-BAG VULCANIZER FOR TIRE REPAIRS The end of vulcanizing troubles is fore- cast by the introduction of the steam bag which tends to supplant the air bag in this field. The new method enables a re- pairman to cure the in- side of the tire at the same time the outside cure is being made, in the same mold and all in one operation. This is a factor against over- cooked rubber or under- cure inside the tire. An additional claim is that the radiation of moist heat increases the life of the rubber. Longitudinal stretching is prevented, and this results in greater pressure against en the tire walls than is the View of the Bicycle Side of the Combination, n- CaS¢ with the air bag, lustrating the Manner in Which a Motor Wheel may be Attached to the Rear Framework which suffers a loss due to expansion in the di- rection of its length. The steam bag is inserted into the tire just as in the use of the air bag. A flexible-hose connec tion is attached, and the steam is turned into the bag by opening a valve. Any condensation in the bag after a cure 1s made is forced out through small drain- pipes. Above: The Vulcan- izing Steam Bag Complete. Right: The Method of in- |, serting the Bag into a Tire Casing

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POPULAR MECHANICS 645

Left: The Head of Paul Dardé’s Colossal Figure “‘The Faun,”’ Recently Exhibited in Paris. Right: His Masterpiece “Eternal Sorrow,” Which 1 as Formerly a Shepherd The Sculptor SCULPTOR LEAPS TO FAME nce to hail him as a new master, was led, and the FROM SHEPHERD'S HUT d romance are inextricably com artist's uteresting possession is a humbk Darde, accomplish d beginning. Paul culptured studies are Cc Tie rad tending his flocks in the es Mountains, when a 77 i-KHNOWT st found him, not long ago, and car- ed im off to Paris for a short course. declared by admirers to rival t of the great Rodin, is usually hewn the hin without , i cle ivy ordi iry store ison ) Ow 33 p old he hi ( l chis« Hy t cr ough the y . he says, onl the |e Da te, 2 d S] ke spea4re ne irded particularly i ressive e | late pieces, th ‘Eternal Sorrow,” @ An hour, was lifted 10 ft. in the on note ut n an airpl ‘d aerial caught on its rear end. ngure, re Salon. ‘The |: un,” a cigantic ly exhibited at the Pari automobile, running 60 miles air recently in Colorado, when a rope ladder hanging tr , lane, intended to pick up a acrobat riding in the car, The plane fell, its pilot escaped with bruises. Won the French National Prize. PORTABLE FLASH LAMP USING LARGE POWDER CHARGES Hleretofore 1 securing 4 2 1 oa . ¢ , scenes of parades and gatherings of any magnitude has been attended ot {] ishlhight vith consider- t able incon- | venience and trouble for the } | hotographer. Ln eXCeSSIVE charge ot pow de r quired fo the is Te- explosion ind the difficulty in or ¢ tting a proper ex- / [p< re is ip- parent. A / recent af-

overcomes the foregoing. \ 12-in. pan is attached to an 8-ft. pol In addition to this, the assistant cart i 10-volt battery, which furnishes the ¢ rent for the explosion of the pow let the pan. The charge is exploded simulta neously with the exposure, by means vitch 11 the photographe ~ i

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THRILLING EXPLOIT RESCUES CREW ag ts ee aes The Remarkable Rescue of Four Officers and 33 Men, through a Small Hole Cut in the Upended Stern of the Submarine “S-5,” is Seen in the Large Picture on the Opposite Page. The Sub’s Stern has been Made Fast to the Steamer “Atlanthus,” While the Steamer ‘“‘George Goethals,” Whose Engineers Effected the Rescue, Stands By at the Left. The Picture Just Above was Taken as the Sub Broke Its Tow and Sank, off the Delaware Capes. The Ship in the Offing Is a Naval Tender The Last of the “S-5,” Which Broke Away from the Battleship “Ohio” on the Way to | Port, and Sank in 150 Feet of Water, Shortly after the Rescue

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ew survivors of terrifying misadventure can tell a stranger ta'e th>n the crew of the United States submarine “S-5,” which, maneu- vering off the Virginia coast September 1, went into a quick practice dive at 2 p. m., and was immediately flooded through a defective air- intake valve. The hull, unbalanced, upended at an-angle of 60°, with its nose on the bottom, 165 ft. down, and its stern just above the sur- face. The crew, driven into the air-tight upper end by fumes from the flooded battery, then began in desperation the task of drilling through the thick plating with a hand tool. After hours of work in almost unbreathable air, they succeeded in making a hole large enough for the feeble and seemingly hopeless waving of a small flag. Just 25 hours from the time of the dive, the steamer “Alanthus” sighted the strange pro- jection, made fast to it, and proceeded to build a staging around it. Litt'e more could be done, however, than to pump air into the opening and await more adequate help. It came presently in the steamer “George Goethals,”” whose chief engineer vigorously attacked the knotty prob- lem with the only available tool, a ratchet breast drill. For eight hours that faithful mar- iner and his assistant wrestled with the tough steel, boring 65 holes in a space the size of a small manhole. Then the perforated fragment was wrenched away with a crowbar, and through the meager opening the four officers and 33 men of the “S-5’s” crew, after 37 hours’ imprison- ment, emerged in an exhausted procession, a full hour long.

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648 POPULAR NEW CAP AND GOWN FOR WOMEN AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY

ing OL a Cap and gown by girl under

graduates is 1 CoOncCcessioll .e<e Be granted by Oxtord [ tli- versity. Botl garments re spectia | ly suitall: ro. young dents. lhe own, which is O three qua eT is practically a sleeveles jacket | Is ver) plajgn hae flowing. id apparent j ly ql ite Coo ~ = nd comfort able. The cap is flexible, in distinct con trast to the usual troublesome and _ stitt cap, although of similar style.

MECHANICS SOUTH AMERICA A PARADISE FOR THE ORNITHOLOGIST South America is the ornithologists’ paradise on account of the teeming and highly diversified bird population. Costa Rica alone, no larger than the state of West Virginia, has more than 650 sp« cies of land birds, while in all America north of Mexico, only about 500 species have been catalogued. In Andean Colom ja an expedition of the American Mu seum of Natural History secured speci mens of over 1,150 ditterent land bird or more than twice as many as exist in the United States, Canada, and Green land. This great number of species is said to be attributable to the Andes more than to any other thing; just as, similarly, thi absence of any extensive mountain chai: \frica 1s accepted as the reason species are few in that continent. Sout! \merican birds are practically nonmigra tory, and are therefore continuously sub jected to the influences of their surround ings, and do not mix with birds fror orher localities. a \ pair ot vaks obtained in Canada are be ing crossed with Galloway cattle at the government experiment farm in Alaska, with a view to improving local stock. ‘ "2 A’ * NAVAL ATHLETES TRAIN AT SEA FOR OLYMPIC GAMES WHILE en route to the Olympic games at Antwerp, the Navy’s contingent of athletes kept in trim by constantly training in an imvrovised gymnasium on the quarterdeck of the cruiser “Frederick,” which carried them to the Belgian port. The auarterdeck was titted with rowing machines, punching bags, and the like. The shells of the rowing team were framework, so that they would not be damaged; carefully wrapped in canvas and placed in a wooden these can be seen in the middle distance,

a aaaaeieall

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POPULAR MECHANICS A Pneumatic Hand Plane, the Revolving Blades of Which are Driven at High Speed by a Rotor of the Bucket-Turbine Type, Kunning without Vibration and at Low Pressure TURBINE PRINCIPLE APPLIED TO PNEUMATIC HAND TOOLS By the application of the well-known bucket-turbine principle to pneumatic hand tools, numerous advantages are claimed, not the least of which is the ab- ence of vibration. It is said that of this character are less bulky and much lower air pressure than ordinarily used. Several types of pneumatically oper- ted planers were devised as a direct re- ilt of the war-time demand for wooden ips. One type has a revolving cutter ad for finishing wooden hulls, and with the work of 20 men with jackplanes done in a day. Another type of plane, while primarily devised for remov- ing the bark from logs used for ship tim- bers, has innumerable applications, and as its use eliminates the adz, the possi- bility of accident is greatly reduced. The turbine-driven drill and valve grinder, owing to lower pressure and greater effi- ciency, can be operated on the air supply of the average garage. also operate on can be WINDSHIELD PROTECTS FLAME ON EXPOSED CIGAR LIGHTER \ concessionaire who has his cigar nd on the pier of a western resort, where there is usually a_ strong wind, has pro- vided his cigar lighter with a windshield. The previous difficulty of getting a “light” has entire- ly disappeared, how hard wind may be blowing, the flame will not be extinguished. and regardless of the A Turbine-Driven Tool, {j = Similar to a Piane, Used . Mainly for Removing 1 Bark from Logs Left: A Hand Drill with Its Turbine Motor at the Top, Usable Also as a Valve Grinder. Right Smoothing a Log with the Trimming Plane NEW GA“ZOLINE STILLS SET RECORD FOR SIZE The gasoline sti'ls that are now being installed on the Pacific coast to relieve the gasoline shortage are the largest yet conte One of the Gigantic Gasoline Stills, Full Flat-Car Length, being Taken to the Pacific Coast to Help Relieve Its Motor-Fuel Famine constructed. An idea of their size may be gained by the fact that they extend the entire length of a flat car. Five of these tanks are 47 ft. in length and hold 40,000 gal., while the remaining eight are 42 ft. long and have a capacity of. 25,000 gallons,

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PLANTING GRAIN FIELDS BY AIRPLANE By CLEVELAND GAINES HETHER or not an agricultural airplane of the general type described in the accompany ing article becomes a practical fact is in no wise so important as the significant point of view Of tne inventor—a man who has been using planes almost daily. Doubtiess many untoreseen problems would attend such an adaptation of air craft, but that there is a strong probability of eventual utilizations of this nature will not be gainsaid by any who have followed the development of aerial service closely. Within the past month two great automobile manufacturers have ex- pressed in unhesitant tones their strong confidence in the speedy utilitarian developmen. of the airplane and their belief that many practical-purpose types will be produced in the United States. The “aerial grain sower”™ hints of these rich possibilities.—Editor. HAT the airplane, now popularly re- garded as chiefly a spectacular means of rapid transit, is destined ultimately to take & place near the top of the growing list of direct mechanical aids to agricul ture, is the firm conviction of a certain young ofhcer of the U. S. Air Service. Familiar by early training with farm re quirements, and knowing that the aver age farmer can see, as yet, no promise of help to his industry through the medium of flight, this enthusiastic airman has designed an “aerial grain sower.” Chis strange machine is an airplane of the slow-sp¢ ed tractor type, intended to sow grain at flying speed, as it passes over the field. A system of perforated metal tubes laid parallel at short intervals ex- tend from front to back of the lower wings. Out of these tubes the seed is forced by air pressure, created by the flight of the plane itself. It is calculated that the grain can be expelled in this manner with suffi- cient velocity to

bury it to.an effective depth in loose, pre pared soil. The machine will have a speed of about 40 miles an hour, which is figured on a safe margin over the landing speed. It will be able to climb toa height of two miles, but for planting it is intended to be flown only a few feet above the ground. Provision for automatic control of th air pressure which expels the seeds, in creasing it as the flying height increases is made by connection with a sen sitive aneroid barometer. But the pressure may also be controlled by the operator, by means of a hand wheel connected to a check valve. Immediately after a rain, when the soil is soft, the mini- mum pressure would doubtless be ample. The landing year is an important fea- ture of the

: a a bw gitthinn ‘ ; ° vi + r - oes - — a e 3 — ie Bias mo ae oe > i ii aia . - ent oak - eo swat ee : cig ss P32 ; a ‘ > got —~ ———<— a er Me ee * J ‘ - TUBE LEADING FROM AIR FUNNEL i a . on ( TO MAIN TUBING SYSTEM 2 = = - Ww? ws & = —. ; s a ’ | ie MARKER NOZZLE Bens

» WHICH GRAIN IS SHOT OUT BY AIR PRESSURE <+~FALLING GRAIN = ie \ NOZZLE FROM a - ig. MARKING LIME OR FERTILIZER

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one: SET ER mR. enn —— POPULAR grain-sowing machine, for there would be certain occasions when landing on plowed ground was necessary or expedient. This condition calls for wheels larger than those of ordinary airplanes, and a sub- stantial nose skid to prevent nosing over. The great ground surface that could be covered in a single flight necessitates a roomy fuselage, with capacity for a large ‘mount of grain. The plans specify an over-all length of 40 feet., and a span of 36 ft., with wings built of a strength and MECHANICS 651 depth sufficient to assure a high factor of safety. The power plant is to consist of a 150-hp. motor, using about 9 gal, of gas- oline an hour when fully loaded. Less than half this power would be needed, however, with the craft empty. According to the inventor’s figures, a row 36 ft. wide could be planted at each passage of the machine. At the end of each wing tip would be carried a special set of tubing for throwing down a thin stream of white lime, or fertilizer, if de- What the Inventor of the Special Airplane Regards as an Inevitable Development of Agriculture, the Planting of Large Grain Fields with Seed Shot Downward from the Air, is Depicted in the Illustration as It would Appear in Practice. The Uniform Distribution of the Forcibly Ejected Grain, and the Use of White Lime for Marking the Limits of Each Row, are Plainly Indicated. The Diagrammatic Front View of the Plane, at the Left, and the Plan at the Right, Give the Details of Its Design, and Reveal the Method by Which the Seeds are Expelled from Their Tubes by Air Pressure 4 $$ — ——_— “WING SURFACE 7 (s= 32) EXTRA LARGE a8 OPERATORS SEAT \ a4

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652 POPULAR sired, for a marking line to indicate the planted area. Only one of these wing tip markers need be used at one time, the other being shut off by a simple lever. In making the turns at the end of the field the entire system would be shut off, by closing the air vent to the main tubes. Wide turns would be necessary, of course, in banking close to the ground it low speed, to avoid accident. Such a machine could be built com plete, the inventor estimates, for not to exceed $3,800. Much of the costly brac ing necessary to the planes used for stunt flying could safely be eliminated in the construction of this one. Once made practical, the vast saving it would effect in time and labor is obvious. Calcula tions show.that a section of land, con taining 640 acres, could be planted in about six hours, flying at 40 miles an hour, and allowing one minute at each TOMATO-GRADING MACHINE FOR CANNING PLANTS More particular even than a human in spector, a mechanically operated tomato grader for cannery purposes turns the vegetables over so that they can be in spected on all sides as they are sorted. The tomatoes pass underneath three sets of swinging pipes; these are just heavy : if 2 ITE ena Wherery A Machine for Grading and Inspecting Tomatoes in the Cannery: The Vegetables Travel along an Endless Belt Conveyor for Inspection enough to roll the tomato over as it is carried along by a belt conveyor. An in- spector stands at each barrier and, as the tomatoes are turned over and over again, it is easily possible to detect and reject any imperfect specimens. The efficiency IECHANICS end of the field to make the turn and get lined up with the marker. The same acreage, planted with an 8-ft. drill, tray eling at the rate of three miles an hour, with one-half minute for the turn, would take one man about 22!5 ten-hour work ing days, or would require 38 men to compete with the six-hour performance of the plane. The cost of teams for sucl a wholesale sowing, and the wear, tear and breakage on 38 drills, undoubted would greatly exceed the expense of run ning the plane for six hours. Figuring on an indicated sowing capacity of 1,009 acres a day, it is evident that one ma chine could adequately serve a_ large grain-growing district, working on a co operative, or contract, basis. It is plais also that the mechanical system of such a planting plane might readily be adapted to the sowing of corn, and perhaps other kinds of seed. of the machine is such that about 80 per cent of the tomatoes are turned over on contact with the swinging barriers. SMALLEST AFRICAN PYGMIES STUDIED BY EXPLORER a Pygmies averaging but 4 ft. in height and therefore several inches smaller than any previously reported, are described b an \merican explorer who has just returned after nearly a year in central Africa. This ex ceedingly short race, be longing to the Mambuti tribe already known by reputation to anthropol ogists, 1S apelike in presumably the low-branched forests in which they live. Thi little people are said to be very brave in attack ing large native animal and will: not eat meat that is not killed in the stooped and appearance because ot hunt. They do net Ili or steal, and are strictly monogamous. The e» plorer: points out, how ever, that they are not a distinet race, but merely the smallest of a series of tribes of graduated heights all found in that region. Camera met accompanying the expedition obtained several reels of motion picture studi these peoples. ce

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POPULAR MECHANICS 653 BRICKS OF UNIFORM TEXTURE DANGEROUS ROAD IS GUARDED NOW MADE FROM SLAG BY MONUMENT Lack of uniformity in weight and tex- A Los Angeles boulevard comes to an ture, the principal obstacle to the com- end at the edge of a high embankment mercial production of

building bricks from ae = slag, now has been suc- i aa cessfully overcome by My : . = American manufactur- <i ers, and a new use is ; a created for the accum- ulations of steel-mill waste. An even, light- gray color is character- istic of th slag brick, which accepts additions of dyes or pigments in any desired shade. The trength of the bricks appears to im- a prove with ge, aS a sam- _ 1 ple six days old supported, in a test, a weight of 22,- 580 lb., while one 6 months old withstood a load of 110,- 720 1b. Im- mersion in water showed an absorption of only 8.29 per cent in 48

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| i - ; To Prevent Accidents at the Dead End of a Boulevard, the City of Los Angeles has Closed the Road with a Monumental Group to the Memory of General Harrison G. Otis. In This Rear View of the Monument, a Newsboy Crying His Wares Is the Outstanding Figure One Aspect of the Otis Monument Shows the Figures of the Deceased Soldier-Publisher and a Soldier Bear- ing the Flag. Cen- ter: The Wooden Inclosure Which Hid the Monument during Construction over a park lake; incau tious motorists have gone over several times, but with Tor tunate results. To fu ird against a repe tition of such accidents a monument to the memory of Gen. Harri- son G. Otis, distin guished as a soldier and journalist, which will completely block the end of the road, has been erected. The group 1s composed of a life-sized figure of General Otis: at his left is the figurs of a soldier, while at the right of the central fig ure is a newsboy crying his wares. The monu ment was designed by Prince Paul Troubetz- koy. General Otis, dur hours. It is stated that the production of ing his life, was owner and publisher of slag from one large steel mill may be suf- the Los Angeles Times, the plant of ficient for the daily manufacture of which was blown up several years ago 1,000,000 bricks, with the loss of a number of lives.

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654 POPULAR AUTO CHASSIS LUBRICATED BY FORCE-FEED SYSTEM Owing to the general inconvenience and unsatisfactory results that have at- tended chassis lubrication by the time- MECHANICS VACUUM CHUCK FOR MAGNETIC OR NONMAGNETIC METALS the magnetic chuck does not hold some materials that are used in manufac ture. A recent application of the vacuum pump permits the con trol of magnetic as well as nonmagnetic metals. The new design consists essentially of a chuck with a hollow cast-iron body connected by a flexible hose to a vacu um tank, the vacuum honored method of erease and oil cups a force feed system has been developed which takes care of the chassis lubrica- tion with mechanical positiveness, Phe lubricator consists of an oil reser- voir containing a number of pumps, the plungers of which are operated by Calls, The camshaft is rotated by a ratchet-and- pawl arrangement, operated by a lever on the outside of the reservoir. The device need be operated only once each week for a few seconds, Specially made flex ible pipes conduct the oil from the in dividual pumps of the lubricator to the parts of the chassis and running gear to be lubricated. The entire system is man ually operated and can be installed on any car CITY OF TERRE HAUTE ADOPTS TOWN-PLANNING SYSTEM lor taking care of the future growth and appearance of the city, Terre Haute, Ind., has adopted a planning system which will involve the construction of various civic buildings, among which is a proposed coliseum. This building will have a seating capacity of about 5,500, and it is contemplated that the basement be used as a permanent exhibition hall of the city’s industrial products. A Force-Feed Lubricat- ing System for the Au- lead coe tinltiece , tomobile Chassis: The lugs tor bolting to th« Lubricator and Oil Tank are Conveniently Mounted on the Frame, and Flexible Metallic Leads Carry the Oil to ket the Parts in Need of ; being produced by at pump. A series of small holes are drilled throug! the top face of the chuck and lead to the vacuum chamber inside. The chuck is provided wit! machine table and witha pipe connection for the flexible hose. A thin gas of rubber Or papel prevents any leakage be tween the chuck and the work, although for final Lubrication grinding this may Ix eliminated. The main body or case of the pump contains a rotor and both re volve around a stationary shaft, auto matic aircooling being provided by the revolving case. The intake of the pump 4 Above: Grinding Ma- chine with a acuum Chuck Fixed to Its Work Table. Right: The Special Pump Which Creates the Vac- uum, Self-Cooling and Valveless is through the hollow center shaft and the outlet is through an opening to the left of the center. There are no valves. @ Tourist traffic to Alaska this year reported to have broken all previo records, | | | pe es # rs

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POPULAR MECHANICS 655 The “Kitchenette” is Reduced to Its Lowest Terms The Contents of the Box Ride without Damage as a Special Place is Provided for Everything A Dining Table, Chairs, and Bed for Two Persons Are Only Part of a Recently Invented Foldine “Flat” of French Origin r “ wT, KADEL & HERBERT The Photograph at the Left Shows a Comfortable Chair and Footrest Contained in the Magic Box the View at the Right Shows How the Box of Tricks is Converted into a Dining Table, and How the Sewing Machine and Other Accessories are Stowed COMPLETE SET OF FURNITURE plentiful supply of water for cooking anid CARRIED IN SINGLE CASE toilet purposes, a complete water-suppl) system was installed. Down on the rive “Moving day” will lose its terrors When bank is a small electrically driven pum) he householder provides himself with a which elevates the water from the rive: et of furniture invented recently by a : oung Frenchman. Though the set com- irises a double bed, three chairs, table, sa 6, SADA 4 sewing machine, stove, half a dozen drawers, sideboard with dishes, and a ishtub—not to mention a score of ac- cessories it can all be collapsed and packed away in a box measuring 54 by 49 y 33 in. This can be carried conveni- ntly up and down stairs and through y door of ordinary width. During ansportation the contents of the box ? ride without damage, as each article, large or small, has its special place. . ELECTRIC PUMP FURNISHES CAMPERS WITH WATER e \long the hillsides bordering the Big — ; “0 : Thompson River in Estes Park. there is dl pay een Sue Lifts Water from a ' ’ o a Reservoir in the ountains, Whence It is ' ; STOW ing colony of cabins and cottages Distributed to Cottages Occupied by Summer Camper ‘ vhich are oceupied during the summer by to a reservoir on the side of the mountain 4 campers, In order that this small, but whence it is distributed by a pipe line to rg fourishing summer resort should have a’ the cottages below. a

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656 POPULAR A 3,000-Pound Leather Belt That will Operate Continuously Day and Night at a Speed of a Mile a Minute to Transmit 1,000 Horsepower: In This MECHANICS HIDES OF 670 STEERS MAKE WORLD’S LARGEST BELT \ Philadelphia manu facturer of leather trans mission belting has re« cently completed what i said to be the largest leather belt in the world. The finished belt weighed 3,000 Ib., or a ton and a half. In service it will operate, day and night, at a speed of a mile a min ute, to transmit 1,000 hp. The making of this huge belt required the centers or the strongest and toughest part of the tanned hides from 670 Belt Only the Centers from the Tanned Hides of 670 Steers were Used heavy steers. MOVING A GREENHOUSE A DELICATE UNDERTAKING Y moving a huge glass-inclosed green- house for a distance of 100 ft. and elevating it 22 ft. into the air, without the breakage of a single pane of glass, an eastern firm successfully accomplished one of the most ticklish contracts of their ‘long experience. The building was carefully prepared for its journey by an accurately calculated and complicated arrangement of supports and braces, for distributing the weight evenly. Longitudinal steel beams on each side supported crossbeams which bore the direct load. At the same time, special supports had to be made for the hundreds of feet of steam-heating pipes and radi- ators, benches, electric wiring, and water connections; some of the benches even contained growing plants. At the end of its 100-ft. journey the. greenhouse was elevated 22 ft. on a timber cribbing, so that a new building could be_ erected underneath. When the new structure had been completed, the old greenhouse was carefully lowered so that the roof of the former made the new floor of the latter. The curved panes of glass on the side of the roof were valued at $5 each, in a contract by which the contractor guaran teed the removal of the conservatory with out the breakage of a single pane. Five days were consumed in getting the build ing ready for the trip, and the actual mov ing and raising required another five davs. A considerable saving in time and money was made by moving the greenhouse in stead of tearing it down completely and rebuilding it. The Greenhouse, Prepared to Begin Its Voyage from the Original Location: was Broken; the Open Space on the Side Is a Hole — Not a Single Pane of Glass hich a Temporary Stovepipe was Inserted lett 9s) oe aL xB As aue tinge MR DY i es cee

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SS REMAN. eh A ill Pe TE Pong ate

| | A Lengthwise View Showing the Benches, Steam-Heating System, Wiring, and Water-Supply Lines Intact: The Interesting Method of Support- ing the Building Itself and Relieving It of Strain is Clearly Shown Sir <n ata 1

At the End of Its Journey, the Greenhouse was Elevated 22 Feet and jf Remained Supported Until a New Building had been Built Underneath; a) the Roof of the New Building Form e Floor of the Conservatory

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658 MIDGET TRIPLANE EXCELS AT ITALIAN AIR MEET Of the half dozen or more midget air- planes now being turned out by Italian manufacturers in an attempt to popular- POPULAR MECHANICS FUEL GAS MADE FROM STRAW INTERESTS GOVERNMENT Any new form of fuel receives ex- ceptional attention nowadays, and some unusual sources of power are being in- vestigated by government scien tists. Promising experiments now are being made by the Depart ment of Agriculture on the dis tillation of fuel gas from common straw, a process discovered in Canada and described in Popular Mechanics Magazine in August and November, 1918. In the small plant set up on the experimental farm at Arlington, Va., the straw of wheat, oats, barley, rye, and rice is being used, as well as cornstalks and The pur pose is to develop a form of pro- ducing plant suitable for instal lation on any farm, with which enough may be | generated cobs. gas CENTRAL Acrial Meet Held Recently near Milan, Italy. The Span Is Only 13 Feet ize flying, one of the best performers, judging from the results of recent races at Milan, Italy, is the Pensuti triplane. In the course of this competition the plane took first honors for quickness of “pull-up,” for quickness of take-off, and for controllability on the ground. It is a triplane with uniform span of 13 ft., and is powered with a 35-hp., six-cylinder engine. An interesting structural feature, making for safety in landing, is the plac- ing of the two landing wheels near the tips of the bottom planes. COMPRESSED AIR EMPLOYED TO FRACTURE GRANITE Replacing blasting powder with com- pressed air at a pressure of only 100 Ib. is the unusual method employed for frac- turing granite at a Georgia quarry. The granite bed is solid, lacking the usual ver- tical and horizontal seams, and it is necessary first to drill two 3-in. holes about 8 ft. deep, and fire small charges of black powder to start a horizontal frac- ture. Pipes are then inserted and made air-tight, and the air is then pumped in. The seemingly light pressure, really equal to 14,400 ib. per square foot, is so much greater than the weight of the 8-ft. stratum of granite, that the first hori- zontal fracture is extended in all direc- tions over an area of one or two acres, WEWS PHOTO SERVICE This Midget, Low-Priced Triplane Took Triple Honors at an for all the farmer’s power, heat- ing,and lighting requirements, in- cluding possibly his tractors and motor cars. Valuable by-products such as tar, ammonia, carbon, and fer- tilizing chemicals also are produced as residues of the distillation. In the Cana dian experiments, over 12,000 cu. ft. of gas, equal in power to 40 gal. of gasoline, was produced from one ton of straw. SHOE-SHAPED BODY OF AUTO ADVERTISES OWNER’S WARES Another addition to the large and in- teresting collection of “freak” automo- bile bodies advertises a Pacific-coast shoe business. The proprietor of the store has had a body in the form of a large shoe mounted on a light chassis. The toe is made up of a number of overlap- ping strips over the radiator to permit circulation of air. This Automobile Body in the Form of a Shoe, Strik- ingly Advertises the Owner’s Business. The Toe is Composed of Overlapping Strips over the Radiator .

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hh Pees tears 2 ARB AR tacit 2 er pt TS eet i a hahaa lated qe POPULAR MECHANICS 659 ACCIDENTAL LAKE OF GASOLINE RELIEVES LOCAL FAMINE T frequently happens that the “wind is tempered to the shorn lamb” in curious and not exactly providen- tial ways. At the height of the current gasoline famine in the far West, with indignant motorists limited to so many gallons a day, a veritable lake of the precious fluid suddenly appeared in an Oregon field. Excited residents soon drained the new pool with pails, cans, and tanks, acquiring in the aggregate several thousand gallons without fee. The strange lake, however, was not geological, but flowed from the wreckage of a railroad train containing five loaded tank cars. The wreck, said to be caused by a broken wheel, was quite disastrous, 20 cars in all going into the ditch. TRACTOR SNOWPLOW CLEARS WINTER HIGHWAYS Tractor power, applied di- rectly to a V-shaped plow, ° was found in the past season to be a highly satisfactory means of keeping highways open in winter. One Illinois concern builds the plow right around the tractor, using two 12-in. planks 15 ft. long, one above the other on edge, for each side. Their meeting Side and Rear of the Plow: The Heavy Machine Packs the Cleared Snow Solidly at the Sides point in front is reinforced sheet steel ] with a nose of and the whole is firmly d bolted to the frame ot the tractor. The nose is so irranged that it may be raised and lowered. With this out no difficultv was found i1 clearing awav snow 12 yraced Front View of the Tractor Plow Breaking through 12 Inches of , Snow: The Steel Nose and Its Raising Lever are Clearly Seen deep.

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POPULAR MECHANICS

It Is o n 3 -~- ao] ° 3 =) c os o vu = n zr) 5 3 = ° 3 zy = = os = a 1S) Ob c = o uv a rc) ee — c uv o < Distinguishes This Mammoth Completed

HUGE AUDITORIUM DEDICATED AT OLD CHAUTAUQUA CAMP A great auditorium, one of the largest, in fact, in the United States, was dedicated by a famous evangelist a few weeks ago at Winona Lake, Ind. The cost, ap proximately $80,000, was defrayed by subscriptions, largely from the religious organizations which plan to hold their future assem blies and conventions at this well- known Chautauqua camp. Though open to the breezes of summer on three sides, the build- ing is not a flimsy affair of wood, but a permanent structure of tile and steel. At one end of the gravel floor, 237 ft. wide and 367 ft. long, is the rostrum, and back of it, the stage with seats for 1,500. Over the rest of the floor are ranged the hundreds of heavy wooden benches which give the auditorium its seating capacity of 8,000 persons. HATCHING OSTRICHES IN AN INCUBATOR When the keeper at the zoo in Madison, Wis., found that he could not hatch ostriches success- fully, he promptly took the prob lem to the state university poul- try department. The keeper had been attempting to hatch the birds in the same incubator with other and smaller eggs, supposing that he could maintain an aver age temperature. This, however, was too hot for the ostriches and too cool for the other eggs, since the temperature rises twe to three degrees for every inch above the incubator tray. The hatches were always weak. At the poultry department the eggs were placed in an incubator by themselves and kept at the body temperature of the mature ostrich. When at the end of the six weeks the fertile egg hatched, the bird was as strong as if hatched in desert sand. @ Eight hundred rare chemicals necessary in laboratory work, for- merly obtainable only from Ger- many, are now made in _ the United States.

iis 1 TR Ne tl CANA my saiinarieralie” | oan

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: | ohie ieee Pe POPULAR MECHANICS 661 In the Left-Hand Illustration a Specially Designed Machine for Slicing Bales of Solid Rubber is Shown in Operation. The Photograph of the Machine at the Right Clearly Shows Its Resemblance to a Power Hacksaw. The Wave-Edged Blade Makes About 300 Strokes a Minute MACHINE SLICES RUBBER BALES LIKE BREAD Anyone who has tried to cut through any thickness of rubber, even with the sharpest knite, knows the difficulty that would be encountered in cutting a bale of crude rubber into slices. A _ recently developed machine handles, in a 10-hour day, from 60,000 to 70,000 Ib. of baled, moked sheets. It operates on the prin- ciple of a power hacksaw. The bale is held between vertical clamps, and a rec- tangular guide is provided which acts as a wedge to hold the rubber sheets apart and decrease friction on the knife. The wavy and keen-edged knife is assisted in cutting by a thin film of water conveyed from the inside of the guide by a special circulating system. Means for automatically stopping the machine, if foreign matter, such as wood or metal, is encountered by the knife, are also provided. FOUR-ROOM AUTO BUNGALOW IS TRAVELING HOME Designed primarily for a family trip to California. and back, an Illinois man’s new auto bungalow is attracting much attention because, unlike most similar contrivances, it has four rooms. The body, mounted on a light truck chassis, is 20 ft. long and 8!. ft. wide, with a commodious porch or observation plat form across the back. The structure i; high enough to give space for a bedroom over the driver’s compartment, and just hack of it are two more bedrooms, firs? and second story. The combined living and dining room has a door at the side as well as at the back, an inclosed toilet and lavatory, and all other necessary con veniences. Electric lights, a heating plant connected with the engine, and hot and cold-water supply are other interesting features. J Front and Rear Views of the Four-Room Auto Bungalow: The Forward Part. as Seen at the Left, Is Two Stories High, Containing Bedrooms, While the Spacious Rear Porch Is Visible at the Right

Page 24

Sny eB 03 PsnNoyqn[y Jay, Yyourpy Aoyy, ‘acey 3yoeA e& purziy 0} Ys! : 5 ‘ ; ape : ; q : 2 IM SsequMIeW AND 243 UsyAQ ‘jlaszy sjedoig saBu07 ON 3eID Apinig 243 Ing BING 919M ssNOYHxIIG Siqesomoy pue dood YSIH 24} YOI4YM UO UOHepUNoY a4} paWsOY [asseA Buipreg sexe] jean y :O8ed14D jo sen seqings pone ebueraan au} Ul JOUIUY Je SBuimg ay se SISBISNYUA SuyyoseA jO dnoiy e 103 ssnoyqn[D UJepow_ e MON pue ‘AINjueD YIST 243 jO woaljen ystuedg e jo uo onpoidey wea Suissiw jO 340g,, GIyg poon ayy re a “T ; ~ ene, egen te ee WHA ase nes

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“CLUBHOUSE” CARRIES AMATEUR YACHTSMEN TO RACES

: In the snug harbor formed by the d headquarters” of Chicago’s famous drainage canal, at Wilmette, IIL, there ow rides a colorful replica of the galleons at bore the buccaneers of old up and n the Spanish Main. The vessel is a 1 clubhouse, and is named the “Port of . \lissing Men.” The members of the club yA ire well-to-do business men of Chicago and vicinity who have been drawn to- ether by a common fondness for, and -kill in handling, small racing yachts. Or- 4 dinarily the “Port of Missing Men” is ; anchored in the little harbor. On days 3 when races are scheduled, however, a tug ‘ is hired, and the staid “buccaneers” are

towed in the clubhouse to the scene of he meet. Prior to the picturesque transformation, the vessel was a stanch sailing craft, 125 it. long, of the type which the high cost of crews and the competition of steam is forcing from the lakes. In the yard of the refitters, cabin space was increased by the addition of a high poop at the stern, and a large galley was installed. Below deck there was arranged a commodious lounge, lighted by antique lanterns, and furnished appropriately with benches and

REMOVABLE PORT — — IA Ltt ve eenees / TRANSOM - ra t if — ee b REMOVE PRESENT CABIN | ROOF AND WALLS, A

POPULAR MECHANICS 663 ELECTRICAL HEAT CONTROLLED BY SMALL REGULATOR For controlling the temperature and automatically shutting off the current from electrically heated steam radiators,

The Upper Illustration Shows a Compact Little Instrument for Attachment to Electri- cally Heated Devices for Turning the Current On and Off Automatically. At the Left the Regulator is At- tached to an_ Electrically Heated Steam Radiator

and tables, small regulating device has been devel- heating similar devices, a oped. The controlling instrument is said to operate at any temperature above 3 F. and on any steam or air pressure. When the desired temperature has been HINGED WOOD CASE .

; DOTTED LINES SHOW fy 4 a o sf] joown iS SLIDING PANEL IN ROOF FT TITTT j a a | ~ , ‘ 2 2 SALOON|2 x ($f) SD ggg Scat ORE MAST . $ ) concacte |~ QiZR- | > . w WS Di 3 | ; Pik yneaate) |g oleh) . NEW REMOVABLE DECKHOUSETKANVAS COVERED, prese nT MATCH : 4 4 2 4 BUILT ON OLO HATCH piPLANK TOP ‘s a \3 STOVE 43 ‘a , e Li REMOVABLE SHELF - \ IRON GUARORAN. & Lik. NEW METAL AND RIBBED WIRE-GLass LAaDOER > 4 OVER GAS ENGINE z PRESENT PUMP TRANSOM

Up ae) MAIN MAST

— a table of the heaviest oak. Aft, on the main deck, was built a saloon, with open fireplace and doors opening upon the bal- : cony at the stern.

“gp |LSAYLIGHT OVER OLD HATCH,OOTTED p< TT? PORTIONS TO BE REMOVAL E DOWN AND COVERED } Upper and Lower Deck Plans, Respectively, of the Clubhouse Ship “Port of Missing Men”: Better than Description, the Alterations That were Made, and the Vessel’s Present Arrangement The Commodious Lounge is Furnished in Heavy Oak and Lighted by Antique Lanterns

govt rv) . GALLEY [| pulle= NEW WINDOWS HINGED AT

~~ = TOP TO SwING OUT , \ NEw CEILED PARTITION NEW CEILED PARTITION ON OLD UPRIGHTS ~, | } | UP wo NOW FOLDING TABLE] 4X peal & LAVATORY “ | a] ] ‘ “Cay , NEW FOLDING TABLE FOREMAST "a T-~pRESENT PRESENT ) TIMBER CFENTERBOARD HOUSING CUT LADDER LOCKER ROOM a

_ —_ The Lettering Tells, reached the device automatically shuts off the current or turns it on when the tem- perature falls below a predetermined limit, thus economizing current.

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664 POPULAR PHOTOS OF ENORMOUS SIZE FOR MOVIE BACKGROUNDS Photographic prints of extremely large ize are being made from ordinary small Photographic Print of Los Angeles Harbor, Measuring Nine by Fourteen Feet, Enlarged by Special Process from a Four by Five-Inch Negative negatives by a process invented by a Cali fornia photographer, which retains in the magnification all the original clearness o1 detail. One such print, made from a 4 by 5-in. negative of a fleet of U. S. de- stroyers in Los Angeles harbor, measure Y by 14 ft. these immense “stills” highly \lotion-pic re producers find \ iluabl as hackgrounds for the window openings ot they nterior views rhis purpose servi more faithfully than paintings, being ac curate to life, necessary to transport the and their use makes it uw whole setting toa location oft. ri ra real back: mun q Three hundred ton of coal from sunken boat on the bottom of Lon landed coal was broug Island Sound were Bridgeport, Conn. The recently ly\¢ up from the depths of the sound -by the apparatus for the salving of sunken car goes described in the October, 1919, num- ber of Popular Mechanics MECHANICS

NEW COMMISSION TO DEVELOP NATIONAL WATER POWERS With kederal Pow Commission ready to push the develop- ment of water that are potentially than sufficient for all its industries, the United States May now look confidentl for, ard to eventual relief tron . 1 a newly created powers niore tamines and high prices of coal and oil. The new commission composed ot thy secretaries ¢ war, agriculture, and the interio1 besides conducting its vestigations and with othe pose, will own il cooperating bodies of similar put issue licenses for the construction of dams, transmi sion lines, and other items of plant; give preliminary permits for water-power study, and pre scribe rules for the conduct of licensees. <A license runs not to exceed 50 years, and provides for beginning construction within a specified time. It is estimated that the total theoretical horsepower of all streams in the United States reaches the stupendous figure ot 320,000,000, of which 54,000,000 hp. are actually available for de- velopment, while less than 5,000,- 000 hp. are now developed. The industrial plants of the country have a total capacity of but 30,- 000,000 hp., of which only about 6.000.000 hp. are ously.

continu More than 70 per cent of the available new power lies west of th Mississippi River, while more than 70 per cent of all now used is east of that line used POWERFUL SLOW-SPEED TRUCK IS DRIVEN BY STEAM Steam, generated in a locomotive-type boiler, is the 7 motive powell ot a me lorm of tive-ton highway truck designed Kkngland. A steam pressure of 200 II used, and the two cylinders, one 4-il ind the other 6°4-1n. bore, by 7-in. strok: ire normally run compound, but may b« pressure for extifa Neavy work. \ shift lever gives tv speeds, three and six miles an hour. The drive is a combination of gear and chain, and the differential on the rear be locked while traveling on soft ground. Solid-rubber 41'5-in. twin-tvpe on the rear, and 3315-in. single in front, are used. An open body, 12 by 6!'. ft., 1 combined on high axle may tires,

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POPULAR MECHANICS An English Five-Ton Steam Truck of Locomotive Type, Fitted with Solid-Rubber Tires and a 12 by 6'%4-Foot Cpen Body: The Two Cylinders may be Operated Either Compound or Both on High Pressure fitted, but the driving cab is covered, its been done away with by the use of a sim- top extending forward over the engine ple contrivance invented by the engineer nd boiler. Enough water for 20 miles in charge. This is a rack, or cradle, 10 nd sufficient fuel for 40 miles are carried. ft. long, which consists of two longitudi- ini nal strips joined by 10 crosspieces. These racks are laid en » en > [ WOODEN RACKS KEEP DRAINAGE ick ire laid el d to el d on the bottom or ‘ the trench, like the familiar duckboards of TILES IN ALINEMENT war time, as the trenching machine pro- . . ; a gresses. The tiles are then laid between The business of laying drainage tile in | . nse agthese P yey d 4 1. . “i gE: es ae the strips. In this position they are firmly wampy land is often an uncertain one, aii: de aalitiae af the tenneh ’ ° ‘é ” ock ec Vv > renlliing o ; rencn., as eventually the tiles tend to “float,” and . ; ? > : ’ 1 o lose their alinement. The trench must oe el ometimes be opened, as a result, and the @W all plasters of any desired color or tiles reset, joint to joint. In the work of degree of texture are made possible by reclaiming for horticultural purposes the use of dyed wood fiber in gypsum ome 12,000 acres of waste land near Salt plaster, according to a recent report by Lake City, however, this difficulty has the Bureau of Standards. Left: A Section of the Wooden Rack on Which the Drainage Tiles are Laid to Prevent Warping Out of Alinement. Right: Laying the Racks in the Trench Bottom, behind the Trenching Machine

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MONSTER WIRE-WOUND GUN HEAVIEST YET MADE BY F. K. KYLE Completion of a new wire-wound 16-in. gun, now being mounted on a disappear- ing carriage at Watertown ( Mass.) arse- nal, is a real event in heavy-ordnance production, for this monster rifle is the heaviest gun ever manufactured. This statement is made with care. There have been cther 16-in. rifles made for the navy, but the naval type is shorter and considerably lighter. Rifles of 18-in. caliber have also been manu- factured, but they were of a different pat- tern, and none contains so much steel as is found in the subject of this article. Other guns have been wire-wound, but they were of smaller caliber. Even the “Big Bertha” of German fame, though of considerably greater length, was only an 8-in. model, and did not approach this great rifle in weight. Work on this gun, the first of an order of eight of a similar type to be con- structed at Watervliet arsenal, N.Y., was begun the latter part of 1916, but it was glelayed during the World War be- causé of the greater demand for artillery of a smaller type, mobile artillery, or field- pieces. Ordinarily, and under most favor- able circumstances, it would take two years to construct this big gun, exclu- sive of the mount. It will be the last to be mounted on the disappearing carriage, for the advent of the airplane and drop- bombing devices makes that style of mount obsolete. The rifle, which has been the “pride of the shop” during its making, and the chief attraction for all visitors at the arsenal during the past year, is expected to have, with the present style of ammu- nition, a range of approximately 31 miles. This is about 11 miles greater than that of the first 16-in. gun in the world. which was also built at Watervliet and com- pleted in 1902. The projectile to be hurled by this new monster weapon will weigh 2,400 Ib., and a charge of 850 lb. of powder will be required for each round, giving a muzzle velocity of 2.790 ft. per second. The wire that is bound about the tube and various hoops of the rifle is not round, but % in. square, and is wound so tightly, and in so many layers, that the gun is able to withstand a pressure of 50.000 Ib. per square inch. The wire on the completed gun measures approxi- mately 280 miles in length and weighs about 40 tons, almost one-fourth of the eun’s total weight—170 tons. The total length of the rifle is 68 ft. 666 10 in., the outside diameter at the breech is 64 in., ed the inside diameter beyond the powder chamber is, of course, 16 in. This interior space permits the passage of an ordinary man through the tube. The breech mechanism of the gun is interesting, and weighs about 2,600 Ib. It is the army type, similar to that used in the 14-in. guns, model of 1910. It is operated by hand with a crank and re quires from 10 to 15 seconds to open or close. The breech mechanisms of the seven sister guns, on the same order an] in process of manufacture, will be dif- ferent, in that they will be operated by compressed air, making it possible to open or close them in about two seconds. After noting the size of this monster gun, and that its approximate cost is $226,000, it almost takes one’s breath away to learn that the “life” of the riff is measured in seconds, and only thre or four at that. For instance, not mor than 150 rounds can be fired from this gun under the most auspicious circum stances, and, counting the life of the gui as the time consumed while the projec tiles are actually passing through th rifled barrel, one must realize that pe: haps less than three seconds will be tlic answer. This computation has been made by. many arsenal engineers. wit!) some diversity in results, but the greatest shaded four seconds and the smallest was perilously close to two seconds. On account of its great weight the eur requires a special flat car for its trans portation, and then it protrudes over the end by about 20 feet. The car on which it rides has 12 wheels on each side, anid every bridge along proposed routes hs to be inspected to be sure that it will sustaip the great weight of the seacoast monster. After its assembly, the first trip of the rifle was from Watervliet arsenal to Watertown, Mass., a distance of about 200 miles, in which it passed through the Hoosac Tunnel. From Watertown the gun will be taken probably to the Aber- deen proving ground for tests. After that, if it survives the tests, it will take its place among our coast defenders. @ For the first time since the Spanish- American War, in 1898. a Spanish naval vessel is visiting in American waters. The cruiser “Alphonso XIII” left Mad- rid June 9, calling at Annapolis and New York as well as at Cuban. Mexican, and South American ports, in the interest of improved relations between the countries. Seba

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[he Monster 16-Inch Rifle on Its Special Car in the 1rds at Watervliet Arsenal, with 57 Persons Seated Its Great Barrel, and a 1'4-Inch Gun Barely Discernible beneath It The Breech of the 16-Inch Wire-Wound Rifle, with the Breech Block Open: It is Operated with a Crank, Requiring 10 to 15 Seconds. The Total Diameter of the Barrel at the Breech Is 64 Inches ger a j Looking through One Hoop of the Big Gun, a , : Part of the Long Steel Tube That is_to be a Wound with Wire Until Its Total Weight Reaches 340,000 Pounds . , | ’ a : ; fk Bc 23 Pet | eae A —_— i Lowering the Giant- Gun into Its Cradle on the Special Flat Car ; for Shipment: In Spite of Its Massive Thickness, the Great Length the Center by the Big Crane and Weight Cause a Perceptible Sag at the Ends When It is Lifted at . |

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668 POPULAR MECHANICS TRACTOR, GANG PLOW, AND BINDER USED IN TANDEM N a little sod house near Oakley, Kan., lives a farmer whose methods and machines are as ultramodern as h habitation is primitive. One of his possessions is a threshing machine. Three others are a tractor, a gang plow, and a binder, which he uses in tandem, on occasion, in the manner depicted here. As the binder harvests the wheat, the gang plow tills the parallel swath of stubble, and so makes ready the seed bed for the crop ot next year. The shocks are set upon the plowed ground. is MACHINES INVENTED TO OPEN AND BALE OILCANS Slow manual methods having proved along three sides, and then bends the ineffectual in the face of the recent flaps back into the can. This operation - — _ it can perform 36,000 times in a working day. Running from the opened can almost in stantaneously, the oil drops into a concrete sump; thence it is pumped into storage tanks, The — second machine receives the cans so emptied, and by means of a recipro cating plunger crushes them and packs them into bales of 40 each Power for this mech The Conveyor Carries the Cans of Oil into the Cutting Ma- chine, Where Knives Cut Both Ends Out, Draining the Oil into a Concrete Sump growth of the business, the work of opening and baling the thou- sands upon thousands of oileans received in San Francisco from the Orient is now being done, in part at least, by two new machines. The first gets the cans as they come from the ship’s hold, cuts the top and bottom of each ie The Empty Cans are Crushed into Bales by a Reciprocating Plunger, Driven a Worm Wheel That Takes Its Power from the Auto

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—— Pett a. POPULAR nism is supplied by a belt from a pulley n the rear wheels of an automobile which ns it so rapidly that the operator is kept sy inserting cans. MOTOR GRINDER GIVES VALVE HEAD COMPOUND MOTION fhe garageman who recognizes the entual economy of machine methods ill acknowledge the value of a newly in- oduced electric valve grinder. Consist- ¢ of a little electric motor housed in luminum, and a projecting shaft which engages with the slot in the valve head, the mechanism is not unlike a motor- driven screwdriver. It is different, how- ever, in that the shaft is given a com- pound motion. Although it slowly re- volves, in other words, it imparts to the alve head at the same time a back and forth motion through about one-quarter of a revolution. This action is controlled hy means of a trigger switch at the base Left: An Electric Valve Grinder That Turns the Valve in Its Seat, as by Hand. Right: The Grinder in Use of the handle. The machine weighs only ix pounds and can be connected to any 110-volt socket. VANILLA OBTAINED FROM WILD PIMENTO LEAVES \ccording to experiments recently per- iormed in London, the island of Jamaica inay become a new source of supply for vanilla flavoring extract. It has been found that the leaves of the wild pimento tree which grows on the island yield a high percentage of eugenol, from which vanillin, or crude vanilla, may be ob- tained. The discovery is valuable eco- nomically as well as commercially, inasmuch as iso-eugenol, the halfway product between eugenol and _ vanillin, may be made by merely fermenting the pimento leaves, where previously an ex- pensive chemical process has been used. MECHANICS 669 LATHE ATTACHMENT TURNS TAPERS AUTOMATICALLY Particularly designed for cutting and turning tapers with a minimum of wast« in both time and material, an automatic A Taper-Turning Attachment Which can be Applied to Any Hand or Automatic Screw Machine, or Screw- Cutting Lathe, for Production of Such Work as Taper Pins, Reamer Bianks, and the Like, in Quantities attachment with micrometer adjustment is a newcomer in the machine-tool field. The device is adapted for attachment to any hand or automatic screw machine, or lathe, and is specially desirable for mass production of taper pins, tailstock cen- ters, taper reamer blanks, taper drill shanks, and articles of similar nature. TURKEYS CONTROL PLAGUE OF GRASSHOPPERS Farmers in certain sections of Texas which have suffered the ravages of clouds of hungry grasshoppers, believe they have discovered in turkeys a means of controlling the plague. These fowl thrive admirably in the state, large numbers of them being raised for the market, and Turkeys Turned into a Grasshopper-Infested Field Provide an Effective Method of Control for a Costly Texas Pest by turning the birds loose in an infested field not only are the crops protected but the fowls fatten themselves at no e> pense.

