Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 89.djvu/609

 Equipment

for iKe

Home Wbrker

vJ. H.. Constantine

Instructor in Industrial Arts. Teachers' College, Columbia University

��/%NY man with a few well selected r\ tools and an ordinary amount of skill can eliminate the expense and trouble of calling in a mechanic every time there is some little house repairing to be done. In selecting an equipment it is not a good plan to buy one of the sets made up in cabinets, as there are generally tools in these that are unneces- sary and in some instarices of an inferior quality. A better plan to follow is to consider the character of the work likely to be done, then select the necessary equipment to do it, purchasing only high-grade tools, as these will do the best work, last longest, and therefore are cheapest in the end. Any dealer who makes a specialty of supplying tools for schools or amateurs can give valuable advice on this subject. The following tools generally meet all the requirements of the beginner and additional ones can be obtained as the need for them arises.

The Bench

A strong bench is a necessity if accurate work is to be done, the es- sential features of which are:

I. Rigidity: This may be secured in a bench made with mortise and tenon joints, or of draw-bolt construction, I'ig. I. The bench should be firmh- fastened to the floor by lag-screws passing through the two foot-pieces.

II. An ash or maple top with a trough at the back.

III. A drawer or rack where the tools can be kept when not in use. The former is more satisfactory.

IV. A side vise: The strongest, most durable and convenient is the rapid acting vise, with all working parts of metal. This vise requires oiling oc- casionally. Facing the jaws with maple prevents injuring finished work.

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���V. A tail vise: This \ise, also of metal with a long screw not rapid acting, is very convenient for certain kinds of work.

The bench may be made at home, or bought for from $9.50 to $24, depending on the style and size.

The following list of tools may seem large to the average man, but the writer has found from experience that occasions are sure to arise when each tool will be needed in general house repairs.

��Two forms of a bench - rail connection with a wedge AandaboltB

���I Stanley jack plane No. 605.

I Stanley block plane No. 65 J.

I Iron spolceshave No. 54.

I Uisston cross-cut saw 22 ins. 10

points. I Disston rip-saw 22 ins. 8 points. I Uisston back-s.iw 10 ins. No. 4. I Buck Bros, socket chisel I J in. handled

and sharpened. I Buck Bros, socket chisel J in. handled

and sharpened. 1 Buck Bros, firmer chisel } in. handled

and sharpened.

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