Draw a full-size sketch of the design on paper, then run a string over each part, which, when straightened out, will give the length.  The scrolls are bent with a pair of round-nose pliers.  These, with a pair of flat-nose pliers, are all the tools necessary.  The part for holding the pipes is shown in Fig. 2.  The end elevation, at E and F, shows how the rack is fastened to the main frame of the rack.  —­Contributed by J. W. Vener, Boston, Mass.

** To Clean Silver [305]

A good method to clean silver of any kind is to place the articles in an aluminum vessel and add a few pieces of zinc.  Hot water is added and the silver boiled until clean.  It is best to use soft water.  The tarnish is removed by the electrolytic action of the zinc on the aluminum and the silver, and the latter will take on a bright luster.  This method of cleaning will not injure oxidized or black silver, nor that which is partly oxidized.

** Sharpening Skates with a File [306

Two methods are shown in the sketches for filing skates-one for hollow filing and the other for filing flat

[Illustration:  Filing a Flat Surface]

and straight across the blade.  The method shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is for filing the blade flat.  The device for holding the skates consists of a board on which four blocks, AA and BB, are nailed.  These blocks are fastened on the board in the relative positions of the heel and sole on a shoe.  The skates are clamped on them in the same manner as on a shoe.  A flat file is drawn across both blades of the skates as shown.  After the roundness is cut down on the edges of the blades the skates are removed and the file is drawn along the sides to remove the

[Illustration:  Filing a Curved Surface]

burr.  Skates filed in this way have flat surfaces with sharp edges.

Some skaters like a hollow-ground skate and the method shown in Figs. 3 and 4 can be used for filing a slightly curved surface in the blade.  A piece of tin or sheet metal is shaped over a round file as shown in Fig. 3.  The manner of filing the curves is shown in Fig. 4.  The piece of metal is held over the file and blade of the skate as the file is worked.

** Lines and Letters Made with a Carpenter’s Pencil [306]

The sketch shows some unusual work made with a carpenter’s pencil.  If the flat lead is notched with a three-cornered file (Fig. 1), two parallel lines may be drawn at one stroke, or various rulings may be made, as shown in Fig. 2.  Broad lines can be made, as shown in Fig. 3, or unequal widths as in Fig. 4.

[Illustration:  Pencil Points and Their Work]

In Figs. 2, 5 and 6 are shown lines especially adapted for the bookkeeper or draftsman.  If one lacks the ability to draw old English letters with a pen, the letters may be first drawn with a carpenter’s pencil (Fig. 7) and the outlines marked with ink and finally filled in.  Narrow lines are made with points cut as in Figs. 8 and 9.  A little practice with the carpenter’s pencil in making these letters will enable the student to finally produce them with the pen used for the purpose.