Page:Popular Mechanics 1928 01.pdf/143

 

When locating short circuits in the electrical system of a car, it will be found that if short wires are soldered to the metal ends of a burned-out fuse, and then connected to a lamp of the 6-volt type, an exceedingly useful test lamp can be had. By placing this lamp-bridged fuse in the fuse clips there is no danger of damage to the wiring system of the car, and it will light until the short circuit is located and remedied.—Philip S. Mentz, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

 



After studying the effects that laundering has on woolen goods, an English expert declares that the greatest deterioration occurs where the garments have been repaired, due to the fact that the wool used in the repair had not been shrunk prior to use. In tests conducted, it was found that stockings, jumpers, pull-overs and the like, when made of wool, were effectively cleaned without damage, but the places repaired by darning showed the new wool about to break away from the surrounding edges. An easy way of shrinking wool is to take a clean tin can, complete with the lid, punch or cut a hole in the latter large enough to receive the end of the kettle spout, and another hole on the top as a steam escape. Now insert the new darning wool in the can. close the lid and connect it to the steaming kettle for a few minutes when the wool will be thoroughly steamed and, after drying, will be shrunk to the same degree as the garment about to be repaired. Two brackets or feet may be attached to the steaming chamber to hold it more steadily if desired.—George H. Holden, Chesterfield, England.

 



A baby usually tries to climb out of his chair, which often causes it to tip over. To prevent this I nailed strips of 1 by 1-in. wood across the legs of the chair, as shown in the drawing. If these strips extend something like 5 or 6 in. beyond the chair legs, there will be no tendency of tipping, and the baby may be left safely alone.—Emil Spona, San Francisco, Calif.

 

To remove all trace of a former rat or mouse victim from a spring trap. simply dip the front section in melted paraffin. This method eliminates the old trouble of having to wash and scour or burn off the trap in order to get rid of the odor that usually keeps away other mice.―W. P. Glenney, Corona, N. Y.