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670 POPULAR MACHINE FOR CUTTING UP SEED POTATOES A large quantity of seed potatoes are cut up in the shortest possible time by a A Machine for Cutting Up Seed Potatoes: They are Fed into a Hopper, ent and Pass underneath Knives Which Cut Them into Four or Eight Pieces, Depending on Size new machine for the purpose. The pota- toes are shoveled into a hopper, from which they are conveyed endwise and one at a time underneath a_ mechanically operated plunger which cuts the potato into four pieces; if the potatoes are ex- ceptionally large, the machine can be adjusted to cut them into eight pieces. A small gasoline engine operates the ap- paratus., CHURCH USES SIGNBOARDS TO “SELL” SCRIPTURES In order to get the message of the Scriptures “across” and supplement its religious activities, a Missouri church has enlisted the aid of signboards, or “outdoor advertising,” as advertising men prefer to call it. The signs are located fe roa F - - UW feo what shell it profit H @ man tthe shall gain | the WHOLE WORLD,and lose his own SOUL? aes O) Missouri Church Uses Conspicuously Located Sign- boards for Supplementing Its Religious Activities Each Sign Bears a Striking Allegorical Illustration with Its Accompanying Lesson from the Scriptures at prominent places and each has painted on it some allegorical illustration of a scriptural lesson, MECHANICS TO GIVE BANK OF ENGLAND NEW MODERN BUILDING The Bank of England, whose ultracon servative policies have formed the basis o/ many amusing but wholl\ respectful anecdotes, about to emerge from it ancient and dignified shel! and become modernize Plans are under way fo a new and_ up-to-dat bank building to hous the multitudinous activi ties of the great financial center, and its patrot are indulging in sor speculation as to possib! changes in other visibl items. Among the pres details that appeal oddly to the western ey are the messengers 11 their long-tailed salmon coats; scarlet vests, and high hats, the porter in gold trimmed crimson, and the 36 soldiers ot the British army who form the night guard. THE INDIAN “CANDY” TREE BEARS FAIRY FRUIT We have all read the story of th: “gingerbread house” in the fairy tales Well, there is a family of trees in India that have “candy” flowers, or the next thing to it. These trees are known a the “Bassia” trees, and of the three im portant kinds, two have sugary flowe: and the third is called the “Indian butter tree.” The petals of the flowers are ric] in sugar and drop from the tree in th early morning. They are picked up by the women and children and are spread out on mats to dry in the sun. A single ree will furnish 300 Ib. of flowers in a year, When fresh, the flowers are very sweet and taste much like figs. They ar eaten fresh or cooked with rice, shredded cocoanut, or flour. The seeds of th butter tree are full of oil, and this oil is used to make a kind of butter, and also for soap and candles. @ Plans for a dirigible airship that will be the largest in the world with the e: ception of the “R-38," now building in England for the navy, are in the hands of the Navy Department. The ne aerial monster, which will be of the Zep pelin type, will cost upward of $1,750,000 ind will be 560 ft. long, Cie 7 , a ~

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ac Pg aie ~ al Nes» Vi lc BENT belieben :5 POPULAR MECHANICS 671 Takir 1 60-Year-Old Building for a Sea Voyage of Tannery for Making Leather from Fish Skins SIDECAR SCREEN GIVES REAL COMFORT TO PASSENGER 12 Miles to a New Location Where It will be Used as a The Structure was Originally Used as a Sail Loft BUILDING TAKES A TWELVE- MILE OCEAN VOYAGE \ sidecar and folding screen which pro- One of the most interesting house- the passenger trom rain, cold, and moving contracts was successfully con- nd, has made its appearance on_ the summated near Boothbay Ilarbor, Me., by ivs of England. The hood is made the removal of a large building to a new eet metal and tolds completely out location, Which requ red an “can voyage of view between the double sidewalls of of 12 miles. Phe building in old sail ‘ar, Operating on the princip loft, 60 by 30 ft., and two and a halt yp i roll-top desk, the wind tories high, was built 60 years ago and reen can be raised or lowered at the weighs over-70 tons. After the prelimi- ll of the occupant, who can see what is on Outs through a celluloid win- n front. A locking GOvice. «eae Satie the ood e¢ irely ill place nin raised position. .\ water- proot ron prevents the = en- trance of rain, cold, or wind through the gap at the bottom of the screen. When the accessory is no lor r needed it is entirely Conce iled sidecar. The only disadvantage of this new tvpe of sidecar is the head resistance when the screen is wise the operating ethciency of the i: otoreycle is unimpaired. BY Cover ¥ OF THe w ye CY * In the Upper View th ithin the body of the in the raised position; other- LONDON e Screen is Entirely Concealed within the Body of the Sidecar; the Left-Hand View Shows the Sheet-Metal Hood as It Appears Wher Raised. By Merely Pulling Down the Flexible Wir Screen and Making g Fast the Apron, as in the Illustration at the Right, the Passenger is Completely Protscted i

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672 POPULAR MECHANICS tiary work had been completed the actual voyage to the new site was made in five hours. A fisheries corporation, the own- ers of the building, will utilize it as a tannery for the manufacture of fish-skin leather. METAL “THIMBLES” AN AID TO COTTON PICKERS \ simple, thimblelike device of metal worn on the fingers of a cotton picker is claimed to increase the capacity of the worker greatly. The inside surface of the recently mar- keted “picker” has five small cleats stamped into it to give tenacity of grip. In addition to the large increase in production claimed for it, the device also prevents prick- ing of the fingers on cotton burs. The stampings can be carried in a pocket. BULLETIN BOARD FACILITATES REUNIONS OF “OUTLANDERS” A Pacific-coast town,where the number of ex-residents of other states constitutes a menace to the ‘‘native son, has erected regis- tration bulle- tins on the grounds where annual reunions of the “outland- ers” are held. Blanks are provided for the name, and the local and “back-home” addresses. Thus a visitor can learn which of his friends are on the grounds and look them up, and each bulletin is the scene of many joyful reunions between friends from the old-home town. ENORMOUS NEW CATTLE BARN HOUSES A THOUSAND HEAD Accommodation in steel stalls for 1,000 head of cattle, with running water and individual buckets at each ter of stalls is provided in a $500,000 barn, decfared to be the largest in the world, recently completed at the Minnesota state fair. brick and reinforced concrete are the structural materials af the mammoth one tory building, 400 ft. long and 235 ft. wide, which has a basement, and mez- zanine floors at the ends for herdsmen’s quarters. Huge sewage conduits and special ventilating arrangements are features of the big structure, which tak the place of eight other barns that had hecome inadequate. IMPROVED HOLDER FOR REELS OF ADMISSION TICKETS For holding the reels of tickets with which most patrons of the movies are familiar, an improved fixture has bee: brought forth. A separate axle, which is rigidl) fastened at on: end, is provided for each reel of tickets. A met arm and catcl which is dropped over the opposite end, holds the reel in place. Th: axles are ball-bearing, and one reel can be removed or inserted independently of the other. HAND-OPERATED FLASHLIGHT REQUIRES NO BATTERY A French inventor has succeeded in perfecting a flashlight that, instead of the usual battery, has a small electric generator con- cealed inside the metal case. The tiny dynamo is driven by press- ing on a_ lever which operates multiplying gears attached to the armature at a suf- ficient rate of speed to produce a strong illumination whenever the handle is pressed. The lamp can be taken apart easily for inspection or repair. ay ae en

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POPULAR MECHANICS 673

—— —— \ New Model Ambulance Plane, with Two- Berth Compartment in the Fuselage, the Upper One of Which is Seen with Its Horizontal Door Open: The Landing Gear has been Advanced to Prevent Pos- sible Nosing Over on Alighting F ie

oa ee eee ed . RAR ome a as NEW AERIAL AMBULANCE HAS vent possible nosing over on landing, the SPECIAL FUSELAGE forward landing wheels have been ad vanced 7 ft., and slight changes have \ccommodation for two stretcher pa been made in the wing angles and rela tients in the upper and lower compart tions ents of the special fuselage is the in resting structural feature of a new NEW BUMPER LOCK PREVENTS * model ambulance airplane recently tried REMOVAL OF AUTOMOBILE t at Dayton, Ohio. Horizontal full neth doors give access to the stretchet \ challenge to automobile thieves to berths, which are ventilated and lighted exercise some more of their perverted ii by windows. <A cockpit with a portable genuity in making away with other peo eat above the compartment permits the — ples’ cars is contained in a locking device medical officer to travel with his patients, that is concealed in the bumper. The making a total capacity of four passen- bumper conforms closely to the conven vers tor the DH-4-type plane. To pre- tional type, but inside the tubular section L | |

5 ACRE Nis ah os Left: The New Automobile Lock Slides In and Out of a Tubular Fender. of Which It Is a Part Center: The Curved Ends Hang Downward When the Car Is in Use. Right: The Ends are 7 Turned to Bear against the Tires and Locked, Making It Impossible to Tow or Steer the Car

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674 POPULAR are sliding rods on which are formed the curved ends of the bumper. A lock secures either of the sliding ends in any desired position and controls both ends. When the car is in use the curved ends are turned down, but when it is left standing the ends are brought up to bear against the front tires and locked, making it im possible to steer the car or even tow it away. DOUBLE-BASE LAMP PERMITS ATTACHMENT OF FIXTURES An electric-lamp globe that has a double base is the latest electrical accessory to | ' , > | stein An Electric-Lamp Globe with Two Bases That Per- mit the Attachment to It of Household Electrical Devices without Interfering with the Illumination demand the interest of consumers whose homes lack floor attachments. With the new lamp installed in a ceiling fixture, an electric fan, sewing-machine motor, or other electric device, can be connected to the lower base. Heavy lead wires, that conform to 500-watt, 115-volt specifica- tions, run through the lamp from base to base and the filament is tapped off from them. @ Landing on a long, flat ice field, recent- ly discovered on top of Mt. Rainier, Wash., 14,000 ft. high, is a feat soon to be attempted by western airmen. Lack of buoyancy and oxygen in the rarefied air is expected to make both landing and leaving difficult. IECHANICS ALASKA’S BLACK MAGNETIC SANDS ARE RICH IN GOLD Tests which have been made at the \laska station of the Bureau of Mines on samples of magnetic sand prove them to be quite rich in gold and worth treat- ing. Over 90 per cent of a 112-lb. sample examined was magnetite and garnet, both of which can be separated magnetically, Six different tests, by as many processes, were made, and it was ascertained that the best recovery was obtained by amalgama- tion in a barrel, without cyanide, and us- ing a small amount of caustic soda. The latter chemical was used as an aid in amal- gamation, and cyanide was excluded, as it was ascertained that the addition there- of, either before or during amalgamation, resulted in the loss of from 5 to 10 per cent of the metal through its solvent ac- tion. From the sample treated by this process, which weighed 14 lb., $2.27 worth of gold, 97 per cent of the total amount contained, was recovered. AUTOS TAGGED BY MOTOR “COP” WITHOUT STOPPING A western speed “cop” who is mounted on a motorcycle has evolved the latest trick of his tribe. He has a length of heavy cable, with a stout hook at one end, attached to his machine. Running alongside an offender he fastens the hook to the windshield of the car, the motor- cycle being held upright by resting the handlebars against the body. In this manner the officer can hand the offender a summons without either stopping his engine. The Newest Trick of the Speed “Cop” Consists in Hooking His Motorcycle to the Offender’s Machine While He Writes Out a Summons. In This Manner It Is Unnecessary for Either to Stop His Engine

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= lls ale aut Se re — A vag ye POPULAR MECHANICS 675 orpral HT, INTERNATIONAL GIGANTIC EXPLOSION DESTROYS LIVES AND PROPERTY IN NEW YORK UST at noon on Thursday, September 16, an explosion of tremendous violence occurred at the crowded corner of Wall and Broad streets, New York City, killing 29 persons outright, injuring hundreds of others, and causing property damage estimated at $2,000,000. The fact that metal fragments were afterward found scattered about the scene convinced the authorities that the blast was caused by a bomb, and was inten- nal. Its location was in the heart of the city’s financial district, at the very door of the government’s new assay office, next to the subtreasury, and directly across the street from the imposing office building of a bank- ing concern of international fame. The appearance of the street immediately after the explosion was inde- s ribable, and the picture gives but a faint idea of the confusion. The bodies of the victims lay everywhere, and over all was a veritable carpet of splintered plate glass, from thousands of windows. It is calculated that $600,000 will not cover the value of the glass alone, destroyed by the shock. bok a¢, 6 H y ioe rh ee 43! - antes a Let at i- ; ; baa & A igi Jd ‘A i Phd Pweey es Soi: RS i . ie AIRMAN BORROWS GASOLINE FROM TRACTOR DRIVER A’. interesting picture taken in an Illinois farmer’s field suggests an expedient in an emergency for sup- plies and gasoline, particularly along air routes of considerable extent in an agricultural country. The plane, after a successful ianding, is being furnisned with a supply of gasoline from the tractor, previovs to the co ntinuance cf its flight.

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Left: of a ee a - scot Pe sii: i The Strong Boxes as Received at the Counting Room Above: The Ticket Separator, or Jogging Machine, Which Re- ceives the Coins, Tokens, and Tickets from the Boxes by Means Conveyor, and Shakes the Metal through Sizing Screens, While the Tickets are Drawn by a Suction Fan into the Hopper at the Right. The Jogger and Fan are Driven by Individual Motors of One-Twelfth Horsepower HOW A STREET RAILWAY COUNTS ITS RECEIPTS By ALLEN P. CHILD HERE are not many of us who find it necessary to have machinery for counting the money we earn in our daily occupations. But a street railway, with its receipts hundreds of thousands of fares a day, is forced to abandon the old counting-house system of sorting and counting by hand. The company operat- ing street cars in Kansas City, Mo.. uses some interesting machinery, designed and constructed in its own plant, for sorting and counting coins, metal tokens, and paper tickets. By two o'clock in the morning the re- ceipts of the day before are entirely counted, the tokens and tickets are ready for a new round trip or destruction, and the money is sacked ready for the bank. With the single ride being sold for eight cents, tickets selling for seven cents in stated quantities, and metal tokens two for 15 cents, there is an immense daily accumulation of coins of various denom inations which would be impossible to sort and count by hand. Of the total re ceipts, 28 per cent show up as tickets, an average of about 100,000 daily, while 58 per cent are represented by 185,000 A General View of the Street-Car Company’s Cash Room: All the Currency is Counted, Checked, and Prepared for Banking at the Table on the Right, the Tickets being Weighed and Tabulated at the Left-Hand Table 676 id

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POPULAK | il tokens. The remaining 14 per cent i isist of 26,000 nickels, and 85,000 pen- d besides many coins of larger denom- tio ; starting out about one o'clock every ‘ ning, the money car makes the ; nds of the various divisions. The : k-bo magazines are removed from : he cars at the termination of their runs, : e divisions, and their contents are ed into strong boxes. Each box : ntains the fares reecived from one line. 1 the divisions the strong boxes are i. ht to the counting room. t the metal tokens and coins are ted by a machine from, the paper Co 1 along the same ti n the mining industry : ting ore this machine causes 2 ces to dt pp through a series : ertures, and the paper tickets are 1 separate container, The ma- ted by two men, one at the | l one at the till \t the \ chine, a revolving table re-

( $ t the strong box, osited in the t jogging com- rtment by being onto \ helt \ vacu- nozzle the paper cket from the vhile the 10”g- . ~ ny process 1s fO- gy on. Coins and etal tokens pass irough a screen oa we to a position where MECHANICS 677 The automatic counting machines reg- ister the number of pieces passed through mechanism, tokens, count count machines each Three while one the metal

The Motor-Driven Ticket Tabulating Machine, from Which the Tickets Go to the Weighers, and Then are Destroyed nickels and = yo nics, Coins ot larger denomi tion ire counted and bundled by hand. \fter the pieces ire counted and put into c: vas bags the ey pi through amount is cl seTIES of screens, ii \\ ¢ ] 0 ich having an senisil ca ture for one \itel co t minat mn The has ly « ‘ fi | 4 4 1 ( *kKeTS iT¢ CoO ) ii) to a hop- 110 t d c ° per te _ ‘oe . _ t »h r. re ‘losed per, trom which Two of the Machines for Counting Metal Tok« ‘ t : ‘ : hey are veighed They Record All the Pieces That Pass thré { ead sea P : et Them, Rejecting Spurious and Imperfect Ones “ . | cher ral from ‘ —() iy e106 ? <1) . e tills the coins and tokens are taken to (M1) to by ndard counting machines. The powet The ca i s r operating these machines is supplied by tokens are thro : 1 - * . , vo '42-hp. motors. One of the motor Picket che perate it 1,500 r.p.m. and drives the The paper on which th ire printed 1s uction tan, while the other operates at of a special composition 1,700 r.p.m., supplying power for the con in the fraction of an odune t| ine, eyor belt and the jogger. ‘hree hun sheet for sheet \fter the tickets have red thousand coins, tokens, and tickets been properly tabulated and the result 7 la Tye Cpat ited by these machines every checked bv veight thev are passe l on to ‘ hour nach te which destt | , . a machine Which destro tile

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678 POPULAR CONVEYOR AND SELF-MOVING LOADER REMOVE CULM HILL A coal-mining company of northern Pennsylvania recently disposed of a large MECHANICS MACHINE MAKES ACCURATE STANDARD-GAUGE BLOCKS Mass production of gauge blocks, ac- curate to within a millionth of an inch, - is made possible by a machine developed at the Bureau of Standards, This machine’ consists essentially of two thick annular disks, one at the top and one at the bot- tom, the faces of which form lapping surfaces. The gauges are held in position by a disklike frame, provided’ with holes in which the gauges are placed. This frame, in contact with the gauges at the middle of their lengths, propels them during the lapping process. The top lap is swung over and lowered on to the top ends of the gauges, resting freely but being prevented from The Shacks in the Background Marked the Foot of the Hill of Culm When turning. The spindle is the Flight Conveyor and the Self-Propelling Loader Started, Almost without Human Attention, to Remove the Pile hill of culm in a short time, despite labor shortage, by means of a flight conveyor and one of the self-propelling, self-feed- ing loaders described in Popular Mechan- ics Magazine for June, 1920. The loader first attacked the hill at one edge, and, followed by the extensible conveyor, soon formed a narrow valley. It was then turned through 90°, and was crowded into the sides of the valley, discharging the culm meanwhile upon the nearest part of the conveyor. When both sides of the cut had been eaten away in this fashion, the loader was steered straight into the hill again, as at first, and the process was repeated. The results ob- tained in this way seem remarkable when it is considered that the two mechanisms required the attention of only one man, SCOTCH MUNICIPALITY WILL MANUFACTURE CHEMICALS Recent extension of facilities has made the city of Glasgow, Scotland, through its chemical-works department, a serious manufacturer of benzol, pure and for motor use; toluol, light and heavy naph- thas, tar, carbonic acid, and possibly dyes and intermediates. The profits from these by-products are expected to reduce the cost of gas to the consumers. lowered until a_ bent finger, fixed in it, en- gages a hole in the center of the retain- ing frame of the gauges. The spindle is then revolved, causing the center of the disk to move in a circle. This drags the gauges about between the lapping sur- faces, giving a progressive turning of the frame and gauges between the laps. Each gauge turns in its hole, the motion being Machine for Making Accurate Gauge Blocks: The Upper Lapping Disk is Turned, Showing the Gauges in Place determined by the circumstances of the abrasive action at the ends. The abrad- ing material is suspended in a light oil = Yan eres oe

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ee j Holes Made in the Pier _ for the Insertion of New Piling Which was Driven beside the Stumps of the Old Piles After They had been Blasted O POPULAR MECHANICS 679 The Maze of New Piling with the — ‘ Stumps of the Old: The Floor of ih the Pier was Undisturbed and Its Use was Not Interfered with dur- ing the Operation Left: Front View of the Driver Used to Sink the New Piles into Place beside the Old Ones. Right: A Side View of the Pile Driver and the Air-Compressing Apparatus for Operating It, by which the New Wooden Piles are Driven through the Holes in the Pier Floor which is applied through a hole’in the top lap. The secret of success of the method lies in the periodical turning of the gauges, end for end, and in shifting them from one side to the other of the retaining frame, the combined operations causing all the gauges to become of the same length, with opposite faces accu- rately parallel. JAPAN MAKING EXPERIMENTS IN SHEEP RAISING I.xperiments in the raising of sheep are being conducted by the agricultural de- partment of the Japanese government, representatives of which have recently purchased some 200 Shropshire and 50 Corriedale ewes while on a mission to \ustralia. A number of rams_ has already been sent to Japan from Eng- land. It is reported that the total num- ber of sheep now in Japan does not ex- ceed 4,000 to 5,000, of mixed breeds. NEW PILES PUT UNDER OLD PIER BY NOVEL METHOD Without disturbing the floor of the pier, or interfering with its use, a con- tractor is placing new piles underneath the municipal pier at Santa Monica, Calif., which had been condemned as unsafe. The operation involves the removal of the concrete piles on which the pier was supported, and the installation of new wooden ones, and the work is being ac- complished in an original and novel man- ner. The locations of the old piles are ascertained and holes are cut in the floor, after which the old piles are blasted out. Later, a new pile is lowered through the hole and driven beside the old stump. By this method of renewing the founda- tion a pile at a time. every pile will be new, but the floor will be in the same location, with nothing but the patches to indicate the change.

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680 POPULAR MECHANICS DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN BAGGAGE CAR

Because a party of Ohio business men re fused to change thei: daily-newspaper habits while traveling to Cali

fornia to attend a recent ; convention, the baggag: car of their train becam: a full-fledged publishin office for five days. Witi an equipment of hand press, type Case, and } typewriter, an office force of editor, COMpost tor, pressman, and a reporter to vathet t| news of the day from tl passengers, the pape: vot to press on {11 every afternoon, and kk A lies d Baggage Car Converted into a Full-Fledged Publishing Plent than x hour later copie Gentes and ‘Printing a Daily Newspaper: The Full Staff of Pressman, were distributed on th ‘ Reporter. Compositor, and Editor Appears in the Picture. The “News” train. Wire messace FES ene cs Seton Hein ae kieece tel backest es picked up at station the Passengers Less than an Hour Later supplied features ACETYLENE FOR MOVING-PICTURE PROJECTION In localities where there is no source of electricity for the op- eration of an are lamp, an im- proved acetvlene lamp has been developed for the projection of moving-picture films. This lamp is built on the principle of the familiar calcium light, the acety ~

lene flame impinging at an angle upon a core ot thorium, which . P . Acetylene Lamp for Projection Purposes: The Flame Strikes I S i 4" ‘ nse ’ ~ < : P oduce : - 52 ‘ “ ind inter - a Core of the Element Thorium and Produces illumination. Phe acetylene 1s an Intensely Brilliant Light supplied from a tank of the “dissolved” where at small expense and, in most in gas which is to be obtained almost any stances, without delav.

FUEL TANK CARRIES WATER, FOOD, AND TOOLS \ new fuel tank for the auto mobile, that is carried attached 1 to the running board, has several

distinctive features that will con mend it to the motor tourist The t ink is divided into seve i

compartments which are used for | the storage of gasoline, lubri ere oer cating oil, water, tools, and provi sions. It is claimed that the ; nearness of the food to the fuel An_ Emergency Fuel Tank That Carries a Reserve Supply of ‘ t 1 ‘s not 1 p a gasoline fl: : Gasoline and Lubricating Oil: Compartments are Also doc n rt imp rt a ga oline flavor Provided for Tools and Supplies, Water, and Provisions to the former.

fee)

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POPULAR MECHANICS 681 Left: Top View of the Centrifugal Gun, with the Upper Casting Re- vealing the Rotating Gun Barrel, Driven by a Small Electric Motor Below. The Round Bul- lets are Seen in the A © ANT IINGIO Ts PHOTOS BY GILLIAMS SERVICE oS P 3 : Left: A Target of Planking, Shattered by 40 Seconds of Firing from the Centrifugal Machine Gun. Right: The Gun Set Up Ready for Action, with the Tube in Place by Which the Bullets are Fed to the Barrel WAR DEPARTMENT TESTS NEW of 10,000. The bullet-feeding gear may CENTRIFUGAL GUN be turned by hand, or by the driving motor. The obvious advantages of a cen- Centrifugal force, the mighty power trifugal gun are the absence of smoke that sometimes sends fragments of heavy and flash, and a firing sound less easily ‘lywheels crashing through brick walls, located than the staccato explosions of a hound to become a potent weapon of powder gun. arfare if persistent inventors win their vay. The War Department has recently TALKING-MACHINE NEEDLE iade tests of a new form of centrifugal PLAYS 10.000 RECORDS iachine gun, invented by two New York en, the feature of which is an ingenious Because the point of the ordinary timing device. By this means a ¥-in. phonograph needle is conical, the wear ound bullet is deposited in the rotating on both needle and record groove is arrel at each. revolution, so accurately excessive. A new needle has been timed that it issues in a mathematically brought out, __ Fe exact line. which, it is By Phe barrel, 8 in. long and with its muz- _ said, will play y le 9 in. from the center of revolution, 10,000 records turns horizontally on a vertical shaft, before a | ind is inclosed in a disklike casing. A change will ~~ battery-driven electric motor turns the be necessary. This remarkable perform- ‘ shaft, which is declared capable of a ance is claimed to be the result of -peed of 19,000 rpm. The inventor using a needle of uniform diameter laims a muzzle velocity of 850 ft. per which fits into the record grooves in- second. A simple computation shows _ stead of riding on top of them as with hat rather more than 10,000 r.p.m. would the ordinary needle. The two cross-sec- ve necessary to achieve this result, and tional views show how the new needle the government test indicates a firing fits into the grooves and how the record capacity of 2,000 balis a minute instead is worn down by the ordinary needle.

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O37 POPULAR IMPROVED MACHINE SHARPENS STEEL DRILL BITS To keep a full supply of properly pointed bits on hand for the “hard-rock” men on big construction contracts, or in

This Machine, Driven by Compressed Air, is Spe- cially Built for Sharpening Rock Drills Uniformly and Rapidly, but with Proper Dies, Some 200 Other Operations can be Executed with It stone quarries, by any other than ma- chine methods would be almost impossi- ble. An improved drill sharpener, that operates bs compressed air, has been built for rapidly sharpening bits of any

Left: Cutting the Lettering into Signposts MECHANICS

Instead Used and a Sample of the Work It

section up to 1‘, in. in diameter. > ‘ Aside irom its function as a drill sharpener, special dies can be used, by means ot which bolt heads can be made and up ward of 200 swaging operations of a sim- ilar character executed. WOMAN HELD EIGHT MINUTES UNDER WATER BY AUTO Because the top of an automobile acted as a Shallow diving bell when the car ran off a bridge into a California canal, a woman passenger was enabled to live un der water for eight minutes, until rescue could be etfected. The machin: breaking away 30 ft. of bridge rail, completely submerged by its plunge. TI driver and two other men escaped b swimming, but the woman was caught under the top in such a way that the air pocketed within it served to keep her alive. Her rescuers were guided by the lights of the car, which continued to burn in the depths of the canal. Later tl auto itself was recovered.

& SIGNPOST CHARACTERS CUT INTO WOOD BY MACHINE Instead of the time-honored practice of painting railroad-section and mile posts, surveying stakes, and the like, an improved process has been developed whereby the characters are cut into the wood. <An iron stencil is used, and the characters are brought into proper rela tion by means of a lever on the device. In use, the stencil is placed in a routing machine and the stake to be marked is placed beside it; the cutter follows the outline of the character and carves it into the wood.

of Painting or Stenciling. Right: The Iron Stencil Produces

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POPULAR The Adjustable-Length Truck Contracted, in the Inset MECHANICS Plan View of the Adjustable Truck Chassis: The Front Frame Member Slides in the Channels of the Rear Section, Giving a Variety of Wheel- base Lengths from 96 to 184 Inches | | } PE. m at the Left, to Its Minimum Wheelbase, and Ex- panded, at the Right, to the Maximum Length: The Sliding, Forward Frame Carries the Cab and Engine ADJUSTABLE-LENGTH FRAME FOR MOTOR-TRUCK CHASSIS The advantage of quickly and easily changing the wheelbase length of a truck is apparent, particularly where the machine is used for a number of specific trucking operations. In a new chassis, maximum and minimum length as well as various sizes between the two ex- tremes can be easily secured. The main load-carrying frame is of double, pressed- steel channels, additional strength and rigidity being obtained by one sliding within the other. The forward, small Irame carries the motor, transmission, and cab. It is mounted within the main irame by cantilever springs of special construction, ——_——- @ Eagles are classed with wolves and similar predatory “vermin” in Alaska, where their extermination is urged, to put a stop to their enormous destruction of fish and game. VOLT-AMMETER OF COMPACT DESIGN FOR TESTING Particularly intended to be testing electrical circuits in work, a very compact and used for automotive convenient rc L A Compact Form of Volt-Ammeter Particularly De- signed for Testing Electrical Circuits and Storage Batteries, and for Trouble-Hunting in Automotive Work volt-ammeter has been brought out. The instrument records from 0 to 30 volts and to 300 amperes, the change from volt-

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681 POPULAR meter to ammeter being made by turning a small switch on the side. At zero, the needle is at the center of the dial, and it is claimed to be impossible to injure the instrument by reversal of the current. SHIP’S RIGGING WRAPPED WITH TARRED YAKN BY MACHINE lever since steel cables have taken the place of hemp cordage for ship's rigging, it has been the practice to wrap them with tarred rope and yarn as a protection against the corrosive eftect of salt wate Hitherto the ork of w rapping has been A Machine for Wrapping Ship's Rigging with Tarred Yarn: The Cable is Fed through the Hollow Shaft, While the Drum Containing the Yarn is Revolved around It practically all done by hand. As the re sult of long experience at this work, an inventor has produced a practical ma chine which, it is claimed, will turn out more work in a day than 30 men by the hand method. The machine will wrap four feet of cable a minute, while the average by the hand method is some si or cight feet an hour. ROCK SLIDE IN NIAGARA CAVE DEALS DEATH TO TOURISTS That even the precipice of solid rock over which Niagara hurls its torrent is not immutable was gruesomely demon- strated a short time ago, when a slide of shale in the famous Cave of the Winds, MECHANICS behind the falls, brought death to three tourists and injury to a number of others. Warning sounds of the impending dis aster were inaudible in the roar of waters, and the falling rock crashed down upon a bridge in the cave just as the victims were crossing it, while flying fragments bruised many of the hundred or more other visitors. The bodies were recoy ered only when the steamer “Maid of the Mist” dispatched a rowboat on a perilous journey around the cataract. STANDARDIZED LUMBER SIZES IMPORTANT TO INDUSTRY Standardization of the many and vary ing sizes of lumber products, a problem now being studied by lumbermen, is an economic step of great importance to the building industry. Not only will much time be saved to architects and contrac tors in preparing designs, specificatio ind lists, but changes may be made in the kind of wood used without refiguring the sizes. Uniformity in construction and elimination of waste in shaping dif ferent grades to match are other advat MACHINE FOR CLEANING INTERIOR OF PISTONS lor finishing and cleaning the interior of automobile-engine pistons with steel grit, or shot, a special ma- chine has been de- signed. The pistons are placed in a holding jig, skirt down. The steel shot, or other mate- rial, is blown into the pis- ton througha nozzle under- neath. \ quick-opening valve on the air line con trols the Op- eration of a special injec- tor which draws the grit from a hopper in the base of the machine. During the operation, the pistons are revolved me- chanically so that every part of the in- terior is finished. ST oe RIE

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POPULAR MECHANICS 685 AIR-PROPELLED AUTOMOBILE OF FRENCH DESIGN A light automobile, of ; French design, is driven by an air screw which is direct-connected to a motorcycle engine con- cealed under a stream- line body of plywood. The car will carry two persons seated side by ide and is so deep that only their heads are ex- posed; a windshield of- fers further protection against the rush of air from the propeller. The latter is inclosed by a substantial guard to pre- vent accidents. The fuel ) consumption is very low. There is no differential, and steering is done through the rear wheels. A Light Automobile of French Design That Has a Number of Unusual The car can travel at 50 Features: It is Prope'led by a Four-Bladed Air Screw Direct-Connected : : to an Eight-Horsepower, Two-Cylinder Motorcycle Engine. It Has No miles an hour. Differential and is Steered by a Control Wheel Acting on the Rear Wheels BABY CHRISTENED ON SWAYING STEEL GIRDER On a narrow, swaying steel girder, 120 Powell, of Tacoma, Wash., was chris- above the street, Marjorie Hope _ tened recently inthe presence of hundreds — _. of shoppers and some 50 structural workers, who acted as godfathers. The christening party, with the baby in the arms of its father, climbed up shaky ladders, over iso- lated girders and sag- ging planks to a tempo- rary staging on the tenth floor. The baby was placed in the arms of a steel worker, who, with the minister, mounted a girder at rest on the platform. The girder was then hoisted up 15 ft. and swung far out over the street. Amid the rattle of rivet guns, the crashing of boards, and various other noises from the street below, the words of the cere- mony were pronounced, and the girder swung back to its initial posi- tion on the tenth floor oO. yee = A Baptismal Ceremony in the Air. with the Baby and the Minister, niet Guarded by a Professional Steel Worker, Suspended on a High Girder, Throughout the cere- Which was Swung Out 120 Feet Above the Street Level After the Little any abv , : > baby tt Party had Mounted It. The Inset Gives a Close-Up View of the Unusual |") the baby crowed Christening with delight,

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686 POPULAR EFFICIENCY OF SEPARATOR IMPROVED BY NEW DISK A more complete separation of butter fat from the whole milk is the purpose of a new straight separator disk, which >

Left The New Cream Broken Away to Show the Construction Right A Detail, Indicatin the Skimmir Surf Separator with the is claimed to be much more efficient than the con: haped « lement in cream separators, In the new enor tor, the tom, whole milk flo and enters each disk at its center, which gives the butter-fat l idl partic Ss a chance to slip back toward the cream outlet and out of the Way of the heavier milk particles, while in the older ma- chines, the milk enters the S¢ parating ele ment at the top. It 1s claimed for the new disk that it leaves only .0003 per cent of buiter fat in the skimmed milk. NARROW SLOT IN ODD BRIDGE LETS SAILBOATS PASS Keonomy and ingenuity joined forces in the construction of a bridge that now connects an island to the main- land at Canso, Nova Scotia. The struc- ture, built of logs, is low and practically solid, yet it readily permits tall-masted sailboats to pass through it. Across the floor of the from side to side, is a with a board, queer center span, narrow lot,

Above: A General View of the Log Bridge, in the Second Span of Which the Slot may be Seen. Right: A Close View of the Queer “Drawbridge” Span, Showing the Hinged Board That Covers the Narrow Slot, through Which the Masts of Sailboats are Guided MECHANICS hinged at one side, as a cover. When a hoat has been steered to this scanty opening, the cover is pushed back, the mast and sail worked through, and the cover closed again from the deck. Tim bers arranged in a “\” at each side of the brid opening. re help euide the mast into the SIMPLE ENVELOPE SEALER FOR ALL SIZES AND SHAPES \ simple and dh provides an economical arrangement for and sealing the individual output. It is particularly of value in the irable envelope ealer moistening i office where it is impossible to assembl all the mail in one department. <An al sorbent pad equipped na ring clip for guiding, moistens the flap of the en velope as it is drawn over it. The sealing is accompli hed by simply pu hing the envelope under the sealer. plate th

Left: Moistening the Flap on the Roller. Right: Seal ing the Enveiope by Pushing It under the Plate weight of the roller and plate being am ple not only for this operation but also ! 8 . . ‘ . . . . to keep the mail intact until mailing time. + eskimo curios and relics to the I num ber of 20,000 are included in the remarl ably complete collection of the Terri torial [listorical Museum at Juneau Alaska. This interesting and valuable display, representing a collecting work of 10 years along the coasts of Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean, and in charge of a native Alaskan, is now open to the public.

