The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 | Page 5

of dials are shown in Fig. 2. The piece D is fastened on the bolt
an inch or two from the surface of the door to permit placing a spiral
spring of medium strength in between as shown in Fig. 3. The opposite
end of the bolt may be screwed into the dial, which can be made of
wood, or an old safe dial will do. A nail is driven through the outer end
of the piece D and the end cut off so that it will pass over the piece B
when the dial is turned. When the dial is pulled out slightly and then
turned toward the right, the nail will catch on the piece B and open the

latch. --Contributed by Geo. Goodbrod, Union, Ore.

** A Convenient Hot-Dish Holder [7]
When taking hot dishes from the stove, it is very convenient to have
holders handy for use. For this purpose I screwed two screw eyes into
the ceiling, one in front of the stove directly above the place where the
holder should hang, and the other back of the stove and out of the way.
I next ran a strong cord through the two eyes. To one end of the cord I
attached a weight made of a clean lump of coal. The cord is just long
enough to let the weight hang a few inches above the floor and pass
through both screw eyes. I fastened a small ring to the other end to keep
the cord from slipping back by the pull of the weight. I then fastened
two pieces of string to the ring at the end of the cord and attached an
iron holder to the end of each string. The strings should be just long
enough to keep the holders just over the stove where they are always
[Illustration: Holders in a Convenient Place]
ready for use, as the weight always draws them back to place.
--Contributed by R. S. Merrill, Syracuse, New York.

** Magic-Box Escape [7]
The things required to make this trick are a heavy packing box with
cover, one pair of special hinges, one or two hasps for as many
padlocks and a small buttonhook, says the Sphinx.
The hinges must be the kind for attaching inside of the box. If ordinary
butts are used, the cover of the box
[Illustration: Box with Hinges and Lock]
must be cut as much short as the thickness of the end board. The hinges
should have pins that will slip easily through the parts.

Before entering the box the performer conceals the buttonhook on his
person, and as soon as the cover is closed and locked, and the box
placed in a cabinet or behind a screen, he pushes the pin or bolt of the
hinge out far enough to engage the knob end with the buttonhook
which is used to pull the pin from the hinge. Both hinges are treated in
this manner and the cover pushed up, allowing the performer to get out
and unlock the padlocks with a duplicate key. The bolts are replaced in
the hinges, the box locked and the performer steps out in view.

** A Flour Sifter [7]
When sifting flour in an ordinary sieve I hasten the process and avoid
the disagreeable necessity of keeping my hands in the flour by taking
the top from a small tin lard can and placing it on top of the flour with
its sharp edges down. When the sieve is shaken, the can top will round
up the flour and press it through quickly. --Contributed by L. Alberta
Norrell, Augusta, Ga.

** A Funnel [7]
An automobile horn with the bulb and reed detached makes a good
funnel. It must be thoroughly cleaned and dried after using as a funnel.

** How to Make Comer Pieces for a Blotter Pad [8]
To protect the corners of blotting pads such as will be found on almost
every writing desk, proceed as follows:
First, make a design of a size proportionate to the size of the pad and
make a right-angled triangle, as shown in Fig. 1, on drawing paper.
Leave a small margin all around the edge and then place some
decorative form therein. Make allowance for flaps on two sides, as
shown, which may later be turned back and folded under when the
metal is worked. It should be noted that the corners of the design are to

be clipped slightly. Also note the slight overrun at the top with the
resulting V-shaped indentation.
To make a design similar to the one shown, draw one-half of it, then
fold along the center line and rub the back of the paper with a knife
handle or some other hard, smooth surface, and the other