The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 823 pages of information about The Boy Mechanic.

The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 823 pages of information about The Boy Mechanic.

In the sides (Fig. 5) bore a hole in the center of the crankpin to run in loosely.  Now put all these parts together, as shown in the illustration.  Do not fasten the sides too securely until you have tried the device and are sure it will run smoothly.  For the crank a bent piece of stout wire or a nail will serve, though a small iron wheel is better, as it gives steadiness to the motion.  In this case a handle must be attached to the rim of the wheel to serve as a crank.  The drive wheel from a broken-down eggbeater will do nicely.  For ease in handling the pump, a platform should be added.

To use the pump, fill the tube with water and place the lower end of the tube in a reservoir of water.  Make a nozzle of the end of a clay pipe stem for the other end of the tube.  Then turn the crank from left to right.  The first wheel presses the air out of the tube, creating a vacuum which is immediately filled with water.  Before the first wheel releases the tube at the top, the other wheel has reached the bottom, this time pressing along the water that was brought up by the first wheel.  If the motion of the wheels is regular, the pump will give a steady stream.  Two feet of 1/4-in. tubing, costing 10 cents, is all the expense necessary.  —­Contributed by Dan H. Hubbard, Idana, Kan.

** How to Make a Fire Screen [82]

[Illustration:  Fig.2 Made of Strap Iron]

A screen which will not interfere with the radiation of the heat from the fire, and will keep skirts and children safe can be made at little expense out of some strap iron.  The screen which is shown in Fig. 1, stands 20 in. high from the base to the top crosspiece and is made of 3/4 by 1/4-in. and 1/2 by 1/4-in. iron.  The top and bottom pieces marked AA, Fig. 1, are 3/4 by 1/4 in. and are 30 in. long, bent at an angle to fit the fireplace 7 in. from each end, as shown in Fig. 2.  The three legs marked BBB, Fig. 1, are of the same size iron and each leg will take 34 in. of material.  In shaping the feet of these three pieces give them a slight tendency to lean toward the fire or inside of screen, says a correspondent in the Blacksmith and Wheelwright.  In the two cross bars 1 in. from each end, A in Fig. 2, mark for hole and 3 in. from that mark the next hole.  Take the center of the bar, B, 15 in. from each end, and mark for a hole, and 3-1/2 in. on each side mark again and 3-1/2 in. beyond each of these two, mark again.

Mark the legs 2-3/4 in. from the bottom and 2 in. from the top and after making rivet-holes rivet them to the cross bars, AA, Fig. 1.

Cut six pieces, 17-1/2 in. long and punch holes to fit and rivet onto the remaining holes in cross bars, AA, Fig. 1.  Clean it up and give it a coat of black Japan or dead black.

** Trap for Small Animals [82]

This is a box trap with glass sides and back, the panes of glass being held in place by brads placed on both sides.  The animal does not fear to enter the box, because he can see through it:  when he enters, however, and touches the bait the lid is released and, dropping, shuts him in.  This is one of the easiest traps to build and is usually successful.

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The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.