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om teed ren sa ae itt

2 stipe, JY amit eg <a ma, ee * pte ; ar F ie 7 4 The Scene of the Arctic “‘Rodeo” Is a River, upon the Ice of Which Lies a Thick Blanket of Snow. This Picture was Taken from a Promontory 150 Feet above the River. It Shows the Delegates from All the Herds in the Vicinity Preparing for the Contests “RODEOS” NORTH OF ARCTIC CIRCLE By LAWRENCE WILLIAM PEDROSE be the vicinity of the Kobuk River, \laska, 50 miles north of the arctic circle, there are held annual “rodeos,” which for picturesqueness, skill of exhi- hitions, and in popularity are comparable to the “round-ups” of the western part of the United States—yet there is not a sin- horse or steer or saddle or “six-gun” within hundreds of miles of the scene. These rodeos are conducted under the auspices of the United States Bureau of Education for the natives of Alaska. \Western round-ups are held solely for purposes of entertainment and do little or nothing to advance the cattle industry. r ut the arctic rodeos are staged for the definite purposes of education and ad- vancement of the reindeer industry, and in this they have been remarkably suc- cessful. Importation of reindeer into Alaska began in 1892, when 80 animals were ob- tained in Siberia for experimental pur- poses. In the succeeding 10 years, 1,200 animals were brought over. From this nucleus the present Alaska reindeer serv- ice grew. Today there are approximately 150,000 reindeer in the territory, distrib- uted among about 80 herds, 70 per cent of which are owned by natives The economic value of the reindeer to

Alaska is said to be incalculable. The Eskimo is by nature a hunter and fisher- man. But the commercial greed of the white man has partly destroyed the fish and game of the territory, gradually elimi- nating the native’s means of sustenance. Primarily to save the Eskimo from ex- tinction, the reindeer service was estab- lished. Within less than a generation, because of the interest taken in them by the government, the Eskimos throughout northern and western Alaska have been advanced through one entire stage of civilization: from making their living by the precarious wild-game chase to the pastoral stage, in which, by their own in- dustry, they have provided against want and established a basic industry which will some day be of vital importance to the civilized world. The government looked upon the reindeer industry as practical vocational training for the Eskimo and something which would guarantee him food, clothieg, and transportation, and at the same time make of him an independ- ent, responsible citizen. A system of apprenticeship has been established for distributing the reindeer among the natives. The term of appren- ticeship is four years. At the end of the first year the herder, if his service has OST

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POPULAR for the Visiting Reindeer Men. MECHANICS The United States Bureau of Education Furnishes a Tent for Exhibits Which Serves as Sleeping Quarters This Huge Tent Was a Great “Hit” with the Natives, Who were Greatly Awed been satisfactory, receives six deer; at the end of the second year, eight deer; at the end of the third year, 10 deer, and at the end of the fourth year, again 10 deer, making a total of 34 deer. With the approval of the local superintendent, he may kill the surplus males and sell the meat and hides. Having completed his apprenticeship, the native is sole owner of a herd of 34 deer, plus their natural increase, which would make a total of 40 to 60 deer, but he is still under the supervision of the government, and must in turn train and reward apprentices under the rules and regulations of the service. Thereby the r — The Judges Awarding First Prize in Sled Construction: This Sled, Which Has No Bolts in Joints or Mortises, is Wrapped with Whalebone Instead of Rawhide or Sinew. It Weighs About 50 Pounds and will Carry More than Half a Ton system of distribution becomes automatic. Female deer can only be sold to the goy ernment or to natives, and cannot be butchered for meat. The rodeos and fairs, which are held in January and February, are declared to give great stimulus to the industry, since they develop keen interest among the na tives. Although of recent conception, successful meetings have been held at Akiak, on the Kuskokwim River; Shak toolik, near Unalakleet; Igloo, on the Seward Peninsula, and Noorvik, nea Kotzebue. Each succeeding show ha been an elaboration upon the others, and every herd in the vicinity now sends a ook disretiniet snare Cini pi Bh a

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: 3 i ro oo 4 oy ae wh vite dy , ee, Pre aa a TW _ a 4s A Contestant in the Long-Distance Race is About to Untie His Deer from the Hitching Peg. The Deer Starts Away like a Shot and the Peg must be Dodged. At a Recent Rod-o a Deer and Driver Made 10 Miles in 37 Minutes 8 Seconds Examining Reindeer Harness for Defects Eskimos Are the Most Patient Searchers in the World, and Nothing Escapes Their Sharp Eyes A Spiendid Specimen of Sled Deer and One Which Made a Pulling Record by Drawing on the Level Snow a Sled Loaded with 2,242 Pounds of Sacked Sand In Voting for the Winning Harness, the Judges Face Away from the Exhibits, Then One by One Turn and Point to Their Choice, Which is Recorded by the Gov- ernment Representative in the Background itll ica

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690 POPULAR MECHANICS delegation to it. Prizes are awarded in such contests as racing, roping, herding, driving, creation and perfection of equip- ment, and have engendered a_ clean, friendly rivalry among herders, which in turn has given impetus to reindeer pro- duction and increased interest in all phases of the work. At the fairs all matters pertaining to reindeer are discussed, and the herders come to an _ understanding regarding grazing-ground rights and similar matters. Government representatives give talks on reindeer breeding and offer scientific guidance for the development of an improved breed of stock. In the rodeos interest is encouraged in sports of all kinds, so that the natives’ new work will replace their inclination for the chase. Awards are made for short and , long - distance racing, speed and efficiency in butchering, and sled and team handling on the trail; in breaking to harness wild deer, snow- - shoe running while lead- & ing a deer, sled building, improvements in har- ness, etc. Out of these contests have already . developed a new type ¢ aif ie ae i In the Butchering Contest This Carcass of halter which is far cn ar ieice ter Wineienes more humane than the former jerk line which inflicted punish- ment on the deer; a sled with a high back, and handles which enable the driver to stand erect on extensions of the runners, and many other features which have in- creased the efficiency of reindeer hand- ling and transportation. There is close codperation between the schools and the reindeer industry. Teach- ers. must spend a week at two different times during the school year at the rein- deer camps, to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the future profession of their pupils. Since the natives also op- erate a string of codperative stores for handling their furs and other goods, un- der the paternal eye of the teachers, close understanding results. In recent years reindeer have been dis- tributed to practically every section of western Alaska, and herds may be found from Point Barrow down to the Aleutian Islands. The animals’ food is moss, and the resources of the territory would sup- port millions of them. The natural in- crease from the present herds is expected to allow for this expansion, and the gov- ernment is experimenting in improving the breed and in the development of mar- kets for the meat. Reindeer meat has been sold to the people of Alaska for many years, and until recent years the supply has not exceeded the local demand. Prospectors often pur- chase sled deer in the fall for transporting their supplies on the trail; on arriving at their destination, the deer are butchered and utilized as food. This practice is becom- ing more prevalent as its economic importance is realized. Recently se- rious consideration has been given to a means of exporting the grow- ing thousands of sur plus deer to the United States. A cooperative cold- storage plant, operated as well as owned by na- tive reindeer men and under the supervision of the educational de- partment, is being ad- vocated. This would enable the natives to keep the reindeer mar- ket open winter and summer, and facilitate shipment outside the territory. Within the next year or two, it is anticipated, a market for distributing the meat will be established in the United States. For the native, reindeer raising holds great promise. It costs less than $3 per head to raise the deer, which will dress 150 lb. of choicest meat selling at 20 to 25 cents a pound, or more than $30 per car- cass. Besides, the hide is useful for clothing, and many other purposes. The owner of a herd is a rich man in his na- tive land, and the Eskimo maid who mar- ries a deer man considers herself very fortunate. @A record iron-ore shipment recent'y un loaded at Cleveland consisted of 13,912 tons of 2,240 Ib., or the equivalent of about 15,581 short tons. This constitutes a cargo seldom, if ever, carried by an ocean-going ship, and at no_ seaport can cargoes such as this be handled with the speed and economy that mark the lake docks. es wate

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J tharasdntt = FOTOS WS i. ~~ Re oe Me a a ee e } ee, am oan ws as mma The Rules of the Contest Are That the Driver must Bring His Deer In. If the Deer Balks at Pulling Him In, He must Pull the Deer In. The Contestant in the Lilustration is Striving against These Odds This Driver Had a Wild Deer. He Was Inexperienced and Frightened the Animal, Which Turned Suddenly near the Mile- post and Tried to Burrow under the Sled ts The Sled-Tying Contest: This Tying must be Done Securely, as the Deer Is Likely to Turn the Sled Over. Rifle and Snowshoes must be Fast- ened Outside, and the Canvas must be Snow-Tight Representatives from the Kivalina Station: These Men Are All Experts and Capture a Majority of Prizes in All Events—Note Their Medals and Ribbons. The Station Director and His White Wife and Son Are at the Extreme Right 691

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692 POPULAR MECHANICS PORTABLE STONE CRUSHER FOR CONTRACTORS’ USE \ light, portable stone crusher can be used to advantage by concrete-paving contractors for crushing old walks and A Light, Portable Stone Crusher Which can be Taken to the Job for Breaking Up an Old Pavement to Furnish Aggregate for a New Concrete Walk using the product for the aggregate in a new one at a saving of time and expense to both builder and customer. The ma- chine is about 14 ft. long and is operated by a gasoline engine. NEW LAUNDRY MACHINE HUNG ON STATIONARY TUB A household laundry machine of recent invention is unusual in that it is simply an attachment for the stationary tub, or tubs, found in the basement of the usual city residence. The apparatus can be most easily described as consisting, first of all, of a vertical shaft which is hung by means of a saddle to the edge of the tub. At the base of the shaft and turning it through bevel gears, is an electric motor. At the top of the shaft is a gear casing from which are driven the revolving clothes drum and the pivoted wringer. When the machine is in operation two splash-proof covers are applied, one to the tub in which the drum revolves, and the other to the motor and the vertical shaft. ODD HOMES BUILT IN DESERT FOR SECTION HANDS In the burning stretches of the Salton Sea Desert of southern California, where the mercury climbs regularly to 120° in the shade—if mesquite and other meager desert growths can be said to afford any shade—the railroad provides for its main- tenance men and section hands the most comfortable bunkhouses possible. These are, indeed, nothing but old box cars; yet they are made quite livable by a little in- genuity of arrangement. Each is placed on a foundation which raises it about a foot from the ground to permit circula- tion of air; then, two and two, the cars are covered with canopylike roofs, be- neath which plenty of space is left, simi- -—— a Two and Two, the Desert Bunkhouses are Covered with the Canopylike Roofs, beneath Which Plenty of Space is Left for Air Circulation larly, for air flow. Finally, a coat of pale, nonglaring yellow paint is applied to each improvised house. Renate ae mee Left: The Stationary-Tub Washing Machine Ready for Use, with Splash Covers in Place. Right: The Splash Covers Removed, Revealing the Clothes Drum and the Electrically Driven Vertical Shaft Sd ee ee

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POPULAR MECHANICS 693 AERO ENGINES DRIVE PUMPS AND DYNAMOS — — One famous French me Tra Hl FE: Br manufacturer of auto- | mobiles, who built thou- ands of airplane en- ines during the war, now finds his huge plant at Bellancourt so encumbered with sur- nlus stock that he has put many of them to work. They drive Airplane Motors Converted to Peace-Time Uses: The Photo- graph Shows an Eight-Cylinder Motor, Rated at 100-130 Horse- power, as the Source of Power for a Motor-Generator Set small dynamos. Two en- gine types, in particular, are employed for this purpose—an “8” and a “12.” The cylinders of both are arranged V- fashion, with camshafts overhead, and with : double spark plugs ener- = SS gized by four magnetos. One of the 12-Cylinder, 150-200 Horsepower Motors, Operating a Large The smaller engine is Electric Generator: Special Iron Bases a ene rated at 100 to 130 hp., for Supporting the Engine from the oor the larger at 150 to 200 pumps, air compressors, and similar ma- hp. They are customarily installed on chines, but are most often connected to special iron beds. HAY-RAKE ATTACHMENT FOR MOTOR TRUCK One of the latest things a motor truck has been called upon to do d is to rake hay in the harvest field. A Kansas farmer who wanted to ‘ expedite the harvesting of his hay crop, rigged a up a sweep rake which i he attached to the front : of his motor truck. The combination of truck and sweep rake is particularly convenient in cases . where a loader is not A Kansas Harvesting Arrangement: The Sweep Rake is Pushed by a Motor d va f Truck, and Lifted by the Long Lever Back of the Driver’s Seat used. The rake is con- trolled from the platform, back of the which raises and lowers the implement driver’s seat, by means of a long lever for clearing obstructions in the field.

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694 POPULAR MATCH-BOX HOLDER CLAMPED TO STEERING WHEEL Most motorists know how annoy- ing it is to drive with hand while fumbling through innumer- able pockets with the other in search of a match to light cigar or cigarette. Appreciation of this condition has lately resulted in the appearance of a new advertising novelty. It con- sists of a match-box holder which displays the name of the merchant and is fastened to a spoke of the steering wheel by means of a clamp and bolt. one QUICK-GENERATING KEROSENE BURNER FOR RANGE USE \ recently designed kerosene burner that is intended to fit into any ordinary coal range, eliminates the necessity of - carrying coal and ashes. The new burner can be installed in a few minutes. Gas is gener- ated from kerosene, which is fed to the burner by gravity. In half a minute, or less, the burner will generate sufficient gas to op- erate the device at full efficiency. SIMPLE OPTICAL INSTRUMENT DETECTS MALINGERERS Eye injuries resulting in defective vis- ion are frequent causes of compensation claims, and are difficult to diagnose where as the good faith of the subject is in doubt, An eastern physician now has devised 4 simple instru- ment which usually dis- covers the malingerers without difficulty. It consists merely of two parallel cylinders, 4 by 1% in., mounted like an opera glass, the cap of each having an eccentric 14-in. aper- MECHANICS ture. Through these openings the sub- ject gazes at a pair of test cards 20 ft. away, while the operator turns the caps to different positions, and soon is unable to tell whether he is using his good eye or the one alleged to be bad. COMPACT LOOP AERIAL FOR RADIO AMATEURS A compact form of loop aerial for wire- less amateurs and experimenters has been placed on the mar ket. The use of such an aerial pro vides the operator with a_ direction finder and indoor aerial, as it may be set up anywhere in the house. No ground wire is re- quired and _ static interference, even when there is considerable at- mospheric dis- turbance, is prac tically eliminated. By turning the aerial, the source of wireless waves is located approximately. WINDSHIELDS ON SEMAPHORES GUARD TRAFFIC POLICEMEN During the blizzard of last February the faces of the traffie policemen of Philadelphia were ‘i protected against the driving snow “W® and sleet by means of small trans parent windshields. Each shield meas- ured about three feet wide by one anda half was carried on an upright rod. This was clamped at the desired height to the standard of the traffic sema- phore with which each policeman is equipped. high, and @A vein of mica is believed to un- derlie the vicinity of 157th Street and Riverside Drive, New York City, . the belief being based on numerous discoveries of frag- ments during excavations in the neigh- hood.

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In Outward Appearance, the New Concrete Tank Ship Gives No Hint of Its Peculiar Construction, Resem- ling the Familiar Whaleback Type of Boat, with Bow and Stern of the Conventional Form CONCRETE TANKER BUILT LIKE GRAIN ELEVATOR 1 poe hosecs Tampico, Mex., and Aran- combustion engines which revolve the as Pass, Tex., there is now in service twin propellers. Amidships is the bunk \ concrete oil tanker that was built like a and wheelhouse. The bow and stern were o. No sug- <= - - — - constructed in forms of the type commonly employed in concrete ship building. It is the seven 30-ft. sections com- posing the straight por- tion of the hull which were built like so many silos. Kach, consist ing of two in )in. wide, and - tersecting cyl a load draft Looking into the Ends of One of the Double Sections, Compris- snders. was b uilt : ing Two Intersecting Cylinders of Reinforced Concrete, Con- IS ft. In the nected at Top and Bottom by Slabs That Form the Keel and in a vertical are the Deck of the Vessel position by the chain lockers, etec.; in the stern are use of the familiar sliding forms. When e pumping engines, and the internal- seven of these sections had been built estion of this nnautical con- ruction meth- lis given by present ap- carance, how- er. Riding at chor, it looks ch like one the whale- freighters ed on the reat Lakes. easures 298 long, 33 ft. ~| CK

sat

In Process of Construction, on the Other Hand, the Big New Tanker did Not Resemble a Ship at All, Look- ing More like a Horizontal Silo. Each of the Seven Sections was Actually Molded in Vertical Position

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696 POPULAR laid end to end upon the ways, between the bow and stern, all were joined with concrete. The result was a seaworthy vessel with a cargo space 210 ft. long. The only part of this used for carrying oil is the passageway formed by the intersection of the cylinders. Paral- leling this, above and below, four smaller longitudinal chambers used as air passages and as oil conduits from pumps to compartments. space not are BALANCES ON HANDS AT EDGE OF HIGH BUILDING Persons who happened to glance up at the top of a certain high building in Chi- recent occasion were startled cago ona wae ee | ETysY COPYRIGHT INTERNATIONAL Movie Successor, in Harry McLaughlin, an Incidental Pose on a Skyscraper Cornice Locklear's to the point of experiencing heart\symp- toms by the incredible spectacle of a man standing on his hands on the seat of a flimsy chair, at the very edge of the roof. The apparent madman, however, was merely demonstrating his fitness to ful- fill the uncompleted movie contract of Lieut. Omar Locklear, recently killed in an unsuccessful aerial feat. Harry MclLaugh- lin, now dead, was the new performer. ‘Because of the danger in handling so large a quantity of radium, a lot of nearly 1; oz. of the hydrated bromide, loaned to a hospital by the British government, is kept ia a lead case weighing more than a ton, inside a safe. It is estimated that 1 part in 1,000,000 of the emanations pene- trate the thick lead sheath. MECHANICS MAJORCA, MEDITERRANEAN ISLE, IS IDYLLIC GARDEN SPOT No writer of fiction could escape criti- cism for picturing in this day a land so incredible as to include marvelous scenic beauty, ideal climate, low cost of living, and a people honest, peaceable, and charming, who go about their business and enjoy their lives with most unmod- ern calm and leisure. That there actually is just such a place, however, where these characteristics are so conspicuous as to set the region apart from the rest of the civilized world, is revealed by trav- elers who have “rediscovered” the island of Majorca, in the Mediterranean Sea. This, labeled by observers the most en- chanting of all the Mediterranean isles, is the largest of the Balearic group, be- longing to Spain and only 10 hours by steamer from the mainland. Its scenery is a blending of flat, cultivated lands, oc- cupied by orchards of lemon, orange, al- mond, and olive trees, and huge frown- ing cliffs running up to peaks 4,000 to 5,000 ft. high, with little villages hung upon their sides. Despite its bland tran- quillity, the island has managed to ac- quire 120 miles of railroad, and a good system of highways. As illustrating the community’s financial modesty, it is stated that monthly dues to the fashionable Royal Club of Regattas, at last reports, were about 20 cents. A TURRET TOOLPOST FOR SCREW LATHES For attachment to ordinary screw-cut- ting lathes an inventor has developed a turret toolpost. The turning and facing cutters are adjustable for height as they become worn, and thus-it is possible to keep the cutting edge on center without the sacrifice of rigidity. A single move ment of the binding lever releases and accurately indexes the next tool position, and rigidly clamps the turret. - " 1 A Turret-Toolpost Attachment for Converting a Screw-Cutting Lathe into One of the Turret Variety

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The Fleet of Modern Motor Trucks Used by the County Highway paperenent for Hauling POPULAR MECHANICS 69% The Two-Wheel Plow Trailer, at the Left, being Hauled by a Traction Engine: Most of the Trailer’s Weight Rests upon Its Blades, Which Cut Up the Old Pavement for Resurfacing Road-Building Materials, Which are Received by Chutes from the Dump Cars Overhead, d Quickly Distributed MODERN ROAD BUREAU MOTORIZES ITS EQUIPMENT Road making and road repair are re- garded as a serious business in at least one Indiana county. The equipment of the highway department has now been completely motorized, and all hauling of road-building material is done by a fleet of powerful modern trucks, that receive their loads directly from dump cars on an elevated switch track, and distribute them along the highways according to a definite system. When a road is to be broken up prior to resurfacing, a curious two-wheel trailer of heavy iron is brought into use. As this is hauled by a traction engine, most of its weight rests upon its plow blades, which cut away the old pave ment quickly and effectively. EXTENSIVE SEED. COLLECTION FOR REFORESTATION Extensive reforestation on the waste lands of Pennsylvania this year the largest amount of seeds ever used. The seeds will be used for forest trees, municipal planting, and educational pur- Seed not planted next spring will calls for poses. be held for planting the following year.

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698 POPULAR MECHANICS FOLDING TRUNK RACK ON AUTO OPENS TO FREE SPARE TIRE A folding trunk rack that acts as a guard for the spare tire or wheel carried on the back of an automobile, has been ! ment the sum of $1,000,000 already has been appropriated, together with an addi- tional $25,000 for prospecting expenses, and another appropriation of $500,000 is now under consideration for the instal- lation of machinery. — Though extensive chalk and shale deposits exist in the eastern part of the state, it is practically as- sured that the location of the new plant will be determined by the vast beds of limestone under- lying the famous Black Hills district. This for- mation, lying within an oval area, 160 miles long Left: The Trunk Rack Folded over the Spare Wheel like a Gate. Center: and 125 wide, contains The Shelf Lowered Ready to Receive a Trunk. Right: The Whole Spare Wheel Rack Swung Open to Give Access to the invented by a western motorist. When the rack is not in tse, its shelf folds up against the back, giving the effect of a steel-barred gate locked across the spare tire, and protecting it from theft or in- jury. When it is necessary to remove the tire, however, the folded rack, hinged at one side, is easily swung out of the way. SOUTH DAKOTA TO OPERATE HUGE CEMENT PLANT State-owned enterprises of one kind or another are not uncommon, even in this land of private opportunity, but few of them can be classed as indus- trial, at least in the manufacturing sense. Distinctly unusual, therefore, is the new undertaking of the state of South Dakota—the establishment and operation of a Portland-cement plant of ‘huge ca- pacity, based on natural resources of alihost limitless extent. For this develop- gray, purple, and pale pinkish-buff limestone in all thicknesses up to 500 ft., and huge banks of shale as thick as 200 ft. are easily accessible. Blasting with black powder will be the method employed in quarrying both lime- stone and shale, using machine shovels to remove the product. For the intended output of 750 bbl. of cement a day, 240 tons of the raw material will be needed. Using electric power with a connected load of 1,000 hp., and producing 22,500 bbl. a month, at 14.4 kw.-hr. per barrel, the monthly consumption of current will reach 324,000 kw.-hr. This large amount already is available from two lines run- ning but a short distance from the pro- posed site. The low figure per barrel is made possible by the use of gravity in handling the materials. The ultimate capacity of the plant is to be 2,000 bbl. a day, or 400 tons, involving an expenditure of $400,000 a year, and employment of 400 workers, Left: A Typical Outcropping of Limestone in the Black Hills District of South Dakota, Where Seams Up to 500 Feet Thick Are Available. Right: The Edge of a Shale Bank Lying alongside the Railroad De. eee ie

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Instead of Defacing the eae ~~ with a Billboard, POPULAR MECHANICS 699 a Building Contractor Utilized the Front of His umber Warehouse for Building Propaganda LUMBER-SHED FRONT UTILIZED FOR BUILDING PROPAGANDA In place ofthe usual unsightly billboard and the equally monotonous vista of a lumber warehouse, the owner of a lum- beryard utilized the space on the front of his shed for building propaganda. The entire front of the building was covered with a sign which shows a picture of one of several styles of houses, in the building of which the owner specializes. The en- trances to the warehouse are closed by iding doors which have painted on them pictures of a fountain and arbor seat. SOLID AND PNEUMATIC TIRES USED ON NEW TRUCK WHEEL The efficiency of the solid tire and the shock-absorbing qualities of the pneu- matic arecom- bined ina new motor- truck wheel of recent devel- opment. The penumiatic tire is mounted between the hub and the rim, and the solid one, =a Serre which gives traction and reduces noise, in the usual way on the rim. Due to the arrangement of peculiar “bearing spokes” between the rim and the pneumatic tire, the latter shares in absorbing road shocks. LIFE JACKET OF “LUSITANIA” FOUND IN DELAWARE RIVER Thought to have traveled more than 15,000 miles in the five years that have elapsed since the torpedo- ing of the lin- er “Lusitania” off the Irish coast in 1915, a slime-cov- ered life jack- et bearing the name of the ill-starred ves- sel was recent- ly taken from the Delaware River near Philadelphia. One of the shoulder straps is cleanly severed as though cut by a knife, and visualizing the sinking of the vessel, it is surmised that several of the jackets became entangled and that some fear-crazed person slashed the strap that held them fast. The name of the vessel in black is still clearly legible. @In memory of Dr. John B. Murphy, the eminent Chicago surgeon, a memorial building is proposed on a site given by citizens of Chicago and accepted by the regents of the American College of Sur geons. The building will be devoted to conferences, meetings, and the mainte nance of a pantheon of American medi- cine and surgery.

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400 POPULAR The Illustration Above Shows the Type of Covered Bridge being t Built in Oregon from Timber Which Is Plentiful and Close at Hand. Right: View Looking through the Bridge Showing Timbering and the Illumination Provided by the Windows oe the System of COVERED TIMBER BRIDGES FOR OREGON’S HIGHWAYS As the material is plentiful and close at hand, and because the initial cost and ex- pense of maintenance is low enough to make them acceptable, the Oregon High- way Commission is building several cov- ered timber bridges. Observation of ex- isting structures of this type is the source of claims that the average life of un- covered bridges is from 10 to 15 years and that proper covering of a wooden truss span adds about 50 per cent to the life of the bridge. The insufficiency of light that has always’ characterized bridges of this type is overcome by cased window openings of pleasing design. @An interesting system of remote con- trol, recently installed at its screen sta- tion by one coke plant, makes it possible for the motorman of the electric locomo- tive to abandon his train temporarily after he has spotted the first car under the load- ing chutes. Then the operator of the screen station moves the train forward car by car, until the loading is completed. FARM-LIGHTING SET DRIVEN BY SMALL TRACTOR All serts of odd jobs besides field work are required of the modern farm tractor, and now even the small, plowlike walking The Walking“ Type Tractor Belted to the Generator type of tractor, with its little 3-hp. engine, is given other duties. Auxiliary equipment just put on the market makes it possible for this machine to do all the farm lighting. A small generator is belted to the free power pulley at the side of the tractor’s ground wheel, and connected to a set of 16 stor- age cells through an automatic charge . regulator. Lighting current may be taker from the bat- tery when the engine is not running, or from the gener- ator, or both, when it | giving an ample supply for all ordinary purposes, The Complete Outfit on Display, with a Small Instrument Board behind the Generator, and the Battery Running a Bank of Lights

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NEW TWO-CYCLE MARINE ENGINE OF DIESEL TYPE The completion and successful test of the new two-cycle marine engine of Diesel type has recently announced, This which is an inter- al-combustion heavy-oil ngine, produces the horsepower as a four-cycle engine practi- twice its size. At same time it effects saving of two-thirds in fuel costs compared with the oil-fired steam engine, and shows a much reater degree of econ- omy than any other Diesel engine on record. lt is adapted to land use and cargo ships of any een pe, ime 11. tit\ as size. The vessel equipped vith it is a greater advance over the oil- burning steamship than the latter is over a coal- hired steamer. This new engine is of American design and construction, nd is especially adapted to American perating conditions on land and sea. to DISCONNECTED CHIMNEY IS AN INNOVATION IN STACKS \pparently the strange refinery, connecting with nothing, smokestack of a western oil attracts considerable attention ! comment. In reality the opening in e bottom of the stack is lined up with similar aperture in the factory, and the -h of smoke is so rapid as to force it through the chimney. The open Space the bottom is provided to increase the draft. POPULAR MECHANICS » a To Obtain Increased Draft the Stack of a Western Oil Refinery was Built with an Open- ing at the Bottom iO01 LOCOMOTIVE PLUNGES THROUGH WALL OF ROUNDHOUSE Run into the roundhouse of an eastern by its railroad, where it was deserted Plunging through the Wall of the Roundhouse, in Which It had been Left by Its Crew, This Temperamental Locomotive was Brought Stop at the Edge of the Pavement crew and neglected by the hostlers, a temperamental locomotive ran away from the old homestead. The engine yota fly ing start and, plunging through the wall of the roundhouse, landed on its nose in a sandbank several feet below the level of the floor, stopping on the edge of the sidewalk below. AUXILIARY WRENCH HANDLE INCREASES LEVERAGE A handle for increasing the length of an open-end wrench, to furnish the addi tional leverage de- manded for loos- ening a “frozen” nut, has made its appearance. The extension handle is slipped over the end of the wrench, and the additional leverage is ob- tained without un- necessary strain on the wrench. The de vice is made in several styles, model of which is provided with a screwdriver end. The new device is made in a number of different to fit both and small wrenches. one sizes large

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702 POPULAR INSTRUMENT MEASURES LIGHT REFLECTED BY ROOM WALLS Diffused light reflected from walls, fur- nishings, and other miscellaneous objects, an important but hitherto indeterminate element in calcu- lating illumina- tion, now may be accurately meas- ured with a simple instrument. The device, developed at the Bureau of Standards, con- sists of a portable hollow sphere, about 8 in. in diameter, painted white on the in- side. An opening in one side of this ballis placed against the sur- face to be tested, a small electric light is inserted through another opening, and observations are taken through a third hole by means of a photometer. Two separate observations are made, under differing conditions, and a direct reflection figure obtained. HAUL LOCOMOTIVES OVERLAND ON SPECIAL WAGON Desiring to use locomotives on large excavating jobs where there are no tracks to take them, a busy contractor in the Northwest has built a special wagon for transporting the big engines overland. The wagon, built of steel, has a pair of standard rails running from end to end of its bed. The locomotive, arriving on a flat car, is jacked up so rails can be placed under it, the wagon is backed against it, and a 120-hp. tractor pulls the engine onto it, with block and tackle applied at the MECHANICS other end to snub its momentum. The same tractor then hauls the wagon and its queer load to the work site. There one end of the wagon is lowered by dig- ging under the wheels, and with the trac- tor’s aid the locomotive is slowly backed off onto the ground rails prepared for its reception. THERMOMETER DIAL LEGIBLE AT LONG DISTANCE Because of the large size and marking of its dial, a thermometer recently placed on the market by an eastern firm can be read at a distance of 20 or 30 ft., accord- ing to the manufac- turers. White grad- uations and figures on a black back- ground are used, and the indicating hand is white. All parts of the device are metal, excepting the dial face cover, which is glass. It is possi- ble to place the dial as much as 300 ft. away from the heat- sensitive bulb which operates the mechan- _- —_—— ism, by connecting the two with a flexible metal tube filled with the same fluid as the bulb. The in- strument is made in several sizes, suitable for different installations. @A new source of gum, obtained from the candlewood of Arizona, is stated to have all the properties of rubber and to vulcanize properly. A ton of raw mate- rial yields about 200 lb. of gum and 90 lb. of a tarry by-product, which is also valuable. Left: The Locomotive, on Its Special Wagon, being Hauled along the Road by a 120-Horsepower Tractor. Right: Pulling the Locomotive from the Flat Car onto the Rails of the Steel Wagon

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Ca rat ibaa Ts i POPULAR MECHANICS 703 SY OF THE IRON AGE e of the New Screw Machines, of 1}%-Inch Capacity, Equipped with Gear Friction Head and Power Feed for the Turret and Cut-Off. The Turret Slide and Saddle are Seen in Detail at the Left NEW SCREW MACHINES EMBODY SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS new type of screw machine, the duct of an Indiana concern and made five sizes, from 446 to 2%6-in. capacity, nteresting in that it combines in one desirable features previously scattered ong several machines. Its most not- characteristic is that its parts are ndard and interchangeable, allowing ‘rent combinations of units to suit cific needs without altering the design. er, hand-screw, or power feed may be talled as desired. The = spring-collet uck is operated by a fork lever, instead the usual sliding fork, and the bar of +k is fed forward by the motion of the ymatic chuck lever through a system connecting links. A number of other rovements and refinements are em- “lied in the new machines, which are ilt with sufficient rigidity and power only to meet all present demands of lern high-speed steel, but to allow a nsiderable margin for future develop- nts in cutting metals. POWER COMPANY USES TRUSSED AND COMBINATION POLES The people of one American city have ‘en interested lately in the work of the pany which supplies the city with lectricity. This activity has been con- ‘rned with the poles which support the irious distribution lines. Many of the ld-fashioned all-wood poles have been replaced, first, by combination poles con- ‘isting of latticed ironwork topped by rt lengths of wood. Poles of this kind combine the merits of permanence and good insulation. Many poles have been trussed, second, when located at street corners and other spots where guying was advisable but impossible. This truss ing provides counterstrain without en- dangering traffic. The wooden poles have One of the Combination Iron and Wood Poles is Seen at the Left. At the Right Is a Pole Which has been Strengthened by the Addition of a Truss. Inset Is a Pole with Two of the Identification Plates been identified as company property, fin- ally, by small plates of tin on which are embossed the initials of the company. @ Figures reported for the first year of civil flying in England reveal a total air mileage of 734,200, made in 38,954 flights, carrying 70,000 passengers with but one fatal accident. Machines numbering 519 were registered.

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CONCRETE DIKES USED IN OYSTER CULTURE BY CLEVELAND GAINES climateofwestern Washington is not se- vere, there is often sui ficient frost to kill th: oysters unless protective measures are adopted The oyster beds have at all times been kept coy ered with water by means of the so-called French “parking” sys tem; that is, the sloping areas covered by the oyster beds are terraced ‘ and dikes provided whic} retain sufficient water a —_ the tides recede. The Forms for the Concrete Dikes, Protecting the Oyster Beds, are Erected The first dikes built o1 yn the Sea Bottom When the Tide Is Out : Puget Sound were made eS *: R culture has become an in- of planks fastened to stakes and filled ' dustry of considerable importance on with earth, the walls beingabout 1 ft. thicl] ‘ Puget Sound. At its southern extremity, But this form of construction was found near Olympia, the cap- to give only one year’s ital of Washington, service, because craw there are extensive beds fish bored under the which have been suc- wooden walls, permit- cessfully operated for ting the water to es many years and which cape, and the teredo are being enlarged as rapidly destroyed the rapidly as possible. timber. Logging opera Both the native, or tions and floating drift “Olympia,” oyster and woodalsodamaged the eastern oyster are these makeshift dikes successfully propagated frequently, so this tem- in these waters. The porary construction Olympia oyster is high- was abandoned and the ly prized for cocktails dikes were built of cor and similar special crete. Some of these dishes of the banquet concrete dikes have table. It is much small- now been in service for er than the oysters of many years. and are as Chesapeake Bay and a ee eee effective as the day they other eastern beds. oS vant at. Ta were completed. | The oyster beds on ' Leveled Of with a Trowel [The concrete dikes Puget Sound are located in comparatively shallow Bie 3 water. On account of the great range of ocean tides in this territory, the beds ire exposed 1 during periods of ex- treme low tides. As these occur at night during the - winter and during the day in the summer, the oysters are subject to in- jury from the heat of the sun at extreme low tides in the latter season, and from freezing during the winter. Whilethe winter 7O4 The Concrete Mixer is Carried on a Scow, from Which the Prepared Con crete is Poured Directly into the Forms Seen at the Right. By This Method the Dikes are Constructed Quite Rapidly, and When Set Are Practically Indestructible

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i POPULAR ire from 1 to 4 ft. in height, usually 9 in, in width at the top, with one face verti- cal and the other sloped about 1 in. to the foot of height. The concrete mixer is mounted on a_= small barge or raft, and the materials are towed on scows to the mixer. \Vooden forms are built at low tide and are left in place after the con- crete is poured. In most cases a 1:7 mixture is used, and vertical steel reinforcing rods are placed in the concrete. The diked areas are of irregular shape, conform- ing to the contour of § a the tideflats. In every bed there are a _ great many small diked areas ranging in size from two to six acres. Some of the larger beds, composed of many smaller units, aggregate 60 acres, \s a matter of crop insurance, the con- crete dikes have proved a profitable in- vestment. During the unusually severe winter of 1919, approximately half of the oyster beds were not protected by the MECHANICS 705 diking system, and the crop was killed by the low temperature. The oysters in the diked areas were not harmed. Be- The Oyster Bed Seen Uncovered in the Foreground and Center has been Well Served for Years by the Concrete Dike at the Left sides, the first cost of the concrete dike is not high, and practically no mainte- nance expense is involved, since it ap- pears to be unaffected by the salty or brackish water of the oyster beds and resists perfectly the destructive action of floating logs and other débris thrown against it by the tidal currents. MOVABLE CABINETS BASIS OF NEW SELLING PLAN As an accommodation to visiting buyers, a large wholesale infants’-wear establishment in Chicago, Ill., has lately substituted for the permanent shelves in its sample room nu- merous movable cabinets. ach of these contains six wide drawers, is fit- ted with hinged wing boards on the sides, and rolls quietly on four rub- ber-tired casters. For- merly the buyer was often compelled to walk tiresomely from one display case to another; but since the installation of the “a la carte” system, as punning employes have dubbed it, she is simply ushered to an easy-chair in an airy, parlorlike buying room. A moment after she has an- nounced her wants a saleslady wheels into the room a cabinet containing the desired samples. It is plain that the system might with advantage be adapted to other com- modities as well These Movable Cabinets have Replaced the Perma- nent Shelves in the Sample Room of the Large Whole- sale Clothing House Instead of Walking from One Display Case to An other, the Visiting Buyer “a . Seats Herself Comfortably in a Parlorlike Display Room and Makes Her Se- lections from the Stock, Wheeled In on the Shelves of the Movable Cabinets

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706 SODA AND POTASH KETTLES HEATED BY GAS Steam-heated soda and potash kettles have long been used in the larger fac- tories and shops for cleaning grease, dirt, and chips from screws, nuts, gears, and similar parts, in prep- aration for hardening, plating, sembling, or repairing them. Instal- lation of these kettles in smaller es- tablishments, which ordina- as- rily use gas- oline for this work, is now made pos- sible, how- ever, by the introduction of a gas-heated apparatus. This consists of a barrellike frame with a circular gas burner in the bottom, a removable pot, and a metal basket into which the articles are placed for immersion. PECULIAR VALVE KEEPS WATER IN FURNACE HUMIDIFIER PAN For maintaining constant water level in the humidifier pan of the hot-air furnace there is now made a valve of interesting action. It is controlled by a double rocker arm, at one end of which is a cast- iron weight, at the other a conical water tank. The port between tank and humid- — ee _ — The Valve is Seen at the Left as Installed beside the Humidifier Pan of the Hot-Air Furnace. At the Right Is a Cutaway View ifier pan is always open. As the water rises in the pan, it backs up into the con- ical tank until the tank outweighs the POPULAR MECHANICS iron weight, when the tank falls, and the tlow of water to the pan is stopped. Simi- larly, as the water evaporates from the pan, the conical tank slowly grows lighter than the weight, until it rises, and so al- lows the water to flow in from the city main. To close the valve for the sum mer it is necessary simply to remove the weight from the rocker arm. ALUMINUM AUTO PISTONS WORK WITH VARYING CLEARANCE Special aluminum pistons, now fitted as standard equipment in a popular make of eight-cylinder auto, proved themselves, in recent tests, capable of meeting unusual conditions of interchangeability and vary- ing clearance. Three new stock cars were tested briefly for acceleration and speed, and their 24 pistons were then removed, mixed up together, and replaced at ran- dom. As a result, the clearances varied from .001 to .00575 in., some pistons being tight and others quite loose. In spite of this condition, tests with the reassembled cars showed only slight variations from the original records of acceleration and speed, and no symptoms were developed either of piston slap with the loose pis- tons, or of sticking of the tight ones. TELESCOPING CYLINDER KILLS “STATIC” NOISES IN WIRELESS For eliminating the rumbling, scratch- ing noises which under the name of “static disturbances” have long inconven- The Metal Cylinder at the Right is Telescoped Until It Is in Resonance with the Radio Signals. Thus the “‘Static’’ Noises are Cut Out ienced the wireless operator, there is now made a simple, nonelectrical ma- chine. It consists of a telescoping, air- tight cylinder, at one end of which is the receiver, at the other a tube which con- nects with the earpieces of a stethoscope. As the tones of the “static” differ in pitch from those of the signals, the operator simply adjusts the cylinder until the con- tained air is in resonance with the latter. In this way the foreign noises are cut out, and the radio signals come through with- out interference,

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POPULAR MECHANICS 707 lhe Apparatus a Revolving Made. Mounted on the Special Plow at Drum Drawbar Pull, Slippage The General Purpose Is to Test the APPARATUS RECORDS WORK OF TRACTOR AND PLOW Mounted on a special plow, an appa- of recent development measures and ds the detailed pertormance as the is drawn across the field by a trac- fo measure the pull of the tractor, of all, an oil cylinder is used at one d of the l by ored tube to the pencil on the re- ug drum. On this drum, revolved ins of a small trailing wheel, the = . ¢ ‘ “Ant ~+ drawbar, and 1s connect ; e intervals are marked by clockwork. eveal slippage, further, two pencils cord the number of revolutions made the rear wheels of the tractor. The eptl of the furrows are recorded, lly, by means of curved steel rods ich drag in the furrows and actuate vo more pencils, EGGS PRESERVED FOR WEEKS BY ARTIFICIAL SHELL Preserving eggs by giving them an ex- ra, artificial shell is the method used by Michigan inventor, who has com- pounded a liquid which dries on the egg in a hard, air-tight coating. After the eggs are dipped and dried, which takes ut a short time, they are much less readily broken, and, if strictly fresh when treated, are preserved for a number of weeks without deterioration. They may be kept still longer in cold weather by immersing them in water, which dissolves the coating and forms a preservative solu- tion. From one to two hours’ immersion is required to remove the false shell. | ) Machines Right of the Tractor the Wheels, and the under Measures and Recorag’ ou Depths of the Furrows Actual Working Conditions CRANE ON WAGON BED USED TO ICE RAILROAD CARS Though it is a simple affair, consisting only of two shear legs pivoted to the bed of a wagon, a small crane is now provin itself invaluable in one of the Minneapol railroad yards for the work of hoisting 1c from the wagons to the tops of refriget ' ator cars. Its chief merit, naturally, is it This Simple Apparatus is Used for Lifting Ice from the Wagons to the Tops of Refrigerator Cars It is Moved and Powered by One Horse portability. One horse pulls it easily into position; then is led out from the shafts and hitched to one end ef the hoisting cable.

