Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 90.djvu/939

 Popular Science MontJily

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��tion of magnetos would be likely to jump to the conclusion that the two ends of wire separated by a short gap were originalh' one continuous piece and the break was the cause of its not working properly. This was the conclusion reached by the investigator in this case and he proceeded to close the break with wire and solder. Upon starting up again it still refused to work. Having reached the limit of his knowledge of magneto operation he took the motorcycle to a repair shop where the trouble was soon found to be due to the magnets being wrongly replaced, that is, two ends of unlike polarity were placed side by side instead of like polarities". This would indicate the advisability of carefully marking magnetos before removing them so that they may be properly replaced.

In discussing the above incident with others the writer found that this safety spark-gap is frequently mistaken by amateurs for an accidental break and treated accordingly. — Paul Justus.

��Filling Wide Vertical Cracks and Seams with Putty

IN puttying up a wide crack between two boards, excelsior may be used to bind the heavy mass of putty together and prevent its falling out. The putty is worked into the excelsior until the two combine in a plastic mass. After forcing the composi- tion in tight, apply a smooth coat of putty over the surface. This method will be found convenient where holes or cracks would otherwise have to be filled with an inlay of wood. — James M. Kaxe.

��An Inexpensive Stove for Fruit Canning Purposes

ONE woman has solved the problem~of an outdoor stove for canning and preserving in summer, by utilizing an old galvanized tub. A hole was cut in the bottom, a door in the side and a stove-pipe hole in the opposite side. A joint and an elbow of pipe made the stove complete.

It burns wood, and is placed in a shady .si)ot on the hill back of the house. There the summer canning for private and com- mercial use is done in a larger measure of comfort than could be had in the kitchen.

The canning outfit is as simple as the outdoor stove. It is a common wash boiler and lid with a piece of mesh wire cut to fit the inside, and to He flat on the bottom of the boiler. — Paul Greer.

��A Handy Farmer's Anvil Made Out of a Railroad Rail

IF there is a piece of discarded railroad rail at hand a very convenient anvil can be constructed as shown in the illustration. The length of the rail used in making this anvil is 36 in., and is placed in an inverted position on a stand made of 2 by 4-in. oak timbers 30 in. long. The upper ends of these pieces are pointed and fitted in the sides of the rail and clamped together with bolts. The bottom part is well braced. A board is laid on cross rails for a shelf. The end of the rail is pointed and cut to a

���An inverted railroad rail rigidly supported on a substantial stand makes a convenient anvil

shape similar to the end on the ordinary anvil. A hole is also made through each side projection for punching and to hold a hardy. — Roy Pugh.

��Lawn Sprinkler Made Out of a Length of Pipe

THE method of watering lawns here described will appeal to those who have held a nozzle in their hands for an hour or more at a time. Get a 20-ft. section of ^-in. water pipe and drill 1/16- in. holes in it about every 2 ft. A coupling which will join the hose to the pipe can be procured for about twenty cents at most hardware stores. The piece of pipe can be easily moved from place to place over the lawn. — W. A. Parks.'

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