Page:Popular Mechanics 1928 01.pdf/171

 turn clockwise, rotating the entire pipe line and strainer point in the ground. This will take up any loose threads that may have developed, due to threads corroding over a long period of time. Do not, however, turn the pipe backward, as threads will undoubtedly be loosened, and you will be worse off than before. In making up new connections, always use plenty of lead in the joints and turn them well home, and leaky joints will be practically impossible. By attending to this while sinking a well and assembling a pump, about the only trouble that can develop will be cracked parts due to freezing or overstrain in assembling, or faulty leathers. Other things being equal, water should flow freely always.

 

The 2-ft. rule is the faithful standby of the rough-and-ready draftsman who makes sketches on the job. To draw a fairly accurate perpendicular to a line not parallel with an edge of the sheet or pad is not so easy to do but often necessary to the correctness of a sketch. The photo shows how a perpendicular can be drawn which will be about as correct as any circumstance will require. Lay the rule down along the line, then lay a dollar or washer on one side of the circular middle-joint hinge of the rule, and touching it, and scribe an arc. Place the dollar on the other side and scribe another. Draw a line through the two points where the arcs intersect. This line will be perpendicular and as correct as necessary.



 



When any great number of bales of hay have to be moved across the floor it becomes a heavy and tiresome task. To alleviate some of this work a dolly, as shown in the illustration, can easily be made from odds and ends. Build a small plank platform of short boards and cleat them solidly from underneath with similar stout boards. Make it about the size of a bale of hay. Fasten four roller-bearings casters, one to each corner, or four wheels removed from a pair of old roller skates. In the latter case, see that the wheels are pivoted so that they will turn in any direction.—L. B. Robbins, Harwich, Mass.

 

Iron castings, made in chilled molds, are frequently too hard to drill. Even highspeed drills and turpentine will fail to break through the surface of the casting. The trouble can, however, be remedied in the following way: Place a lump of sulphur on the spot to be drilled and slowly bring the casting to a red heat, then allow it to cool off. This will soften the spot so that the drill will cut it readily.—G. A. Luers, Washington, D. C.