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+08 POPULAR MEXICAN HOT TAMALES NOW MADE BY MACHINE Those who in the past have suppressed a desire for Mexican hot tamales because of suspicions regarding the conditions of This Electrically Operated Machine Turns Out the Famous Mexican Hot Tamale at the Rate of 100 a Minute manufacture will be pleased to know that the fiery dish can now be made by machine. The wrappers, spiced meat, cooked cornmeal, and other ingredients, are fed into various hoppers, and then are compounded, rolled, tied, and finally iall off the conveyor belt at the rate of 100 a minute. \s the skilled tamale maker seldom turns out more than one a minute, it is apparent that the product of the factory is to be known hereafter for its bulk as well as for its cleanliness. MECHANICS CRATERS MADE BY AIR BOMBS RESEMBLE RINGS ON MOON That the ringlike craters that mark the moon’s surface, familiar to all through many published photographs, were formed by gigantic explosions, seems to be indi cated by the results of certain war-time experiments. Bombs dropped from ait planes on a certain eastern field left mark ings which, photographed, bore a striking resemblance to the lunar craters and peaks. The explanation advanced is that meteoric bodies striking the moon at speeds of 10 to 40 miles a second, unre tarded by any atmosphere, developed an impact temperature of something like 27,000" F., turning everything at the con tact point into a gas, whose sudden out rush had all the characteristics of a huge bomb explosion. CYCLIST’S HANDS AND FEET WARMED BY EXHAUST GASES Thanks to a recent invention of a mo torcycle-heating system, the owners of these two-wheeled machines may now warm themselves in winter, like the own ers of the most luxurious limousines, by utilizing the exhaust gases of the engine. This is done by leading the gases throug! Hexible pipes to metal cowls on handle bars and footrests. On the first, these cowls resemble small megaphones; on th: footrests they are not unlike the leathe: shields fitted to the cowboy’s stirrup Even without the warming of the gas¢ these cowls are a wintertime convenience, as they protect hands and feet from the numbing rush of the air, Flexible Pipes Lead from the Exhaust Manifold to Cowls on Handlebars and Footrests, as Seen in the Side View at the Left and the Close-Up at the Right. This Arrangement Keeps the Driver’s Hands and Feet Warm on the Coldest Day

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POPULAR MECHANICS 709 CAPTIVE AMUSEMENT PLANE FLIES WITHOUT PILOT Genuine airplane ehts within the con- nes of an ordinary 1usement park are ide available to pleas- seekers by a recent California invention, ich dispenses alto- her with a pilot, and ures complete safety the passengers. The the flight, surse of The Operators Controlling the Electric Motor and Winding Drum as the tor. aptive Airplane, Drawn by the Cable, Nears the End of Its Flight hich may be from 1,000 ft. to a quarter le or more, is marked by a pair ot slack les, anchored to the ground at each Rings on the airplane wings encircle The Captive Plane in Full Flight, Drawn Along by the Center Cable and Guided and Confined by the Side Cables, Which Pass through Rings on the Wings the cables and are so ar- ranged that the plane is kept horizontal at all times. The motive pow er is a third cable, at- tached to the plane and wound on a drum at the end of the course, driven by a 50 hp. electric mo When the power is applied, the plane gains speed until it rises in the usual manner, taking up the slack of the anchored cables, but confined by them to a height that thrills its passengers with- out frightening them. CRANKSHAFT TRUED BY SIMPLE TOOL WITHOUT REMOVAL _The garageman who has trued up crank- aits heretofore on an expensive grind- ing machine will be surprised to learn that by means of a new tool this work can now otten be done without removing the shaft rom the car. The tool consists of a semi- circular cutter and a like-shaped grinder which are fitted into a hinged frame in order that they may be clamped about the crankpin. A handle is screwed into one member of the frame to make manipula- tion of the tool easy. As the cutter re- moves the high spots on the pin, the nut of the clamping screw is turned to main- tain contact. The Tool is Shown Open and Closed, at the Right, and at the Left. as Used in Truing Up a Shaft. The Cut ting Side of the Tool Removes High Spots and the Other Side Smoothes the Shaft

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710 CANADIAN WHISKY SHIPPED IN PIG CARCASSES Canada is no oasis in the American Sa- hara and illicit liquor trafficking is being developed into a fine art. All manner ot Another Bootlegger’s Trick Discovered: A_ Large Consignment of Liquor Concealed in Pig Car- casses Confiscated by Canadian Officials clever dodges are resorted to by the whisky runners, possibly one of the most original being the shipment of a large consignment of liquor packed in the car casses of pigs. The liquor was discovered by officers as the “pork” was being un- loaded from the freight cars. Needless to say it was confiscated by the officials. DISTINCTNESS OF SOUNDS AS HEARD BY TELEPHONE An extended and comprehensive re- search on the ability of the human ear to recognize sounds heard over the tele- phone has just been completed, and the results were reported at a recent meeting of the American Physical Society, in the Right. POPULAR MECHANICS Washington, D. C. It appears tliat, at all intensities, the sounds of “th,” “f,” and “vy” are consistently the most difficult to understand, and, at weak volumes, the “z,” “h,” and “s” are heard with great uncertainty. As a rule, the consonants are harder to recognize than the vowels, but there are notable exceptions in the case of the consonants “I,” “r,” and “ng,” which are among the very easiest sounds to hear correctly, while the vowel “e,” as in “ten,” is among the most difficult. The sounds “i,” “ou,” and the vowel sound in the word “talk” are missed less than once in ten times, even with very weak in tensities. NEW INDOOR GAME PLAYED WITH BAG ON END OF ROPE An indoor athletic game of recent in vention demands of the contestants cen- siderable quickness of muscle and eye, yet can be played in a smail room without damage to furniture or windows. Th apparatus which makes this possible con sists of a pipe standard, about five feet high, which is mounted on an ordinary table, and from the upper end of whic! hangs a shorter length of rope, with pear-shaped punching bag fastened to its free end. In order to play the game, the contest ants strike the ball with the hand, those on one side of the table attempting to wind the rope around the pipe in on direction, those on the other side striving to do the opposite. By lengthening or shortening the rope the players can adapt the apparatus to the desiring to play. size of the cro vd Two Players are Demonstrating the New Indoor Athletic Game, at The Apparatus Consists of a Pipe Standard, a Lengt of Rope, and a Pear-Shaned Punching Bag. being Adjusted to the Table Top, at the Left The Standard Bass

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This Photograph of the First Electrically Propelled Merchant Ship was Taken Shortly after Its Resurrection rom the Bottom of Chesapeake Bay, and Before It was Towed to Brooklyn, New York, for Installation of the » Yew Power Plant. The Plates have been Removed, Above, from the Area Struck by the English Freighter FIRST ELECTRICALLY PROPELLED MERCHANT SHIP By JOE L. MURPHY | Iie CTRICAL propulsion for ocean- going steamships, first advocated and lopted by the United States Navy only o or three years ago, is now deemed racticable and economical, and here in he United States, the first electrically ropelled passenger and merchant ship | the world is being fitted out. rhis pioneer ship is the “Powhatan,” t, upon its rechristening, it will be nown as the “Cuba.” Once lying at the bot- m of Chesapeake Bay, ere it was sent fol- wing a collision with English freighter, vessel's rehabilita- promises to be the “ st interesting in the 4 nals of maritime af- / rs. It will be electri- Y lly driven, electrically y rhted, and its vinches Y lectrically operated. Y) ctricit) vil] play the q » part throughout the Via terior. Only its auxili- y/ ry pumps for fresh Y ater, bilge, fire, etc., y vill remain the same as = — those in ordinary recip- The rocating-engine types of boats. Principal in the electrical apparatus which is being installed in the “Cuba” are, ol course, the motor proper, turbo-gener- ator, exciter sets, and electric-lighting set. The motor is of 3,000 hp., using cur- rent at 1,150 volts, and will run at 100 r.p.m. Its diameter is 14 ft. 2 in., and the over-all length, 9 ft. 2 in. The turbo- generatur, of 3,150 hp., will run at 3,000 r.p.m., and will have separate exciting sets, by which speed and reversing oper- ations may be controlled. Exciter Sets of the “Cuba's” Electrical Equipment are being Installed, Above. This and the Other Electrical Work was Done After the Ship had been Thoroughly Overhauled This generator will receive its steam from the main boiler of locomotive super- 711

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> < 12 POPULAR heater type, delivering the steam at 250 F. superheat, and a working pressure of 190 lb. The boilers are oil-burning. A main condenser, weighing 31,000 Ib. and with an area of 7,000 sq. ft., will have | ; This View of the Boiler Room Suggests the Condition of was Berthed at Norfolk, Virginia, after Six Months on the an over-all length of 14 ft. 10 in. ~ diameter ot 6 ft and a . The electric-lighting set of 50 kw., at 125 volts, is 10 ft. 9 in. by 2 ft. 9 in. in dimensions. The main circulat- ing pump is motor-driven, while the ex- citers, of which there are two. are to be turbine-driven, with an over-all length of 13 ft. by 3 ft. 6 inches. An idea of the size of the “Cuba” may help the reader better to understand that electric propulsion for ships has passed, or is about to pass, from the experimen- tal stage. This ship is not a pigmy in comparison with ordinary ocean-going passenger and cargo ships. It is 300 ft. long, of 2,898 gross tons, and of 42-ft. beam. It has had an eventful career. The sinking occurred about three years ago off “Thimble Light, Va. It lay submerged for six months and was considered a total loss. But war made a de- mand for tonnage and the “Pow- hatan” was rescued from the waters of the Chesapeake. serthed at Norfolk, Va., after its salvaging, it was towed to Brook- lyn, N. Y., where its re-creation is being carried out. At the time of the accident, the “Powhatan” was in the freight and passenger service be- tween Norfolk and 3oston. While its resurrection was not accomplished in time to permit it to take a part in the World War, it is, neverthe-

MECHANICS less, a war veteran, for during the Span- ish-American War it was taken over by the Navy Department and rechristened the “Yorktown.” Since then it has been successively known as the “Rawlins,” “Resolute,” “Yosemite,” and the “Powhatan.” Now, the trials and the ultimate return to service of the S. §S. “Cuba” will command the attention not only of the shipping world, but of those wizards of elec- tricity who, in the small space of three years, have developed improve- ments in electrical de- signs which justify apply ing the electrical drive to mercantile vessels. As to the operation of electrically driven ves sels, the bugaboo as re gards electricity is fast leaving the minds of the ship owners, who are coming to realize that, instead of introducing difficulties in the matter of operating force, the adop- tion of the electric drive will eliminate them and make ships considerably less dependent upon the skill and resourceful ness of crews. Convinced of the simplic- ity of large electrical apparatus as com- pared with small, the ship owner has also found that the machinery used to propel a ship electrically is in more than one respect less complicated than that which is used to light it. The motor itself em- bodies much of this simplicity. It would the Ship When It Bottom of the Bay be equipped with a simple, slow-moving The 45-Ton Motor Develops 3,000 Horsepower, Using Current at 1,150 Volts. The Diameter Is 14 Feet 2 Inches. It is being Lowered into the Hull, Above oil pump maintaining automatic lubrica- tion in the motor compartment. A storage

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POPULAR MECHANICS tank with an emergency drip supply to ie low-speed bearings is deemed prac- ticable for lubrication purposes, and thus cli-lubrication becomes quite safe as ell as simple. The success of the electrical drive is uaranteed. Electrically driven auxilia- ries are to assure the reliability and prac- ticability of the new service. Such auxili- iry apparatus, it is claimed, will be less 713 liable to imterruption than any other form of single-screw equipment. Provi- sions are being made for the navigation of the ship at half speed even thotagh the main generating unit be out of service. This would come through a motor-gen- erator set or rotary converter, arranged so that the power of the auxiliary gener-

HAMMERS PIECES OF IRON INTO ARTIFICIAL ROSE Working during his leisure hours with hammer just a and a few other simple tools, a workman in a steel plant at Moline, Ill., com- pleted recently a beautiful job of iron forging. It takes the form of an American Beauty rose, com-

plete with indi- vidual petals, long stem, and leaves. : So painstaking is the craftsmanship that in the leaves and petals the texture of nature is faith- fully reproduced. CHURCH TO ATTRACT ALL EYES WITH HUGE ELECTRIC SIGN Not to be outdone by worldly and frivolous competitors in the eternal ef- fort to catch the wandering eye of: man, a New York church is erecting an electric enormous proportions and un- sign ol Yeah Age - ch #4 eee a +" ating units be delivered to the main motor. usual attractiveness. Built at a cost of $3,000, the new sign is 25 ft. high and projects 8 ft. from the building. A white cross, 6 ft. by 4 ft., of gas-filled lamps will blaze at the top, with an Ameri- can flag in colored bulbs just below, and beneath that the flag of the church, a blue square and red cross on a white field. Finally the name of the church appears in gigantic letters, with the legend “Al- ways Welcome.” <A _ large illuminated clock is included in the arrangement. ORCHARD-SPRAYING TRUCK HAS REMOVABLE TANK \ motor truck with special chassis and removable tank is now being put out for the use of the farmer in sprinkling roads, for distributing liquid fertilizer, and more particularly, for spraying gardens and or- chards. These. operations the truck per- forms quickly because it can be run al- most continuously, if one tank is filled while the second is being emptied. Each tank 1s provided with a platform, or run- ning board, and two nozzle connections on either side, making it easy to work upon two rows of trees, shrubs, etc., simultaneously. A suction valve facili- tates filling when the tank is not removed.

This New Orchard-Spraying Truck is Featured by the Fact That the Tank can be Removed Easily When Emptied. in Refilling. If Two Tanks Are Available the Truck can be Operated, Obviously, with a Minimum of Time Lost Each Tank is Provided with a Running Board and Two Nozzle Connections on Each Side

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w14 POPULAR HEAVY METAL CUT WITH TORCH IN RECORD TIME In just a few minutes more than an hour an oxyacetylene operator made seven cuts, totaling 91 in. of solid metal, i = —~ ~ t a Cutting through 91 Inches of Solid Metal in Slightly over an Hour Is the Record of a Single Oper- ator Using an Oxyacetylene Torch through forged-steel shafts varying from 12 to 14 in. in diameter. Eight minutes were required for each of the two cuts from the 12-in. shaft, 10 minutes to make each of the three 13-in. cuts, and it took 12 minutes to sever each of the 14-in. sec- tions. In making the seven cuts, 1,400 cu. ft. of oxygen and 120 cu. ft. of acety- lene were used. In cutting metals, large quantities of oxygen are needed to pro- duce the oxidizing flame required. KITCHEN SINK IS ADJUSTABLE TO HEIGHT OF HOUSEKEEPER The adjustable sinks now being manu- factured by an American company will be appreciated most by the housekeeper who realizes that much of her fatigue is caused by working over a kitchen sink that is too high, or, more commonly, too low. Ad- 4 & The Housekeeper Adjusts the Sup- ports of the Sink to Her Height by Turning a ™ Horizontal Hand- wheel MECHANICS justability is secured by means of tele- scoping conduits and supports which are shortened or lengthened by turning a horizontal handwheel. Considered apart from its adjustable supports, the sink is enameled inside and out, and is provided with a shelf for soap, scouring powder, and other necessities. SMALL SOY-BEAN HARVESTER RUNS BETWEEN CORN ROWS Soy beans planted between corn rows, asisthecustom on many farms, may be hat vested without disturbing tlie corn by a machine now onthe market. Theharvester, with a tread only 39 in. wide, will readily work between corn rows 415 ft. apart, and two mules can haul it easily. The body, which holds 15 bu. of beans, may be ad justed from 4 to 12 in. above the ground. The bean plants pass into an opening at the front, as the machine progresses along the row, and a revolving beater, weighing 200 Ib. and striking 25 blows at each revo lution, removes the beans. The heavy beater acts as a flywheel, enabling the The Bean Harvester, Drawn by Two Mules, Working between Corn Rows: The Bean Plants are Seen Issuing from the Body at the Rear harvester to handle a tangle of plants without clogging. A rider with a pitch fork removes the plants at the rear as the beater, having separated the beans, passes them back. WOODSMAN BUILDS LUXURIOUS CABIN ¥“R BUSINESS MAN Instructed by a wealthy business man to work c tt his own ideas with no regard for expense, a former forest ranger has constructed for his employer, on the shores of Lake Crescent in northwestern Washington, a well-nigh ideal three-room log cabin. The walls he built from logs of Douglas fir, after peeling, mottling, and

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POPULAR MECHANICS ~ — or This Close-Up View of the Back Porch Emphasizes the Curious Appearance of the Logs. Each was Peeled, Mottled —_ with a Hot Iron, and Coated with a Pre- [he Back Porch of the Luxuri- 4 serving Oil Before being Put into Place 1s Cabin is Provided with a ; —_~ varge Stone Fireplace for Use n Pleasant Weather. From the rch One Steps into the Spa- cious Living Room ating with preserving ils each log. On the ide-eaved roof he laid hakes,” or giant shin- of red cedar. To raw the smoke from the le fireplace in the mid- or living, room, and ym the other on the ick porch, he built a lassive chimnev At This Front View of the Cabin was Made from the Little Pier Which Ex- ; ig ‘ tends into the Blue Waters of Lake Crescent. The Front of the Living me distance from the Room is Seen to be Composed Largely of Square Panes of Glass in he erected a shed or the small power plant, which supplies WHALING BARK STORES CATCH rent for the lights and for the electric IN SHEET-IRON BARRELS eaters installed in every room. This cur- nt heats the water, too, for the basins Though the Norwegians were expert nd shower baths in the cement-floored whalers 1,000 years ago, the venerable in- ithroom. The side of the living room dustry is far from the familiar senility hich faces the lake the ranger built which scorns the manners of today. “A rgely of glass, so making the most of a proof of this was offered recently whe tchless view- of wooded shores and an American whaling bark put into an eastern port and discharged its cargo, not att a “at ~ tne e” At the Right Are a Number of the New Sheet-Iron Barrels Containing Part of the Bark’s Catch of 1,100 Barrels for the Year, The Close-Up at the Left Shows the Encircling Bands of Iron with the Screw-Cap Bung between Them

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716 POPULAR in the old-fashioned wooden casks, but in cylindrical, sheet-iron barrels. These are of rather peculiar design in that the mid-section of each is encircled by two heavy bands of iron. Between these is the bung, of the screw-cap type. Thus the bands not only stiffen the barrel against crushing or denting forces, but, more important, make damage to the bung improbable. VERTICAL-SHAFT WINDMILL HAS ADJUSTABLE VANES Automatic control and hand adjust- ment are both provided for the regula- tion of a new type of windmill designed — Left: A Complete Working Model of the New Wind- mill. Right: Diagram Showing Governor and Lever Control by an Ohio inventor, which has _ the further merit of symmetrical shape and ornamental appearance. The machine is of the vertical-shaft variety, and the seg- ment-shaped vanes, pivoted at top and bottom, are arranged in the form of a sphere, with a centrifugal governor mounted inside. With one edge of each vane turned into the wind, the maximum power is developed, but when set to form a closed ball, the mill remains motionless. This adjustment, normally performed by the governor, may also be made by means of a hand lever. @ Barrels and casks, especially those used for beer, are being sterilized in Germany by inserting a quartz lamp and producing ultraviolet rays for a period of 15 to 30 seconds. A longer exposure is likely to decompose the pitch lining of the casks. MECHANICS ODD SCHOOL MIXES PRACTICAL EXERCISES WITH STUDY Believing that children are harmed rather than benefited by long continued application to theoretical study, an Australian educator has built a new school of peculiar character. A large gymnasium occupies the center of the one-story building, which accommodates some 450 pupils. The classrooms are around the outside, with glass-paneled walls that swing outward, and glass doors that open into the gymnasium, giving un- limited circulation of air. Though the morning sessions are of the conventional order, in the afternoon gardening and various handicrafts are substituted, of a nature calculated jto train the hand and eye as well as the mind. The work of the day is interspersed with properly directed periods of exercise in the gymnasium. TROUGHS MAKE ARID FOREST LAND AVAILABLE AS PASTURE The pastures of one national forest in a western state have not been available for sheep grazing, in the past, because of the scarcity of running water. Small springs have lately been discovered, how ever, in several parts of the preserve. As a result, the forest service has had constructed a number of sectional, galvanized-iron troughs which are set up in any desired length beside the tiny springs. One of these troughs, typical of the others, is fed through a short pipe and has a capacity of 500 gal. It meas ures 51 ft. long, 1115 in. wide, and 22 in. deep. Conserved in troughs of this sort, the: water supply, though scanty, is sufficient for the flocks admitted to the area. recently Water from the Tiny Springs is Conserved in This and Similar Troughs, Making the Pastures of the Forest Available for Sheep Grazing

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POPULAR MECHANICS wi DOUBLE-DECK AUTO BED BILLETS WHOLE FAMILY The Back of the Front Seat in Lowered Position, Ready to Receive the Bedding Side View of the Upper Berth Made and Occu- pied, and the Lower Partly Made \ll that is neces- rear seat carries a iry to make a com- fortable bed in an itomobile, with a California man’s in- ention, is to release wo catches, lower he back of the ront seat on hinges, and spread bedding This, when set d, Accommodating All the Passengers The Whole Automobile Converted into a Double-Deck Be folding cot, with legs at one end to fit the edge of the car body, and clamps at the other to fasten it to the windshield posts. up, forms the upper berth the three cushions thus assembled. of a sleeping compartment commodious his arrangement not only saves cutting enough to accommodate a whole family. down the height of the seat back, as is When side curtains have been added, the ometimes done, but puts it to use as part car resembles in comfort and privacy a of the bed. A compartment back of the Pullman section. WHARF HOUSE ON ROLLERS MEETS ALL RIVER LEVELS One of the chief prob- lems of waterway trans- portation, the great and often sudden changes of iver level, is met on the Ohio River in West Vir- vinia by setting the wharf ouses on small, wide- tread wheels, or rollers. nclined wharves, paved with brick, run down into the water, and the house ' down, to the river's edge, means of a }-in. wire ype, wound on a small vinch on the bank. The huilding measures 16 by 32 ft. 6 ft. ot the shore , moved up or ¢ t a . i * on A : nd being the office. Tele- The Wharf House, Resting on Rollers on an Inclined Brick Wharf, is phone connections are made through a reel of wire attached to slack as the house is pulled back out of the wall, which is turned to take up the the rising water. Kept at the Water’s Edge as the River Level Changes

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718 POPULAR HOLE IN CAVERN ROOF TRAPS WATER FROM STREETS OF TOWN Towns that “just grow up,” like Topsy, often have no drainage systems and be- come breeding places for all manner of The Drainage Shaft in the Center of the Sink Hole was Lined with Cement and Provided with This Manhole Top disease. Such a town was Orleans, Ind. Situated in the heart of the limestone region where there are few creeks and brooks, and fewer rivers, where the hills pile up one after another, and the valleys end in a hill, with no chance for drainage, this town often found itself in a pond of water which drained slowly through one lone sink hole near the edge of town. A sink hole, in this section, is a low place where the water collects and seeps through to the underground rivers and creeks in which this territory abounds. And this particular hole held the drain- age not only of the town but of the ter- ritory for miles around. A severe rain- storm flooded cellars and streets and at times made the town almost uninhabit- able. A remedy for the trouble was sought recently, and at last one of the “city dads” ventured the proposition that if the bot- The Conduits Which Carry the Water to the Shaft are Provided with Flat Covers That Resemble a Sidewalk tom of this sink hole were blasted out, the problem would be solved. Accordingly, in the soft ground at the center of the MECHANICS hole, a shaft was sunk about 20 ft. to the solid rock. This rock stratum was then drilled, and a hole blasted through to the cavern over which the town is built. A series of conduits, which look. from above, much like sidewalks, were built through those sections of the town where the water gathered most easily, and were led to the shaft, now neatly cemented and covered. This device has entirely eliminated the flood nuisance. AIRDROME USES RAILROAD- CROSSING WARNING As the roll of a landing airplane can never be adequately controlled, warning along roads bordering an un- fenced airdrome are now signs becoming com- mon. These signs usually take the form of a simple rectangular signboard, advis ing the teamster or motorist to look around before proceeding. But at the This Warning Sign at the Airdrome Edge Gains E! tectiveness through Its Resemblance to the Familiar Crossarms at Railroad Crossings one field have now been erected less conventional signs that catch the eye unfailingly because of their resemblance to the familiar crossarms at railroad crossings. The words “Airplane Cross- ing” are painted on them in large letter FORT, RELIC OF INDIAN WARS. IS PERFECTLY PRESERVED Less than half a century ago almost every Amegican community west oi the Mississippi was protected against Indian raids by a fort or stockade. Most of these structures have now fallen into dust. In southern Utah, however, is a stone structure, known as “Cove Fort,” which was built in 1867, at the time of the Blackhawk-Mormon War, yet is today in a state of perfect preservation. It is now used, in fact,.as a ranch house and hotel. The four outer walls are each about 100 side of

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POPULAR 2 — ", ? vf . * St j 4 44 £ had 4) a. P a a oe yl ae ee at Are : ot Pham 2 PES MECHANICS +19 af. *e ee rhe Inscription over the Entrance of This Fort in Southern Utah Proclaims That the Structure was Built in 1867. Despite Its Age, the Fort is Now Used as a Ranch House and Hotel long, and are built entirely of stone. ihey are pierced only twice, once by a mall postern in rear, and once by a large entrance in front. The larger doors are formed of two thicknesses of heavy lanks, the space between which, accord- ng to the present owner, was formerly lled with sand. CONTROLS OF NEW MOTOR TUG CENTERED IN WHEELHOUSE Centralized in the wheelhouse of an unusual motor tug, built recently for an eastern shipyard, are devices which make it possible for one person to control every movement of the vessel. In ad- dition to the regulation steering wheel, there are a fuel valve, for regulating the engine’s speed, and levers for starting, stoppirig, and reversing the propeller. % Crude oil is utilized by the 100-hp. dri ing motor, which is installed underneath the wheelhouse in plain view of the pilot. The fuel tanks have a capacity of 700 gal. extremely satisfactory service has been rendered by the craft. To illustrate the boat's tremendous pulling power can be cited an instance where it moved an as- sembly consisting of a huge dredge; a scow, loaded with 273 tons of coal; a float ing derrick, and 40 pontoons, the latte: supperting a large dredging pipe. Such a task ordinarily requires two steam tugs. The vessel is 51 ft. 2 in. in length; has a beam of 1414 ft., and a draft of 5 ft. Its construction is very substantial, frames me ji—— All the Controls of the New Motor Tug are Centralized in the Little Wheelhouse and planking being un- usually heavy, but he- cause of its arrange- One of the Heaviest Loads Towed by the Tug to Date Was This Assembly, dled Consisting of a Large Dredge, a Loaded Scow, a Floating Derrick, : and a Dredging Pipe Borne on 40 Pontoons boat. ment, it is as easily han as a light motor-

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720 POPULAR MECHANICS ONE-MAN STREET CARS FITTED one-man street cars recently put into ser- WITH SAFETY SWITCH PANELS vice in New York City have installed in each a safety switch panel. Chis is That it may be impossible for the mounted above a vestibule window wher« motorman to come into contact with live it can be reached easily by the motorma Six handles project from the panel, bearing the¢ names “Headlight “Buzzer,” “Register “Main Light,” “Heater “Compressor.” These switches are all singk pole, with the exception that the headlight switcl is double-throw, to pro vide for the transfer of current from the front to the rear. [ach switcl is separated from thi others by means of pat titions of molded asb« Safety Switch Panels of the Kind Seen above the Motorman’s Window at tos, and is reached by the Left were Instal'ed in 200 New One-Man Street Cars Recently Put into Service in New York City. One of These Cars is Pictured at the Right means of a door whicl is so interlocked witl parts either while controlling the car or the mechanism that it can be opened onl) renewing fuses, the makers of 200 new when the current is broken. DEWATERING MACHINE FOR ORE-DRESSING PLANTS -— — A new machine, representing a com plete departure from usual methods oi dewatering granular solids, is now being manufactured for use primarily in ore dressing plants. It consists in the maii of a deep, narrow water tank which ha a primary settling chamber within it upper central portion and a_ feed-inlet trough at one side. The concentrat« tailings, or other feeds, enter this cham ber through the trough; and at once the coarser solids sink to the outlet at th: bottom. Here they encounter the bucket a of a revolving rotor and are carried uj ward, past the water level. As the bot Conspicuous | “A tom of each bucket Above Are the = sumes a horizontal posi Annular Casing of the Rotor and tion the water drains of! the Supplemental, At its uppermost posi V-Shaped Settling : , > Ee tion, the bucket trips i ank self and so dumps it contents into the di > charge spout. The over flow from the primary) settling chamber , pass« into a settling tank ot V-shaped cross section, where the finer solids sink to the bottom to b« pushed back to the pri The Action of the New Dewatering Machine is Explained by These Side 1 , mary chamber by a and Front Cross-Sectional Views. The Action of the Screw Conveyor hi of ee ’ can be Studied at the Left; That of the Buckets, at the Right screw conveyor.

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POPULAR DESPISED MANGO MAKES GOOD IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA East and West ball of That the mango of the lndtes, often likened to a soaked in turpentine and molasses, is in reality one of the most luscious fruits in the world is apt to be the belief of those who visit the Plant Intro- duction Field Station at Miami, Fla. Here, through the work of ex- plorers of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, and through exchange with lkast Indian agricultural \uthorities, about 70 va- rieties have been obtained and studied. Of these there have been selected for cultivation about 20, some of them as free from fiber as a peach, and as easily opened and eaten as a cantaloupe. As a result of the work done at this station, it is felt that the mango as a tree crop has come to stay in southern Florida. QUACKLESS DUCKS FOR THE BACKYARD POULTRYMAN No longer will the quacking of the backyard poultry raiser’s ducks call down upon his head the wrath of his neighbor- for ducks without a quack are introduced in the United States. (his comparatively new breed of ducks is known as the “Muscovy” and is a na- tive of Russia. They make good mothers, are splendid layers, and fatten early for hood, being Comparatively New in This Country, the Muscovy Duck, a Native of Russia, is Fast Making Friends Because of Its Quackless Qualities the market, many of the fowls weighing seven pounds dressed when three months old, twine The Old Church in Process of Reconstruction as an Apartment Finished, It Contains 10 Flats, Each of Two Rooms and Bath MECHANICS OLD CHURCH REMODELED INTO APARTMENT BUILDING Ten small but comfortable living apart- ments, each of two rooms and a bath House have just been added to the housing ca- pacity of a Michigan city by remodeling a large church. The building had not been used for some time, and was about to be wrecked when an enterprising contractor realized its possibilities as a multi-famils dwelling. The demand for its accommoda tions is justifying his decision to revamp the old structure. ORNAMENTAL TEE STAND FOR GOLF LINKS Golf clubs having an eye for the beau- tiful will find the accessory shown in the illustration of interest. It is a tee stand, made of metal and provided with a trash box at the bottom, sand and water buckets, and a scrub brush with which to clean the balls. Club colors and hole numbers are usually painted on the lower bucket for purposes of identification.

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TREE MOVING NEW ENTERPRISE OF WESTERN CITY BY JOHN EDWIN HOGG NEE that the average citi- zen, or average laboring man, knows about as much about moving trees as a hound does about arithmetic, a group of Los Angeles men have organized a com- pany which has for its purpose the trans- planting of trees, and the removal of trees and stumps about the city. With the services of this company at his disposal, the citizen is no longer com-

efficient and less expensive job than could be obtained otherwise. The tree and stump company is a decidedly mobile o1 ganization. Its men travel in automo- biles, carrying their tools and tree-moving machinery in trailers behind the cars. Thus equipped they are prepared to go quickly to any location about the city wherever their services are required. The mechanical appliances of tree transplanting, and tree and stump removal, are few and_ simple. There is an abundance of block and tackle equipment for the han dling of large heavy trees, and a compact windlass of special de sign is used for pulling trees out by the roots. With this machine, leverage is used to save labor. <A steel cable is attached to the up- per branches of the tree to be re- moved, and the windlass mech- anism is then attached to an- other tree, or other firm fastening. Inasmuch as the windlass exerts a powerful leverage, it readily pulls up the tree instead of its anchorages. A few movements of the hand lever of the windlass Left: Starting to Pull Down a Tree by Means of the Steel Cable tightens the cable, and in due and Windlass Mechanism. Right: The Same Tree About Ready to Fall pelled to rely upon his own efforts, or those of inexperienced labor, for such op- erations. The work is a highly special- ized form of labor, and the citizen now need but call upon this firm for a more

+ time over comes the tree—roots and all—ready with little more labor, to be hauled to its new location. When a tree is merely to be removed a stream of water played from a hose is used to dislodge the earth from the roots. This is put back in the hole afte: ; ‘f- - - ~~ 8 oe The Mobile Tree and Stump Movers Ready to Answera Call to Any Part of the City, with All Their Equip ment of Block and Tackle, Steel Cable, and Windlass

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— —— POPULAR MECHANICS ~? «ec Left: The Tree Pulling Windlass Mechanism, Which Exerts a Leverage Powerful Enough to Enable One Man to Pull Down the Biggest Tree Single-Handed. Right: When Trees are Merely Removed, a Powerful Jet of Water is Used to Dislodge the Earth from the Roots the tree has been taken out, and the tree itself is then cut up and stored in the own- ‘'s cellar for firewood. When a tree ts to be transplanted, a deep excavation is made around the roots. The largest roots re cut off as far down in the ground is possible, and the tree is then pulled down with the windlass with as much of he earth as can be retained. If the tree is to be moved any great distance, heavy ire netting is wrapped about the roots to hold the earth intact. This is then re- inforced with rope, and the tree is jacked onto roller dollies for transportation. At its new location the wire netting is re moved, and blocks and tackle are used to hoist it into position. In the few months the company has been in business, its services have beer the means of preserving many fine trees that would otherwise have been destroyed, and in the removal of stumps and trees, it has been the means of saving substan- tial sums by reason of its specialization upon this work, and increased efficiency in getting it done. NEW HANGAR DOOR RESEMBLES ANCIENT DRAWBRIDGE \ new-fashioned door for airplane han- rars has recently been invented by a major in the Quarter- —_ master Corps, and is now heing tried out in at least one government flying field. The door is not unlike an ancient draw- bridge, consisting as it does of a wooden surface which serves, during the daytime, as a platform in front of the hangar, and during the nighttime, as a door. The counter- weight is of concrete. and moves in a pit be- neath the hangar floor. lhe hinges are placed along the edge of the floor, and are so disposed a short distance, the door then settles lightly into place. Similarly, to swing it up, two must lift the outward end above their heads. In this position the door becomes unbalanced again, and closes by that the operation of the door is oddly automatic. A Vigorous Pull on the Two Ropes Unbalances the Counterweighted Hangar lo swing it down, for example, two men must pull vigorously at the two ropes provided. Pulled down Door, and Causes It to Settle Lightly to a Horizontal Position its own weight, or more exactly, by that of the counterweight beneaththe floor. ll

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FIREPROOF FILM FILE FOR PROJECTION ROOM The latest device for the convenience and safety of motion-picture operators embodies a film file and film rewinder, in The Latest Device for the Motion-Picture Projection Room Is a Fireproof Film File with an Electrically Operated Film Rewinder a fireproof metal cabinet. The bottom part is provided with separate compart- ments for several reels of film in the order of their exhibition. Drawers are provided for the storage of projection lenses, an- nouncement slides, arc-lamp carbons, and other supplies. On top is mounted an inclosed film rewinder which is operated by a small electric motor. BIG SCOOP CLEANS CITY SEWER MAINS An odd scraping apparatus, not unlike an overgrown sugar scoop, is now used periodically for cleaning the sewer mains of Salt Lake City. A number have been When the Sewer Mains of Salt Lake City are to be Cleaned, the Flow of the Sewage is Made to Carry with It This Odd Scraper POPULAR MECHANICS built, for use in mains ranging from 42 to 64 in. in diameter. Along the forward edge of. each are fixed four wheels, o: casters, which facilitate progress down the main. In rear is a framework which makes contact with the walls of the main and so keeps the back of the scoop ap proximately vertical. Usually the flow oi the sewage carries the scoop from on manhole to the next. Occasionally, how ever, an obstacle is encountered, making it necessary for the workmen to pull on one or the other of the ropes fastened to front and rear. SAND SIEVE FOR FOUNDRY HAS RENEWABLE SCREEN As part of an automatic, gyrating sand sifter, now offered to foundrymen as an item of labor- Saving ma- chinery, the form of re- newable sieve used is an in- teresting de- tail. Instead of the cus: tomary wood- en hoop, one of heavy steel is used. The screen itself, made of strong wire cloth, galvanized after it is woven, is fastened into the hoop by bolts through its upturned edges, and is readily removed for renewal. A saving of 30 per cent is said to be effected by this method, as compared with the use of wood hoops. SPECIALISTS JOIN CLINIC TO AID RURAL PATIENTS For three days recently, the residents of a certain rural district of New York state enjoyed the opportunity of consult ing with some 20 noted medical and surgi cal specialists, in a visiting clinic held under the auspices of the state depart ment of health. The work was divided into seven distinct groups of subjects, in- cluding the study of obscure diseases be yond the skill of local practitioners. A large number of patients took advantag« of the unusual privilege, and a corps of competent nurses was provided for their care. The clinic was the first of its kind, and present plans call for further devel- opment of the beneficent arrangement.

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POPULAR \ a 7 MECHANICS -~> ex A Revolutionary Idea in the Disposition of Propeller Shafts in Cargo Boats, Designed to Carry Bulk Cargoes f Coal, Ore, and Similar Materials, Increases the Hold Capacity and the Convenience of Centrally Located Shaft Tunnels Handling Cargo at Its Destination. NEW BILGE-TUNNEL SYSTEM ADDS TO CARGO CAPACITY Surprisingly large cargo space char- terizes two sulphur-carrying steamships cently built at Newburgh, N. Y., as result of a new, patented arrangement the twin propeller shafts. Ordinarily ese shafts would have been mounted in tunnels placed near the center line of the hip, thereby breaking up the floor of the itter holds into useless wing and central ockets. But the new arrangement places he two power units as far outboard as ossible in the engine room, and con- sequently locates the shafts along the ifter bilges and run of the vessel, or in ther words, near the joints of sides and iottom. It is obvious that, when the shafts are covered with sloping-topped, elf-trimming tunnels, the hold becomes hopper-shaped, and so is ideally suited for the stowage of ore, coal, sulphur, and ther loose cargo. There are no obstruc- tions, furthermore, to interfere with the etheient use of the grab bucket. dad | — Removing the Loose Reduce the Speed of Unloading and Increase Costs STEPS AND GUTTER COMBINED IN CONCRETE DRIVEWAY A driveway that is slight- ly “different” has been built through an orange grove, The elevation of the grove above the street grade is considera- ble, so that two steps have been molded be- tween the runways; the latter serve as gutters to carry off ex- rainfall during the rainy season, and thus help to drain a considerable part of the grove. cess “il . rhe i . a 4 Yi \ . Me. Y eo‘ ~~ saet . J d \\ . By Arranging the Twin Propeller Shafts of a Bulk- Cargo Boat in Shaft Tunnels on Opposite Sides of the Hull, as Shown in the Sectional View at the Left, the Break in the Floor Space Caused by a Centrally Located Shaft Tunnel is Avoided. The Hold is Thus Better Adapted for the Stowage of Bulk Products, Such as Ore and Coal. With Shafts Disposed in This Manner They as Well as the Engines must be Placed at an Angle to the Keel, as Shown in the Smaller Drawing

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120 POPULAR MECHAN PHONOGRAPH MUSIC RETAILED AT TWO CENTS A RECORD Although occidental ears rarely if ever react favorably to Japanese music, the Japs themselves are quite partial to native was me Maes yh ic | COPYRIGHT, KADE a HEP U A Traveling Phonograph Equipment Popular in Japan: Rubber Tubes Lead to the Ears of the Listeners, Who Pay a Small Fee music, and traveling minstrels with phonographs mounted on carts collect most of the loose change in circulation on the countryside by retailing their music at the rate of two cents a record. Rubber tubes lead from the reproducer to the ‘ears of the listener, who re- linquishes his place when the record has been played. CONVEYOR ON RIVER STEAMER ADJUSTABLE TO ANY PIER Convenient adjustment to the height and position of any pier is the feature of a form of loading conveyor installed on certain western river steamers. The base . a — —_— = TE ’ — —EE ——— —— Left: The Adjustable Conveyor Extended from the Ship’s Deck to the Pier. * of the Conveyor in Action, Showing VICS oi the conveyor is mounted on a four wheeled truck, running on tracks lai across the boat a few inches deck level. sisting of steplike steel placed at any angle. It is driven by shait between and parallel with the trac! rails. As the conveyor is moved bac! and forth on the rails, the driving eg > 1 slides upon the shaft. The form of th conveyor links permits the wheels of hand truck to rest upon them, thus hoist ing truck, load, truckman, and all. AUTO ACCESSORY CONTROLS CLUTCH PEDAL An accessory now marketed for attach- ment to the clutch pedal of a well-know low - priced automobile makes driv- ing easier for the inexperi- enced by stopping the pedal auto- matically at “neutral.” This effectu- ally checks the tendency, exhibited by the driver who has not acquired the necessary “sense of touch,” to move too quick! from “high” to “low,” or vice versa. ‘1 release the pedal from its midway pos tion, the driver presses a catch, or trigg: with the tip of his shoe. The accessor is easily attached. Right: A Close-Up Vie How It Carries Hand Trucks and Truckmen as Well as Their Loads below th: The endless-belt section, con- links, can b

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POPULAR MECHANICS 12? wORLD PHOTO INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPH OF CONEY ISLAND SNAPPED FROM AIRPLANE NTERPRETATION of aerial photographs of the western front was a difficult business intrusted only to trained specialists. But few of the millions in New York City, many of whom have never seen such a photograph, would fail to identify the subject of the interesting airplane wiew ahove. It is one of the most frequented amusement parks of the world—renowned Coney Island, off the south shore of Long Island Conspicuous are the crowded “Midway,” the “Scenic Railway,”’ the “Shoot the Chutes,”” and the various ther “rides.”” The waterfront can be seen at both the top and bottom of the picture, the strip at the toy one of the popular bathing beaches. POWER MACHINE MIXES MOLASSES AND FODDER Rich in digestible car- The new machine, which is now on the yhydrates, molasses market, cuts the fodder into short Lakes a well-balanced thoroughly mixes it with the m s eed for cattle and hogs and elevates it into a wagon. hen mixed with hay, traw, or other similar ma terial, and stock raisers in the icinity of sugar refineries, of hich the sweet substance is a v-product, have been utilizing it for ome time in this manner. In the past, he mixing operation has been per- lormed by hand, the sirup being poured on the layers of a pile of fod- der, and allowed to permeate the lat- ter. This method is slow, laborious. and unsatisfactory. For these rea- sons, the development of a power mixer is of considerable importance. [he Machine Mixe Molasses with Fox der, and Delive It to a Wag ;

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(28 POPULAR STRIKING MEETING OF SOUTH AMERICAN PRESIDENTS forbidden by statute from setting foot on foreign soil during their tenure of MECHANICS FARMERS REPORT TIMESAVING BY USE OF MOTOR TRUCKS Figures of great interest and signifi- cance are revealed by a recent govern ment investigation of the use of motor truck- by farmers, in which re ports were obtained from 753 farms in 11 states, mostly in the east. Over 80 per cent of the farms are at least five miles, and 25 per cent are 20 miles, fror market. The farmers ap pear practically unani mous in regarding th: truck as an economy it time rather than it money, few of them re ducing their work stocl because of it. The trucks range from one half to five tons, but the one-ton is the popula: size, and few are larger than two tons. The time saved over horss hauling is 50 to 67 pet cent, and return load are available one-fourt! . of the time, while one BY Courresy OF THE SouTH AMERICAN = fuirth) «6of )6€6the)]§6uowner- Statutes Prohibiting the Presidents of Ecuador and Colombia from Setting Foot on Foreign Soil during Their Tenure of Office, an Impressive Meeting was Recently Held between the Two Executives on a Bridge on the International Boundary office, the presidents of the South Ameri- can republics of Ecuador and Colombia were the principals in an impressive meet- ing on the international boundary line. The meeting was held in the middle of a bridge over the Carchi River through which the boundary line passes. As the presidents met, and shook hands, each on his native soil, bands played and cannon roared a hoarse-voiced salute in recogni- tion of the amity existing between the two countries. After the preliminary formalities of greeting, addresses were exchanged by the presidents, following which the executives and a large gather- ing of guests partook of a banquet, at which the representatives of the two countries were seated on their own sides of the boundary. @ Guided by electromagnetic waves from an armored submarine cable, a tug re- recently negotiated 16 miles at the en- trance to New York Bay, in a successful test of the piloting. new system of electrical haul for others at a1 average recompense of $174 a year. The average use per year is 173 days and 3.820 miles the operating cost ranges from 8 to 2!) cents a mile, and the hauling cost, in cluding the driver’s time. varies between 18 and 50 cents a ton-mile. AIRPLANE-PARACHUTE TESTS ASSURE THEIR SAFETY Parachutes for airplane use now have been developed to a point where severe tests seldom result in failure of any kind. Proper folding is of vital importance, and in this the students who build the para- chutes are thoroughly drilled. A 300-Ib weight is used in the first test, suspended by a strip with a release wire running to one of the cockpits, while a strong cord holds the parachute to the machine. Div ing from an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 ft while flying at 150 miles an hour, the pilot releases the parachute, breaking the cord A 48-in. hole in the top relieves the first pressure, but is soon closed by shock-ab- sorbing rubbers, and the descent is made at 14 to 18 ft. a second.

