Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 90.djvu/802

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��Popular Science Monthly

��Using Old Phonograph Horns for Vases

WHILE in the musical instrument business I had left on my hands two old phonographs that were useless as musical instruments. In figuring out what

���Decorative vases made from old phono- graph horns cemented to piano-stool pedestals

to do with them I concluded to use the horns in the manner illustrated. I first bored holes in two old piano stools and, after inserting the small ends of the horns, I reinforced the joints with cement. The depth of the horns prevent the plants from drying out rapidly. — J. C. Grindell.

��To Prevent a Motorcycle Theft by Short-Gircuiting Spark-Plug

THIS device is to prevent a thief from getting away with your motorcycle. It will not keep him from carry- ing it away bodily, but it will prevent him from starting the motor. The lock consists of from 5 to 7 in. of dog -chain, brass or steel, attached to a wire or flat brass piece bent to a nar- row V-shape to embrace the

terminal. This V-shaped piece has a loop at the end to which the dog-chain is

���The chain attached to make a short circuit

��attached. The method of operating the safeguard is to put the bent wire over the terminal and to take a half-hitch of the chain around the hexagon section of the plug. In this position the current can- not pass to the plug.

The half-hitch around the plug will short- circuit the plug and further prevent the would-be thief from shaking it off in pedaling. The chain should be nickeled to correspond with the nickel of the spark- plug. The brass wire is practically the same color as the terminal, so as to escape the notice of the thief. If the half-hitch is well made, as shown, the device can be removed only by undoing the hitch.

For sidecar use it is a first class lock. When detached the wire and chain can easily be carried in the pocket. Cables can be tested with it by putting on the wire and watching the spark pass from the end of the chain to the cylinder. It is necessary that you wear gloves when making this test. — William H. Smith.

��Repairing a Broken Curved Implement Handle

A BROKEN curved handle on a garden implement can be easily replaced with a piece of wood cut from the forked branch of a tree. The i 1 1 us tration clearly shows that part of the branch used in making the handle. It is cut out and carefully shaped, after which it is at-

���Curve cut from branch for implement handle

��tached by means of rivets. — A. S. Thomas.

��The Necessity of a Thorough Buffing for Tire Repairs

CUSHION gum should always be used between the fabric 'and the tread stock of a tire, as it permits a much firmer union. If the surface of a casing is not first rough- ened sufficiently, outside patch repairs will usually loosen in use. An overflow of material beyond the place where it is needed will also cause it to peel off. Thor- ough buffing and cleaning off are the best preventatives.

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