** Piercing-Punch for Brass [19]

Drill a 1/2-in. hole through a block of pine or other soft wood 2 in. thick.  Tack over one end of the hole a piece of pasteboard in which seven coarse sewing-machine needles have been inserted.  The needles should be close together and pushed through the pasteboard until the points show.  The hole is then filled with melted babbitt metal.  When this is cold, the block is split and the pasteboard removed.  This tool makes neat pierced work and in making brass shades, it does the work rapidly.  —­Contributed by H. Carl Cramer, East Hartford, Conn.

** Kitchen Chopping Board [19]

Cooks can slice, chop or mince vegetables and various other food rapidly by placing the little device, as shown, on a chopping board.  Ii is an ordinary staple, driven in just far enough to allow a space for the end of an ordinary pointed kitchen knife to fit in it.  The staple is driven in the edge of the chopping board.  The knife can be raised and lowered with one hand, as

[Illustration:  Knife Attached to the Board]

the material is passed under the blade with the other.  Great pressure can be applied and the knife will not slip. —­Contributed by M. M. Burnett, Richmond, Cal.

** Carrying Mattresses [19]

Sew straps to the sides of mattresses and they can be handled much easier.

** A Carpenter’s Gauge [19]

The home workshop can be supplied with a carpenter’s gauge without any expense by the use of a large spool and

[Illustration:  Round Stick In a Spool]

a round stick of wood.  The stick should be dressed to fit the hole in the spool snugly and a small brad driven through one end so that the point will protrude about 1/16 in.

The adjustment of the gauge is secured by driving the stick in the hole in the direction desired.  A better way and one that will make the adjusting easy is to file the point end of a screw eye flat and use it as a set screw through a hole in the side of the spool.

** A Flatiron Rest [19]

The iron rest and wall hanger shown in the sketch is made of sheet iron.  The upturned edges of the metal are

[Illustration:  Board or Wall Iron Rest]

bent to fit the sloping sides of the iron.  The holder and iron can be moved at the same time.  —­Contributed by W. A. Jaquythe, Richmond, Cal.

** Use for Paper Bags [19]

When groceries are delivered, save the paper bags and use them for staring bread and cakes.  Tie the neck of the bag with a string and it will keep the contents fresh and clean.  —­Contributed by Mrs. L. H. Atwell, Kissimmee, Florida.

** Use Chalk on Files [19]

If a little chalk is rubbed on a file before filing steel, it will keep the chips from sticking in the cuts on the file and scratching the work.

** A Homemade Steam Turbine [20] By William H. Warnecke