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C ya 7 oe a --— - Raising the Level of the Twin Lakes of Idaho Was Part of the Plan for Irrigating the Whole of the Surrounding Sugar-Beet Country. The Wall of the Manner Pictured Here. Northernmost Lake was Built Up to the Required The Second Part of the Plan Involved the Construction of Three Feeding Tunnels Height in the MOUNTAIN TUNNELS CARRY IRRIGATION WATER By FREDERIC KINNEY NGINEERS in the Twin Lakes region otf Idaho are putting the finishing touches on a project which is expected to solve the riddle of water supply iceded by the farmers of that section, ho have found that sugar-beet raising far more profitable than the growing f wheat or alfalfa, provided an ample ater supply can be assured. Wheat and ay farmers generally have had sufficient iter for their needs, but during the eet-watering season the supply has led so often that the growers deter- ined to take no further chances. heir scheme contemplated raising the el of the Twin Lakes, miniature bodies f water capable of irrigating practically he whole of the beet-raising country thereabouts if the confining walls were built up and water carried from the inlet Because of the Sandy Nature of the Soil, the Shortest Tunnel, 430 Feet This Photograph of the Tunnel Mouth was Taken While the Timbering Was Still in Place Long, Cost Most to Construct. stream in sufficient quantities. The project also embraced the plan of avoid- ing circuitous routes for the ditch which was to carry the water to the lakes. To —————__. This Interior of the Longest Tunnel, Measuring 935 Feet, was Made Before the Walls had Re- ceived Their Linings of Concrete do this, it \ to bor as necessary through the ma sive rocks of the smaller mountains in the path of the proposed water ditch. Engines rs said both jobs could be suc- cessfully undertaken. They are now ing the task. The two having their banks elevated 35 feet. compiet- 1 lakes are The so-called Twin Lakes’ receive’ their waters from the Mink River. The ditch, which, = with its three connecting tunnels, brings the trom the water river to tl! 729

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{30 POPULAR MECHANICS lakes, cuts out seven miles of distance employed in this work. Dirt hauled by and eliminates expensive and wasteful donkey engines in open cars is used be- flumes. The tunnels are 8 ft. wide and tween lines of timber walls, these walls 7 ft. high, the longest of them 935 ft. and being buttressed by cement coverings the others respectively 785 and 430 ft. and pilasters. It is estimated that, when By this means a flow of 182 cu. ft. of filled, the lakes will supply irrigation water a second has been obtained, and water for 12,000 acres of sugar-beet land. the lakes are being transformed into one They will be filled in the fall and spring, large reservoir. when irrigation needs are at their lowest, At present a ridge of land, about 20 ft. and drawn upon for water when the beet high, separates the two lakes. This ridge crop requires irrigation. is being cut down to the level of the As farmers donated much labor and water, and the shores are being walled material, the total cost of the undertaking to a height of 35 ft. Cement is largely will amount to about $200,000 only. LARGEST AIRPLANE BOMB WEIGHS 3,000 POUNDS One of the most amazing exhibits at a time of the armistice signing, the huge recent British display of war material projectile was, fortunately for the Get : mans, never carried ove: the lines. It is cylindri cal in form, measures about 25 ft. in length, and, when filled with ex plosives, weighs 3,000 11 \s this is approximatels the normal bomb load of a Handley Page war ma chine, it is evident that the bomb could have z Pe debt _ been carried at the usual speed and with little dif The ee of This Aerial Bomb are Brought Out by Comparison with ficulty The stabilizing ose of the Man in the Background, at the Left * > vanes at the upper end was what is doubtless the world’s largest of the long cylinder are curiously in aerial bomb. Completed at about the closed in a second, coaxial cylinder. GEORGIA CANE SIRUP MADE IN PRIMITIVE WAY Georgia cane sirup, which in the South waffles, spoon batter bread, and grits, is replaces maple sirup as a spread for — still made in many rural districts in the picturesque old-fash- ioned way. The process requires only a press and ts th a kettle. The press is a >. .', ae simple affair of two pee Es heavy disks, which are moved against each other as a patient horse treads a circular path at the end of a long tree trunk. Juice extracted here from the sugar can is carried to the great black kettle near by. This is usually set in a large fireplace with a 10 or 12-ft. chimney of clay ‘ : or brick. As the juice The Famous Georgia Cane Sirup is Still Made in a Primitive Way in Many boi ow sirup, it is hese Diswcats. At the Lekt be ee Prous at Ge Eas Ge Ee COS a oP > Press Consists of Two Heavy Disks Which are Moved against Each Other tended by a black “chet

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( S950 POPULAR MECHANICS 731 sented an Interesting BIG ENGINE TAKES PLACE OF BRIDGE IT WRECKS ing pty coal a big locomotive caused collapse of part of a viaduct in Indi Cars, The earth around one end of the dge had been loosened, and the weight t engine iused the section of the dge between the end and the first bent ive way, leaving the engine suspended id-air with its pilot buried in the 1 and its pony trucks resting on the of piling. The engine cab was pre isly poised on the splintered end of idge, The was removed rial position by building cril from underneath gradually back onto the uninjured sec bridge with the recking crane. New piling was » loc omotive m 1tS ae and orking it ion of the steam w assistance ot! riven through the spaces in the crib- ing hich was removed after the bridge had Sion repaired. The damage to the ocomotive did not amount to more than and all members of the train crew ed without injury. slowly and pulling a string of ng a String of Empty Freight Cars, the Big Engine Went through a Viaduct That had been Weakened at One End, Leaving the Locomotive Suspended over the Gap. Probiem for The Accident Crew PRINTING PRESS DRIVES FAN WHICH COOLS IT Pre- the Wrecking Because, when overheated, the rollers of their larger presses become soft and cannot be used, one printing establish- vent of Chicago, Ill., now cools each one during the v eather by means of a evolving fan. This is mounted near on end of the roller and at such an angle hat it sends- the air current down the tu length. It The Fan is Fixed near the End of the Roller and at Such an Angle That It Sends Its Co n Current down the Full Lengt

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POPULAR

In the Mill Room: Preparing the Stock to be sed in Suilding the Furni- ture and Trim of the Office UST what boys of high - school ig@e can aCe complish in carpentry and cabinetmaking under able d adl- rection, is well shown by the work of stu dents of the 4 9 rade Consent was ob- Boston School. tained from the school authorities to leave one room of the new school building unfin- ished, that the boys might have a chance to fit up this room with furni- ture and woodwork as a part of their training. The room _ set. aside for this purpose was the office of the _ director, chosen because it was to have a number of doors of various sizes, a fire- place for which a mantel would have to be built, and bookcases that would fill a designated wall space. The archi- _— — Assembling the Roll-Top Desk for MECHANICS BOYS TRIM AND OUTFIT SCHOOL OFFICE By FREDERICK HALL tect’s plans were turne over to the woodwork ing department for th: information of the class A copy of the plan fo: the master’s oftice wa made by the boys on larger scale. Then desks table, and chairs wer drawn to the same scak These were cut out pinned on the plan ip their proper places, By this method the boys ob tained a correct idea of the layout of the room. Sketches were theh made showing how it was intended to treat the walls doors, mantel, and bookeases. These and sketches —~<cre revised, and tlhien = the finished scak drawings were made of plan and elevations Much time Was spent. in Carving, with Spe- cial Cutters, the Architrave for the Big Clock Mounted over the Office Door the Director’s Room, a Modern Piece of Furniture Built by the Boys from Stock Rough-Cut in the Mill and Finished by Hand

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POPULAR MECHANICS 733 his work, as it called for actual designing sembling room and bench room. Then nd planning on paper. Thentracingsand the actual construction began. lueprints were made for use in the shop. The first job completed was the mante leanwhile other boys were designing which was made by two brothers. The nd drawing the furni- re. Each piece was anned to harmonize th the woodwork of e room, Full-size de- ls of construction re made for all parts i the job. _ Later these wings were of great lp as working draw- in the shop. Then came the making of bills of materials, stock lists, calling for racy in measuring. e detail drawings were read out on large bles and students were igned to measure ch part on the draw- name them, mark n on the stock list dimensions, and ‘ correct finish sizes The Office Finished and Furnished, Its Doors and Mantel, as Well a Its Furniture, Constructed by the Boys of the School, length, width, and Who Did Much of the Designing Also ckness, in addition to uction regarding milling and assem- — students became so interested in the work ng, that a request was made that they he lo serve as a check against mistakes, allowed to work on Saturdays or to take les were laid out and marked, with ork and tools home. The latter request ch part of the work marked on them as granted. One of the results of this ll size. This pole work helped the home work was an urn which adorns th to correct any errors on the stock top of the mantel. It was taken home o1 and also was useful in laying out Friday night by these two brothers and rk. Only students who could do returned the following Monday with the anced work were selected. Two stu- carving completed. This urn is 20 i dent tarted on the mantel, four went high and 12 in. in diameter, and has flut to work on the bookcases, four on the ings and beading from “x in. in diameter chairs, and from time to time other groups down. re added on other parts of the job. Special parts were made in the mill Vhen a group had completed a certain cluding moldings and scrolls for carving nment during the progress of the It was necessary to shape, grind, a1 rk, it was set at another task. This temper cutters and knives to form sep: lan gave all the boys the same experience (rate parts. This work was also done by nd opportunity. the students. The pieces were all o1Vvel handling the millwork. the stock an eggshell gloss finish. The finishi cut in the rough, marked for identi was done’in tl tion from stock lists, and laid out on stain, a thin coat of shellac filles ell ll trucks, together with detail draw and five coats of rubbing varnis! ll vat gs, pole-stock lists, and blueprints. Each nish sanded between coats, and finally tl uck contained a job complete and was vhole job hand-rubbed with pumice st matked to identify its contents. Trucks rubbing oil, and haircloth. ere moved from. machine to machine The material used Philipp is required—from swing saw to jointer, hogany throug! t 1 the execs urface planer, mortiser and tenoner, of the panels. The latter were boring machine, shaper, and sander. The five-ply, the cove was made of pine vork was routed as in a modern plant. poplar crossbanding, and was finishes \ll possible millwork was completed be the outside in veneer, straig fore the stock was transferred to the as \frican mahogany.

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i34 POPULAR TRACTORS HAUL PROVISION SLEDS TO LUMBER CAMP The use of tractors instead of horses for hauling hay, grain, foodstuffs, and other necessities, to a big lumber camp in With 14 Tons of Hay on the Two Sleds, One of the Two Tractors is Seen at the Start for the Lumber Mill, 30 Miles Away Maine over 30 miles of “tote” resumed next winter, the road will be company has MECHANICS recently announced, because of the excel lent results obtained during the 1919-1920 During this winter, severe though it was, two tractors and four men accom plished as much work as was formerly done by 80 horses and 20 men. And each of the machines completed the daily round trips of 60 miles without a single failure. The load usually consisted of two or three trailer sleds, each piled to its capacity of seven tons. In this way 4 126 tons were hauled each During the com ing season, however, the schedule will call for a round trip anda half each day, and the load will be increased by the addition of another sled, with the result that the tractors weekly haul will be run up to approxi mately 252 tons. season. week, SCHOOL AT RIVER JUNCTION GUARDED BY DIKE The Ottawa, the Fox behind a earth and building at the contluence of and Illinois rivers, stands high, defensive breastwork of concrete for the reason that, splendid high-school Ill., located at now ‘ aust se a This View from the Other Shore of the Fox River Shows the Breastwork That Protects the High School several years ago, just after the completion of the structure, the two streams went on a COo- operative rampage, and flooded the site. Such overflows are unusual; but the school board or- dered the construction of the dike as an expres- sion of its determination to be prepared thereafter for the worst. The wall is an L-shaped affair, one arm paralleling the rear of the building, the other the side In the rear the wall is composed of waste from the dumps of fire- clay pits near by, and is surmounted by a wagon road; at the side the wall is of concrete, and is topped by an orna- mental balustrade. In the Rear the Protective Dike is Coniposed of Waste from the Dumps of Fire-Clay Pits Near By and is Surmounted by a Wagon Road At the Side, Not Seen in the Picture, the Wall Is of Concrete

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POPULAK Pa y= Sf \ , NATNeI own “HIRED HELP” IN JAPAN WEAR EMPLOYER'S BRAND Among other strange things that are impressed upon the mind of the visitorto Japan are the de- vices worn on the back of the coats of tradesmen’s employes. The design usually consists of the trade-mark of the employer's and a description of what he sells or deals in. Firemen and municipal em- ployes also dis- play such devices. goods

AUTO WINDSHIELD WINGS HAVE IMPROVED FASTENINGS Since glass windshield wings for auto- mobiles first came into favor, various modifications have been designed to escape the neces- sity of drilling the glass for fast- ening bolts, which naturally established points of weakness. of the most inter- esting of the new forms preserves the pleasing ap- pearance of piercing the panes without actually doing so. Two U-shaped clamps of One

spring dium steel embrace the smoothly rounded edge of cach heavy plate-glass wing, re Vana the “U” that hold The cesses in the legs of rubber friction disks firmly yet removably. attachment to the windshield posts also is unusual, the brackets being held by the regular screws of the shield, and hav ing a joint with a spring-adjusted fiber friction washer, enabling the wings to be set at any desired angle. carrying the pane method of @ Dancing on a ship’s deck in the Med- iterranean Sea, to the strains of an or- chestra playing in London, was a feat in which. guests on board Marconi’s yacht “Electra” recently participated. This floating radio laboratory and its scientific mission recently were described in Pop- ular Mechanics Magazine.

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736 POPULAR FINEST APARTMENT BUILDING IN THE WORLD What are said to be the finest apart- ments in the world have just been com- pleted on Fifth Avenue, New York. The C = = - What is Claimed to Be the World’s Finest Apartment Building Is in New York. Each Floor Is an Apart- ment and Rents for $30,000 a Year. A Driveway under the Building Discharges Passengers on a Private Plaza builders do not claim that it is the great- est in cost, for it is not very large com- pared with others along the avenue, but they do claim that it possesses the finest view of the picturesque sailing-boat lake in Central Park, and 162 ft. of southern exposure. This last feature is most un- usual for the crowded Fifth Avenue apartment district, while it is the only building of this character having a drive- way that goes in under the building and allows motor cars to take on or discharge their passengers in a private plaza. The finest plumbing and other fittings are used throughout the structure, but the interior decorations are done entirely by the lessees. Under this decorative agreement they are privileged to employ MECHANICS any kind of woods, one of the lessees going so far as to have the doors and panels of an old European castle brought over to harmonize with some medieval- period furniture. There is an apartment to each floor, the largest consisting of 15 rooms, 5 baths, and 6 servants’ rooms with bath, and renting for $30,000 a year. Probably the most unusual thing about this apartment is that the minimum lease is for 10 years. All the leases were signed before the building was completed. WORKERS’ WEEKLY INSPECTION ASSURES THEIR SAFETY Periodical inspection of the entire plant from top to bottom, by a committee of the foremen, mechanics, and laborers engaged on the construction of a huge rolling-mill extension in Ohio, is the novel means now in use for assuring the safety of all employes. At an appointed time every week, the committee drops its regular tasks and makes its rounds. Its detailed report, with recommenda- tions, is made to a safety committee, which then sees that the changes sug gested are properly effected. SIX AND EIGHT-WHEELED TRUCKS USED OVERSEAS The principle that a powered vehick can haul more than it can carry has beet studied both in England and on the Con tinent recently with the result that tw new heavy-duty trucks have appeared one French, one English. Each consists of a short traction unit and a detachable body, this arrangement resulting in les sened wear on tires and a large increase in capacity. The body of the French ve hicle is carried on four wheels of its own, ind is linked to the traction unit by a drawbar. The brakes on the body wheels are connected to the controls at the driv er’s seat, also, thus making it possible for him to check a tendency to skid. The English truck differs from the French in that the front of the body is carried, not on wheels of its owr, but over the power axle of the traction unit. The fifth wheel, or turntable, which re- ceives the weight directly, is itself sup- ported by powerful springs. The propor tionately enormous capacity of this truck is indicated by the fact that though it weighs, unloaded, about four tons and a half, it can transport a load of almost eight tons, not including a trailer load of six tons which can be hooked to the rear if desired.

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This English Six-Wheeled] Truck Weighs, Unloaded, About Four Tons and a Half. It will Transport, in the Body, a Load of Almost Eight Tons, and in Addition will Haul a Trailer Load of Six Tons. No Part of the Mechanism has been Made Particularly Heavy to Make Possible This Per- formance | —— ee | The Chassis of the Tractor | Unit, as Shown at the Left, Is Surprisingly Light, in View of the Heavy Work Done. The Rear Springs Are Underslung; Separate Springs Support the Fifth Wheel, or Turntable. Th's New Six-Wheeled Machine Costs No More to Maintain It has been Found, than the Ordinary Truck — The Body can be Quickly | Detached from the Traction Unit of the New English Truck by Simply Jacking Up the Front End, as Illustrated Above. This Feature Adds Considerably to the Value of the Truck by Making Possi- ble the Substitution of Load- ed for Unloaded Bodies When Quick Operation Is Essential . sian - - ze ae a eri ee lly, _ r = a The Tractor Unit of the New French Truck is being Used Here to Haul a Special Log-Carrying Body. The Brakes of the Whee's beneath the Ordinary Body are Connected with the Controls at the Driver’s Seat, Making It Possible for Him to Check a Tendency to Skid

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POPULAR ABANDONED RAILROAD TRACKS COVERED WITH ASPHALT \ minor railroad, which had discon- tinued business, discovered that it could not remove ata profit the rails and replace a Because the Rails of a Defunct Railroad could Not be Profitably Salvaged, the Tracks were Cov- ered with Asphalt as Part of the Street the paving along its right of way through a.town. The city did not wish to assume the expense of removing the rails. In the interests of traffic and the municipal finances, it was decided that the rails should be covered with asphalt paving material, making the right of way uni- form with the street, removing the rail- road as a traffic nuisance, and properly burying the defunct track. ELECTRIC MACHINE OPERATES DOORS OF FURNACE A new electrical apparatus for operating the heavy doors of open-hearth and heat- ing furnaces is noteworthy because it can- not raise or lower them beyond previously deter- mined limits. This is ac- complished by means of an interesting friction clutch, composed of two An Electrically Operated Apparatus for Opening and Closing the Doors of Open-Hearth Steel Furnaces: By MECHANICS flanges and two sheaves, all of which ar: mounted on a worm-driven shaft. The two flanges are fixed permanently to the shaft about one foot apart; the two sheaves ar: slidably mounted between them. The sheaves make contact by means of sloping lugs; one of the sheaves carries the chain which supports the furnace door, the other carries the chain from which the counterweight hangs. To lower the door, a switch button is pressed, and the motor turns the shaft and raises the counter weight. Meanwhile the weight of the door serves to keep the sheaves apart, thanks to the sloping lugs, and so in steady frictional contact with the flanges. When the door reaches its final position, a stop on one of the sheaves meets a stop on the base casting, so permitting the sheaves to approach each other, and ending the squeezing grip of the two flanges. THREE GERMAN DEVELOPMENTS OF MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY Progress of the German motion-picture industry has been marked in late months by some interesting developments. Among them is a method of suppressing the flicke1 ing of the projected image. It involves a system of mirrors, by means of which the source of light moves, in effect, with the film and at the same speed. Another is the invention of a film—as light and flexible as the picture film itselfi—upor which the human voice is recorded by the phonograph needle. This phono graphic film can be run, it is claimed, i: perfect synchronism with the projection machine. Means of a Simple Friction Control It Is Impossible to Raise or Lower the Doors beyond Predetermined Limits

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re —— . Ee H | ie iB. r pl a | E a = | — {I “t mab Rc o f j = a i j - sn i 4 * = uss j Ut Pim. 4 a tox Ie ie aw gf Sool RADIO STATION ABANDONED BY U.S. NAVY COMPLETED FOR FRANCE HE Lafayette wireless station at Croix d’Hins, 15 miles from Bordeaux, France, was completed by a: American company a few weeks ago for the French government. This monster plant was a war-time project of the United States Navy, and was to have linked America with its expeditionary force. At the signing of the armistice, however, work was stopped. The eight towers, each 825 ft. high, are arranged in two parallel rows, four in each row. It was from this station, incidentally, that the secretary of the U. S Navy recently received this message: “‘This is the first wireless message to be heard around the world d marks a milestone in the road ot scientific achievement.” COLUMBIA RIVER STERN-WHEELER SUNK BY THE EXPLOSION OF ITS BOILER HE destruction shown in the photograph was caused by the explosion of a boiler on the “‘State of Washing- ton, a stern-wheeler, jus* as it was entering the Columbia River with a large shiv-rigged oil barge in tow. The boiler was blown through the deck and high into the air, wrecking the superstructure and damaging the hull to such an extent that the ship later sank in about 50 ft. of water. Members of the crew, who were near by at the time, miraculously escaped with slight injuries. One of the fireroom crew, who was standing n front of the boiler at the time of the accident, although he was blown forward a considerable distance, escaped with only a few burns and bruises.

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7 40 POPULAR FARM TRACTOR “PULLS” ABANDONED OIL WELLS Several oil contractors of the American Southwest are finding that the costly equipment usually lost when a deep oil well is abandoned can easily be recovered by the use of the ordinary farm tractor. An abandoned well, 2,350 ft. deep, was recently | “pulled,” for example, by a tractor of only 12-25 hp. In this, as in similar jobs, three elements had to be re- moved. First came the sucker rods, about half an inch through. Then there was a string of two-inch = PS SSS — ad ~— ae ——- ee ee SE ES eee = = — ~ The Farm Tractor is Seen at Its New Work of “Pulling” Abandoned Oil Wells. This Well Was 2,300 Feet Deep tubing. Last came the many feet of cas- ing which, in this particular job, weighed 13 lb. to the foot, or a total of 30,550 Ib. This tremendous weight was lifted bodily by means of a nine-strand block, the tractor traveling hundreds of feet, of course, to raise the casing a score or less. SURGERY OF PREHISTORIC AGE REVEALED BY SKELETON That the use of splints in the treatment of fractures was known to the rude prac- titioners of prehistoric America is re- vealed by examination of the skeleton of young woman recently exhumed in the Pueblo ruins at Aztec, N. M. The left forearm, badly broken in two places, was surrounded by six carefully made splints cf wood, with evidence that there had heen eight or nine. These strips, about 7 in. long, 15 in. wide, and ‘46 in. thick, MECHANICS were flat on the inner side and curved on the outer, and practically of uniform shape. The bindings, of course, were dis integrated, and the position of the bones made it impossible to judge the skill of the savage surgeon, but the evidence of scientific beginnings, at least, is unmis- takable. The unfortunate patient also had suffered a severe fracture of the hip, but that, apparently, was beyond the abil ity of the primitive healer. NATIVE HAWAIIANS SOON TO BECOME EXTINCT Native Hawaiians are facing extinction and, if the present ratio of births and deaths is maintained, the remaining life of the race will be only about 75 years. At present there are approximately 25,000 na- tives of pure blood in the islands, and re- ports for past years show their number to be rapidly decreasing. In marked con- trast to the statistics which have led to the belief that the Hawaiians are a “dy- ing” race, are those dealing with the in- habitants of mixed blood. NEW SEAT AND DESK CARRIED ON THREADED PEDESTAL \ newly patented desk and chair for schoolroom use is mounted compactly o1 a steel pedestal, and is adjustable in every way. This adjustability is secured by threading the steel upright of the pedes tal, and supporting the seat from it by means of a threaded sleeve. As a result t] be turned through a com plete circle, or by turning it many times can be lowered or raised to suit the stature of the pupil. The angle-iron frame of the desk pivots about the top of the upright. The seat can be turned through a half circle, and then folded to give additional room between the le seat can seats. This New School Seat and Des Is Adjustable to the Stature of the Pupil

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POPULAR MECHANICS 741 An Aerial View of the Remarkable System of Harbor- Terminal Improvements Now belong Completed at Pace land, Oregon. with the Giant Elevators in the Center IMPROVE WEST-COAST HARBOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING MAKES WITH GIANT ELEVATORS SURPRISING PROGRESS Giant new grain elevators with a total An impression of the astounding mag- capacity of 2,500,000 bu., built at af nitude and variety of the work now be- ost of $11,000,000, are the most con- , , ing done is perhaps the first to be spicuous feature of a remarkable stem of harbor terminal im- provements now being com- leted at Portland. Ore. Che first unit of the ele- vator construction, which holds 1.000.000 bu. and has cost so far $4,500,000, gained from a perusal of the lat- est general report of the Federal board for vocational rehabilitation. While only 13,000 men were taking vocational training in England a few months ago, 35,000, or almost three times that number, had en- tered, up to April 1 of this year. is practically completed. as i! upon the courses provided by the Several millions more are oats \! American board. The care of ing spent on harbor hii at" a such a vast number was work. The whole under- yt! of made possible by taking is municipal, and calculated to estab- lish the northwest city with greater security tions, and some than ever in - £ 4 a 2.600 indus its leadership ie — : trial, commer of the region t® ty f cial, agricul- is a manufac- ' tural, and turer of flour other agencies. ind as a cen- Themost tral wheat- interesting shipping port. phase of this the cooperation of 1.300 educa tional institu nae — eect oe soeneel AS LEE i varied work, q \ new rub- The First Unit, Now Practically Completed, of eros New as g leaned ser plavi Grain-Elevator Equipment, Costing $4,500,000 anc from the re- | pl ‘yee Holding 1,000,000 Bushels ‘ , all has been port, is being patented that can be inflated and deflated done at the Red Cross Institute for the it will. The ball is provided with a special Blind, in Baltimore, Md. Here 85 sol- check valve which the pressure of the in- diers, sailors, and marines are being re side air holds shut. The air is released by fitted for life. During the first months pushing a rod or pencil against the valve. the blind veteran is taught to read and

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~> oo (~~ write the revised Braille system, to operate a typewriter by the touch system, and to handle tools in the manual-training de- partment. While these activities are giv- ing him self-confidence, dancing, concerts, games, and similar recreations help him to regain his other contacts with society. Finally comes the formal vocational edu- cation which prepares some for shopkeep- ing, others for cigarmaking, tire vulcaniz- ing, and a dozen other trades. POPULAR MECHANICS Disabled veterans in the numerous tuberculosis sanitariums are also being trained. At the present time an educa- tional director and teachers are stationed at eight of these institutions, helping to prepare the less afflicted men to make valid choices of occupation. Another en- heartening feature of the report is the statement that a summer vacation camp is to be established at Bear Mountain, on the Hudson River. MODERN MACHINERY WORKS UTAH SALT FIELDS By GEORGE F. PAUL ARVESTING salt with modern ma- chinery is proving a revelation in the Utah. immense salt fields of western The Brine Canals are No Longer Dug with Pick and Shovel, but by This it up The Internal-Combustion Engine is Car- Two Endless Treads Carry the Revolving Shovels Great Trench-Digging Machine ried on Two Wheels; lIlere, within a few miles of the Nevada- Utah boundary, is a vast salt deposit that runs from 2 to 15 ft. in thickness and cov ers an area of more than 500 square miles, \ salt-harvesting machine is used to loosen the salt; it oper- ates on much the same principles as an ice plow. This machine also gath ers the salt into a bucket conveyor, which in turn elevates it into a screen and then dumps it into five-ton wagons. The wagons convey the salt to a small industrial railway. Here it is dumped on the ground and allowed to dry thor- oughly in the sun. After it has been properly dried, bucket loaders pick and load it into small cars that convey it to the refining mills. One of the largest mills is devoted to the mak ing of table salt. Most of the salt, how In This View of the Vats One of the Machines can be Discerned in the Middle Distance. e E Silhouetted against the Darker Masses of the Mountains, Are the Mills and Smaller Buildings. In the Mills Modern Methods Are the Rule, Just as in the Vats and Fields In the Background,

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In Striking Contrast to the Primitive Methods of Salt Mak- ing Still Practiced in Many For- eign Lands Are the Up-to-the- Minute Activities of the Mills, like the One Pictured Above Located at the Extensive Salt Fields of Western Utah. The Fields Cover an Area of More j than 500 Square Miles Industrial Railway Extends All Parts of the Typical Salt- Making Establishment in West- Utah. Above, for Example, is being Dumped from the Cars upon a Storage Pile. At the Right, the Cars are Seen beside Harvesting Machine That ysens the Salt, Picks It Up in Bucket Conveyor, Screens It, ! Dumps It, Finally, into the Cars Sait The Salt Maker of Western Utah Employs Modern Machinery for Every Operation. Here a Loader of Interesting Type is being Used to Fill the Cars Which Carry the Salt from the Storage Pile to the Mill. The Con- vevor Dumps the Salt into a Little Car. Which. When Filled, is Pulled / to the End of the Boom and Tipped

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td POPULAR ever, i§ sold for stock feed, and a consid- erable part is shipped to smelters for use as fluxing. The use of modern machinery and up-to-date methods has resulted in a remarkable increase in the production of salt in Utah. RUSSIAN RAILWAY SWITCHMEN BLOW HORNS FOR SIGNALS Officials of the Trans-Siberian Railway evidently believe that the ear has advan- tages over the eye in the important busi- PHOTO BY HARRY BEARDSLEY Russian Switchmen of the Trans-Siberian Railway, with the Horns They Use to Signal the Engineers The switchmen on that long line across the vast plains of Asiatic Russia are provided with horns, small of size but vigorous of voice, and on these they toot a code that serves as an effective-substitute for the usual wav- ing of arms and swinging of lanterns for the guidance of the locomotive drivers. ness of receiving signals. BURN WESTERN DATE ORCHARDS TO ERADICATE SCALE Only charred and blackened trunks, de- nuded of their last vestige of greenery, now stand to mark the location of the three oldest and largest orchards of date palms in the United States. All of these orchards were grown from _ imported trees. One, at Yuma, Ariz., yielded a $7,000 crop last season. Their burning, far from being accidental, was deliber- ately done, by gasoline torches in the MECHANICS hands of state experts, as a heroic cure— the only one known—for the scale disease known to scientists as Parlatoria blanch ardu., This minute insect parasite thrives at the base of the palm leaves, as well as on other green parts of the tree, multi plying rapidly and apparently immune to all sprays and fumigation. the green growth and charring the trunk and branches eradicates the pest, and, contrary to the superficial impression, does the trees no injury, the foliage re- turning in a year to its full luxuriance. Cutting away OAK GALLS THAT JUMP HAVE WORM FOR MOTIVE POWER Certain calls of the oak tree that dis play a mysterious ability to “jump,” or at least make sudden movements, have long been the subject of unscientific curiosity. It is explained that their motive power is as in the case of the famous Mexicar “jumping bean,” a tiny worm, the larva of a gallfly. whose quick turns disturb the gall’s center of gravity. TENT TRANSPORTED IN POCKET TENT POLE CARRIED AS CANE The dream of many a pack-weary vaca tionist has been a tent which could he transported in the coat pocket, with a tent pole which could be carried as a walking stick. And this seemingly in possible convenience has now been real ized by a manufacturer of London, Eng land. in form When erected, the tent is pyramidal four feet high. and about The A Set ee ee eed The Finely Woven Fabric of This Tent can be Carried in the Coat Pocket Folded. The Pole Becomes a Walking Stick fabric is tough, but extremely thin, like balloon fabric. The tent pole is hinged im the middle.

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POPULAR MECHANICS 745 RIGHT ewooo 6 ewo s Team of Camels Is the Property of a Circus in Winterquarters, and is Used Instead of Mules, on Account of the High Price of These Animals, for Hauling Hay CAMELS USED FOR HAULING BY WINTERING CIRCUSES Down South, where most of the cir- es go into winter quarters, a team of mels is used to haul hay for the ani- als. The camels are used for draft pur- es, both to keep them in good physi condition and because the high price mules is almost prohibitive. It is iumed for the camels that they can haul much hay and do as much work as a im of mules. ALCOHOL TORCH GIVES HOT FLAME WITHOUT BLOWING By means of a super- heating tube which delivers perfectly dry alcohol gas along with the proper amount of air to the burner, a self-blowing alcohol torch has been developed that will produce a_ tem- perature sufficient to fuse light copper wire. The torch will burn from three to four hours with a sin- gle filling of dena- tured alcohol. It can be tilted to any posi- tion or angle. THREE-WHEELED TRUCK EASES MOVING OF HEAVY LOADS For the transportation of heavy loads on a hand truck a third-wheel attachment has been brought out. The attachment = ‘ A Third-Wheel Attachment rr Which is Easily Fitted to an y Ordinary Hand Truck ke Makes It Possible for a Single Workman to Handle 7° Heavy Loads Unaided can be applied to any standard hand truck. The third wheel bears practically the entire weight of the load which is transported in the usual manner. Using this device on an ordinary truck is claimed to eliminate overbalancing of the load and to permit one man to handle a heavy load without-assistance. The body of the truck is held at an angle by a support on the attachment.

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746 POPULAR UNUSUAL APPARATUS MEASURES PRESSURE IN LABORATORY For investigating the pressure proper- ties of ammonia, sulphur dioxide, and other refrigerating materials, the Bureau a The High Pressures were Balanced by Mercury in Five Eight-Foot Tubes, Placed Side by Side, Rather Than in a Single Tube of 40 Feet of Standards recently constructed an in- teresting high-pressure manometer. It was desired to measure pressures up to 225 lb. a square inch by balancing them against a column of mercury. If this col- umn had been used in the ordinary way— in a single vertical tube—it would have been from 35 to 40 ft. high. Consequently the tube was arranged in five 8-ft. lengths, placed side by side, with the top of one connected to the bottom of the next by means of smaller tubes filled with liquid. The effect of this last was deducted, of course, in making calculations. FIRST MARINE EXPOSITION IN THE UNITED STATES That the people of the country are tak- ing a keen interest in making American independence on the sea permanent and secure was demonstrated recently in New York City, when the first merchant-ma- rine exposition ever held in the United States was opened to the public. Three floors of a large building were given over to exhibits of practically every branch of the shipbuilding and other maritime in- MECHANICS dustries, while three government bodies —the Navy, the Department of Com- merce, and the Shipping Board—took the opportunity to show what the govern- ment is doing to build up the American merchant marine. A number of new devices to bring ship construction to greater efficiency were ex- hibited, while models of steamers of all types were also displayed. The numer- ous booths of American manufacturers showed that there is no part of a ship, from a compass to an anchor, which can not be “made in America.” Specimens of what is being constructed by maritime industries were also shown. From information given out at the ex hibition it appears that the United State now possesses 9,463,003 dead-weight tons of steel ships, 1,844,400 tons of wooden ships, 63,000 tons of composite ships, and 13,500 tons of concrete ships, a total ton nage of 11,383,903 dead-weight, exclusive of the 3.087.428 tons to be completed in this vear. ROADSIDE SIGNPOST WARNS MOTORISTS OF SPEED TRAP Like a good sportsman out for pheas- int or quail, the sheriff of Allen County, nd., believes in giving his game a sport ig chance. Hence, on entering a tempt ing stretch of concrete highway neat Fort Wayne, motorists observe a sign post which bears the warning “Speed Trap. Beware. Sheriff Allen Co.” Most iccept gratefully the advice implied; the few who incite pursuit by the motorcycle policeman on duty find it difficult, when The Sign by the Roadside Tells the Motorist What to Expect if He Speeds on This Tempting Concrete Stretch of Indiana Highway. It Reads: “Speed Trap. Beware. Sheriff Allen County” the heavy foot of the law descends upot the running board, to assume an expres- sion of astonished innocence. They can scarcely plead ignorance of the law.

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POPULAR MECHANICS U4 SALMON BESTS BALDHEADED The ship, which had come up behind EAGLE IN BATTLE the combatants, hove alongside the eagle, and a sailor rescued it with a boat hook. Recently the crew of a sailing ship en- The bird did not struggle as it was pulled i ring Puget Sound observed a terrific aboard, but the instant its feet touched sht between a baldheaded American _ the deck, it began to fight. The combined igle and a huge spring salmon in the strength of four men was required to traits of Juan de Fuca, a fight in which subdue the eagle and stow it away in a he salmon bested the eagle and Imost drowned him. The eagle, ing exhausted in the water, was picked up by the ship’s crew and taken to Seattle, where it was turned over to the city zoo. The crew of the ship was itching the antics of a school salmon pressing ahead of the vat near the surface of the ater, when three large eagles ooped down out of the sky d hovered above the fish. Sud- nly a big spring salmon leaped om the water. The largest of e eagles dipped like a flash and ught the fish in mid-air. \\Vith the eagle’s talons buried its back, the salmon struck e water and, with a mighty lash, made a nose dive. Bird ~ : ——s d fish sank from sight. Thx Victor and Vanquished are Seen aboard the Sailing Ship Which : Picked Them Up on the Conclusion. of the Strange Combat. ther eagles darted about ove Recovered from Its Exhaustion, the Eagle Perches on the Spar ead. screaming shrillv. Three to Which It is Ted. The 20-Pound Fish Is Dead mes the attacking eagle and its prize ap- box. A few minutes later the victorious eared on the surface of the water and salmon, with crimson flowing from its ain disappeared. Finally the eagle came mutilated back, reappeared on the surface alone and floated on its side on the of the water and was gaffed. It was ter—exhausted, helpless. found to weigh 20 pounds. SHARES OF NEW TRACTOR PLOW MOVE TRANSVERSELY ON ENDLESS CONVEYORS THE evolution of man’s machines, a subject scarcely less absorbing than the evolution of man himself, can- not he epitomized more strikingly than by comparing the plow of ancient Egypt with the elaborate mechanism pictured here. The Egyptian plow was formed of a wooden wedge, a handle, and a_ beam to which men or oxen were hitched. This newest plow, designed and constructed by an inventor of Montreal, Que., is a unit affair, consisting of a tractor and two transverse arms fixed permanently to the rear. Back and forth on these arms, and driven by the tractor engine, run the plowshares. All controls are located at the driver’s seat. Land tilled by this machine is distinguished by an unmistakable herringbone appearance, in consequence of the combined forward movement of the tractor and the sidewise travel o. the shares.

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CIVIC FEATURES THAT PROMOTE THE COMFORT Visitors New to Los An- geles, California, Are Unan- imous in Praise of This New Type of Street Sign. It Displays the Block Num- -—— |i go bers as Well as the Names ae a . This Garage at the Coast-Resort Town | } of East Newport, California, Resembles a Hotel in That the Motorist is Given the Key to an Individual Stall and can Use the Stall as His Own, Thereafter, - 7 So Long as He Pays the Rent % This Stone Culvert at the Common Corner of Four Townships, = in Allen County, Indi- r ana, is Called “Four y . Presidents’ Corner,” TEVA TY a Name Almost as RT baw Long as the Struc- . ture. The Four So Memorialized Are eresses. Jefferson, onroe, and Madison \: 4 " 1 * , ’ From This Tower at the River’s Edge the em Danger Signal is Given When High ashe Water Threatens the Grounds of the NY aaa” State Insane Asylum at Reno, Nevada — More than 100 of These Collapsible Picnic Tables have been Supplied by the Federal Shallow Vaults with Iron Doors are Forest Service for Use in the Eagle Creek Placed beside the Curb before Many Camp Grounds of Oregon. One of the Tables is Residences in Pasadena, California, in Shown in the Background as Disassembled for Order That Garbage Cans may be Con- Winter Storage. The Top Is Three Feet Wide cealed Pending Collection by the Munic- and Twice as Long ipal Wagons

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AND ENJOYMENT OF VISITORS AND RESIDENTS . 4 \ AY) FA a The First Courthouse in Macon County, Illinois, Is. Still m Good Condition, as the Topmost Photo- graph Suggests. The Picture on the Wall of the Interior, Be- low, Recalls the Tra- dition That the Place was Often Visited by “Abe” Lincoln, = nn eS _ The High Back of This Circular Bench in Eden Park, Cincinnati, Shields the Occupants from Sharp Twigs, and Protects the Bark Adjacent to a Recent Filling of : Concrete In Place of the Formal Gardens with Which the Grounds of the Small Railroad Ss Stations are So Often Decorated, a Gigantic Sundial is Located near the Building at Dodge City, Kansas. The “Style” Is a Pole About 25 Feet Long; This Casts Its Shadow over a Dial Marked by Whitewashed Stones Pie

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o dO POPULAR ORDINARY STREET LIGHTS ARE ROADSIDE DANGER SIGNALS The ordinary street lights in a fashion- suburb of able Detroit, Mich., are now being used as road- side danger signals in place of the sign- boards posted, and usually ignored, heretofore. Conver- sion of a light at a dangerous curve or crossing intoa warning signal is simply a matter of painting a red cir- cle, 8 in. in diame- ter, on the proper side of the 16-in. globe. As these globes are carried by ornamental iron poles, 12 ft. high, the red disks can be seen clearly both in the daytime and when the current is on, and have proved more efficient than the signboards. COMPACT ELECTRIC BELL HAS MAGNET UNDER GONG In the ordinary form of electric bell, the space underneath the gong is wasted, and an extended base and a _ separate cover are needed to accommodate the electromagnet and its armature and cir- cuit breaker. A form of bell designed by an eastern inventor has a_horseshoe- shaped magnet on a circular base, the working parts being mounted on the ends of the poles. The gong, removable by unscrewing, serves as a cover for the whole, only enough of the base project- ing to carry the binding posts. The con- struction is declared to be much more economical than the usual style. Left: The Normal Appearance of the Bell. Right: The Gong Removed, Revealing the Working Parts MECHANICS STUDY MOLDS AND BACTERIA TO STOP SUGAR WASTE Rapidly multiplying molds and_bac- teria with a predilection for sucrose, the sweetening element of sugar, are esti- mated to destroy one per cent, or about 70,000,000 Ib., of the Cuban sugar crop each year. The germs gain access through the water of the washing proc- ess, the air used in drying, or the mois- ture absorbed in storage. Two scientists of a southern experiment station, special- izing in sugar, have found that washing with superheated steam instead of water not only prevents infection, but effectu- ally destroys any molds or bacteria pres- ent. They have also prepared a chart for comparison with the analysis of stored sugar, indicating what portion of a given lot may be kept for a longer period, and what should be used first. FACTORY BUILT AROUND OLD HOUSE ON CORNER In negotiating for the purchase of a corner lot in Pueblo, Colo., a tent and awning company found that all the land could be bought except for a 25 by 25 ft. This View does Not Represent One Building but a New Factory Built around the old Corner House Which the Owner Refused to Sell area on the corner itself. This was oc- cupied by an old four-story rooming house which the owner refused to part with. As a result the company’s factory was built around the old structure, and now is usually mistaken for two buildings by those who have never inspected the interior. @ Wool growers in North Dakota are pooling this year’s clip at Fargo, making shipments through their associations, while the state association stores, grades, and sells the wool ‘direct to the mills. It is expected that more than a _ million pounds of wool will be handled this sea- son in this manner.

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POPULAR MECHANICS 75

[wo of the Little Sheds Built for the Work of Recording the Rise and Fall of California Streams are Seen it Right and Left. The Cistern, with Its Intake, Float, and Recording Drum, is Seen in the Cross-Sectional Wee in the Middle. In the Background Is the Suspension Cable with Its Car for the Inspector RISE AND FALL OF STREAMS strangely recovered 200 miles from its RECORDED AUTOMATICALLY point of disappearance, and more than a year later, has been presented to the pub ty means of self-registeriug stations lic museum of the city of St. John’s. used in small concrete sheds, the state ; : iter commission is now studying the IMITATION BUTTERFLIES ARE thits of the streams of California for lance in flood-control work, and in LATEST ANGLING LURES sing upon petitions to divert water for ration purposes. Beneath each of ese sheds is a cistern connected through That recent development of the fly fish erman’s fancy known as a “bass bug, or ; which heretofore has resembled nothing hort length of pipe with the stream. “ae Aton , : : ; in particular, now has assumed the form l, in order that stream level and cistern : : - : : ' “ad of a full-size butterfly with changeable 1 may be the same. From a float in ’, ol per rari Ponte wings, thanks to a Mississippi inventor. cistern a rod ascends to the interior hi rT ‘ie oy , The floating body carries the hook, as the shed, where it moves a pen against .

, ‘ usual. To it the separate wings, made ot clockwork-driven recording drum. From lest niet bs oped "s ae . 7 . At ; a celluloid or varnished silk, may be quickly iy or monthly inspections OF the ’ : irt made in this way, the commission eee eo = 1 os i "= what the water level has been . 1 : . ° a... ym day to day. No automiatic mechan- » NN 1 of this sort is used, however, to ascer- «\\\} 4 Fi ' - \ f ’ in the speed of the stream. Instead, as NY , 4 > riations from normal are usuall? small, ot ee 2. Ce 4g ° in ——— e- — peed is measured by the inspector AZ “3 / } } he . - . . . I . f / iself at the time of his visit. This he / } ay } } 1114 are » he ; - ] a j va ae conveving himself out over the / — j ea e , - + 4 Sa P lle of the stream by means of a car ( »~ , re. ‘from a stout cable. Here he lowers — . me eal iN ero MR r D HAWKER’S UNDERCARRIAGE Pz X

‘ LOST IN HISTORIC FLIGHT \AB NX » \ / sc] : . ~ wii im ~~ fp hermen operating along the coast of SS ee — mf ¢ ae wan yaw toundland, southwest of Cape Race, “ — QW

ic, Top, and End Views of Some F orms of the But- terfly Angling ia ire with Interchangeable Wings, with cked up, a short time ago, a curious teel frame with wheels mounted on it,

ind brought it into port. It was identi Details Showing Construction. The Wings are Made : ° ; ( Jelluloid or V:z Silk ied as the undercarriage of Harry G. Se ee llawker’s airplane, cut loose by that dar- . attached. In place of the customary fly ig adventurer when he started on his book, the angler simply carries a little sensational flight across the ocean on pad of wings, in all the color c>mbinations May 18, 1919. The lost gear, thus desired.

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POPULAR PERFORATED PIPE’S CASCADE HELPS WINDOW WASHER Store windows are still washed, as a rule, in the most primitive fashion, with a bucket of water. Up in a northern Wisconsin city, however, an inventive confectioner has intro- duced a mod- ernized and ingenious sys- tem. Along the top edge of each pane, outside and in, he has in- stalleda length of per- forated pipe, connected to the water sup- ply. When the valve is turned on, a sheet of clean water flows down the window glass, and a few strokes with a brush finish the whole washing in about four minutes. CABINET CONTAINS LONG HORN OF PHONOGRAPH For increasing the sonority of the pho- nograph an Ameri- can inventor has re- cently devised a long, curved horn which suggests the big bass instruments of the orchestra. It is con- tained entirely with- in the cabinet, and consists, aS seen in the illustration, of a short lead pipe, or conduit, a mega- phone of rectangu- lar cross section, and several diaphragms. As these are flat be- fore insertion, and are sprung into posi- - tion, they do not touch the walls of the cabinet except for the necessary areas of contact. MECHANICS PURE RED CADMIUM-VAPOR ARC ATTAINED BY SCIENTISTS Vapor of the metal cadmium, in an electric arc, gives a monochromatic red light that is highly valuable for scientific work, The pure cadmium, however, al ways breaks the quartz tube of the lamp in solidifying when it cools. Scientists of the Bureau of Standards have now dis- covered that a small percentage of the rare metal gallium, alloyed with the cad- mium, softens it so that it does not ad- here to the quartz. The spectrum of the gallium remains invisible at the usual are temperatures, resulting in a pure cad- mium spectrum, The alloy is distilled by heat into the lamp tube from another tube, which is then sealed off under vacuum. SIMPLE TELEPHONE TEST SET LOCATES TROUBLE ON LINE Trouble on a telephone line, whether from crossed, grounded, or open wires, is easily detected and located with a torm of port- able testing set now marketed by a Kansas concern. A magneto gener- ator in the test box is connected to the line wir by a pair of clip and a small i duction coil, con nected to a tele phone receiver, is wires at anothe from the magneto one of the When current hung on point. passes through the defective line, a buz zing sound is heard, its loudness indicat ing the distance to the fault. In testing for open wires, the coil is kept in its place in the box. A transmitter for talk ing and a small dry battery are included in the equipment. MECHANICAL WINDOW DISPLAY HAS QUEER MOVEMENTS Movement, especially of an unusual na- ture, is a prime attraction in a display window, and a Michigan inventor takes advantage of that fact in a new mechan ical advertiser. A cable crossed to form a figure “8” runs on a pair of horizontal wheels, and to it are fastened 32 little cars, in which samples of goods may be

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. POPULAR MECHANICS 753 Mechanical Window Display Has Queer Movements: The Little Cars on the Crossed Cable are Guided by a Serpentine Rail Underneath, and Their Course Changed by Other Wheels, Making an Odd Effect laced. A sinuously shaped rail beneath the cars guides them in a _ serpentine whose level is changed by an- wheel arrangement. Decorations ights add to.the odd effect. turse, +1 - iteT 1 i nd NEW SPIRIT BOARD SHAPED LIKE WOODEN RULER The activity to which the spooks of piritland have been aroused by the re- cent popularity of the “planchette” is now to be further increased, it may be umed, as a result of the introduction of a new board. The base of this appa- ratus is not the familiar rectangular sur- face, but a long, rulerlike strip of wood, long the two edges of which are printed ‘ letters, numerals, months of the year, lso on. The work of the heart-shaped ble is done by a small platform which At the Right of the New-Style Spirit Board Is the Platform and Pointer Which Spell Out the Messages from the Spirit World oves on four wheels and spells the sen- tences by means of a pointer. GASOLINE-PIPE ATTACHMENT PURIFIES AUTO FUEL Small quantities of water and dirt are occasionally found in the best of gasoline, much to the detriment of automobile effi- ciency. Motorists may now obtain a lit- tle attachment to be inserted in the fuel pipe line, which removes these foreign substances and delivers pure gasoline to the engine, It consists of an aluminum and brass cylinder containing a horizon- tal screen, through which the fuel passes c 7 rAd The Gasoline-Pipe Attachment Broken Away to Show the Screen, While the Refuse is Seen in the Bottom Cup upward, At the bottom is a glass cup in which the refuse collects. The cup is readily removed for cleaning. SPECIAL FOUNTAIN BRUSH CLEANS TYPEWRITERS A long-handled fountain brush designed solely for cleaning ty being put out, stenographers will be tnterested to know, by an Amer- ican manufacturer of similar utensils [ printer, pe writers 1s now for the tailor, bootblack, and others who frequently use a brush to apply liquids. The type- writer brush func- tions much like a fountain pen, the gaso- line or other liquid being drawn to the working head from the hollow handle, and resembles the general utility bruslr of the illustration except that the handle is longer.

