** How to Make a Life Buoy [432]

Any boy may be able to make, for himself or friends, a life buoy for emergency use in a rowboat or for learning to swim.  Purchase 1-3/4 yd. of 30-in. canvas and cut two circular pieces, 30 in. in diameter, also cutting a round hole in the center of them, 14 in. in diameter.  These two pieces are sewed together on the outer and inner edges, leaving a space, about 12 in. in length, open on the outer seam.  Secure some of the cork used in packing Malaga grapes from a grocery or confectionery store and pack it into the pocket formed between the seams through the hole left in the outer edge.  When packed full and tight sew up the remaining space in the seam.  Paint the outside surface and the seams well with white paint to make it water-tight.  —­Contributed by Will Hare, Petrolea, Onto

[Illustration:  Buoy]

** A Home-Made Microscope [433]

A great many times we would like to examine a seed, an insect or the fiber of a piece of wood but have no magnifier handy.  A very good microscope may be made out of the bulb of a broken thermometer.  Empty out the mercury, which is easily done by holding the bulb with the stem down over a lamp or candle.  A spirit lamp is the best, as it makes no smoke and gives a steady heat.  Warm the bulb slowly and the mercury will be expelled and may be caught in a tea cup.  Do not heat too fast, or the pressure of the mercury vapor may burst the glass bulb, cautions the Woodworkers’ Review.  To fill the bulb with water warm it and immerse the end of the tube in the water.  Then allow it to cool and the pressure of the air will force the water into the bulb.  Then boil the water gently, holding the bulb with the stem up; this will drive out all the air, and by turning the stem or tube down and placing the end in water the bulb will be completely filled.  It is surprising how much can be seen by means of such a simple apparatus.

[Illustration:  Making a Microscope]

** A Novel Electric Time Alarm [433]

All time alarms run by clockwork must be wound and set each time.  The accompanying diagram shows how to make the connection that will ring a bell by electric current at the time set without winding the alarm.  The bell is removed from an ordinary alarm

[Illustration:  Electric Time Alarm]

clock and a small metal strip attached, as shown at B. An insulated connection is fastened on the clapper of the bell, as shown at A. The arm holding the clapper must be bent to have the point A remain as close to the strip B as possible without touching it.  The connection to the battery is made as shown.  When the time set for the alarm comes the clapper will be moved far enough to make the contact.  In the course of a minute the catch on the clapper arm will be released and the clapper will return to its former place.

** How to Make a Phonograph Record Cabinet [433]

The core, Fig. 1, consists of six strips of wood beveled so as to form six equal sides.  The strips are 3 ft.