Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/942

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��Popular Science Monthly

��Making a Book Trough with Natural Wood Finish

��BOOK troughs are pleasing variations of the conventional book rack and they serve a very useful purpose. Food for thought in the shape of books can be dished out in no better way than a book

���A simple conventional design for a book trough to be used on the library table'

trough full of books conveniently located on the library table. The list of materials required for this one is as follows :

2 end pieces ioJi in. square and % in. thick.

I rail 25 in. long, 4 in. wide and % in. thick.

I rail 25 in. long, 2% in. wide and % in. thick.

1 piece for keys 2% in. long, 1 in. wide and J^ in. thick.

The selection of the wood should be well considered. All dimensions given are gener- ous, to allow for planing and finishing to the sizes given in the illustration. The layout for the ends is detailed, the mortises being marked from both sides to enable the worker to cut clean lines on both surfaces when chiseling out the stock. Cut the outline of the ends carefully on the band-

���Dimensions of the parts of the book trough. These may be varied to suit the maker

saw or with a turning saw or scroll-saw if there is no band-saw atjiand. Smooth the straight edges with a plane and the curves with a wood file. In cutting the mortises, bore holes first and then cut care- fully to the size with a wood chisel, working from both sides.

��The long pieces or rails joining the ends should be cut to width and length, and the tenons laid out and cut on the ends. The holes for the keys are next cut. Fit the tenons carefully to their respective mortises and mark them so that they can be returned to their places. Fit the keys carefully and mark them. The steel figures are just the thing for making these marks.

The pieces are now scraped and sanded and they are ready for the finishing process. A good oil stain gives the best results in the hands of the amateur. When oak is used, spread on the stain evenly and rub off the surplus. When this has dried for 24 hours apply a coat of filler which has been colored with a little of the stain used. Let it stand for a few minutes, or until it is dull, and then rub off the sur- plus with a piece of burlap, rubbing across the grain. After the filler coat has dried, apply two coats of shellac, spreading evenly. Rub the pieces with steel wool after each coat to prepare a smooth surface for the wax. Two applications of wax will complete the finishing process. The pieces should now be assembled, after which the book trough is ready for imme- diate service. — Harry W. Anderson

��A Homemade Oil-Gage for a Large Storage Tank

WHERE a large storage tank is kept filled with gasoline for private use it is necessary to have some means of knowing the quantity of oil within to pre- vent running short. The illustration shows a homemade gage constructed of discarded parts which can usually be found about a home garage or shop. The body of the gage consists of a breather-tube A and a cap B. A slot Y% m - wide was cut in the side of the tube, extending to within % in. of each end. The lower end of the tube was rethreaded to fit in the threads of the filling hole. A guide C was turned to the shape shown from a piece of solid brass bar. The hole through the center was drilled to make a sliding fit for the rod D. Four 34-in. holes were drilled through the base so that oil could be poured in when the cap B was removed. To hold the guide in place it is made a press fit, but'it was finally soldered. The rod D is a V%-\n. drill rod with a float E fastened to the lower end. A knob F was fastened to the upper end of the rod, which served as a gage block and to prevent the

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