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Fire Extin- guishers Usu- ally Are Ugly, but This One Is Ornamental Enough for Any Home SOME NOVEL AND LITTLE-KNOWN ACCESSORIES A Rubber Bottle Stop- per, Tightened or Loos- ened by Turning the andle An Office Work- er’s Cuff, Made of Celluloid, with Brass Clips for a Rubber-Band Fastener Needles with Both Ends Notched for Knitting “Around and Around,” and Rubber Stops for Ordinary Work The Spool of Thread Is the Least of the Sewer’s Troubles When It is Attached to the Dress Front by a Convenient Little Patented Holder An English Picnic Mattress, Fancily Covered, and Fold- able for Carrying rT A Little Ice-Cream Freezer That Works like a Churn, with a Metal Dasher and Openings at Each End A Wardrobe Suitcase That Slips under a Pullman Seat, Logical Companion of the Mod- ern Tourist’s Trunk

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INTENDED FOR THE HOME AND ITS MEMBERS The Adjustable Mirror, the Two Powder-Puff Pockets, and the Extra Compartment Distin- guish This Vanity Case A Refillable Powder Puff, Its Opening Sealed by an Ivory Slide Mere Pressure on the Handle Puts a New or an Old Cap on Any Bottle | A Trunk with an Ironing-Board Attachment, Rigidly Supported by a Metal Leg, will be Appreciated | by All Feminine and Some Mas- | culine Travelers Sar e Clamp Base Makes the Lamp Portable in the True Sense, for It is Readily Fastened Wherever It is Wanted The Reciprocating Cone in the Center of the Latest Washing Machine Keeps the Clothes from The Cuff Link has Become a Massing Together, and Cuff Clasp, Hinged at the Forces the Hot Suds “U,” with a Tongue That through Them Clipsthrough the Buttonhole

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156 POPULAR LIGHT HORN PRESS FOR BENCH SPEEDS UP SMALL WORK pies In a shop where much assembling of small parts 1s —_—_ done, a light bench press with a horn instead of a bedplate finds many uses. Such a press, weighing but 130 Ib. and standing 26 in. high, has now been put on the market. The hole for the horn, or arbor, is 1% in., the ram, which is of cast steel, is 1% in. square, the stroke may be *4, 144, or 1°4 in., and the adjustment is 15 in. An operating speed of 300 r.p.m. assures a high rate of production. POCKET ELECTRICAL TESTER FINDS TROUBLE AT ONCE Not much larger than a fountain pen, and as easily carried in the pocket, a new electrical testing instru- ment now manufactured in Nebraska serves four distinct purposes. Usedas an exploring coil for lo- cating faults in electric wiring or machinery, it is extremely sensitive and ac- curate, and, giving visual indication, is not affected by noise. It acts also asa delicate galvanometer, and may be used as a polarity indicator, a frequency in- dicator, and an alternat- ing-current detector, as is ‘ the microphone tester. @ An automobile disk wheel which has re- cently made its appearance is built of thin slices of wood glued together under heavy pressure. As the many laminations are so disposed that the grain of each runs in a direction different from that of the next, the result is a resistant disk that will not crack or warp. MECHANICS AERIAL COURSE AROUND WORLD MAPPED OUT FOR DERBY Preparations for’ the coming aerial Derby around the world have now pro gressed to the point of mapping out th course to be followed, an arduous tas! just completed by a joint commission of two American societies. Starting west from New York, the route planned gos by way of Seattle, Yokohama, Shanghai Bangkok, Karachi, Calcutta, Delhi, B: dad, Rome, Ireland, London, Newfound land, and back to New York, a total of 22,207 miles. Before the derby, which i as yet undated, a 10-passenger plane will make a test flight from London to N« York, by way of Tokyo and Seattle. ) ’ COMPASS, MARKER, AND GAUGE COMBINED IN ONE TOOL Carpenters, and other mechanics whi use various marking and gauging tools i: their work, will be in terested in a new con bination instrument devised by a Texa man. Of the size an style of an ordinary compass, it carries i! its head a sliding pin which, when extended marking gauge for any of th several uses of tool. The inventio thus combines a gauge a butt gauge, a penci holder, a_ scriber, - : scratchawl, a compa and a pair of divider in one pocket instrument scarcely mor: bulky than a common pencil. Serves aS a such ALCOHOL FROM COKE-OVEN GAS BY NEW PRACTICAL PROCESS Commercial production of alcohol fro coke-oven gas as a by-product, thoug] long considered a chemical possiility has been retarded by the lack of an eco nomical process. That such an important development may now be expected, how ever, is indicated by experiments recent! conducted at a large English plant. The coal used yielded coke-oven gas contain ing about a two-per-cent volume ol ethylene, and at 70-per-cent efficiency in absorption and recovery, the 5,800 tons oi coal used per week would produce 9,20) gal. of alcohol. As an absorbent, 95-per

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‘ent sulphuric acid is used, at a tempera- ure between 140 and 176° F. This takes » ethyl-hydrogen sulphate from the gas, ‘rom which the alcohol may be recovered yy treatment with superheated steam. (he sulphur-dioxide by-product may be eturned to the coke-oven gas, precipi- tating sulphur and purifying the gas while providing material for a new supply of iphurie acid. A contemporary French perimenter reports the discovery of a heap catalytic agent which greatly istens the absorptive action of the sul- hurie acid. IMPROVE LOOSE-LEAF SYSTEM WITH METAL CARD HOLDERS Certain faults of the modern loose-leaf ystem of keeping records are attacked by an Illinois in- ventor, who provides a a metal holder that keeps each card in its place as though it was bound ina book. The thin sheet of steel has a fold at the bottom to receive the edge of the card, and a perforated tab that locks onto the drawer rod. At the top are a small metal tab for numerical marking, and a indow for carrying an alphabetical list- ig. Projections at the sides rest on the drawer edge, and keep the cards upright thout using a follower block. GASEOUS VORTEX IS BASIS OF COMBUSTION PROCESS \ combustion process for heating in- lustrial boilers is noteworthy in that, though it involves the use of very few loving parts, it is self-feeding, and burns completely every particle of combustible tuel. The 1ade to one by circulation of air, in short, is accomplish the “work usually mechanical means. Thus, air eping in through the front of the fur- ce carries with it the pulverized coal. the dust and finer particles burn as they tall into the furnace. The larger particles continue downward, and drop upon an inclined bed. Down this bed the coal flows in an incandescent state. Reaching, ‘nally, an oscillating platform, a second rush of air from below carries the dis- rupted elements upward. Rising, the POPULAR MECHANICS 757 mass is deflected by a baffle wall toward the front of the furnace again. In this way there is maintained a vortex action This Cross-Sectional View Shows How, with the Aid of the Inclined Bed and the Baffle Wall, the Air Currents Maintain the Vortex Action in which is consumed all the coal, and consequently, all the smoke. AUTOIST’S CAMP TABLE FOLDS AROUND CUPBOARD For the convenience of the automobile tourist-camper there has recently been devised a combination table and cupboard that can be col- : lapsed to fit snugly ’ into the tonneau. _ Table and cup- board are distinct. The table top con- of three sec- tions which are so dimensioned and sists At the Top Is the Cupboard, and Below the Table Which Folds around It to Form a Front, Back, and Second Bottom hinged that when folded they form a front, back, and second bottom for the cup- board. The table legs are pointed fo

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698 POPULAR pushing into the ground. The cupboard is partitioned off into food, utensil, and ice compartments, and is constructed that it rests against the back of the front seat, in transit, without undue of tonneau leg room. A handle is fixed to the top of the cupboard for convenience in carrying lis. SO loss ADJUSTABLE AIR DUCT \n adjustable telescopic air duct, which connects the two gratings of a new ceiling a ventilator, makes it possible to install the with only a small amount of labor. Spiral springs, located in- side the duct, per- mit the latter to be extended in length from 7 to 12 in., and serve to hold the ap- pliance in position The contrivance is made in three styles, one intended to con- vey warm air direct- ly from lower-floo1 device rooms to those above; another ar- ranged to receive the upper end of a heating-stove hot-air pipe, and a third provided with an opening for an ordinary stovepipe. RATCHET ON CRANK HANDLE PROTECTS MOTORIST’S ARM Though the the “kick” out the “kick” 18th amendment has taken of the nation’s beverages, still remains, motorists are daily finding to their sorrow, in the cranking han- dle of the automo- bile. This action caused by failure to retard the spark, and conse- quent reversing of the engine, often breaks the motor- The several million owners of a well-known low-priced car can now pro- tect themselves against this misfortune, however, by fixing to the crank a ratchet apparatus of recent introduction. This ist’s arm. oT can be slipped into place in five minutes, and thereafter will disengage crank and shaft instantly in the event of a back fire. MECHANICS NEW JAPANNING PROCESS IS NONEXPLOSIVE Because of the frequency of explosions in japan-baking ovens, manufacture: have been searching in late years for type of japan which could be used with noncombustible solvent. And that sucl a variety has recently been found is th: announcement of a great American search laboratory. This water japan, it is called, is an emulsion of the asphalt oil base with water; instead of being dis r¢ solved in naphtha or kerosene, that is the base is suspended in water in the form of infinitesimal particles. The sol ids exhibit no tendency to settle out, re¢ markably enough, even after months oi The methods of applying the water japan are two: the electric dip and the hot dip. The first, used in coating smaller articles, is in principle quite like the electroplating process. applicable to larger pieces, consists in a careful heating, which causes the japai to deposit itself on the metal much as in the first process. tarage storage. The secon IMPROVISED HARNESS SAVES MAN WITH BROKEN NECK By means of a rigid harness of steel and leather, preventing movement of the head in any direction, a man neck is being kept alive California city, and his ul- timate complete recovery is expecied. The accident occurred when the victim, a physician, struck his head on the bottom of a shallow diving pool, frac- turing the first cervical vertebra and_ dislocating the nexttwo. The harness / used consists of a heavy steel bar, following the F contour of the spine and held in place by felt-lined leather straps about hips, chest, and _ head. Fur- ther to insure against any unconscious movement, the patient with a broke in a souther lic between sandbags so placed as to but tress both body and head. In this posi tion, to effect a cure, he must remain fo from three to six months. @ A compressed-air cylinder replaces the usual foot lever in the spot-welding ma chine of a type now being made in Ger many. By thus lessening the operator's fatigue, the cylinder increases output. l,

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POPULAR MECHANICS 759 PROTEAN FURNITURE IS FRENCH INVENTION A piece of household furniture recently invent- ed by a Frenchman re- sembles the toy struc- tural sets so popular with the American boy in that it is delivered in a knock- down bundle, and can be put together as the pur- chaser’s fancy or neces- sity may dictate. Most of the parts are straight tubes of metal; in addi- tion there are’ supplied joints, casters, and orna- mental knobs. The piece ee > Lido Sie = dard = am ? | The Cribis Changed to the Settee at the Right by Inter- changing Knobs and Casters and Tn- verting the Whole most easily assembled, perhaps, is the child’s crib. This can be transformed into a settee by interchang- ing knobs and casters and inverting the By lengthening the various mem- hers, again, this settee is made a single or double bed. This furniture is most appreciated on “moving day,’ though, when half a dozen pieces can be collapsed and packed in a small box or trunk. whole. TWO-LAMP AUTO HEADLIGHT USES HALF REFLECTOR Road-lighting problems of the motorist are attacked in a new way by two Ohio inventors, who have developed a_head- light of novel form. Two electric bulbs are used, one above the other. The upper one has a reflector of standard parabolic shape, while the lower has only the bot- tom half of such a reflector. For road work, the powerful upper lamps are used, and where nonglare lighting is needed, hift is made to the lower lamps, whose bull invisible. Dimming. the lower lamps gives a low-consumption parking light, and if exceptional power is needed, both bulbs are used together. Ss are ] — “a —eneneants Sie aan Above: The Four Phases of the New ©& Headlight’s Useful- ness. Left and Right: Front and Side Views } of the Odd Reflectors f By Lengthening and Rearranging the Various Mem- bers, Again, the Settee is Transformed into the Single Bed Shown Above LATHE-TOOL HOLDER TAKES ROUND OR SQUARE STOCK An improved form of tool holder, re- cently brought out for lathe use, consists of a flat steel bar, nlane on one edge and Above: The Tool Holder and Gooseneck Too! Dis- assembled, Showing Its Construction ashe Tool Holder Complete, Grooved Edge Up, with the Gooseneck Tool in Place at the Right End grooved at 45° on the other. A yoke fastened at one end of the bar with a taper pin, and easily removable, carries "16 in. may be bar, or screw. Square stock up to 46 in. clamped to the flat edge of the rour.d stock from 1% to ig in. to edge. A gooseneck spring tool, attached to the holder with a tape! screw and nut, adds to the usefulness of the device for cutting threads. the grooved

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CHILDREN’S PICTURE-STORY DEPARTMENT x . _ ri a In a District of Southern California Where the Poultry a, Mr 8} Question Is of Predominant Interest, the High-School Girls a Contests in the Streets with a Huge Egg-Shaped Pushball, Watched by Hundreds of Visitors —___—_—4 A Doll That Is Popular |in Belgium Because It | Looks Exactly like the Little Princess Marie- Specimens of Coins from Belgium, China, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Hol- land, Italy, Japan, Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, France, Switzerland, Spain, Por- tugal, Austria, Germany, and Turkey are being Circulated by the Junior Red Cross among the School Children of the Northwest for Their Intormation ell

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OF MODERN ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS An Hour of Freedom to Do as They Please Is the Boon Conferred upon a Kindergarten Class of 43 in a Southern Ohio City, and Their Use of the Privilege Is Interesting. As may be Seen at the Left, the Girls Generally Choose to Devote the Time to Sewing Dresses for Dolls, While the Boys, Depicted at the Right, Prefer Modeling in Clay and Other Mechanical Pursuits Even the Youngest Children Soon Learn the Musical Scale When They Press the Notes of This Instrument with Their Fin- gers and It Plays the Correct Tone In the Manual-Training Classes of a Utah School, the Boys Made a Loom, Patterned after a Pioneer Model, and the Girls are Weaving Fabrics with It The Two in the Foreground are Displaying a Sam- ple of the Product None of the Class Is Over 14 Years Old Three Classes in Dairving in a Montana High School Used the “quipment Seen Here Last Season, Making More than 100 Pounds f Butter and Eight Cheeses. All the Apparatus except the Separ- ators Belongs to the School

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762 POPULAR BAG BENEATH DESK TOP IS NEW OFFICE WASTEBASKET A waste-paper basket now being manu- factured for office use cannot be tipped over, is practically invisible, holds two to a | res ———— ~ The New Waste-Paper “Basket” Is a Bag of Heavy Duck Suspended, by a Rectangular Wire Frame, beneath the Top of the Office Desk four times as much as the ordinary con- tainer, and furthermore is no basket at all, but a bag. Made of heavy duck over a rectangular vire frame, it is hung be- neath a flat or roll-top desk. As the mouth of the bag is wide, and as it ex- tends from one side to the other of the “leg room” beneath the top, it is apparent that any paper tossed toward the rear will be caught by the bag. PORTABLE TRANSFORMER THAWS FROZEN WATER PIPES Thawing frozen water pipes by electric heat is an operation brought within the reach of any plumber by a portable out- fit just being put on the market. A step- down transformer, with a carrying han- The Portable Thawing Transformer Connected, with Its Secondary Cables Clamped to a Water Pipe dle on its case, is equipped with a 10-ft. cord and plug for connection to a light socket, and two 7'-ft. cables with clamp MECHANICS connectors for the pipe. Lengths of to l-in. pipe, up to 15 ft., can be treated at one time, wherever alternating current of standard voltage and frequency is available, the consumption being 500 to 650 watts. The outfit weighs but 35 pounds. NONSMOLDERING GUN WADS REDUCE FOREST FIRES So many forest fires have been traced to smoldering shotgun wads that a west ern firm has begun the manufacture of a noninflammable and nonsmoldering wad. The thoughtful sportsman would not, of course, intentionally start a forest fire, but all too often he causes one with his shotgun without knowing it. The ordi- nary wad is composed of a heavy layer of felt between two layers of cardboard. This type of wad is often ignited by the explosion of the powder charge, and if it happens to fall in dead leaves, pine nee- dles, or other inflammable forest débris, it may smolder for a long time before being fanned into a flame that may be the origin of a disastrous forest fire. In its experiments to produce a non- inflammable gun wad the firm began making them from asbestos. This, how- ever, was found unsatisfactory because it had a deteriorating effect on the bore of the gun. Various other substances were then tried, but with only partial suc- cess. The wad that was finally decided upon, and which is claimed to be satis- factory in every respect, presents little deviation from the construction of the ordinary one. The new wad is of card- board and felt, but is chemically treated to render it noninflammable. The chem- icals used, it is claimed, do not damage the bore. LAWYER’S WILL IS RECORDED ON PHONOGRAPH CYLINDER By dictating his last will and testament onto a wax phonograph cylinder, instead of writing it on paper, an Iowa lawyer not only has introduced a novel method of recording an instrument, but beiieves he has eliminated the possibility of fraud. The names of the witnesses, as well as the will itself, were dictated onto the wax, each name being spelled out dis- tinctly. The cylinder then was run through a reproducer, pronounced satis- factory, and sealed into a box for filing. The originator of this odd application of the talking machine points out that changing or tampering with such a record would be a very difticult matter.

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Information as to where to obtain any specified materials or parts for —s -— described in e had the following pages may on request, from our Bureau of Information.—Editor. Movable Table for Drill Press BY ARTHUR F. COX N a shop which makes a specialty of drilling and assembling slate and mar- ble switchboard panels, the drilling is done on a radial drill, the panel being upported on the special table shown in the drawing. This table permits one man to handle the largest panel with ease, and adds con- iderably to he efficien of the lrilling ma- chine. Asshown, he table is built up of angle iron, the our legs eing pro- vided with flanged heels 9 iade to the di- lensions shown in SLATE OR MARBLE PANEL TO BE DRILLED 1S"MAPLE FLOORING, _ TONGUED & GROOVED isXi5 ANGLE- IRON ROLLER } the detail XL FLAT IRON drawing, ind the hole table oves lon- 7 itudinally on a track composed of l-in. square cold-rolled steel, fastened to the floor. These wheels also permit the table to be easily moved to any part of the hop. The table top is made of two layers of tongued-and-grooved hardwood flooring, the upper layer being laid at right angles to the bottom one. The table top runs on four rows of rollers, which are mounted on pins fastened by cotter pins through the angle-iron cross mem- bers. This table reduces the cost of the drilling operation considerably, as, by the combination of motions possible, the hole to be drilled is located much more quickly ' 15 X15 ANGLE-IRON BRACES — x1" TRACK arble Panels are Drilled: 5 ANGLE IRON 4 ‘| 4 ~ | DETAIL oF wees | rollers run — — - should be casehat ened, and should be lubricated frequently to insure the utmost freedom in both movements of the table. Table That Is of Particular Convenience in Shops Where Large Slate or The Accuracy of the Work is In- creased and the Output Augmented and easily than by using the drill motion alone. Further, the risk of breaking panels is greatly reduced by the use of the table, and it forms a substantial piece of equip- ment, in contrast to the usual flimsy wooden support used for this class of work, es L which gen- [2 *cast inON “4 erally ne- cessitates two men to | handle the panels, and | makes i} drilling a slow and inaccurate job, due to the weight and friction of the pan- els in mov- ing them over a rough wooden surface. The pins on whic!l the various DETAIL OF ROLLERS 16 REQUIRED = 4 ~ - pay a es Cutting In Sign Letters The sign painter often experiences con- siderable difficulty, when painting on soft woods, on account of the paint’s tendency to spread and follow the grain of the wood and so spoiling the clean-cut lines of his letters. Some attempt to overcome this by painting the board with a solid background and then painting the letters over this, but this method is not advised 763

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764 POPULAR as with but little exposure the background will show through the painted letters. It will be found much easier and more etiective to lay out the lettering on the bare board and then, with a sharp knife, cut deeply along the lines of the letters before painting. In this way the letters and background may be painted at the same time and in different colors without dithculty, and the job will stand exposure. Designing and Making a Speedster Body for the Old Automob2e The desire of most owners of old cars ° ‘ . 3 ” es ar is-to “cut it down” and make a “racer RADIATOR INCLOSED MOLDING GASOLINE IN SHELL TANK * Xi ay A 2 “ es, 2 4 p= / — j =\ \ O 7 1 { O) |} ‘ , STEP \\ ~ ¥g 4. 4 WHEELS INCLOSED 7 A WITH DISKS ai OPENING CUT IN “TIRE AND LUGGAGE

DISK OPPOSITE VALVE COMPARTMENT) / HINGE CUT FROM } OLD HOOD Pp BRACES ee | <z HINGES | = | j ’ y 4 1 ha be HINGE ! il \ Ap vt} PF HASP b U U TOP VIEW OF REAR Rebuilding an Oid Automobile Is Rather More In- tricate than is Usually Considered, but by Using Care the Results will Amply Repay the Effort out of it. or with at any rate provide the old a body that will create the impression of power and speed. Many such attempts are foredoomed to failure, because the body is designed with no ref- erence to drawings, patterns, or the tool equipment involved. Preliminary to anything else, a scale drawing of the chassis and the new body should be made, and after the builder has established, to his own satisfaction, that the new body will fit the chassis, then only should the actual work be under- taken. However, a complete set of full- 1 chassis sized paper patterns should be made; with these the builder can determine whether the parts will fit together correctly, and at the same time rectify any errors of cal- culation, or judgment, that may have been made in the preliminary scale drawing. The illustration shows a body that pos- MECHANICS

sesses straight lines throughout, as it is easier to work the sheet metal with sharp, angular lines than any other way, but the variety of design is infinite, and is only limited by the skill, cash, and facilities at the command of the builder. The material most commonly used is No. 18 or 20 gauge sheet iron, although the lighter and more expensive aluminun can be used as weil as a lighter-gauge iro: but the latter is inadvisable. For work oi the kind shown in the drawing, the most essential tools will consist of a wooden mallet, tin shears, and riveting and sol dering equipment. Most amateur build ers fall into the error of trying to apply the component parts of the body to a wooden frame with nails, which invaria bly results in a botched and unsatisfactory job. The seams should at least be sol! dered or, preferably, brazed, and late these joints are finished off flush; thus a practically one-piece body is obtained. Most speedster designs involve the ne cessity of more or less new framing under the cowl, and a new instrument board, the omission of which is another common blunder. Also, it is usually desirable to lower the steering post, and suitable means must be provided for supporting it; this is generally done by inserting wooden wedges between the dash and steering-post bracket, unless it is desired to make a special metal bracket. Disk wheels are merely sheet-metal disks bolted to both sides of the wheel with an opening for access to the ti valve. Such wheels, on the average lig! car, are not to be particularly commended, however, as they are not entirely sati factory, and at the same time detract from that “low, rakish” appearance usual! sought. It should be remembered that the ain is to build a neat, individual automobil body and not a boiler, and that, thereto the of rivets and nails for seams should be shunned, since both gi positive evidence of an amateur’s hand work, use closin Etching Glass with Acid Fumes To etch glass with various designs it is thoroughly cleaned, the parts that are not to be etched are covered with wax or Brunswick black, and the glass is exposed to the fumes arising from hydrofluori acid (poison). If hydrofluoric acid can not be had, the same effect is obtained by scattering an even layer of powdered fluorspar in a hard-rubber or earthenware tray, and pouring sulphuric acid into the

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POPULAR MECHANICS 765 dish; then placing the glass, face down, over the tray and allowing it to remain until the etching has been carried to the proper depth.—Hugo Jj. Engel, New Braunfels, Tex. Hand-Operated Counterboring and Countersinking Tool A hand-operated counterboring and countersinking tool, such as the one shown in the drawing, will find many uses around the shop. The countersink- ing tool is serviceable for obtaining accu- rate alinement of countersunk bolt heads in boiler and plate work. After drilling and tapping, USE WRENCH TOOL HANDLE an or d i narv TO FIT BOLT HEAD bolt is insert- —__ 7 ed through ET the tool and the desired amount of } metal is re- / moved by ro- yy tating the MiAr handle, the proper cutting pressure being obtained by screwing down the bolt with a wrench, or a wing-headed bolt, for tightening with the fingers, can be used. Use of this countersinking tool causes the holt to seat evenly, as the seat is cut con- centric with the threaded hole. The counterboring tool is nearly the same as the countersink, but is used for spot facing the rough surface of a casting to provide a seat for cap screws or nuts.—G. \. Luers, Washington, D. C. MADE SQUARE FOR HANDLE CUTTING SEAT FOR BOLT HEAD An Emergency Gluing Clamp A woodworker, having occasion to make a mortised frame, but having no clamps for holding the work together while the glue dried, devised the ar- rangement shown in the drawing, from two aa = pieces of stout timber. A — TURNBUCKLES —+ iy screweye was screwed into — HEAVY WIRE hy each end, and ps SS | | t : _ —_ ==> =m »OT h pieces za 2 were ——— SCREWEYES ———"’ connect- ed together by wires and turnbuckles which were screwed up to give the desired compression against the glued joints.— Harry H. Houck, Rochester, N. Y. House Moving by Steam Roller A small house was moved nearly a quarter of a mile through the streets of a A Small House being Dragged a Quarter of a Mile through the Streets of a Populous Town by a Steam Roller populous town by a stéam road roller. \s the roller was not powerful enough to haul the building when connected directly to it, a block and tackle was used, one block being attached to the load and the other to trees and poles along the route; the free end of the rope was attached to the steam roller. The house rested on wooden rollers and the machine was able to haul it along about as fast as the men could take the rollers from the rear and replace them under the skids in front.— W. H. Sargent, Rutland, Vt. Lock for Fuel Tank on Truck The owner of a truck that was stored in a public garage missed his gasoline, and to prevent further unauthorized re- movals attached the lock the drawing to the tank. The lock consists of a piece of stiff sheet iron, formed as shown and drilled with three holes, one for fitting over a projection in the top of the filler cap; a_ suitable length of chain iS cain attached to one ot the other holes. The chain is pa sed around the tank and through the hole in the opposite edge of the plate; this chain is drawn up tight and locked in place by passing the bolt of a padlock through one of the links, as shown. The chain can he wrapped with canvas, or inserted into a piece of rubber tubing, to protect the finish, if desired.—D. B. Templeton, Bay onne, N. J. shown in - TANK PLATE ~ PADLOCK @ Old plane bits can be made into excel lent scrapers for wood-finishing work.

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165 POPULAR MECHANICS Truck Made of Pipe The hand truck shown in the drawing allows the trucker to start or rest the load with a minimum of effort, the bent pipe A Hand Truck Which Allows the Trucker to Start or Rest His Load with a Minimum of Effort underneath keeping the truck in perfect balance while the load is at rest. By rais- ing it a few inches from the ground, the load is ready for transportation. The bot- tom part is made of '4-in. pipe, extending 2 ft. to the bend, which is about 85°; then extending 1 ft. to the tee, and then 2 ft. to an ell at the extreme end, which serves to connect a duplicate piece, on the oppo- site side, with a 2-ft. handhold. The lower end of each piece is connected to a cross through one side of which the axle rod passes; two nipples continue from these crosses; these are flattened and bolted to another set of two pipes, the upper ones, which extend about 3 ft. to the bend, about 45°, and the ends are connected to the tees of the lower support. Three horizontal braces of flat iron are provided and riveted to the pipe frame, as indicated. If barrels are to be handled, these pieces should have a slight curve to conform to the shape of the barrel. The “bill,” which is also made from flat stock, is formed as shown, with rounded ends which are in- serted into the pipes and secured with bolts.—Claude Wagner, Redondo Beach, California. Waterproofing Drawings and Tracings Shellacking drawings and tracings, to prevent soiling, is a well-known process, but if the drawings are to be kept, or used, in places where there is more or less moisture, a better coating is formed by a solution of rubber and benzol. Such a solution is made by dissolving about 14 oz. of “uncured” rubber in % pt. of ben- zol, in a quart jar. The solution will be ready for use after it has stood about 24 hours. When a drawing is to be coated, the solution is thinned with benzol until it will flow easily under the brush; the drawing should be coated on both sides. Ordinary rubber cement can be similarly, used by diluting it with gasoline, or ben zol, to approximate the proportions men- tioned.—Samuel Guy, Chicago; II. Revolving Table from Scrap Auto Parts In almost every shop there is mucl work that could be done more conven iently if a revolving table was used, but only a few shops are-equipped with suc tables. The table shown in the drawin is designed to be made from junked 7 - ‘a * SI “" automobile parts " a that can. usually oiL-soakzp i IRON OR i be found around ee ae sy WOOD Top an auto - repair ry iv shop. Half of an Wf HALF oF aN old rear - axle dhe 4, housing serves aS pipe fea the main support, = |. which is provided we at its upper end i with a disk of oil- a soaked wood held in place with’ AY screws; the lower es oe | oo —- ———_—-&2> bearing consists of an iron plug which is fastened into the end of the pipe and rests upon a well- oiled board. The board at the bottom should be carefully fitted so that no play will be possible. The top, which should not be more than 2 ft. in diameter, may be made of either wood or iron.—S. E Gibbs, Ames, Ta. Forge Made from Old Sink A convenient forge, for the home work- shop, that has its air furnished by the family vacuum cleaner, is made from a old kitchen sink. The sink is lined with EE ee —t | DRAIN—* “si DAMPER +to TEE. — \| we x 1 PLUG : Lan END VIEW MOTOR 2” ANGLE IRON- | — A Convenient Forge, for the Home Workshop, is Made from an Old Kitchen Sink, the Family Vacuum Cleaner being Commandeered to Furnish the Air Blast

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POPULAR clay, or other plastic refractory ma- ial, and a stand of angle iron is pro- ded to support it at the proper height. e vacuum-cleaner motor and blower is yunted on crosspieces underneath in ch a manner that it can be readily re- oved when its services are required for aning. The bowl-shaped sink drain ikes an acceptable tuyere, and is con- ected to the dust-bag connection of the cuum cleaner, as shown. A damper is rovided in the air pipe for regulating the blast. The short length of pipe con- ected to the bottom of the tee, and osed with a plug. receives such ashes as il down, and should be _ periodically leaned out.—Chas. Worcester, Webster Grove, Mo. Economy in Using Comb Foundation The common method of creasing a half nch or so of comb foundation and melt- * it, to cement it to the frame, is any- ing but economical. By holding the rip of foundation in place, without easing, and running a hot knife along edge to cement it to the frame, con- lerable foundation saved. — John ichotta, Stewart, Minn. 1s Entering Small Screws in Awkward Places In overhauling or assembling small ma- hines, the mechanic, sooner or later, en- sunters one or more screw holes that ap- sear to be inaccessible. The insertion in | small bolts and nuts with- ich holes of ut proper tools is most exasperating, nd the simple ols shown in the drawing are in- tended to over- come the difficul- ti One of them is merely a hook at the end of a piece of light, stiff , <—_ MAKE AS LONG AS NECESSARY a

es a, r rv - wire, for placing | bolts and screws eo FY into a hole when wg they can be | ' dropped vertically, See, J =] Che second tool is lor placing the parts into horizontally drilled holes, and the third is for holding the bolt or screw vertically, while it is being lowered into an inaccessible hole at the bottom of a well or pipe. All three tools can be made in a few minutes with pair of pliers. MECHANICS 767 How to Pour Good Babbitt Bearings Babbitt bearings which are full and up to size, and with a finish as good as die

EYEBOLT —~2_2 CLAY DAM ¢ —_ OVER - ? = POURING FLOW _ , LADLE CLAY DAM ™- CAST-IRON MOLD INNER SECTION OF MOLD LADLE FOR CATCHING OVERFLOW . “CONNECTING-ROD BUSHING HALVES, CAST TO SIZE Babbitt Bearings, Full and Up to Size, and with a Finish Equal to Die Castings, can be Poured in Metal Molds by Taking a Few Simple Precautions castings, can be poured by anyone in a metal mold, if certain precautions are taken. Have two openings to the mold as far away from each other as possible; one opening isthe pouring gate and should be surrounded with a clay dam about 42 in. deep.. The other opening its the overflow, around which a similar dam is built, but a small groove is pressed into the clay, on one side, to allow the over flowing metal to run off into a ladle un derneath, as shown in the drawing. The idea back of this is, that the metal, which should be just hot enough to char a white-pine stick, heats up the mold to almost the temperature of the metal it- self, all grease and dirt, which would cause trouble and produce gas bubbles, are washed away. Only one precaution must be taken, and that is to have the bottom of the groove in the dam around the over flow opening about 14 in. higher than thy top of the mold; this is to allow for the contraction of the metal it cools. When the mold is full, stop pouring, but do not remove the ladle until it is that the metal does not shrink below the top of the mold; if this happens, pour in a little more metal. V. Romig Allentown, Pa. as as see} - loe Truing a Celluloid Straightedge When an ivory or celluloid straight edge becomes too badly nicked and worn a good way to true it up is to grind it on a perfectly plane surface which has bee covered evenly with a thin paste, made from very fine coat ing oO , emery fou! and oil.—]. Alexander, Lincoln, Neb.

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> for) Co POPULAR Homemade Knock Detector or Stethoscope An improved and effective knock steth- oscope, for detecting the location of LOOSE CLUTCH BEARING (LOOSE FLYWHEEL LOOSE PISTON MECHANICS An Auxiliary Draft for Slow-Steaming Boilers When a steam boiler, such as used in factories, apartments, and other large in- Sstallations, gets too old to steam rapidly, and i ! LoOSe WHET Pine when impaired draft and . Qe 1-71 VALVES NEED ADJUSTING extreme weather cause ‘ CANTER Baan woee trouble, a sure method * 1 oO PTS ~| ~~ A {| i a {cel \/ | , CAMSHAFT | | ore BEARING LOOSE LOOSE MAIN BEARING Y4 STEEL ROD ABOUT 2 FEET LONG ’ ¢ '} nS eal FORWARD BEARING WORN CONNECTING RODS LOOSE NOISES AT POINTS INDICATED ABOVE ARE SYMPTOMS OF THE TROUBLES NOTED SOLDERED OR BRAZED of obtaining satisfactory results is to run an air line into the stack, above the smokepipe inlet; the pipe should point up , Aa, ward, inside the stack, this being accomplished ; 3) by the use of an elbow ay and nipple. When the BASE OF OILCAN The Knocks, and Other Irregularities, Internal-Combustion Engines knocks due to wear and looseness of bearings and moving parts of machinery, particularly of automobile engines, is made from an ordinary oilcan and a length of steel rod. As shown in the drawing, the steel rod is bent at one end and soldered, or brazed, to the bottom of the oilcan, and the spout of the can is removed. In use, the threaded collar of the oilcan is applied to the ear and the end of the rod is placed against the en- gine at the points indicated, to detect any of the various irregularities common to internal-combustion automobile engines. Preventing Water Stains on Wallboard When applying wallboard panels, never callow them to reach completely to the I, — BACKING floor, for they will be almost certain to ab- sorb scrub water— | sometimes to the height of 18 in. A bet- ter procedure in the r application of such | a WALLBOARD } | BASEBOARD } l\ panels is to lay a nar- ap) row strip, about 2 in. | wide, next to the floor, allowing an open space of about 1 in. between this and the panel SPACE WALL- BOARD be proper, as shown in ~ FLOOR on eS ESE une. the drawing. The nar- row strip will provide an even backing for the baseboard, the whole construction will be concealed, and the panels will be prevented from un- sightly moisture stains. — Doncaster G, Humm, Phoenix, Ariz. Stethoscopic Principle of Magnifying Sound is Used for Common to air pressure is turned on a forced draft is created which brings the steam- ing up to normal, Ex haust steam may also be used.—P. P. Avery, Garfield, N. J Detecting Repairing Cracked Water Jacket Hundreds of engine cylinders have been scrapped because of cracked water jackets, but the last journey of a casting for a 10-hp. stationary engine was indefinitely postponed by a simple method. Small holes were drilled at each end of th crack, to prevent a . . UPSET it from extending “ STS) | diate farther. Three- Vm, ) quarters of an inch on each side of the crack, and 1 in. apart, '%64-in. holes were drilled through the jack- et and counter- sunk; through these holes, a in. drill was in- serted, and holes were drilled di- rectly beneath them into the cylinder wall. Great care must be taken in drilling these noles, to avoid drilling through the cylinder wall. The smaller holes were tapped with a 14-in. bottom tap. Iron studs, 4% in. in diameter, were threaded at one end and screwed in tightly. The studs were then sawed off on the outside, to within 14 in. of the casting; the projecting ends were upset, or riveted, and the crack was drawn together, making a _ water-tight 46 GYUNDER WALL WATER JACKET a) joint which is unaffected by temperatur changes.

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POPULAR Railroad-Car Repair Signal Most persons are familiar with the blue flags which repairmen place on the ends of cars undergoing repairs, in order to prevent other cars from being pushed against those on which men are working. It.is sometimes difficult for brakemen rid- ing on car steps to see these flags, as they are often placed in the coupler and thus are in the center of the track. This is an unsafe practice, and to obviate danger, one railroad uses a square metal marker on the end of a metal rod. The rod is provided at the lower end with a clamp that fits over the rail, and is bent at an angle so that the marker, which is painted blue with “safety” printed in large white letters, is held to one side of the track. When two such signals are used, one on each side of the track, they are plainly visible to switching crews at all times, no matter where they may be riding. Lathe Tool for Radius Cutting The tool shown in the drawing is in- tended for radius cutting in the lathe. such a tool permits cutting a radius of practically any size, and on account of the light cut that it will take, chattering is overcome. The TOOL BE CUT ot a support oe which is - TOOL . Si EL |‘ rsupear Clamped in the | th i f —— = toolpost - the ee } > ° | \ end of this sup- —_s — port is drilled won WA to take the ; 4,4 pivot pin oft \ . ee the tool hold- ~ TOOL-MOLDER Pivot €F, as indicat- WASHER WITH KEY ed, the holder having a circu- lar end which is a snug rotating fit in the hole. A setscrew is used to hold the cutting tool in the holder, and an ex- tension handle is provided for moving the cutter through the arc of the circular face to be cut. To cut a curve of any desired radius, the diameter of the holder being known, subtract half this diameter from the length of the radius to be cut; the remainder is the distance that the tool hould project from the holder, the tool being easily set with a scale. @ Ordinary tarred roofing paper sood emergency substitute for board. makes a a black- IECHANICS 769 A Portable Countershaft The drawing shows a portable counter- shaft that can be used to advantage under

PILLOW BLOCKS TIMBER FRAME

A Portable Countershaft for Emergency Purposes That can be Transported to Various Parts of a Fac- tory with Comparative Ease, Is a Time and Money Saver many conditions. A heavy timber frame was made, and an electric motor was at- tached to the bottom platform; at the top of the frame, two pillow blocks were placed, to support a shaft and cone pul- ley, from which a belt ran to the motor. With such an arrangement, it is a com- paratively simple matter to transport it to any part of the factory, to take the place of the regular motor that is out of commission, or for temporarily driving a single machine.— J. rH. Moore, Toronto, Ontario. Tool for Marking Lettering Lines In drafting rooms where there is a large amount of lettering to be done, the guide- line marker shown in the drawing will save considerable time in ruling, and later, in These , = erasing lines. | CELLULOID oo markers are made in / \ — anv desired size from ws piece s of old celluloid triangles. The notches are made } CREASES / / \ | the proper 3s | distance apart, and VS the tool is drawn along the edge of a EA °.4 square or angle with sufficient pressure to make a light creas: on the paper—B. F. Dashiell, Dunkirk, Maryland,

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An Oil-Gas Generator By A. N. CAPRON ITH the coming of cold weather and its usual concomitant of low gas pressure, every user of gas will be interested in the simple attachment

i COPPER PIPE— heat Re, TO GAS STOVE

| #24 =

RESISTANCE oo ro wee). is s 7 a Fa, > HOLE D> Sere: Ze ( \ <= . B. 1 ‘ soi sions VALVE FLOAT | ew | | ahi iS aa | i} “ 3’ PIPE ef Led to ah || T FLOAT _. i | (CHAMBER \& s axe ~é Rew CONTACT ~Y). _ FLOAT —) ss é GUIDE —*: ig SHEET MICA<} te yy VALVE ew) ||? ; Neg) ||, 2 copper__ || eg | | TUBING Tf we | BRAZE OR / (rr \ | SOLDER t \\ = D) \ \ = 4 \ \ PIPE TO OIL } \ ie ) 4 j + TANK S / \_ OK i PIPE . BRAZE OR cS SOLDER An Easily Constructed Generator of This Type will Be a Boon to Users of ho are Confronted with Frozen Gas Pipes or Reduced Pressure. It is Adapted to Generating Kerosene Gas and Is Seif Gas W by means of which can be converted i shown in the drawing, the shop stove into an oil stove when the gaspipes freeze—or when there is insufficient gas to go around. It is well known that the vapor of kerosene oil, commonly known as coal oil, flashes, or can be ignited, when the oil is heated to from 120° to 140° F., but the oil will not produce gas in abundance until a temperature of 250° is reached. This can be demonstrated by filling a metal tube, 1 in. in diameter “by 16 in. long, half full of kerosene and attaching a gas jet over the open end. By heating the kerosene in the tube the jet can be lighted, and it is upon this principle that the generator described herein operates— the cold oil enters one end of the pipe and comes from the burner as a gas or vapor. The first item that will be required is a piece of brass or copper pipe, threaded at both ends. One end of the pipe is fitted with a reducing elbow and plug, as indicated. For a distance of 12 in. from the elbow the pipe is wrapped with a M46-in. layer of sheet mica, and over this is wound sufficient No. 24 resistance wire, or ribbon, to produce a temperature of approximately 300° F. inside the pipe when connected across the supply main.

The separate turns of resistance wire should be from %2 to %e@ in. apart. The ends of the heating element are solidly fastened and brazed with silver solder to 12 in. of size 10 asbestos- eT ne covered lead. Rub some Cc ‘ $e Piaf — magnesia paste, made by 1h rath ue mixing equal parts of PLUNGER powdered magnesia and plaster of Paris with +=— MER . Hi] — water, or better still, the investment A compound K ry : which can be obtaine:l as from dentists, between v “rl the “ne he lame aie ‘ the turns to hold them The whole coil with a 4¢-in. in place. 1s Cc yvered ) layer of mica. Twelve RESISTANCE WIRE "es . . , ieet of “t6-1n. annealed MAGNESIA - © . ») “FILLING copper tubing will now is peaeieed. Keep 6 or a in. of one end free, and beginning 1!5 in. abo SBESTOS vinning » . above — the reducing elbow, wind the tubing around the insulated heating ele- ment, as shown in the drawing. Cl: 1e last -Regulating In} lamp the la turn to hold it firmly, and bring the loose end down to the plug in the reducing elbow. The brass plug is removed from the elbow and drilled through with a “46-in. hole, counterbor ing, 1, in. deep, with a 14-in. drill. Screw in the plug with powdered graphite, measure the tubing to fit the hole in the plug, cut to size, remove the burr, and braze the end in the plug, this being fa- cilitated by the counterbore. This joint must be oil and gas-tight. The entir sembly is now tightly wrapped with 1\-in. asbestos rope to within 2 in. of th. upper end. \ piece of 3-in, brass or iron pipe wit! 146 or 1¢-in. walls, and caps to screw over the ends, are also needed for ma float chamber. The upper cap, as shown in the drawing, is drilled and tapped to take a l-in. pipe, the lower cap bei drilled and inane with 1% openings. <A cylindrical diameter by 6 in. long, is gaenny with 10 lugs or guides as shown in the draw ing, to keep it centered in the float cham- ber without friction. \ valve is made, and “6-in. float, 214 in. in according to the de- tail drawing, from 1l-in. round brass. The valve consists of two parts which ar held together with screws, as indicated. The lower end of the valve is turned down to 1% in. and threaded to fit the

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POPULAR hole in the bottom cap of the float cham- ver. The valve is countersunk with a countersinking drill, or rose countersink, to provide a seat for a \%¢-in. steel ball, which acts as a check valve in preventing hot oil from backing up into the supply tank, The upper half of the valve is drilled as in the drawing, and the lever is attached; the metal rod which presses against the ball being fastened somewhat: loosely in the lever, to permit sideplay. (Juarter-inch pipe is used to connect the oil tank with the valve, and the pipe should be sweated to the former after issembly. The oil supply should be placed from. 5 to 8 ft. above the valve. short piece of “e-in. tubing is soldered into the remaining hole in the bottom cap of the valve chamber, and a union is ittached for connecting the remaining loose end of the copper coil, in the man- ner shown. The heating coil and the float chamber are connected together by the simple piping arrangement shown, and if the automatic cut-out, to be de- MECHANICS ve scribed, is not used, the end at A is plugged. The automatic cut-out, which is con- nected to the end of the pipe at A, con- sists of a U-shaped metal or glass tube, half-filled with mercury, which acts on a fiber plunger inserted into the free end of the tube so that, when the pressure causes the mercury to rise, it will actuate the lever and open the heating circuit, automatically relieving the pressure, and as the pressure falls, the electrical contact is again established, the operation being automatic. The oil flows into the float chamber through the valve from the gravity tank. As the float chamber be- comes filled, the float rises, which forces down the plunger and cuts off the supply. Aiter sufficient pressure*has been gener- ated, the pressure forces the mercury in the U-tube up, and the current is cut off from the heating coil. At the very worst, if anything should fail, the mercury will be forced out of the tube which performs the function of a safety valve.

