Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 90.djvu/141

 Popular Science Monthly

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��having twice the circumference of the other. But the rings formed with an even number of half turns are trisected just as you would trisect any rectangular piece of paper lengthwise. These rings have two edges. Hence, to trisect, cut off one third of the ring parallel to one edge and then another third. On each cut you will make one revolution of the ring, the shears returning to the starting point. The resulting rings, as far as I have investigated them, will be three in number, each linked to its two mates, the complexity increasing as usual with the number of half turns in the original ring.

To continue further with this descrip- tion would be monotonous. As in any experiment, popular interest centers in the performance itself, so, should you merely read this and pass on you will find it scarcely worth your while. Get a pair of scissors, some wrapping paper, a jar of library paste and try a few of the suggested cases. Start the children on it for a rainy day amusement. Give it to the boy who is wrestling with the theorems of geometry. Perhaps he would become interested in tabulating results and could be induced to give a talk before his class, illustrated by cutting some of the simplest forms. As a means of entertainment or instruction for young or old these experiments are worth while and, once started, they have the merit of possessing a peculiar fascin- ation that invites and encourages original investigation. — F. E. TucK.

���Molding Hamburger Steak with a Can- Cover

HAMBURGER steak, shaped into balls with the hands, never comes to the table in uni- form sizes, and there is more than a'gambler's chance that the hands of the cook who does the molding may not be absolutely clean. Both of these objec- tions are obviated in the use of a Ham- burger-steak cutter made from a can- cover and fitted with a wooden handle — a piece of sheet metal is fastened in the center to strengthen it. A dough-cutter used by bakers in preparing biscuits will also serve the purpose.

��Holder for Steel Wool to Protect the Hands

ONE of the objections to using steel wool for cleaning kitchen utensils, such as the bottoms of saucepans, is that particles of the wool are liable to become imbedded in the fingers; but if it is enclosed in a fairly stiff cardboard

���The wool is enclosed in a case so that it will not injure the hands

tube, not only will this- objection be overcome but a great saving of the wool will result.

An empty 12-gage shell may be used and filled tight with the wool. This will be found to be a great improvement over holding the wool in the bare hands. The cap and anvil should be driven out from the head of the sheirand tapped for a 3^-in. screw with a knurled head. The opposite end of the screw is then fitted with a plunger so that the wool may be pushed out as it is used or rubbed away. A larger tube with a wood end carrying a screw and plunger could be used to advantage.

��A Quick Hardener for Patching Holes in Castings

TO fill up holes in castings ordinary filler is not very satisfactory on account of the long time it takes to dry. Sealing or battery wax will be found very good for filling up holes in castings where no strain comes. The wax should be melted into the hole, from the cake, by means of the ordinary soldering iron. The wax hardens immediately and the filler is then applied over it as on the rest of the casting.

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