Page:Popular Mechanics 1928 01.pdf/142

 when changing tacks, to alter the position of the sail, so that it is always between you and the wind. To do this you swing around into the wind, which frees the sail from your body, then quickly lift the sail, flat, over your head, and lower it on the opposite side to carry you off on the next tack.

 



The clothesline reel shown in the illustration was designed by a woman who knew just what she wanted in the way of such a device. It can be adjusted to hold the line at the proper tension, is simple to make and can be instantly detached from the pole and carried in the house to keep the line dry in damp weather. The reel consists of a hardwood drum, 4 in. in diameter. On the back of the drum a hardwood disk, 10 in. in diameter, is fastened. Two hardwood handles, crossed and mitered at right angles, are fastened across the front of the drum, as shown. Over the handles a second hardwood disk, 8 in. in diameter, is attached. Disks, handles and drum are concentric with each other. A 8-in. hole is drilled through the exact center of the assembly and small holes 1 in. apart are drilled around the edge of the 10-in. disk. A lagscrew is driven into a convenient clothes pole 4 ft. from the ground, the head is filed off and a small hole is drilled through the end for a cotter pin. A pulley is also fastened to the top of the pole above the bolt. With the clothesline reeved through the pulley and run through holes in the other poles, the reel is placed on the bolt and the cotter pin inserted to prevent it from coming off. Then the line is reeled in until tight and a steel pin is inserted through one hole in the back disk into a hole in the pole. This holds the line taut. By removing the cotter, the reel can be instantly removed.—L. B. Robbins, Harwich, Mass.

 



A large percentage of paste used in tubes, such as toothpaste, shaving cream. glue, etc., is wasted, as it cannot be entirely squeezed out with the fingers alone. A device such as the one shown in the drawing will prevent this waste and can be made as follows: A short length of metal rod is slit down one end with a hacksaw. 1$1/2$ or 2 in. being sufficient for the average tube. The other end is turned over and bent to form a handle. The slitted end of the rod is slipped over the flat end of the tube and the handle is turned. This will force all of the contents from the tube. When the tube is entirely rolled up, the crank may be pulled out and used for other tubes.—L. J. Flugel, Chicago.

¶ The life of a floor broom can be increased considerably if it is given the following treatment every week: Dip it in a pail of hot soapy water, dash up and down several times and set it some place where air will circulate about it for some time. By doing this the fibers will not break off so easily. 