Garter Studs Make Instrument Feet small model, some mall rubber feet were needed to insulate he machine. For the purpose some old hose supporters were used. The metal parts, with the rubber studs, were re- moved and attached to the underside of the model.—Frank W. Bentley, Missouri Valley, Ia. In assembling a Pinning Sleeve to Shaft without Drilling Being confronted with the task pin- ing a small sleeve to a rod without hav- ng a drill at hand, one man did the job in the manner shown,

— : \ > } with a_ hacksaw. ———aaaaa Slots were cut in sore ~~ both shaftand " sleeve, as indicated. When the two parts were slipped together, the slots lined up to form a PIN— * SLEEVE =~=hole ~=where_ they —== Sa joined. A pin, =. s —) made from a fin- ishing nail, was

driven through and e ends hammered down flush with the top of the sleeve. Since there was lit- tle strain on the parts, this pin held per- tectly.—Thos. W. P ennsylvania. Benson, Philadelphia, To Find Leaks in Gas Pipe Leaks in gas pipes can be detected with an ordinary dial-type air-pressure gauge DIAL-TYPE AIR- PRESSURE GAUGE 3 PIPE ——

2°) TIRE SOLDE | VALVE ’ “a BUSHIN | ‘sea oe ii fp oe ; - UNION é PIPE Dial-Type Air-Pressure Gauge, Equipped for Finding eaks in Gas Pipes: A Tire Pump is Required to Operate the Device The device is connected with two short pipes of different diameters by means of a reducing tee. <A tire valve is installed in the end of the larger pipe, while the smaller is fitted with a union which can be screwed on a gas jet. When aetest is to be made, the stop — by gas is flow of turning the meter valve, and the gauge is attached to a jet. A tire pump “is con- nected with the tire valve, and pumped until the gauge shows a certain pressure. If this pressure falls after the pump has been removed, it indicates leaks in the gas pipes. In case a certain section of the latter is believed to be leaking, it should be disconnected from the other pipes and plugged before it is tested—Ed. Borchik, Cleveland, Ohio.

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~> -~> co POPULAR Root Cellar under Driveway larmers are more and more learning to utilize waste places. One farmer made a very Satisfactory root cellar under the REINFORCED- mes CONCRETE DRIVEWAY PLAN OF DRIVE WAY Instead of Filling Up the Space under the Driveway, This Farmer Uses It for Storing Roots driveway to the second floor of his barn. Since the top must be reasonably thick, and the sides or walls were required for the drive, the only extra cost was that incurred by putting in a window and doorway, and making the roof slightly thicker, to stand up under the strain of the loaded wagons to be driven over it.— Dale R. Van Horn, Lincoln, Neb. Tapping in a Lathe When tapping a job in the lathe, run- ning the center against the end of the tap keeps the tap straight. In doing this, however, the mechanic cannot work very rapidly because he has three things to attend to —power, tap wrench, and _tail- stock wheel—and but two hands to do it with. This disadvantage may be over- come; if a small pulley is made and tapped out to fit in place of the tailstock nut, the center can be fed against the tap as fast as it advances into the work, leaving both hands free for the power and tap wrench; this is accomplished by attaching one end of a piece of stout twine to the pulley and wrapping it around several MECHANICS times, and then fastening the end of the twine to the pulley arm. A weight is at tached to the free end, and as the tap advances in the work the tension on the string turns the tailstock wheel and keeps the center against the tap. Tracing Wheel Rules Dotted Lines Dotted lines may be made very rapidly with a tracing wheel, such as used by dressmakers and seamstresses, and piece of carbon paper or typewriter ril bon. To make the dotted lines, place the ruler in position and slip a strip of carbon paper, or typewriter ribbon, under the edge. The dotted line is made by passin; the toothed wheel over the paper ribbon. Ifa whole sheet of paper is to be ruled with dotted lines, a sheet of carbon paper is placed, face up, under the page ind the lines are ruled. The closeness of the dots may be varied by using wheel with different numbers of teeth. To pre- vent cutting holes in the paper, the point of the teeth are dulled with a file. Connecting-Rod Babbitting Fixture The most difficult part of the job, in rebabbitting the crank bearing of a con- necting rod, is to make sure that the bearing is ex- actly at right SINSING angles to the center line of AR80R e GROUND the piston. A TO SIZE very simple fixture has ee tll been found to zai” { one insure this. A ch, piece of 1-in. 4 ; N iron pipe, > | ground to size, i—>, : END OF UPRIGHT is used as the arbor, and collars are mounted as in the usual practice. These are held on by the_ binding nuts, which fit onto threads cut at the ends of the arbor. At one side is the upright, which is merely a stiff bar of cast iron, with a V-groove cut in its lower end, in which the piston may fit. In this grooved part is cut a hole the same size as the wrist pin, and spaced the same distance from the center of the arbor and crank bearing. A short pin is inserted in this hole, and the piston is clamped against the groove, with the pin just entering the wrist-pin

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: | it iui es , eee “il Atte LES AE: rate” ~~

POPULAR bearing. The larger bearing is then cen- tered over the arbor, and a spacer, or col- lar, inserted, of proper thickness to bring the piston rod just perpendicular to the pipe arbor, This thickness will of course vary with the diameter of the piston; it can be found either by calculation from the piston size, or by measurement. The metal is poured through the hole provid- ed in the rough bearing, and should be fitted afterward by scraping. A Folding Scaffolding Support \ folding scaffolding support, for the ise of carpenters when applying siding to . building, is shown in the drawing. These supports, or jacks, are made from two 2 by 4-in. pieces connected STUD \, - SIDING ~ i |\\_ SHEATHING > 2 - iv if / vether ; . IRON ru M together at one HOOKS ' tl) HINGE A s ? e \ end with a hinge, H YY \ the free ends be- FLOOR 1} he ing provided with ike pivoted hooks in “ OPEN f JOIST i the manner { M i shown. In use, the mechanic bores holes through the SS sheathing on the —£a Sm » ° ( << =—— 5 side of the build- = _ . . Coa "i ing and inserts the YG r hooks, as indicat- a CLOSED / , : ed, lays his boards | proceeds with the application of the ling. working from the top to the bot- § the house. The location of the id is changed from time to time to ‘omodate the work as it progresses. Jesse L. Blickenstaff, N. Manchester,

Guide for Sawing Bottom of Door \Vhen the amount to be trimmed from he bottom of a door is so small that difh- culty is experienced in guiding the saw, the work will be facilitated by a simple culde. If, for instance, a cut just the thickness of the saw is to be removed, the line is marked and a narrow strip of wood is nailed to the bottom. Only two nails e required, one at each end of the trip, and these are placed several inches back from the end. The cut is then tarted, holding the saw against the strip, and continued until the first nail is reached; this is withdrawn and driven in back of the saw, the operation being re- peated when the second nail is reached. The guiding strip will be found more ef- fective if made of hard wood. MUCHANICS ~~ ~? © Trash Box for Garage or Shop A trash box should form part of the equipment of every well-kept shop, as it provides against the accumulation of dirt

HINGED LID

HINGED BOTTOM HOOK

BRACKETS/4// | / / rt, / } cd | Y A Trash Box, for the Shop or Garage, That Dis- charges Its Contents into a Wheelbarrow Underneath on the floors and in corners. The draw- ing shows an improved box for this pur- pose, which is readily made and easily emptied; it is mounted high enough to permit a wheelbarrow to be run under the box when it is to be emptied. A hinged bottom permits removal of the contents without the necessity of overturning the box. The box may be built of wood, but if it is to receive oily waste and rags, sheet metal would be preferable. Filing Small Screws Filing the ends of small screws is usually the difficulty of This difheulty can be over- come by plac- ing the screw in a pair of pliers, or nip- pers, and screwing the latter up tightly in a vise, as shown in the photo- graph. Care should be taken to place the pliers, or nippers, in the vise as close to the fulcrum as possible to prevent possibility of cutting the screw.—F. k. M Dunseith, Scranton, Pa. rather awkward, on account of firmly. holding them

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T74 POPULAR MECHANICS Ice-Cutting Machine Made from Automobile Parts With very few exceptions, standard parts from an automobile were used in the construction of the ingenious ice-cut- ting machine shown in the drawing. The 40-in. circular saw is driven directly from the engine by means of-ihe differential bevel gears. A substantial angle-iron frame, 13 ft. long, supports the engine, radiator, and other parts, and the whole is mounted on a set of runners, as shown, Automobile Parts are Used to Make a Self-Propelled Ice-Cutting Machine. At the End of the Season the Machine is Dismantled and the Car is Reassembled in such a manner that the saw can be lowered or raised as desired. Handles are attached to the rear of the frame for guiding the machine, and throttle and spark-control rods, as well as the clutch control lever, are within easy reach of thy operator's hands. There is a gauge ¢ither end of the machine by which thx depth of cut is regulated, while adjustah| gauges at each side engage in the previ ous cut and thus the cuts are uniformly spaced. In operation, the engine is cranked in the ordinary way and the clutch thrown into engagement. For ise with a saw of the di ameter mentioned, about 500 r.p.m. will be found sufficient. As soon as the saw touches the ic it drops right into it, and the machine immediately begins to advance under its own power and must be held back by the Op erator, who otherwise would be forced to run to keep up with it.” The top of the saw is covered with a sheet-metal guard. In designing this ma chine, the object in view was to use the parts from the automobile without alteration, so that, at the end of the ice-cutting season, the machine could be disassembled and the parts again installed in the automobile——Bay- ard D. Evans, Scranton, Pa. Adjustable Pipe Wrench The pipe wrench shown in the drawing, which has a wide range of adjustment, is ABOUT SFT. IN LENGTH TOOTHED JAW —— FRONT VIEW OF ADJUSTABLE JAW _ Qumnnp eee HOLE FOR JAW zr = ii ; Li 7 - - PIN ————_— ee A Pipe Wrench with a Wide Range of Adjustability That Also Serves as a Pinch Bar When the Adjust- able Lower Jaw is Removed: It is Made from Forged Steel the -product of a plumber’s ingenuity. The main feature of this tool is the ad- justable jaw, which permits it to be ad- justed rapidly to handle any size of pipe ithin the wrench’s capacity; the jaw may be removed entirely, and the handle used as a small pinch bar. All parts are hand-forged from a good crade of steel, and the jaws are hardened after the teeth have been cut. Using Liquid Manure Most gardeners do not use liquid ma- jure because they do not know how to prepare it. This form of fertilizer has the advantage of being “quick,” because the soluble plant-food elements are carried directly to the roots. The first requisite in the preparation of liquid manure is a water-tight barrel. The fertilizer is made by filling the barrel half or three-fourths full of water and then suspending in it, from a stick across the top, a burlap bag filled with any available animal manure. It is inevitable that the solution, thus prepared, will vary greatly in strength. No rules for dilution can be laid down, however, but it must be diluted with a Bay. HO es

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water until it is about the color of weak tea, or some crops will be actually dam- aged by its application—‘“burnt,” as the expression has it. The barrel containing the liquid manure can be transported from one point to another by using a s imple wooden frame which consists of 5 two long pieces forming handles joined a together near the center by two cross- q pieces. The opening thus formed should be slightly narrower than the widest diam- eter of the barrel. With this arrange- nt it is not necessary to attach the car- 4 rier to the barrel, and when not in use, it drops to the ground.—John T. Bartlett, soulder, Colo. A Fixture for Cutting Wire Cable lrawing shows a tool whose value appreciated by loggers, sea- miners, as, with it, a wire cable dimensions can be easily cut. ‘an best be men, and ' rdinar Ir ordinary : fhe frame is made of tool steel and one ide is gprs with a cutting edge which acts as a she blade; this cutting edge beveled on tempered. The opposite rrame member, which may be of mild steel, is provided with an opening to permit movement of the cable. The frame is as- embled by placing spacers at each end id boliing, as shown; this will leave an opening in the center for the insertion of the sliding cutter and wedge. The cutter made of tool steel with a beveled, semi-

i circular cutting edge, which is hardened ; nd tempered. The dogs at the sides pre- ent the cable from bending while it is be- ing cut. — the wedge and the cutter hould fit gly, without sideplay, and enty of oil pret 1 be used when making cut. The cutter is operated by placing cable between the two cutters and driving the wedge in behind the sliding cutter with a sledge hammer.—Chas. O. LJ Is¢ Portland, Ore, ~ ———.. ,-DOG~ 2 REQUIRED — . WEDGE . . . CABLE BEVELED - , a“ | ; CUTTING EDGE ee a \ | ‘ A Simple Tool for Cutting Wire Cable, the Value of Which wiil be Appreciated by Seamen and Lumbermen

POPULAR MECHANICS V75 A Wheel Puller for Full-Floating Rear Axles To pull an automobile rear wheel from a full-tloating axle is not quite so easy

Pulling a Wheel from a Full-Floating Axle Is Easy When a Suitable Tool is Applied; the Illustra- tion Shows a Simple Tool for This Purpose axle, since not fit the this work Casy car of this to fit his car, with the simpler types of rear the common wheel puller job. Determined to make for all, owner of a type made a puller especially doe s once one and the tool has since then relieved him of all difficulties in removing wheels. It consists of a screw, fitted with a handle working in a piece of heavy bar iron, which is drilled and tapped for the screw, and which also has two slotted holes near the ends. A hardwood turned with a shoulder, completes the outfit: the cylin ider is of a size to fit inside the wh hub, and to bear directly against the axle shaft, as shown. Two of the screw around the hub of the wheel are removed, and replaced after passing them throug! the holes in the puller. Screwing up, as usual, removes the without dan; ot damage to part of the hub. cvlinder, 1 ec! wheel, any Protecting Painted Walls from Dirt a coat of paint, in the task of use of a thin water. The starch paint, Means for protecting kitchens, and simplifying cleaning, is afforded by olution of starch and solution is applied over the

after it has dried: this will detract somewhat from the gloss of the paint, but all dirt, grease, and smoke will adhere to the starch instead of to the paint, and when cleaning time arrives, the starch coating can be washed off, removing the dirt along with it. By applying another coat of starch, the paint will kept fresh for Waller, Chicago, Il. long time.—Chas,

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176 POPULAR A Wood Box under Window Seat To eliminate the unnecessary handling of wood, a home builder installed a wood A Hole in the Basement Ceiling Enables a House- holder to Fill His Parlor Wood Box with- out a Journey Upstairs 1 ‘ox, or rack, under a settee in his — vith a hinged seat which served as the lid of the box. An opening in the floor con- nected the box with the basement, so that fresh wood could be supplied from below without the need of a trip upstairs. In addition to saving labor, the device reatly simplified the work of keeping the home clean.--Otto Merker, Groton, Conn. Iron-Ring Gate Latch \ positive-locking gate latch that does not allow the gate to fly back when slammed shut, and cannot be nosed open by stock, is made A as shown in the J drawing. A _ ring sheath of flat iron > is made, and at- $s, tached to the gate- Zs ©} post;apinthrough this sheath holds a metal ring in such ‘4 a manner that any pull against the gate causes the ring to be pressed tightly against the sheath. When the gate is closed, the t | rt mi | PEN | f— a i” wooden bar strikes the ring and | le \| | @ @| 14 a po | =a ut | in throws it up out of the way until it is in position, when the ring immediately falls and locks the gate. Roy H. Poston, St. Francois, Mo. [IRON RING 4 4 CRING- — ‘SHEATH | | POST MECHANICS Repair for Bitbrace Handle If the wooden head of a bitbrace be- comes broken, an ordinary door knolh will usually serve as a substitute, by mak ing a shallow groove in the brace stock to correspond with the setscrew in the shank of the knob; this will prevent the knob from coming off and, at the same time, permit it to turn freely. If the brace is of the ball-bearing variety, allowance should be made, when fitting the knob, for sufficient room for the bearing at the top of the brace stock. A small oilhole may be drilled through the knob shank, just above the setscrew.— Edward S. Perrine, Girard, III. Concrete Trough That will Not Burst When Frozen Concrete water troughs and_ tanks which have upright sides are nearly al- ways dam- ; aged when water freezes Wn Ay in them, The A, SLANTING aos SIDE TROUGH reason for J — is ics - THICKNESS DIRECTION OF this is that Tyee oy ad the pressure CONDITIONS WHEN FREEZING caused by the A) T freezing ex- NE 4 ORDINARY + TROUGH erts its total ef :, ae 4 force horizon- Lia SRE tally against \ the walls and pushes them outward. A trough made with slanting walls, as shown in the drawing, is much less liable to burst, since the pressure is exerted over a much larger area, and part of it tends to push the ice upward. The side walls should meet the bottom of the trough at an angle of about 135°. Very large troughs or tanks made in this way need not be emptied, as they practically never break from freezing Setting Bolts in Rock and Concrete To secure iron bolts in rock or con crete, sulphur is the cheapest material and one of the best, but unless certain precau- tions are observed, the results wili be unsatisfactory. Drill a hole for the bolt with a star drill of the same diameter as that of the bolt head. For bolts larger than °%4 in., the hole should be at least 3 in. deep. Dry out the hole by means of a gasoline torch, or by dropping a hot bolt into it. The sulphur should be heated slowly in a melting pot. If it should catch fire, smother it. Sulphur melts at about 246° Bia J

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POPULAR F., and at this temperature is a thin liquid, but when heated to about 320° it becomes very thick, making it hard to pour from the ladle. Therefore, the sulphur should be heated until it is all melted, when it will be quite thick. Remove the pot from the fire and allow the sulphur to cool un- til it becomes thin enough to pour into the hole into which the bolt has already been placed. To fasten bolts in a concrete ceiling, where sulphur cannot be used, a thick paste of litharge and glycerin is used.— Ben Buck, San Francisco, Calif. Increasing the Height of a Chimney While in Use \ contractor undertook to add to the height of a brick smokestack without in- terfering with its daily use, and the job was successfully accomplished in an origi- nal manner. A large opening was made in one side of the square stack, somewhat below the top; 5-in. spikes were driven into the masonry, 5 or 6 in. below the mouth of the stack, and several pieces of corrugated sheet iron, of the proper length, were supported by these spikes, thus completely closing the top of the stack and forcing the smoke out of the side opening. After this preparatory work had been completed, the masons were brought on the job and the work of adding to the stack was completed. After- ward the pieces of sheet iron were re- moved through the opening underneath, which was then bricked up. Draining the Radiator Made Easy \ piece of iron rod properly applied to the drain cock of an automobile radiator climinates the contortions and inconven- ience of draining the radiator, as it is normally done. As shown in the drawing, a hole is drilled in the han- dle of the drain cock and one end of a piece of iron rod is inserted and bent into an eye; this rod is carried out beyond the frame, from which — it is supported by a J-in. length of flat iron bolted to the Irame, as indicated. A handle is formed RADIATOR on the outer end of the rod, and as this 1S In an exposed location, the drain cock may be opened without difficulty. MECHANICS ~~ ~ ~ Electrically Lighted Fixture Keeps Soldering Bit Hot For the repairman who requires a hot soldering bit at intervals during the day, « SWIVEL UNION PLAN VIEW SOLDERING COPPER An Automatic Electric Lighter for a Gas Soldering- Bit Heater. The Burner Swings Back against the Wall and Leaves the Bench Clear for Other Work the arrangement shown in the drawing will prove decidedly convenient. An or- dinary Bunsen burner is attached to a swinging pipe which is connected to the gas supply by a swivel union, as shown. A support for the soldering bit is made from pieces of flat iron, and is bolted to the bench in such a position that the burner can be swung in under the point of the bit. A clamp on the underside of the support is provided to hold a piece of arc-light carbon. To supply current, four to six dry cells are connected to the separate parts of the arrangement, as indicated, the wires being soldered to the metal parts. Swinging the burner, with the gas turned on, so that contact is made with the arc- lamp carbon, a spark is produced which lights the gas instantly. The burner should be so arranged that it will not be in steady contact with the carbon, to avoid dis- charging the battery. When the burner is swung back against the wall, the bench top is clear for other work, the stand not being much in the way. Coke as a Substitute for Sandpaper A sandpaper substitute, that has special merit for removing rust from tools with- out scratching, is made from crushed coke. The coke is crushed to the re- quired degree of fineness and_ sifted through a piece of cloth onto a piece of coarse paper which has been coated with glue. After the glue has dried, the paper is ready for use.

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Pe } ~7 oe 2) POPULAR Natural-Gas Flow Operates Improvised Water Pump A satisfactory pumping arrangement was devised in a West Virginia gas field ai 2"WATER &GAS OUTLET _ GAS OUTLET a. = .—_ VALVE nes t preresrepertr: rN VALVE AA | GRAVITY PACKING | B - WATER FEED RESERVOIR TO BOILER 4 i + ee CHECK VALVE ; pea Wx (ESOC ig a 10° CASING | Ri | By Admitting Water to a * Gas-Well Casing, and In- KE « stalling a Simple Piping , Arrangement, a Pump was | | Improvised on Short Notice, P| Y Preventing a Shutdown YJ While Not Interfering with the Normal Flow of Gas recently when a tie-up of local railroads deprived several drillers of the pump which was to have raised water from a near-by river to the boilers of their en- gines. They first laid a gravity-feed pipe from the river to the 10-in. air and water- tight casing, that surrounds one of the gas wells of the vicinity for 12 ft. before its emergence from the ground. From the main gas valve one pipe was sunk to the bottom of this casing; another was led from the top of the casing to the top of a water tank placed above the boilers. River water was then admitted to the cas- ing through the gravity pipe. Now the gas valve was opened. Under high pres- sure, the gas passed down through the first pipe, and up through the water; out of the second pipe, into the water tank, and then out through a pipe in the top of the tank. As it traveled this route, the gas carried with it, as a fine spray, a steady flow of water. This fell into, and soon filled, the tank. Had the main object been to pump the water, without at the same time allowing the gas to flow, the water-outlet pipe would have been run down to the lower position and the gas pipe cut off just in- side the casing, to allow the gas pressure to act on the water. An Emergency Babbitt Ladle For the infrequent pouring of babbitt bearings in the home garage, or shop, an old hub cap can be used, if the quantity of metal to be poured is not large. A hole is drilled through one side of the cap and a threaded rod is secured by nuts on both sides. For convenience in pouring, a lip can be formed with a hammer. A dis- carded piston can be similarly used by MECHANICS passing a threaded rod through the pis- ton-pin hole and using nuts and washers. A notch, filed or ground into the rim of the piston, serves as a pouring lip. Internal Friction Wheel Gives High Speed Reduction A simple method of driving some slow- speed machine, such as a grindstone, -by an engine without the use of belts or countershafts, is shown in the illustra- tion. Referring to the drawing it will be ob- served that the connecting shaft is at- tached to the center of the wooden wheel which has a round rubber tire, about '% in. in diameter, fitted to its circumference. A hole is drilled in the center of the wheel, to engage with the pin on the end of the engine crankshaft, as indicated; this pin is set 4% in. off center, so that it will force the wheel against the edge of the circular opening in the upright board. The en- gine is set on the platform so that the center of the shaft lines up with the cen- ter of the opening. The board platform and upright are hinged together to per- mit their being folded together when not in use, and are fitted with angular braces, as shown. If the engine is once lined up, it can be easily removed and replaced without disturbing the alinement. This arrangement gives a ratio of 13 to 1, or a reduction in speed from 550 r.p.m. to slightly more than 40. With a reduc- GRINDSTONE GAS ENGINE WOODEN WHEEL FLEXIBLE JOINT NE OFF CENTER r i, ~ 2 J 3PS SPACE |" {2)| ‘RUBBER TIRE 1-4}, | Hh SHAFT |] ———— WHEEL. JY — SIDE OF PLATFORM — ~_ This Method of Obtaining Speed Reduction Employs No Shafts, Pulleys, or Belts. It Reduces Speed from 150 Revolutions to Slightly More than 40 tion gear of this character, the driven machine must be equipped with a flexible coupling, as shown, in order to offset the vibration of the shaft—Philip G. Bernholz, E. Orange, N. J. *

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ee ct MT, nes set 5, ke week, POPULAR Varnishing the Automobile Engine Hood The hood over the engine of an auto- mobile rapidly loses its luster while the finish of the remainder of the car is still in good condition. Revarnishing the hood is best accomplished when the motor is warm. Scour the hood thoroughly with a handful of curled hair, and apply the varnish immediately after dusting, or wiping, off the surface. The advantage of applying the varnish while the hood is warm is that the varnish flows and spreads evenly, and dries without brush marks. Adjustable Stock Guide for the Punch Press Users of punch presses will be able to save considerably on tool steel by equip- ping their ma- chines with “ the stock guide shown - — in the draw- i ing. Attached GUIDE to the bed of SCREW the press, NUT SECTION guides of this character serve as a tool extension and inasmuch as they are adjustable, one guide will suf- fice for working with different sets of dies. —E,. E. Hansen, New Britain, Conn. One-Horse Manure Scraper The job of raking up manure on feed lots, for transportation to the manure pit, is anything but a pleasant job, as those who have done it will tity. The per shown in the draw- ing was made Irom a piece of sheet iron, 10 in. by 3 a which 1s curved for its whole length and bolted to an ordinary plow stock. The bottom edge of the scraper was sharpened for removing manure closely compacted with the earth. A horse or mule is hitched to the scraper, and the animal is driven to the manure dump. MECHANICS V79 Holder for Small Boring Tools On small boring jobs in the lathe, it is often convenient to use a tool made A Small Boring Tool, Formed from High-Speed Steel Stock by Grinding, without Forge Work, Is Con- venient When Held in a Holder of This Design by grinding a piece of high-speed stecl to the proper shape. A machinist can shape a tool from the bar more cheaply than it can be forged, and it can be shaped quite accurately on the grinding wheel. For holding, an offset holder of the type illustrated is convenient. It is made ofa pi ce of mild steel, 2 by 2 by 8) in. in size. It is sawed to shape on the milling machine, and the hole for the tool is drilled by holding a drill in the chuck, and feeding against it the lathe carriage, with the tool holder held in the tool post. This makes the hole exactly central for height, and also insures that the tool will be held level; both of these points are quite important. The hole is then filed or broached square, to fit the tool loosely. It is well to drill the set- screw hole in the lathe, with the holder gripped in a four-jawed chuck. It can then be tapped, and some metal turned off to form a boss around the setscrew. Repairing Broken Gears with Horseshoe Toe Calks While operating a tractor, the iron han- dle on the end of the furrow-guide lit- ing rope fell into the drivewheel gears and broke oft two of the teeth. Rather than suffer a long delay while waiting for a new wheel, the broken teeth were re- paired with screw calks. The face of the wheel was 3 in. wide, and two holes were drilled into each of the broken teeth; these holes were tapp l, and the calks from a set of old horseshoes were inserted after the threads had been recut to corre- spond with the holes in the wheel. After the calks had been screwed into place, the corners at the base were dressed off to conform with the teeth of the other gear. This repair was done without even re- moving the wheel from the _ tractor.— George G. McVicker, North Bend, Neb.

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630 POPULAR A Simple Drill Vise A very efficient, quick-opening and closing vise for the drill-press table, is A PIN MOUNTED OFF CENTER i Ps parssetiilin 4 Jgx 3° STEEL DRILL-PRESS TABLE An Efficient and Easily Made Vise, Which can be Quickly Adjusted and Operated the drawing. The steel bar which forms the bed of the device is pro- vided with holes at regular intervals and supported from the drill-press table, at the ends, by pieces of the same stock, pro- vided with slots for bolting to the table. The jaws are movable on the bar, the fixed one having a pin driven into it which fits into the holes; the movable jaw is held in place by a horizontal pin riveted to the sides, as shown. The cam consists of a disk of steel shafting into one face of which a pin, to fit the holes in the bar, is driven eccentrically. At right angles to this pin a handle is inserted into a hole in the circumference of the cam.—C. H. Willey, Concord, N. H. A Handy Sanding Block The accompanying drawing illustrates the construction of a sanding block of unusual merit. Asthe fingers do not come into contact with the rough sur- face of the abrasive, sore fingers are eliminated. The device is constructed with slanting one side, as shown, to hold f the paper, which is brought around underneath the block and held on the other side by the clamp; eg HOLES g %3 APART ~ shown in SANDPAPER | block, hardwood cut on one edge of from a grooves MECHANICS this is hinged at one end, a latch at the opposite end serving to keep the clamp in place.—E. K. Wehry, Cedar Rapids, Ia. Making Compass Leads sy reducing the diameter of leads from common pencils, the draftsman can make his own compass leads. This is done by laying a pencil pointer on the table, hold- ing another in one hand, and rolling the lead back and forth between the two sand- paper surfaces——Earl Stevens, Niagara Falls, N. Y. A Neat Window Cooler Instead of the usual full-length storm sash, the window shown in the illustra tion is in two sections. The upper hali is attached with buttons in the usual manner, but the lower half is out about 8 in. from the window sill and is boxed in tightly; this forms a clean, cool, covered shelf, about 12 in. deep, to which the lower sash of the inner window forms a close-fit- ting glass door that may be raised or lowered as de- sired. Witha sash curtain in place, the appearance of the window cooler is as neat though it served only its usual pur- pose, and very lit- tle light is ex- cluded by the arrangement. From early fall until the last spring frosts, this ar- rangement makes an excellent and sati factory substitute for the refrigerator. Rubie Franklin, Rochester, Minn. set as The Making of Amber Varnish Amber gum is a well-known commercial product, and is used principally for the manufacture of pipe stems, cigar tubes, beads, etc.; also in the manufacture of very high-grade, hard, and durable var- nish. Gum amber is a fossil resin and is the hardest, most resistant and beautiful of all gums. To convert this gum into varnish it must first be made liquid, or melted, which requires a temperature of 500 or 600° F. To melt amber successfully a good

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PUB ec... vw POPULAK crucible holding about 1 qt. is required. The crucible should have a stiff wire holder for removing it from the fire, and a short steel rod driven into a wooden handle is also required for stirring the melting gum. Scrap amber is thrown into the crucible with no regard to color un- less some particular result is sought. The best means of heating is to build a good coal fire in the kitchen range with the coals coming close to the top of the open hole. After the gum has been placed in the crucible, it is sunk well down into the hot coals. From the time the crucible is placed in the fire particular care must be exercised to prevent the melting mass from becoming hot enough to catch fire. If this should happen, the crucible may be lifted from the fire and the flame blown out, after which it is replaced over the fire. The melting mass should be stirred con- stantly. When the gum is entirely melted, it is removec from the fire and allowed to cool to the p< int where a drop of oil does not cause it to blaze up. Then add drop hy drop enough of the best boiled linseed oil to reduce the mass to the proper con-* sistency. Some charges of gum will re- quire more oil than others, but by rub- bing a drop of the varnish on a piece of polished wood and allowing it to cool, the proper fluidity can be observed, mean- while keeping the crucible of varnish hot. \When the varnish attains the proper con- sistency, it should be strained while hot through a very fine wire strainer, prefer- ably more than once. Amber varnish may be almost white or it may be any shade between that and the rich wine color of costly pipe stems. The color will be varied somewhat by the degree of heat required to melt the gum, the length of time it is cooked after melting, and by the original color of the gum used.

Skin Infections Caused by Oils and Grease The practice of washing the hands in oil or grease, common among workmen in industrial establishments, is responsible for many mysterious epidemics of boils, eczema, and other skin diseases, according to the Department of Labor. The grease or oils, as they come to the plant, do not contain any bacteria, but be- come contaminated after being handled by employes having pus infections on their hands or arms. The use of gloves by workmen who handle grease is recommended, and fre- quent cleansing of the hands with warm water and good soap. MECHANICS 781 Using the Protractor A handier method of using the protrac- tor than that usually employed is shown in the illustration. The protractor and a triangle are placed

r oe Z il — ———— ES ; : — —S = SCRIBE LINE ON TRIANGLE \ ie) : O° MARK WHEN LINE ON \ : = PROTRACTOR !S HORIZONTAL \ & \ rT. \ \ $ . % \ AS = — Rea EN } X | _ -—* - ey J T-SQUARE 7 Ww zi

A Method of Using a Protractor, Which Is in Some Respects Handier than the Usual One upon the T-square as shown, and a mark is made upon the triangle corresponding to the zero mark on the protractor, when the latter is it a_ perfectly horizontal position. Now, by keeping the T-square and triangle in the same relative position, lines may be drawn with the straight edge of the protractor, the angles being found by simply rotating the protractor until the proper graduation coincides with the mark on the triangle.—C. B. Smith, In- dianapolis, Ind. Reducing Breakage of Small Drills The breakage of small drills caused by too great downward pressure in drilling, can be largely ri duced. A wooden block, of sufficient thickness to allow the drill to extend through the un derside, is drilled: this is then laid on the work, as shown in the drawing. The block will serve not only to absorb most of the side strain but also to steady the drill. \ BLOCK la J

METAL

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ioe POPULAR Tire-Repair Stand A tire stand that facilitates the han- dling of tires and tubes in the small tire-

| e/7 = . [f—N

| | |

| T (| ray} | x t TIRE- AML TUBE- ncneassntmt SSSS—_..! ~—-—_—_+ 23 7 4 TUBE i eee BLOCK f Wi] LUG OF EACH BLOCK FiTs / INTO OPENING ON STAND Tray -f- TIRE BLOCK SIDE VIEW A Tire Stand for Facili- tating the Handling of Tires and Tubes in the Small Repair Shop

repair shop, is shown in the drawing. As the whole device is made from wood, it is easily built. The stand consists of a framed support and two semicircular blocks; one of the blocks has a flat face, for use in repairing tubes, and the face of the other is rounded to conform to the in- side of a cover placed over it for repair. A lug on the bottom of each block fits into an opening provided in the top of the stand, so that they are readily inter- changeable. A Homemade Pipe Wrench A homemade pipe wrench that has some advantages over the purchased arti- cle is shown in the draw- The up- per jaw is free to swing and iotmeaa is provided with holes for adjustment, although a DOUBLE OVER ad IN CENTER ) ing. a J

¢ NOTCHES

me) il : / SO i wide range of AY : “—— ; . ~ 19 Ir SWINGING JAW pipe sizes can | “ep Fr 10 operate ~2DE accommo- dated in each position of NNT the jaw. With the exception of the bolt all parts are made from flat steel. The jaw is made by bending over the ends, as shown, and then bending at the center; notches are mS PULL DOWN y y ON HANDLE MECHANICS filed in the underside, and if possible, this part of the wrench is hardened to mini- mize wear.—R. H. Kasper, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. _Ruling Lines with Cross-Section Paper Common cross-section paper can be made to help very materially in properly spacing lines that are to be drawn parallel with each other, regardless of the distance between lines. A strip of the paper is used as a guide on the edge of the area to be ruled. The distance between the lines can be varied by changing the angle of the line from which one works, either by moving the cross-section paper or by using different triangles—Frank W. Roth, Joplin, Mo. Fixture for Splitting Round Rubber \lmost everyone knows the difficulty of attaching round rubber to a flat sur- face so as to make a neat job, and split- ting the rubber so that the cut <a surface will be even is also diffi- cult. The simple | | We —_ fixture illustrated es |) herewith shows A ie Pu how the latter 1 iy : ig Wi can be done Pye ile eel quickly and neat- 1 Y/N ly. A hole to ac- Baa Wi commodate the , ATA rubber is drilled ; Wa] in a board, and |¥ \ an old razor blade mantis danas is fastened se- \ STRAP curely into a SAW CUT groove provided for it on one side. The operation is started by slitting the rubber for a few inches with a knife and then inserting it in the fixture and pull- ing it through from the back.—Frank Jablecnik, Chicago, Ill. \ ‘ RUBBER TO BE CUT Painting Screens with a Sponge Wire screens can be painted more easily and with better results than by the ordinary method of painting with a brush, if the paint is thinned and applied to the screen with an old sponge.— Edward B. Zolle, Jersey City, N. J. @A_ heat-resisting cement is made of equal parts of manganese peroxide and zinc white, mixed with water glass, or sodium silicate.

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ee

Le HE

Information as to where to obtain any specified i i materials or parts for making objects described in | iM the following pages may a, * a! from our Bureau of Information.—Editor.

Na TUTTE i aT 7) = HIN I i Y < A ||) AO @ S71 hi 10] 7 | mi * Lj ’ e had, on request, Combination Bed and Wardrobe By J. M. SNAVELY ASobe is: NATION of bed and ward- robe is shown in the photographs, The iaking of such a combina- = tion requires the construc-

of these boards will be described later. The end uprights and ‘horizontal cross- pieces of both head and foot- boards are made from %-in.

FOLDING HEADBOARD HEADBOARD +{]]) ROP BoARD HOLES FOR PEG — oneal { 4

— aumnasall Ingenious Cabinetmaker Is Responsible for This Combination Bed and Wardrobe. The Photograph at Left Shows Everything Ready for Making Up a Comfortable Bed. The Central Picture Gives an Idea of Appearance When Used as a Wardrobe; the Picture at the Right Shows the Manner in Which the Head and Footboards Fold into the Cabinet of a substantial, though light, wooden net and, as such a cabinet must be to fit the bedspring to be used in con- tion with it, no definite dimensions can iven. The cabinet shown has a depth 2 ft. The framework and doors are de of *,-in. material, joined together e corners with glue and screws. The els are %¥g in. thick. Thirteen inches llowed for the depth of the wardrobe on, which is separated from the bed mn by a light partition that supports bed. Strips are attached to each of e four sides and secured to these are he horizontal slats and corner braces own in the central photograph; all of ese pieces are also of 7,-in. material. n order to conceal the bed when the doors are opened, this partition is covered ' ith wallboard. The wardrobe doors are | aie in place by bolts at top and bottom, vhich are connected to the knob at the center by rods in such a manner that a half turn of the knob locks or unlocks the doors. Arrangements for hz anging the clothing complete the wardrobe section. Hinged drop boards are provided on cach side, being made of the same ma- terial as the cabinet frame and attached to it with three butt hinges; the purpose material, while the upright slats are *¢-in. thick. The endpieces of both head and footboards are made sufficiently long, so that they may be attached inside the frame with long screws. The point of attach- ment is quite important, as it is desirable that the bottom bars of the head and footboards should rest upon the edge of the cabinet frame, as shown in the photo graph at the left, when raised; also, when lowered, the head and footboards should come flush with the edges of the cabinet, as shown in the photograph at the right. The hinged drop boards already re- ferred to, are provided with stout pins at each inside end, as shown in the detail drawing at the right. When the head and footboards are lowered, these pins fit into holes drilled into the endpieces, and hold them securely when the cabinet is stood on its end during the day for use as a wardrobe. In addition to securing the head and footboards, the bedclothing and springs are also held in place. @An extra dry cell or two can be carried along inside the spare tire, in case of emergency, these may be connected to the taillight when the charge in the stor age battery runs low.

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184 POPULAR Wind Wagon Convertible to Ice Boat A wind wagon, propelled by an airplane propeller, can be used at all seasons of the year if equipped as shown. Most of the parts involved in the con- struction of the vehicle, such as the fuel tank, engine, front axle, radiator, and a few other parts, were taken bodily from A Wind Wagon Built for Year-Round Service: Paper Cubes That “Blow Up” Paper cubes, or boxes, that will provide considerable amusement for the children, A B a] c t —_ ; —>—_—__ B | 4 ¥ / | “gil _ ny, ie 2) | \ iE °-.@°s et | be « ‘ | } A Fic.2 B ™ Me fo _ ee oJ ~\ Fic.! \ ‘“ & = o 4 w | \ yr (é 4 \ ~ ~ ? 2 | oN BLOW IN ine G6 ry, THIS END au | Fic 4 y LS Fic.6 ra Fic.7 Keg SH | l% PY ~ } A — I Fie.5 Fia.8. cOMPLETED CUBE Paper Cubes, or Boxes, That ‘“‘Blow Up,” are Easily Made from Square Pieces of Paper. The Illustra- tion Shows the Various Steps in Construction are easily made. A square piece of paper is folded, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, from points A to D and from B e: The Pneumatic-Tired Wheels Shown in the Photograph at the Left are Removed and S stituted by Runners for Use in Winter MECHANICS a light automobile. The engine and bucket seats are attached to a strong wooden beam, running at right angles to the front axle, provision being made at the oute: extremity for the attachment of a single wheel. The engine is mounted on a strong tubular-steel frame, which suitably braced, so as to provide ample clearance for the 5-ft. propeller. A steering wheel in front of the driver is connected to the steering knuckles on the front axle by flexible steel cables, which are attached to a drum on the steering wheel somewhat after the fashion of the steer ing apparatus of a mo torboat. In summertime, desired, the is or, as ve hicle is equipped with three pneumatic-tired but for use in winter, or on the ice, the wheels are removed and replaced by runners. wheels, ub- to C. The paper is spread out and folded on the opposite side from points E to | The square of paper is again spread out and folded into the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The corners A, B. C, and D are folded on the dotted lines shown in Fig. 3 to the center G in Fig. 4. When all four corners have been folded, the paper will appear as shown in Fig. 5. The four cor ners are folded toward the center, as indi cated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5. When this is done the paper will appear as in Fig. 6. The corners A, B, C, and D ar bent on the dotted lines in Fig. 6 and folded inside the flap, as in Fig. 7. When the paper has been folded into the form shown in Fig. 7, a hole will be left at on¢ end, and the cube, or box, is expanded by blowing into it. The inflated cube 1 shown in Fig. 8—D. George Logan, Jr. Pittsburgh, Pa. Plumb Bob Indicates Position of Car Various devices, such as marks on the wall and floor, are used, in garages 0! limited space, to indicate where the car should be stopped in order to get th: proper clearance for closing the doors. A very convenient arrangement for this pu! pose is a plumb bob, which can be mad from any small, heavy object, suspended from the ceiling by a string or wire. Th: plumb bob is hung in such a position that when it is touching the radiator, or th«

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—_— fF “ Ve CF = - Fes mer vse W POPULAR MECHANICS radiator-filler cap, the car will be properly spotted. The bob is always visible and never in the way.—A. Swanson, Okmul- gee, Okla. Making Bubbles Carry Paper Figures To make soap bubbles that will carry small paper figures is an interesting pas- time. A solution made of soap shavings and water, with glycerin in the proportion of one-third, is used. The solution is placed in a bottle and shaken up until the soap has dissolved, and is allowed to stand until it settles, the clear liquid at the top being used for blowing the bubbles. The figures are cut. from tissue paper and a short piece of thread is attached through the top. The other end of the thread is knotted through a disk of very thin paper. It is best to blow the bubble through a glass tube, and when a bubble of the desired size has been formed, place the paper disk on one side; this will once slip to the bottom. Shake the bubble off and it starts on its aerial jour- ney carrying the paper figure.—S. Leonard astin, Bournemouth, Eng. Clothes Chest for the Small Apartment Modern apartments are characterized hy a minimum of storage space, and the drawing shows how one of our present- day cliff dwellers solved the storage prob- lem by utilizing the space underneath the bed. A light wooden box, mounted on ball-bearing casters,and provided with a cover hinged at the center, to protect the contents, was made as shown in the drawing. When not in use the box re- mains concealed underneath the bed.— Roscoe P. Guilbert, Racine, Wis. A Clothes Chest, Which Pulls from Beneath the Bed at a Touch, Helps to Overcome Scarcity of Storage Space A Toy Sand Motor A sand motor that will operate toy ma- chinery, and cost nothing to operate, will | (S- > uma “a AG ar Rs marTBOcKeT - = e——__— "J «(ll ij Db " . a ea -INCLINED BOARD _>}~ 2” PULLEY A Toy Motor, That is Operated by the Weight of Sand Falling on the Blades of a Paddie Wheel: This Motor will Run for Upward of Half an Hour without Stopping interest any child, particularly when the motor will run continuously for a half hour without stopping. As shown in the drawing, the parts of the motor are sim- ple, and consist of an elevated reservoir containing sand arranged so that a stream of sand running through an opening in the bottom operates the paddle wheel im mediately below. An inclined board, un- derneath the wheel, piles up the sand in the corner so that it can be scooped up by the bucket conveyor and returned to the sand bin. The bucket conveyor consists of three small scoops made from tin, ac- cording to the pattern shown, and sewed to a piece of tape. The size of the pulley on the conveyor shaft should be about four times that of the one on the end of the paddle-wheel shaft. Both pulleys are connected with a string belt. With the exception of the conveyor and buckets, the whole machine can be made from cigar boxes, spools, and glue—Wayne Leyrer, Atlantic City, N. J. Place Cards Made from Nuts Odd little baskets that may be put toa variety of uses can be made from various nuts and seeds by cutting a segment from each side with a pocketknife, or a fine metal-cutting saw, leaving a strip of shell to form a handle. The kernel and fiber are then scooped out. Such baskets can be used for watch charms or, by attaching them to a card with a drop of glue and filling the basket with a small souvenir, they form attractive place cards.—Cora Hamilton, Binghamton, N. Y.

