Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 89.djvu/951

 Popular Science Monthly

��937

��An Automobile Revolving Washer Made from an Old Rim

THE accompanying illustration shows an automobile or carriage-wash- stand fixture the base of which is an old clincher-rim. This was made by a garageman in spare time and does the work as well as any fixture of this kind that can be obtained on the market. Much better results are secured and time saved if the hose is attached to an overhead revolving fixture, as it enables the operator to walk around the car without dragging the hose or "kinking" it.

Two pieces of 2-in. by 4-in. stringers are attached to the ceiling beams, these being spaced by a i2-in. by ^-in. board which acts to steady the water- pipe passing through it and leading to the source of supply. A swinging union coup- Ting, or elbow, is needed to join the rota- ting and non- rotating parts of the water- pipe, which may be con- structed of

���The rim furnishes an excellent track for a pulley to carry the pipe in a circular sweep on the ceiling

��either ?4-in. or i-in. standard-iron form. The rim is firmly secured to the stringers by clamps bent from ^-in. cold rolled rod as indicated in the drawing. The pipe is supported by a simple trolley-wheel fixture clamped to the pipe, the wheel being grooved so it will be guided by the curved flange of the clincher-rim. This makes it possible to swing the pipe to w^hich the hose is attached around so that all parts of the body or running gear may be easily reached, and it keeps the hose from rubbing on the floor. — V. W. Page.

��How to Make a New Bureau From an Old One

THIS was the method used to change the entire appearance of an old bureau. The mirror was taken off the back posts and put out of harm's way. The brass-plated fixtures were removed and scraped. All useless ornaments were taken off. Then the varnish was removed with the aid of a common square scraper, some carborundum paper and some steel W'ool. A curb about 3 in. high was put at the rear edges of the top, to prevent small articles from

falling down between the bureau and the wall.

Four coats of white lead and oil, with a dash of tur- pentine and Japan drier were given, 48 hours apart. After the fourth coat the job stood for three days to harden. The surface was then worked over with steel wool until all brush marks and roughness had disap- peared. Then two coats of ivory white enamel were applied, 48 hours apart. With this done the bureau looked like unglazed porcelain. China knobs were used for the drawer pulls. The drawers had previously been examined and the slides rubbed with white castile soap so that they worked smoothly.

��A Quickly Made Silver- Plating Powder

A good silver-plating powder can be made of chloride of silver, 3 oz.; salts of tartar, 6 oz.; prepared chalk, 2 oz.; common salt, 3 oz. Mix well.

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