FOR THE HANDY MAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1928, Page 19

FOR THE HANDY MAN.

PORTABLE CLOTHES DRYER.

The accompanying illustration shows a clothes dryer which is simple to make, is portable and may be partially dismantled for storage when not in use. The upright consists of a two by two, six feet long. This is mounted on a base consisting of two four by one pieces, two feet long, which are provided with a lap joint to form a cross. The upright ia fastened to the base by means of a suitable lag screw. The props for the line consist of four pieces, one by one by three feet long These rest on small blocks fastened to the upright with one eide cut at an angle of thirty degrees. The ends of the props are also cut at an angle so they will have a good bearing on the upright and against the supporting blocks. The!

upper end of the upright has two holes at right angles to each other and one above the other. A piece of clothes line is passed through each of these holes, the ends being fastened to the props at either side to act as guide ropes. The props are drilled with a series of holes along their length through which a clothes line may be drawn, alternating from one prop to the other forming in effect a large spider web as shown in the top view. If care is taken in stringing the line to keep it free from kinks and twists, the web section may be dismantled by lifting up on the lower end of the props and thus permitting it to fold up for storage as shown in the left-hand view.—T. G. Stewart, in "Farm Mechanics."

PROPER CARE OF PAINT BRUSHES. After using a brash it is of extreme importance to keep the bristles soft. Unless a brush is thoroughly cleaned it will harden at the heel. In storing the bristles will also quickly take a set in one direction or the other and it is then difficult to do neat work with it. After a brash has once been used, it should always be allowed to hang so as to take the weight off the bristles. After use wash the brush with turpentine immediately, then shake out the surplus and hang the brush so that the bristles are suspended in raw linseed oil or a mixture of this and turpentine. A method of storing is depicted in the accompanying illustration. The container is made from an oil can which is cut in the centre on two sides with a vertical projection at the ends. These projections are folded around a small boaVd which is then nailed in position. The Kne of stout wire or a rod on which the brashes are hung should be placed high enough so that the bristles are at least one inch above the bottom of the can, allowing them to hang straight down, at the same time pre-

venting them from picking up dirt from the sediment in the container.

The upper illustration at the left shows how the brush hardens when stored dry after use, while the lower illustration shows how a new brush which has not been used should be stored. The brush comes with a paper wrapper. Leave this wrapper on the brush until it iB to be used, as it will keep the bristles from becoming bent.— "Farm Mechanics."