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.

The next thing is to put in the marks for the outline of the designs and the borders.  A tool having a point shaped as in the illustration is commonly used.  It is called a modeling tool for leather and may be purchased, or, one can be made from an ordinary nut pick by taking off the sharpness with fine emery paper so that it will not cut the leather.  To work these outlines, first moisten the leather on the back with as much water as it will take and still not show through on the face side.  Place the leather on some level, nonabsorbent surface and with the tool—­and a straightedge on the straight lines—­indent the leather as shown.  The easiest way is to place the paper pattern on the leather and mark on the paper.  The indentations will be transferred without the necessity of putting any lines on the leather.

With the knife cut out the stencils as shown.  Paste the silk plush to the inner side, being careful not to get any of the paste so far out that it will show.  A good leather paste will be required.

[Illustration:  Leather Tools]

Next place the lining, fold the flies along the lines indicated in the drawing.  Hold the parts together and stitch them on a sewing-machine.  An ordinary sewing-machine will do if a good stout needle is used.  A silk thread that will match the leather should be used.  Keep the ooze side of the lining

[Illustration:  Complete Card Case]

out so that it will show, rather than the smooth side.  With the knife and straightedge trim off the surplus material at the top and bottom and the book is ready for use.

** Home-Made Fire Extinguisher [351]

Dissolve 20 lb. of common salt and 10 lb. of sal ammoniac in 7 gal. of water, and put the solution in thin glass bottles, cork tightly and seal to prevent evaporation.  The bottles should hold about 1 qt.  If a fire breaks out, throw one of the bottles in or near the flames, or break off the neck and scatter the contents on the fire.  It may be necessary to use several bottles to quench the flames.

** Crutch Made of an Old Broom [352]

An emergency crutch made of a worn-out broom is an excellent substitute for a wood crutch, especially when one or more crutches are needed for a short time, as in cases of a sprained ankle, temporary lameness, or a hip that has been wrenched.

Shorten and hollow out the brush of the broom and then pad the hollow part with cotton batting, covering it with a piece of cloth sewed in place.  Such a crutch does not heat the arm pit and there is an elasticity about it not to be had in the wooden crutch.  The crutch can be made to fit either child or adult and owing to its cheapness, can be thrown away when no longer needed. —­Contributed by Katharine D. Morse, Syracuse, N. Y.

[Illustration:  Crutch]

** Toy Darts and Parachutes [352]

A dart (Fig. 1) is made of a cork having a tin cap, a needle and some feathers.  The needle is run through the center of the cork A and a pin or piece of steel is put through the eye of the needle.  Take a quantity of small

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