The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 | Page 9

pass one end
through the 1/16-in. hole and wind it on the small part of the top in the
usual way, starting at the bottom and winding upward. When the shank
is covered, set the top in the 3/4-in. hole. Take hold of the handle with
the left hand and the end of the cord with the right hand, give a good
quick pull on the cord and the top will jump clear of the handle and
spin vigorously. --Contributed by J.F. Tholl, Ypsilanti, Michigan.

** Pockets for Spools of Thread [13]
A detachable pocket for holding thread when sewing is shown herewith.
The dimensions may be varied to admit any number or size of spools.
Each pocket is made to take a certain size spool, the end of the thread
being run through the cloth front for obtaining the length for threading
a needle. This will keep the thread from becoming tangled and enable it
always to be readily drawn out to the required length. --Contributed by
Miss L. Alberta Norrell, Augusta, Ga.
[Illustration: Pockets for Thread]

** Cleaning Leather on Furniture [13]

Beat up the whites of three eggs carefully and use a piece of flannel to
rub it well into the leather which will become clean and lustrous. For
black leathers, some lampblack may be added and the mixture applied
in the same way.

** A Baking Pan [13]
When making cookies, tarts or similar pastry, the housewife often
wishes for something by which to lift the baked articles from the pan.
The baking tray or pan shown in the sketch not only protects the hands
from burns but allows the baked articles easily to slip from its surface.
The pan is made from a piece of sheet iron slightly larger than the
baking space desired. Each end of the metal is cut so that a part may be
turned up and into a roll to make handles for the pan.
[Illustration: Baking Pan without Sides]
A wire or small rod is placed between the handles as shown. This wire
is fastened at each end and a loop made in the center. The pan can be
removed from the oven by placing a stick through the loop and lifting it
out without placing the hands inside the hot oven. The baking surface,
having no sides, permits the baked articles to be slid off at each side
with a knife or fork. --A. A. Houghton, Northville, Mich.

** A Broom Holder [13]
[Illustration: Broom Holder]
A very simple and effective device for holding a broom when it is not
in use is shown in the sketch. It is made of heavy wire and fastened to
the wall with two screw eyes, the eyes forming bearings for the wire.
The small turn on the end of the straight part is to hold the hook out far
enough from the wall to make it easy to place the broom in the hook.
The weight of the broom keeps it in position. --Contributed by Irl Hicks,
Centralia, Mo.

**Stringing Wires [13]
A string for drawing electric wires into bent fixtures can be easily
inserted by rolling it into a small ball and blowing it through while
holding one end.

** A Darkroom Lantern [14]
Procure an ordinary 2-qt. glass fruit jar, break out the porcelain lining
in the cover and cut a hole through the metal, just large enough to fit
over the socket of an incandescent electric globe, then solder cover and
socket together, says Studio Light. Line the inside of the jar with two
thicknesses of good orange post office paper. The best lamp for the
purpose is an 8-candlepower showcase lamp, the same as shown in the
illustration. Screw the lamp into the socket and screw the cover onto
the jar, and you have a safe light of excellent illuminating power.
When you desire to work by white light, two turns will remove the jar.
[Illustration: Darkroom Lantern]
If developing papers are being worked, obtain a second jar and line
with light orange paper, screw into the cover fastened to the lamp and
you have a safe and pleasant light for loading and development. By
attaching sufficient cord to the lamp, it can be moved to any part of the
darkroom, and you have three lamps at a trifling cost.

** Preventing Vegetables from Burning in a Pot [14]
Many housekeepers do not know that there is a simple way to prevent
potatoes from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pot. An
inverted pie pan placed in the bottom of the pot avoids scorching
potatoes. The water and empty space beneath the pan saves the potatoes.
This also makes the work of cleaning pots easier as no adhering parts of

potatoes are left