**Polishing Flat Surfaces [229]

[Illustration:  Polisher]

The work of finishing a number of brass castings with flat sides was accomplished on an ordinary polishing wheel, from which the first few layers of cloth were removed and replaced with emery cloth.  The emery surface of the cloth was placed outward and trimmed to the same diameter as the wheel.  This made a sanding and polishing wheel in one.  —­Contributed by Chester L. Cobb, Portland, Maine.

** Rubber Tip for Chair Legs [229]

[Illustration:  Rubber Tips]

An inexpensive method of preventing a chair from scratching the floor is to bore a hole of the proper size in the bottom end of each chair leg and then procure four rubber stoppers of uniform size and press them into place.

This cushion of rubber eliminates vibrations, and they will not slip nor mar the finest surface upon which they rest.  —­Contributed by W. A. Jaquythe, Richmond, Cal.

** Adjusting a Plumb-Bob Line [229]

[Illustration:  Line Adjustment]

When plumbing a piece of work, if there is no help at hand to hold the overhead line, it is common practice to fasten the plumb line to a nail or other suitable projection.  On coming down to the lower floor it is often found that the bob has been secured either too high or too low.  When fastening the line give it plenty of slack and when the lower floor is reached make a double loop in the line, as shown in the sketch.  Tightening up on the parts AA will bind the loop bight B, and an adjustable friction-held loop, C, will be had for adjusting the bob accurately either up or down.  —­Contributed by Chas. Herrman, New York City.

** Drier for Footwear [229]

A drier for footwear can be readily made by a tinner, or anyone that can shape tin and solder.  The drier consists of a pipe of sufficient length to enter the longest boot leg.  Its top is bent at right angles and the other end is riveted to a base, an inverted stewpan, for instance, in whose bottom a few perforations have been made to let air in.  The boot or stocking to be dried is placed over the pipe and the whole set on a heated surface.  The heat will cause a rapid circulation of air which will dry the article quickly.  —­Contributed by Wm. Roberts, Cambridge, Mass.

[Illustration:  Show Drier]

** Repairing A Roller Shade [229]

A very satisfactory repair can be made by using a good photographic paste to fasten a torn window shade to its roller.

** A Shot Scoop [230]

In the ammunition department of our hardware store the shot was kept in regular square bins and dished out

[Illustration:  A Small Square Scoop Made of Tin for Dipping Up Shot Stored in a Square Bin]

with a round-bottom scoop.  This was very difficult, especially when the bottom of the bin was nearly reached, as the round scoop would roll over them and only pick up a few at a time.  To overcome this difficulty I constructed a square-shaped scoop that gave entire satisfaction.  The scoop can be used for other purposes as well.