It would be well to polish the brass at first, if the finished work is to be

[Illustration:  The Finished Flag]

bright, as it cannot be done after the flag is completed.  A coat of lacquer is applied to keep it from tarnishing.  This is done by heating the brass and quickly applying a coat of shellac.  —­Contributed by Chas. Schaffner, Maywood, Ill.

** An Adjustable Punching-Bag Platform [267]

A punching-bag platform, suitable for the tall athlete as well as the small boy, is shown in the accompanying sketch.  The platform is securely fastened to two strong wooden arms or braces, which in turn are nailed to a 2 by 12-in. plank as long as the diameter of the platform.  This plank, as shown in the small drawing at the upper left-hand corner of the sketch, is placed in grooves or slots fastened against the side of a wall.  The plank with the platform attached may be raised or lowered to the desired height and held there by a pin or bolt put through the bolt-hole of the plank and into a hole in the wall.  —­Contributed by W. A. Jaquythe, Richmond, Cal.

[Illustration:  Adjustable Platform]

** Clasp for Holding Flexible Lamp Cords [267]

A very easily made drop-light adjuster is shown in the illustration.  It consists of a piece of copper wire 7/8 in. in diameter, bent as shown.  This clasp is capable of standing a strong pull and will hold the lamp and socket with a glass shade.  —­E.  K. Marshall, Oak Park, Ill.

[Illustration:  Clasp]

** Protect Camel Hair Brushes [267]

Camel hair brushes for painters’ use should never be allowed to come in contact with water.

** Home-Made Electric Clock [268]

The clock illustrated herewith is driven by means of electromagnets acting directly on the pendulum bob.  Unlike most clocks, the pendulum swings

[Illustration:  Magnetic Clock]

forward and backward instead of laterally.  The construction is very simple, and the result is not only novel but well worth while, because one does not have to bother about winding a clock, such as this one, says the Scientific American.

The clock is mounted on a wooden base measuring 3-3/4 by6-1/2 in., by 1-5/16 in. thick.  Secured centrally on this base is a 1/8 by 3/4-in. bar, 6 in. long and at each side of this, 5/16 in. away, is an electromagnet, 3/4 in. in diameter and 1-7/16 in. high.  Two uprights, 7-1/2 in. high and 1/4 in. in diameter, are secured in the base bar, and are connected at the top by a brass yoke piece on which the clock frame is supported.  Just below the yoke piece a hole is drilled in each upright to receive the pivot pins of the crosspiece secured to the upper end of the pendulum rod.  The pendulum bob at the lower end is adjusted to swing just clear of the electromagnets.  Mounted at the right-hand side of the base are three tall binding-posts, the center one being 2-3/4 in. high, and the other two 2-5/8 in. high.  Each