It is necessary to possess a soldering copper, a piece of solder, tinner’s acid, sandpaper or steel wool, a small file and a piece of sal ammoniac.  If the soldering copper is an old one, or has become corroded, it must be ground or filed to a point.  Heat it until hot (not red hot), melt a little solder on the sal ammoniac, and rub the point of the copper on it, turning the copper over to thoroughly tin the point on each face.  This process is known as tinning the iron and is very necessary to successful work.

After the copper is tinned you may place it in the fire again, being careful about the heat, as too hot an iron will burn off the tinning.

The parts to be soldered must be thoroughly cleaned by sandpapering or the use of steel wool until the metal shows up bright.  Then apply the acid only to the parts to be soldered with a small stiff brush or a small piece of cloth fastened to a stick, or in a bent piece of tin to form a swab.

Tinner’s acid is made by putting as much zinc in commercial muriatic acid as will dissolve.  This process is best accomplished in an open earthenware dish.  After the acid has ceased to boil and becomes cool it may be poured into a wide-mouthed bottle which has a good top or stopper, and labeled “Poison.”

Place the parts to be soldered in their correct position and apply the hot copper to the solder, then to the joint to be soldered, following around with the copper and applying solder as is necessary.  In joining large pieces it is best to “stick” them together in several places to hold the work before trying to get all around them.  A little practice will soon teach the requisite amount of solder and the smoothness required for a good job.

In soldering galvanized iron, the pure muriatic acid should be used, particularly so when the iron has once been used. —­C.  G. S., Eureka Springs, Ark.

** Washboard Holder [39]

When using a washboard it will continually slip down in the tub.  This is considerable annoyance, especially if a large tub is used.  The washboard can be kept in place with small metal hooks, as shown in the sketch.  Two of these are fastened to the back of

[Illustration:  Clip on the Washboard]

the washboard in the right place to keep it at the proper slant.  —­Contributed by W. A. Jaquythe, Richmond, California.

** A Mission Bracket Shelf [39]

The shelf consists of six pieces of wood A, B, C, D, E and F. The material can be of any wood.  I have one made of mahogany finished in natural color, and one made of poplar finished black.  The dimensions given in the detail drawings are sufficient for anyone to make this bracket.  The amount of material required is very small and can be made from scrap, or purchased from a mill surfaced and sanded.  The parts are put together with dowel pins.  —­Contributed by A. Larson, Kenosha, Wis.

[Illustration:  Details of the Wall Bracket]