READERS’ INQUIRIES

Evening Star, Issue 21354, 7 March 1933, Page 2

READERS’ INQUIRIES

TO STAIN AN OAK BED. “Inquirer,” Mornington, writes: — Could you advise me what stain would ho necessary to stain an oak bedstead a light mahogany colour ami also how to polish the same after staining? It is a now bed which I have made myself, and I wish to know just how to go about getting tins red colour. [First of all rub down the surface with sandpaper, and if the timber is not close grained quench the timber’s thirst by applying a mixture of raw linseed oil and terebene (in equal parts). A ready-mixed varnish and stain preparation should he applied, and for the production of a glossy surface, rub down lightly with fine sandpaper before giving a coat of quick-drying varnish.]

A HOT-WATER SYSTEM. “ W.R.S.”—I have had a boiler and hot-water cylinder fitted in my house, with the usual connections to hath, basin, sink, etc. The builder has fitted an exhaust pipe, which bends over a cold water tank immediately above tlm hotwater cylinder. He has not fitted a safety valve in the pipe from the boiler to the hot-water cylinder, saying that it was not necessary, .as ho had put in an exhaust pipe. Js this correct ? [The safety-valve on a low-pressure hot-water system (i.e., one with an open air pipe) is entirely a precautionary measure intended to provide against the contingency of internal steam pressure being generated by accident—such as blockage of pipes by deposit, or rapid generation of steam duo to failure of water supply in presence of a heated boiler. In the vast majority of cases the safety valve is never called upon to operate, but its provision is none the less desirable.]