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186 POPULAR Improved Telegraph Blinker The least expensive method of commu- nicating at night, between points within sight of each other, is by blinker tele- CLOSED-CIRCUIT BATTERY peaes

/SWITCH ( @ roy

NSULATION / COPPER STRIP ‘TELEGRAPH KEY By Means of the Apparatus I)lustrated, an Almost In- stantaneous Lighting Effect is Obtained, En- abling Signals to be Rapidly Sent graph: a system whereby a miniature electric lamp, mounted ona housetop, tree, or other elevated location, is “blinked,” in dots and dashes, by an ordinary tele- graph key in the house, or from any posi- tion where the operator may keep the light of the distant station in view. Lamps may be bought for a few cents that will not require more than four or five cells to light them. Light in an electric lamp is caused by the current passing through the lamp filament with a little more force behind it than the filament is capable of handling with ease. Naturally, it takes a little time for the current to heat up the filament, as well as for the light to com- pletely disappear after the current ceases to flow. Should the lamp be connected directly in series with the key and bat- tery the signals must be slow. to allow time for the filament to heat sufficiently to make a light. If, however, a single cell is always kept in series when the key is open, the lamp filament will be kept partly heated, although not enough to make a light. This arrangement allows almost in- stantaneous lighting when the full power of the battery is turned on by depressing the key, and greatly increases the speed of signaling. As shown in the drawing, an ordinary telegraph key is used, but a back contact, which consists of a strip of copper, bent to the shape shown, is necessary; this contact is insulated from the key and screwed to the instrument base, as indi- cated. A wire from the back contact is connected to the copper electrode of a

MECHANICS single cell, as shown. When at rest, the key is resting upon the back contact, which allows a relatively weak current from the one cell to flow through the key lever to the lamp and thence back to the cell. When the key is depressed, to make a signal, the back contact is broken and the united strength of the whole battery flows through the lamp, causing it to light. Closed-circuit, or gravity, cells should be used in this hook-up, and the end cell interchanged with one of the others, at intervals, so that it will not be over worked. Perhaps the best battery for the purpose, and the easiest obtainable, is the familiar “crowfoot,” with zine and copper electrodes immersed in a solution of blue vitriol and water. A switch may be in- serted in the circuit, between the lamp’ and the first cell, so that the latter may rest when the apparatus is not if use. Samuel W. Beach, Washington, D. C. Device Enables Crosscut Saw to be Used by One Man device which enables one man to us« a crosscut saw is shown in the illustra- tion. Two posts are driven into the ground about 6 ft. apart. Near the top of each of these is fastened a pulley, and midway between the posts is fastened an other pulley, as shown. <A sawhorse is placed beside one of the posts, the hand removed from one end of the saw, and the end of a rope passed through one of th« bolt holes and tied. The other end is passed over the pulley on the first post, under the center pulley

A Two-Handed Crosscut Saw is Easily Handled by One Man If This Rigging is Used over the pulley on the other post, and heavy counterweight is then fastened to it. With this arrangement, the saw may be easily handled by one man. @Cedar-pencil shavings, from _ pencil sharpeners, put into small bags and packed away with clothing, will prevent the inroads of moths.

en eee vats

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i ea ‘th 2 Alb ANB ta eit a oe eh POPULAR Tightening a Cane Chair Seat \fter a period of use the seats of cane- tttomed chairs begin to sag down in the middle. Such seats can be tightened by ponging the cane bottom with very hot water. The hot-water treatment-is con- tinued until the cane is thoroughly soaked; then the chair is set outdoors, in the sun if possible, or in a place where there is a strong draft, as the faster the cane is dried, the greater will be the shrinkage. Naturally, this method cannot he used without more or less damage to the finish of the article, unless the cane surface is unfinished. A Simple Cigar Perforator Instead of clipping, or biting, the end off the cigar, and thereby shortening the length of the smoke, the end can be per- forated. The perforator shown in the Senta drawing consists [ a of a small wooden block and several phonograph nee- dles. A %%-in. hole is drilled partly through the block, a Ll ks and several nee- , dles are driven through from the ~ cineca estes bettom. The end of the cigar is in- serted into the hole and pushed against the needles, which perforate the wrapper ind allow the smoke to pass. This device very desirable when used with cigars it are made with a short filler. Printing from Cracked Negatives To make a good print from cracked lass negatives, if the film remains un- broken, is not impossible, if some form of printing-out paper is used. Fasten a tring to each corner of the printing frame and tie the loose ends together, a foot or ‘0 above the frame. The printing frame is uspended from a nail or hook, and the cords are twisted together, so that the weight of the frame will untwist them and revolve the frame. The secret of it is that the light is evenly distributed over every part of the revolving printing nega- tive, instead of coming from only one direction as when printing from an un- cracked negative. @ Kerosene oil, to which a few drops of ammonia are added, makes a good cleaner tor Russian iron. > ~2? LECHANICS Light Globes Make Ornamental Vases From one of the new milk-white elec- tric-lamp bulbs attractive little flower CUT WITH FILE AND PULL wood APART HANOLE NAIL We FLATTEN WITH TORCH Ornamental Vases of Pleasing Size and in a Variety of Designs are Easily Made from Electric-Light Bulbs vases are easily made. The neck of the bulb is scratched with a file, or glass cut ter, and the brass tip removed by gently tapping it. The flame from a gas blow- torch is directed against the neck of the globe until the glass is red-hot, when the edge is formed into any of a variety oO} shapes by a forming tool made by driving a nail into a wooden handle and cutting ott the head, as shown. iter the edge has been formed, and the glass has been allowed to cool slowly, the flame is directed against the rounded bottom which is flattened after the glass becomes suffi- ciently heated. The resulting vases are ornamented as desired with oil paints. Andrew Warmuth, Woodhaven, N. Y. Garden Hose Makes Window Squeegee An old broom handle and a piece of garden hose can be made into a squeegee, for scraping the water from windows without the neces- sity of wiping the glass with cloths, | or for scraping water and_= slush from sidewalks. A | - piece of the broom } handle is cut to a semicircular sec- tion and covered | with a piece of | garden hose which has been split in half and tacked to the wood. A suitable handle, as shown in the drawing, completes the tool. . a — —

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+88 POPULAR An Efficient Ice Scraper Where a heavy crust has formed on snow, or on ice-covered walks, the scraper shown in the illustra- tion will prove to be more easily operat- edthanthe snow shovel. It consists of a broken au- tomobile leaf spring, fas- tened toa handle by means ota spring clip. The handle y may be taken froman old spade or 4 shoveland cut tO any convenient For Cleaning Walks of Crusted Snow and Ice, this Simply Constructed Scraper Is More Effi- cient than the Shovel length, and the rounded end of the spring should be the scraping point. The blade, due to its narrow cutting face, and to its weight and length, will drive to a considerable distance under the crusted snow or ice, cleaving it loose in slabs, where a snow shovel would merely glide over the surface—Judson DeGraff, Harrisville, N. Y. Fuel Made from Balls of Paper Pulp A good fuel can be made by pulping old newspapers and forming the pulp into balls. A tub, or other large receptacle, is filled with the papers and they are cov- ered with water. If there is any tendency of the papers to float, a few stones will hold ‘them under water. It is well to stand the container in the sun, as this will assist in reducing the material to The paper should always be kept after three or four pulp. covered with water; MECHANICS days it will be soft enough to form into balls about the size of both fists. The balls should be squeezed hard to extract as much of the water as possible, and the completed balls then set aside to dry. When all the moisture has evaporated, they will be almost as hard as wood and can be stored away for winter use, Hints on Varnishing the Car The average automobile owner, who uses his car every day, hesitates to lay up his machine for the period necessary to revarnish it. As a short cut to a serv- iceable job, the car is thoroughly washed at the end of a day’s run, and the body is gone over with waste, soaked in turpen- tine, to remove any adhering wax or body polish. Then the car is gone over with a polish, composed of 14 pt. linseed oil, one-third as much turpentine, and a table- spoonful of drier. The car is then driven in this condition for two days, inasmuch as this treatment does not detract from its appearance, resembling only a body polish. At the end of the second day the oil is hard and in good condition to serve as the foundation for holding a coat of varnish. Use only the best grade ot varnish, diluted with half turpentine, and a small quantity of drier. If the varnish is applied in the evening, the car will be dry enough to drive on the following morning, without fear of picking up dust; if desired, a second coat may be applied two days later. If no second coat is to be applied, the varnish coat is rubbed down with finely powdered pumice and linseed oil, after the varnish has been allowed to dry on the car for at least three days. Dumping Attachment for Box Sled A dump sled for hauling manure, earth, and other bulk substances in the winter time, can be built on a set of runners, as shown in the drawing. The dump body is attached to the runners with hinges, just a_ trifle back of the center of gravity, so that the body can he easily raised to the position shown. A hasp and sta- ple, attached to the body and runners respectively, holds the former in a hori .

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POPULAR zontal position until the load is to be emptied.—J. G. Allshouse, Vandergrift, ennsylvania, Organ Stool as Child’s High Chair An organ or piano stool makes a con- venient table seat for the child who has outgrown his high chair and is yet too mall to use one of the regular chairs. (he seat is removed from the stool, and 1 its place the back and seat of an ordi- iry chair are substituted; this arrange- ment makes a chair that with little effort can be adjusted to the height of its occu- int. A Roll-Film Washer The washing of roll films presents many ticulties, unless special apparatus is ed, and for this purpose the washer 1own in the drawing fills the bill to a cety; it consists of a wooden base fitted ith vertical wooden pegs, around which the film to be washed is SMALL SCREW, ROLL FILM

yvound. The size of the base is about 12 in. square and is drilled With 145-in. holes, into which the pegs, about 5 in. long, are WOODEN PEGs’ / | driven, and BOARD FILM cups secured with screws from nderneath. A film clip is attached to the autside peg, and a small screw, or pin, is driven into the last peg, with about 4% projecting. A small chain, such as a ey chain, is obtained, and one end of it fastened to another film ‘clip. <A piece of iron or lead is fastened to the bottom of the device to keep it from floating. To use the washer, one end of the film is held in the outside clip, and the strip is wound around the pegs, as shown, the emulsion side, of course, being outward. The clip on the end of the chain is fastened to the other end of the film, which is drawn up moderately tight; then a link of the chain is hooked onto the screw, and the film is held in place. If the film is not quite long enough to go around, a few pegs may be missed and the film brought to the last peg. The washer is then placed in a ves- sel of water and the film washed in the usual manner. — William Underwood, Tunnel Hill, Ill. MECHANICS 789 Combined Fender Brace and License Bracket A great deal of the noise set up by light automobiles is the result of rattling fend- Yg'STEEL ROD

SECTION OF Yo” PIPE CUT WASHERS, | DIAGONALLY TO FIT FENDER / / / 7 a :, CLAMP FOR 9S ay? | Uy ys ,» LICENSE "Chr a, Braces for Front and Rear Fenders of Light Automo- biles Help to Reduce the Objectionable Noise of Rattling Sheet Iron ers, which, even at moderate speed, make a horn so much excess weight. The draw- ing shows a fender brace that not only holds the fenders rigid but forms a con- venient support for the license plate. A piece of *g-in. steel rod is threaded, for several inches, on each end and attached, through holes cut in the fenders, by means of nuts, washers, and pipe wedges, which are screwed up tight against both sides of the fenders, as shown in the drawing. Similar braces may be fitted to the rear fenders. Small metal clips, formed from 1% or “4e-in. sheet metal and held together with stove bolts, are used for clamping the license plate to the brace. Spacer for Coil Winding When winding coils for electric heat- ers, where the turns of wire are required to be evenly separated from each other, considerable care is necessary to make the separa- tion uniform. A piece of cord, the same _ thick- ness as the space required between the turns, and a small weight are used to make the simple device shown in the drawing. Both ends of the cord are at- tached to the weight and the device is placed on the coil-winding mandrel, as shown, automatically spacing the turns.

+—— WEIGHT ys

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How to Mend Shoes BY FRANK M. RICH VERYBODY wears out shoes, and “by the same token” everybody ought a > thread with a knife, if the soles are sewed on, and, if the shoes have never been re- soled, the worn sole jj Fio.8 | Fie.9 Fia.10 cut off at the shank, as in Fig. 2, paring the shank | down to a thin taper or | scarf, to make a neat splice with the new sole, which should be similarly scarfed. The leather is removed from the water and pounded on the last, evenly and _ thoroughly, with the hammer, to “harden” it. The shoe is then placed on the last and a piece of shoemak ers’ tarred felt, half the length and width of the sole, is placed under the sole to prevent squeak- ing. If the toe of the | shoe has been worn down | so that the welt is not in good condition, a taper ing piece of leather is | tacked to the toe to build Fie. ] it up, as in Fig. 3. The Almost Anybody can Learn to Do a Good Job of Shoe Repairing in a Short Time, and Even If One Is Not Naturally “‘Handy with Tools,” Attempt will Be a Revelation. Figures 1 to 8 Show the Various Steps in Half-Soling a Shoe, and Figures 9 to 11 Show How Worn Heels are Repaired to know how to mend them. The state- ment that shoe profits are “paper” profits only serves to confirm a lurking suspicion that paper is involved somewhere, a sus- picion first engendered by the rapidity with which many shoes wear out. “Cob- bling” is not high art but it is good econ- omy, and he who has a pair of old shoes that can be renovated by straightening up the heels and adding new taps, or half soles, and does these things, contributes his bit toward reducing the cost of living. An outfit of shoe-repairing tools and materials is simple and inexpensive, and the whole can usually be purchased for less than the price of a set of soles. Before proceeding with the actual work, it is well for the “cobbler” to familiarize himself with the various parts of a shoe, as shown in the small drawing, after which he is prepared to tackle a job of half-soling. First, the shoes are set on the leather and the new taps are marked out and cut a trifle larger than the old sole; these pieces are soaked for a few minutes in warm water, to soften the leather. While the leather is thus “mellowing,” the old sole is removed, as in Fig. 1. Cut the 790 sole is fastened in place with four nails, as shown in Fig. 4. In nailing, the pegging awl is used to start the nail; the hole is not made too deep, just deep enough to hold the nail in position. The nails are not driven per pendicularly but with a slight slant to ward the center, to hold the sole more securely. After the sole has been tacked to the shoe as shown, the surplus leather around the edge is trimmed away, as in Fig. 5, so that it will be approximately flush with the sole; this is necessary so that the re pairman will*have an approximately cor rect outline to work from in order to get the nails in evenly. Figure 6 shows how the tap should be pared, or scarfed down, the First 7 COUNTER . 4 STITCHING OF UPPER TO WELT AND INSOLE STITCHING OF SOLE TO WELT CROSS SECTION OF SHOE A Study of the Component Parts of the Shoe is Sug- gested before Starting to Work

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POPULAR at the shank to make a neat joint at the point where the new sole laps over and joins the old one. A line is scribed with a compass, or by other means, as indicated in Fig. 7, at a point from 4 to ¥ in. from the edge of the sole; this depends upon the size of the shoe and the width of the welt beyond the upper. Then awl holes are made at 1,-in. intervals along the line, and the nails are driven in. Be sure the nails strike the last and clinch, and pound the heads down flush with the surface. If any nails bend over, withdraw them and put in new ones. Allow the leather to dry slowly, and then finish off the edge of the sole with a rasp, or a piece of broken win- dow glass, which makes a good scraper. lf a finer finish is desired, sandpaper can be used. After the soles have been fin- ished the raw edges are coated with shoe polish to correspond with the color of the shoe. Normally most persons wear the heel off at the back, as shown in Fig. 9, while others walk so that the heel runs over at either side. In such cases the worn top pieces, or “lifts,” as they are called, are removed, as in Fig. 10, and the projecting nails or pegs pulled out; then the heels may be built up of tapered pieces in the same manner as described for repairing a worn toe. These pieces serve to use up the odds and ends of leather. The small wedge-shaped pieces are tacked to the heel, and the bottom lift is applied in exactly the same manner as the sole, the finished job appearing as in Fig. 11. Of course there is no objection to removing all the worn lifts and replacing them with new ones, if leather is available. Before the mended shoe is ready for wear, it is well to go over the nail heads with a file to take off any slight projec- tions; examine the inside for nails and pound down thoroughly any projecting points or prominent clinches. A lining of thin leather cemented over the insole is desirable, especially at the heel. Anybody can learn to do a good job of shoe repairing in a short time, and even if one is not naturally “handy with tools,” but uses care in nailing and cutting, the first attempt will generally be surprisingly good. Carbon-Lamp “Kick-Back” Preventer To protect fixtures and house wiring from high-voltage “kick-backs.” and to prevent the lights from blinking when using a wireless-transmitting set con- nected to the house current, a kick-back MECHANICS 191 preventer is a necessity. Such a device may be made up of a number of carbon

f MAINS ~ A | / MAINS A A /MAINS . A . / [anve 9 LAMPS \ ‘al f Y f y Y 30 = Pat 7 A= GROUND GROUND GROUND Fig! Fic.2 Fic.3 Carbon-Filament Incandescent Lamps, Connected across the Supply Line and Grounded at the Center, Protect against High-Voltage Surges from Wireless Transmitters lamps connected across the power line and grounded at the center, as shown in the drawing. Two carbon lamps are connected across the line, the connecting wire between the lamps being grounded through the third lamp, as shown in Fig. 1. This arrange- ment will give sufficient protection for low powers. In Figs. 2 and 3 are shown diagrams of preventers that have ample capacity for taking care of surge-backs up to the maximum voltage used by ama- teurs. Carbon lamps are used because they will carry heavy overloads. Catcher for Ash Sifter When ashes are sifted in the basement, the usual practice is to allow the re- claimed mate- rial to remain ASH SIFTER on the floor, where it drops Z . —= 4 from the ( = ; -f rT x \ sifter. The , <S\_ \._ CATCHER FOR

BURNABLE MATERIAL ) drawing shows an eas- ily made re- ceptacle, for the cleaned ashes,tobe placed under the ash sifter. The box is substantially made of 1%-in. wood, or an QQg S ordinary Nt packing case “Ne of the desired size may be used by removing one end. Two strips are nailed on the inner sur- face of each side to hold a slide, which prevents the combustible material from

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~go Je POPULAR scattering over the floor. When the catcher is filled, the slide is lifted, and the reclaimed material may be shoveled into the furnace again without messing up the floor. — George Simonson, Springfield, Massachusetts. A Lighting System for the Phonograph Operating the phonograph in the dark, or with insufficient illumination, fre- i ee eee \ L . ites 2 i SCREWS ain — a 8c ce=! [o) DETAIL OF TRAVELING ARM l > BINDING - JO Post a ~) = mn a ete co em J } Ceenieeena) SVE DETAIL OF CONTACT PLATE f WASHER AUTOMATIC SWITCH OPERATED BY COVER Detail Drawing Which Illustrates the Construction of the Traveling Arm, Contact Plate, and Automatic Switch: No Dimensions are Given, Owing to the Variations of Construction and Design of Different Machines quently results in serious damage to a favorite, and possibly expensive, record, and it was to avoid this that the lighting arrangement described was worked out. A traveling arm, shown in detail in the drawing, is attached to the tone arm of the machine. This arm is made adjust- able for length, and is provided at its outer extremity with a very flexible con- tact spring, which closes the circuit and TRAVELING ARM BASE OF ( TONE ARM) l & ij— COVERED SWITCH CONTACT PLATE LIGHT 10°OR 12”RECORDS i BY TURNING PLATE ON PIVOT DMH- LIGHT FOR RECORD TURNTABLE — REPRODUCER | j | ate BATTERY— a SWITCHES LIGHT FOR RECORD CABINET Wiring Arrangement Showing How the Lamps and Dry Cells are Placed with Relation to the Wires and Switches ARANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MECHANICS lights the lamp when the record is started. The contact plate, formed as shown, is attached to the bed of the machine, both the traveling arm and contact being ad- justable so they will make a contact at the proper time for different-sized records. The binding post of the contact plate is an ordinary wood screw. A washer is placed between the plate and the machine to provide clearance, to permit its being turned as required. After this contact plate has been made and attached to the machine, the position of the traveling arm is set to make a contact when the needle in the reproducer is about 14 in. from the edge of the record turntable. The automatic switch, controlling the current, consists of a wooden base, to which a spring contact is attached that breaks the circuit when the cover is low- ered, a lug being provided for opening it, as shown. The switch is attached to the body of the machine just inside the cabi- net, and the wiring arrangement, which is clearly indicated, includes a light over the record cabinet, operated separately by its own switch. When the cover of the machine is raised, contact is made in the automatic switch; then, when the needle is brought near the edge of the record, preparatory to playing, the traveling arm completes the circuit with the centact plate and lights the lamp, which goes out automat- ically after the first few grooves on the record have been played and the contact spring passes over the plate.—L. B. Rob- bins, Harwich, Mass. Making Bright Prints from Underexposed Negatives Bright prints may be obtained from negatives which are usually regarded as too thin, by the following method: Expose the print in the usual way, ex- posing rather longer than usual, then develop for a longer period than cus- tomary, until the final result is very heavy, the picture appearing buried. It is fixed, and well washed, and is then slaced in a reducer made by dissolving 60 gr. of potassium iodide in a pint of water, and, when dissolved, adding 6 gr. of iodine. Placed in this solution, the whole paper of the print turns blue-black, and the image itself reduces rapidly. The reduction must not be allowed to go too far, however, and the print is then rinsed and placed in clean hypo. This turns the paper white, and dissolves any silver iodide, leaving a vigorous print. A thor- ough wash completes the operation. It

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POPULAR MECHANICS is better to reduce too little than too much, as the latter is irremediable, whereas the former can always be cor- rected by a second treatment.—H. J. Engel, New Braunfels, Tex. Improving Gas Mantles Gas mantles may be greatly improved, both as to durability and illuminating power, by immersing them in vinegar. \ cup is filled with ordinary vinegar, in which the new mantle is suspended for 10 minutes. It is then hung up to dry, after which it is ready to be fitted to the burner in the usual manner. Emergency Wireless Condenser While operating a high-frequency set, an amateur wireless operator had the misfortune to burn out his condenser. Jesiring t 2. aed ( a ae * Seuniios HANDLE 7 COPPER { smps as «soon as pos- sible, he assembled the emergency condenser shown in the drawing. An old tin dish- pan was obtained, and four ordinary fruit jars were set in the pan, which was filled to with- in about 2 in. of the top with strong salt water. Each jar was also filled with salt water to the same evel, Then a copper strip was placed in cach jar and a connection made to each trip, the other wire being connected to the tin pan. This makeshift condenser vas found very efficient and was used for several months. As the water evaporated, a fresh supply was added from time to time.—Hubert Griffiths, Montreal, Que. | TIN DISHPAN * — aE SALT WATER INSIDE AND OUTSIDE JARS Pipe Cleaner for Fountain Pens Ordinary pipe cleaners, which may be purchased at practically all cigar stores, are suitable for cleaning fountain pens. Syringing the barrel of the pen with water will remove partly dried ink, but it is difficult to shake out all the water after this operation, and usually enough will remain to dilute the ink to such an ex- tent that the writing will be faint. If the barrel is swabbed out with a pipe cleaner after the syringe is used, this dif- ficulty will be overcome. The cleaners cannot be used with seif-filling pens that are equipped with soft-rubber ink sacks. 793 Simple Device Prevents Support Rod of Cello from Marring Floor Players on a violoncello are frequently hard put to prevent the support:rod of their instrument from marring finished A Device for the Violoncello Player That Makes It Impossible for His Instrument to Slip or Mar the Finest Polished Floor floors, and slipping on the polished sur- face. The device shown in the drawing provides a rest for the support rod and prevents the instrument from slipping. A piece of 1g-in. sheet brass is cut to the form shown, and an upright V-shaped piece is soldered, or brazed, to the front; a piece of felt is fastened to the underside of the sheet brass, with shellac, to prevent damage to the floor finish. An adjustable leather strap is sewed into each of the eyes provided in the brass piece, and these terminate in adjustable loops, as shown. In use, the loops are placed over the front chair legs, with the metal part on the floor at the required distance in front of the chair. The end of the support rod is placed against the V-shaped projection, from which it cannot be removed acciden- tally—Edwin A. Elliott, Brooklyn, N. Y. An Eaves Trough for the Light Car A well-known light automobile has the objectionable habit of “quitting cold” when rain runs down the cowl, under the hood, and _ short- circuits the igni- tion coils. To eliminate this trouble, an eaves trough, made from a section of the bead from an ; | /| old clincher tire, is tacked onto the dash just beneath the hood. The cross section of the bead forms a natural trough with sufficient capacity and curva- ture to carry off all the water that finds BEAD CROSS SECTION

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a ‘ aL POPULAR its way underneath the hood. A thin coating of rubber cement along the line of contact with the dash will prove of additional value and dispense with the necessity of using so many tacks. An Oilcloth Luncheon Set A pleasing luncheon set, that is lasting and requires no laundering, can be made of oilcloth, hand painted in oil in some Disks of Oilcloth Decorated in Contrasting Colors Make a Pleasing and Sanitary Covering for the Din- ing Table and do Not Require Laundering conventional design. Circles of various size are laid out on the cloth with a com- pass, those shown in the engraving being 8 in. and 36 in. in diameter, respectively. After the circles have been cut from the piece, the design is marked on the face of the pieces; this is accomplished by lay- ing out the design on tissue paper and transferring it to the oilcloth by tracing. Then the lines are filled in with oil paints of the proper color. The paints can be obtained at paint and art-goods stores in small tubes. The colors should be mixed rather thin with turpentine, and should not be applied too heavily. For the daisy design illustrated, two shades of yellow and two shades of green were used.—Mrs. Jessie S. Hawthorne, May- wood, III. Making Photographic Name Plates Name plates or signs with gold or silver lettering on a black ground may easily be made by the photographer in the follow- ing manner: The wording is first very carefully drawn in pencil on a sheet of white cardboard, and neatly blocked in with India ink. The design is then pho- tographed to the size desired. The neg- ative, which has transparent letters on a dense black ground, is then painted on MECHANICS the film side with gold or silver paint; it can be covered with glass and framed or mounted in any manner required, Soap Molds for Plaster Patterns Plaster patterns for small metallic cast- ings are easily made in soap molds which are quite easy to make. Ordinary laun- dry soap, in bars, that will stand cutting without breaking or cracking, is used for the purpose. The bars of soap are squared off at the sides so that the necessary number may be stuck together, to form a single piece of soap without hollows, or other depressions. Moisten the edges that are to be joined with hot water and press together firmly. When the joints have set well, the mold is carved out of the soap with a knife, or other tool. The plaster pattern is made by filling the soap mold with plaster of Paris mixed with water. After the plaster has thoroughly dried, it is removed from the soap mold and placed in the sink, where any adher- ing soap is washed off. When the plas- ter pattern has dried, it is given a coat of shellac; it is then ready for making the sand mold in which the casting is to be poured.—R. L. Ogden, Denver, Colo. Hand Warmer Made from Mustard Can A mustard can, of a convenient size, may be used for making a hand warmer After the label has been removed from _ the can, a row of | holes is made near HOLES _# _ LES ". *. eff the bottom edge — i — eed «6|)«€6and several holes FE: PF). | are made in the 2 " lid. The inside of the can is lined pobearoe with asbestos pa- per, held in place +| with water glass, or sodium silicate ; . br % the outside is sim- Di — lin Se, | | ilarly covered with HOLES the exception of a ee e the lid; the holes should not be covered up. In use, che can is partly filled with powdered char- coal, and one corner is lighted with a match. Allow the fuel to smolder for a few minutes until the fire spreads across the top; then replace the cover. Such a heater can be carried in the pocket and will retain its heat for several hours. @Benzine will remove chewing gn from rugs or clothing.

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re J POPULAR MECHANICS Keeping the Runner in Place on the Porch Table It is difficult to keep the runner on the porch table in place when the wind is blowing, but the following method will keep it in position in anything short of a gale: A narrow facing, about ¥% in. wide, is stitched on each end of the run- ner just above the hem or trimming; one end of the facing is left open, and a rod, slightly shorter than the width of the runner, is slipped into it. The rod will hold the cloth straight and smooth, and is easily removed when the runner is to be laundered. Aluminum Monograms for the Automobile An aluminum monogram makes a neat and attractive mark of identification for the automobile, and is easily cut from the sheet metal with a pair of shears. Letters of the style de- sired are cut from the pages of a magazine and pasted to the face of the metal, to serve as a pattern; after the mon- ogram has been formed, the paper let- ters are easily soaked off. For attaching the monogram to metal-door panels ears are required at the top and bottom; these are inserted into slots cut in the panel, and bent over, as indicated in the draw- ing. If the panel has a wood backing, holes are drilled in the monogram and it is attached with small nails, the heads being filed flush. An ordinary pocket- knife and three-cornered file are useful lor removing rough edges, and for finish- ing the letters. LETTERS CUT . FROM MAGAZINE AND PASTED ON = GUIDE Hot Water Aids in Removing Slivers To remove slivers, fill a small bottle with hot water; then place the spot con- taining the sliver over the mouth of the bottle and press down, so that the part is held close. Unless the sliver, or splinter, 1s a very large one it will come out of itself after a few minutes of this steam- ing. The heat from the steam also serves to relieve the wound of much of its soreness, ~~ so) vr Making a Stationary Engine Propel Itself Alternate jobs for the stationary engine, first at the well, in the pasture, and then Loading Even a Small Stationary Engine for Trans- port to Different Jobs Was Too Bothersome for This Farmer, So He Made the Engine Haul Itself at the barn, a half mile away, prompted the farmer owner to rig the engine up so that the necessity of loading and unload- ing it into a wagon for each trip would be eliminated. The photograph shows at a glance the details of this arrangement. The power of the engine is conveyed to the old mower wheel at the rear which provides traction. To the shaft of the rear wheel, a clutch pulley is keyed. The inner periph- ery of this is provided with studs that serve as gear teeth and engage with the link chain, to which power is delivered through a horizontal jackshaft connected to the engine pulley by a short belt. The engine is steered by manipulating the long lever shown, which is connected to the front axle by iron rods. Old Fork Makes Tack Lifter The drawing shows how an old fork can be converted into a simple and ef- fective tack lifter. A four-tined fork is required for the purpose, and the tines are cut off toleavethem about *4 in. long; the outside tines are bent back ly underneath, as Aa on shown, to provide a fulcrum for the lifter, and the two center tines are filed off a little on the underside of each end so that they may be easily inserted under- neath the tack heads—C, A. Black, Jr., Hightstown, N. J. TACK

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2n2 sD POPULAR Desk Made from Old Organ A paraphrase on a familiar advertising slogan might be: “Have you an ald organ An Attractive Writing Desk is Made from an Old Organ. The Reed Box at the Top is Made into a Secret Compartment. The Writing Table was Built Over What Was Once the Keyboard in your home?” One man had not only one but two of them, both mute as the tomb. By combining parts of the two organs he made one good instrument and converted the other into a writing desk, or secretary, as shown in the photograph. After removing the “works” from the old organ, a flat writing table was built over the former location of the keyboard. The top, which contained the reeds and pipes, was made into a secret compartment.— Oden Liljegren Fern, Pasadena, Calif. Making the Oil Stove Portable A wheeled platform is an added con- venience for users of oil cookstoves in localities where unavailable. As shown in the photograph, a strip is nailed around the edges of the platform to hold the stove in position, and the casters elevate it above the floor so that the cook’s toes do not come in contact with it. Such a plat- form makes a convenient place for keep- ing the cooking utensils and accessories most often used. gas 15 [LECHANICS How to Make a Slow-Acting Relay The electrical experimenter will often find a slow, or delayed-action, relay valu- able when building electromechanical re- mote controls, and many forms of auto- matic systems. The size and type of relay will be determined by individual needs. The wire is unwound from the relay coils and one layer of insulated, heavy copper wire is wound on each core. Holes are made in the flanges, and the ends of these heavy windings are brought out at each end. The regular magnet wire is rewound over the heavy winding on each coil, care being taken to see that the wire is wound on the separate coils in opposite direc tions; the magnet windings are connected as they were originally. The heavy wind ings are short-circuited by uniting the ends on the outside of each coil; this is done to prevent leaving a hump in the coils, when they are rewound. The relay has now been made slow-acting, and when current is applied to the active wiuding, the armature will not respond instantly, but hesitates for the fraction of a second before it closes —C. M. Crouch, Minne apolis, Minn. Paper Clips Make Magician’s Card Holder A quickly arranged card holder, for performers of magic and legerdemain, is found in the ordi- nary papel clips obtainable At any stationery store. These clips are sewed to the lining of the cloth ing, or held by means of a safety pin, in the man- ner shown in the drawing. A great number of cards can be held “in reserve” by this method, and while held securely, they may be drawn with only the slightest ef- fort—Elmer O. Tetzlaff, Milwaukee, Wis. Leggings Made from Boot Tops \W ire Many hunters and others cannot wear rubber boots on account of the discom- fort of perspiring feet. Those who desire to wear shoes and still have waterproof protection for their trousers and legs when walking through wet grass, may do so at slight expense. The feet are cut

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a 2s. a Ab ieewtoe from a pair of old boots at the ankles, and the tops are worn as leggings. First, slip on the boot tops over the trousers, and then put on and lace the shoes. The boot tops slip down snugly against the shoes, keep out burs and other weed seeds, and keep the trousers dry and the legs warm.—Thaleon Blake, Sidney, Ohio.

Tire Tape Repairs Clothes The motorist and cyclist often meet with accidents that result in torn gar- ments at some conspicuous location. However, as they usually carry with them a supply of adhesive tire tape, the torn spot can be patched up by applying the tape to the edges of the tear on the under- side of the cloth. Knee Pads Made from Auto Casing Persons whose work requires them to in a kneeling position much of the me, such as carpet layers, concrete workers, etc., will TT | oo find that a_ sub- Pa | o|/ stantial, durable, re “~—prit HoOLes and waterproof | pair of knee pad RIVET can be made from old automobilk 1 | BUCKLE casings, as shown ' | in the drawing. STRAP — gy A 12-in. length aa

is cut from an old casing, and about 4+ in. from the end, two l-in. slits are made at each side. The short end is then bent up, as shown, nd riveted into place. <A suitable strap nd buckle completes the job—Truman Mle Niel, Seattle, Wash. ™ CASING Tables on Casters Make Moving of Washtubs Easy By mounting small tables on casters, as illustrated, much of the back-breaking work = asso- ciated with washing day is banished. The wringer can be mount- edonthetaller table and the clothes passed into the tub on the lower one, which is then wheeled out to the line-—Mrs. R. D. Shultis, Greeley, Colo.

POPULAR MECHANICS 797 Cleaning the Auto with Sprayer and Air Tank The motorist who owns a sprayer of the type illustrated can make good use of it for washing his car, thus applying

A Compressed-Air Sprayer need Not Remain Idle Where There Is Car Washing to be Done “machine methods” to one of the most disagreeable of the tasks of car keeping. The sprayer is provided with the usual two lengths of rubber hose; one leads to a compressed-air tank, while the other dips into a jug filled with the cleaning fluid. Such a fluid may be water, a mix- ture of water and gasoline, or some other of the liquids in common use for car cleaning. Designs Produced by Phonograph The revolving record table of any phonograph provides a means of making excellent freehand designs. A circular disk of soft wood, the same size as the table, is made, and provided at the center with a hole for the motor shaft; this disk should be thick enough to come flush, o1 a little above, the top of the shaft. To the wooden disk a sheet of paper is at tached with thumbtacks, and the table is set in motion. With a pencil, make a number of reciprocating, circular, ellip tical, or other movements from the center toward the edge of the paper, then stop the machine and observe results. With a little practice, and by using different movements and positions of the pencil and varying the length of the movements, an unlimited variety of complicated and pleasing designs can be produced, The pencil should not be pressed against the paper too heavily, or the table will stop and spoil the design.—H. R. Howie, Swan sea, Ont.

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198 POPULAR A Novel Lily Pond In order to provide open water in a lily pond for his children to sail their toy In Rebuilding His Lily Pond the Owner Installed a Central Root Bed and Bird Bath. As the Lilies Grew from the Center of the Pond, a Margin of Open Water was Left for the Children’s Boats boats, the owner drained off the water and made some radical changes in its construction. Originally the lily roots were planted indiscriminately in the mud at the bottom of the pond, and soon the plant growth completely covered the sur- face of the water. Aiter the pond had been thoroughly cleaned, a circular con- crete root bed was made in the center of the pond. This was accomplished by ising a sheet-metal form made by riveting the ends of strips of sheet metal together. As the outer part was larger than the inner one, small blocks of wood were placed between the two to hold them a uniform distance apart, and the space was filled with concrete. After it had set, the center was filled with earth, and the lily roots replanted. While the pond was being rebuilt, it was decided to add a bird bath; this was made by forming a square lump of ce- ment on a rough board platform. The platform was mounted on a piece ot pipe that projected through the mass of con- crete; the bottom end of the pipe was set over a pin in such a way that the plat- form could be revolved. When the ce- ment mixture had set to the proper con- sistency, all projecting corners were turned off with a hatchet blade while the table was revolved. The bath was then turned over and the inside hollowed out in the same manner, the operation being similar to turning a round wooden shape on a lathe. When the bowl was hard, the pipe was removed and a nipple sub- stituted. Flanges were screwed down over the nipple, inside and outside, to make a water-tight joint and were plas- tered over with cement. The top of the nipple was covered with a pipe cap drilled with small holes, to make a _ fountain when connected to the water-supply pipe, as shown. In the completed pond all the MECHANICS lily stalks grew from the center, and con sequently the water about the edge was left open for the children’s boats. Eggshell Makes an Emergency Funnel When it is desired to fill vinegar cruets, or narrow-necked bottles, and a funnel is unavailable, one can be improvised from an eggshell. The shell should be quite dry and a small opening is made at the bottom. Stand the shell so that the hole is well over the opening of the container to be filled, and proceed as with a regular funnel, A Handy Fishing-Rod Rest The usual practice of sticking the butt of the fishing rod into the earth is open to the serious objection that —~—T | the handle is GE covered with = x }-4 mud and dirt. oS es 4 A much bet ter arrange ment, for rest ing the rod while the fisherman is waiting for a “strike,” is made from two _ forked branches, as shown in the drawing. The ends of the branches are pointed and pushed into the earth about 2 ft. apart. Chester Cooper, Glenville, W. Va. Small Tools Carried under Auto Hood When the motorist searches for his pliers, tire gauge, or other often-needed tool, under the seat, or in a tool box filled with a _ mis- cellaneous assortment of old rags and other rubbish that the av- erage automo- bile owner is wont to keep among his tools, his ex- asperation is not lessened by the fact that he has himself to blame. The tire gauge and pliers, the former in its case and the pliers hung in a leathes strap, are made conveniently accessib| by attaching them to the back of the dash, underneath the hood, as shown in the drawing. \pLierRs TIRE GAUGE — | a ee ee es

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CHUMS TAKE CRIPPLED GIRL FOR OUTING IN WHEELBARROW Wi {EN a party of several hundred young people set out on an expedition into the Eagle Creek Cajfion, a young woman, who is a paralytic, had never been outside the limits of her native city A rest reserve on the Columbia River, the party took with it, on a wheelbarrow, a crippled girl friend. The the trail was too narrow for anv other kind of vehicle a wheelbarrow was used to carry the passenger, who rode in perfect

comfort, seated on a pile of cushions. With the aid of lead ropes and a member vi the party between the handles of the barrow, she was trundled for miles up the mountain trail. \ ver | ‘ ompetitions mentioned on tl page re conducted 1 a public titutior the na 1 add 3 r wit t oul ment I trial addresse Will not be pu but 1 I ybtained from our B Lu Inf by 1 t, mentioning the title of the article ar ute of ‘ I . ’ POST-GRADUATE STUDY ALLOWED SCHOOLS ABOLISH LANGUAGE STUDY EMPLOYES OF BIG PLANT TO GAIN TIME FOR TECHNICS t let t nt employes of a lar elec- Stud of modern languages ha ] eli it East are now priv sat ( in t ' t ) lua courses at Columbia t | school ‘ ist l | I t ‘ 7a < p " a ing othe 1 the I t I t ( r it t t t O " ot t | lect tial cult I " is now » « t t ire a ste t tl r il and 1 i l oo ¢ it cr r i cor t ! al cx Ss « tep ther f ‘ ‘ ( didates a ne ted | I desire of tec! luates to t into pract 4 g m t ) elig i so as 1 wit ] . 4 it tl plant ind ad training 1 t innovat t nt I the il aca t Ss il i membe tl sta {ANY PAMPHLETS AID BOY SCOUTS ' : ea Tp Big High Mtge ne TO SECURE MERIT BADGES it i for the graduates employed A series of 67 pamphlets, covering as many d t t t ts, t ati ™ ie council « e B Ss \ t RURAL-ENGINEERING DRAFTSMEN class scouts in the t i FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE ae, ae Eee €e att ; et Iture and Anglir t Pax iW D en ex] néed in the design of m stru it the purpose of t rk 1s not . tur he ; rtunity to enter tl cairia. a plet Pe He ‘ art ial t 5S. Department of Agriculture, if they get t i t tl t iI October 12. The examir t ineering draftsmar at $1.8 t t lit ] mat 1 pl ( re i ts 1 inte ind co = 4 the Bedford Radio Cl ore ed 1 I kl N. ¥ I ! Iso t 1a three mont ( cal | h « t ) Me ( t

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FOUR-APARTMENT BUILDING LIKE PRIVATE HOUSE such a group need occupy only the space of an or- dinary house, and archi- tecturally may be made to resemble a _ private dwelling as closely as de- sired. A building of this kind, designed by an IIli- nois architect, has two apartments on the first floor and two on the sec- ond, all facing the street, with windows on two sides of each room and capacious front and rear porches. Entrance to the A Four-Apartment Building That Resembles and Is No Larger than an Ordinary Private Dwelling: Each Apartment Contains Two Rooms, Those on the Second Floor being Entered at the Sides N the past few years there has gradu- ally come about an astonishing reduc- tion in the number of rooms necessary to the comfortable living accommodation of the average family. Necessity and inven- tion have joined hands in producing this result, the universal dearth of housing facilities forcing an economy of space, while ingenious built-in features have contributed to a single room the functions of several. Now it is entirely possible to conduct all the normal affairs of a home in two rooms, Since four apartments of two rooms each make a total of but eight rooms, © BATH AITCHEN Ke 3 sey lng Re se CUPBOAR lower apartments is by way of the front porch and living rooms, while the upper apartments are entered by side doors and inside stairs. The whole building measures, without porches, only 24 by 3614 ft., yet the living rooms, all alike, are 11 by 15 ft., and each contains a bed that disappears into a ven tilated closet. The bathroom has stand- ard equipment, and the kitchen is fitted with gas range and a combination of sink and laundry tubs, the sink drainboard forming the cover for the tubs. The rear porches and upper front porch are parti- tioned, and the latter may be used for sleeping. Using soft-wood trim, it is esti- mated that such a building would cost about $5,000 in the smaller cities. LIVING ROOM se} Wer. 2. IS FT. LIVING ROOM so' NET. « 15 FT, 36 FT.— 61N. —> First-Floor Plan of the Houselike Four-Apartment Building, Showing the Ample Size and Convenient Arrange- ment of the Rooms: The Second-Floor Plan Is Similar, except That the Front Porch Has No Street Entrance IN accordance with the editorial policy of this magazine never to accept compensation in any form for what appears in our reading pages, and also to avoid all appearance of doing so we are obliged to omit the name of the maker or the seller of any article described. This information, however, is kept on file and will be furnished free, by addressing Bureau of Information, Popular Mechanics Magazine, Chicago. [Editor.] 800