with sufficient power to run mechanical toys.  The armature is constructed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by using a common spool with 8 flat-headed screws placed at equal distances apart and in the middle of the spool.  Each screw is wound with No. 24 gauge iron wire, as shown at A, Fig. 1.  The commutator is made from a thin piece of copper, 1 in. in diameter and cut as shown in Fig. 3, leaving 8 points, 1/8 in. wide and 1/8 in.- deep.  The field is built up by using 8 strips of tin, 12 in. long and 2 in. wide, riveted together and shaped as shown at B, Fig. 4.  Field magnets are constructed by using two 3/8-in. bolts, 1-1/2 in. long.  A circular piece of cardboard is placed on each end of the bolt, leaving space enough for the bolt to pass through the field B, and to receive a nut.  Wind the remaining space between the cardboards with 30 ft. of No. 22 double-wound cotton-covered copper wire.  A light frame of wood is built around the magnets, as shown at C, Fig. 4.  Holes are made in this frame to receive the axle of the armature.  Two strips of copper, 1/4 in. wide and 3 in. long, are used for the brushes.  The armature is placed in position in its bearings and the brushes adjusted as shown in Fig. 4, one brush touching the shaft of the armature outside of the frame, and the other just touching the points of the commutator, which is placed on the shaft inside of the frame.  Connect the outside wire of one magnet to the inside wire of the other, and the remaining ends, one to the batteries and back to the brush that touches the shaft, while the other is attached to the brush touching the commutator.  In making the frame for the armature bearings, care should be taken to get the holes for the shaft centered, and to see that the screws in the armature pass each bolt in the magnets at equal distances, which should be about 1/8 in.

** Aluminum Polish [428]

An emulsion of equal parts of rum and olive oil can be used for cleaning aluminum, says Blacksmith and Wheelwright.  Potash lye, not too strong, is also effective in brightening aluminum, and benzol can be used for the same purpose.

A good polish for aluminum consists of a paste formed of emery and tallow, the finish luster being obtained by the use of rouge powder and oil of turpentine.

** Homemade Blowpipe [428]

Procure a clay pipe, a cork and a small glass or metal tube drawn to a small opening in one end.  Make a hole in the cork just large enough to permit the tube to pass through tightly so no air can pass out except through the hole in the tube.  Put the tube in the hole with the small opening at the top

[Illustration:  A Pipe Blowpipe]

or projecting end.  Push the cork into the bowl of the pipe and the blowpipe is ready for use.  —­Contributed by Wilbur Cryderman, Walkerton, Onto

** Substitute Sink or Bathtub Stopper [429]

Milk-bottle caps make good substitutes for the regular rubber stoppers in sinks and bathtubs.  The water soon destroys them, but as a new one usually is had each day, they can be used until a regular stopper is obtained.