USEFUL TIPS

Evening Star, Issue 23179, 31 January 1939, Page 3

USEFUL TIPS

EASILY OPENED. You may sometimes want to securely nail up a largo box, so that it can bo opened easily without splitting the wood or using any elaborate tools. A simple way of doing this is to take a piece of thick cardboard or leather about half an inch in diameter, drive the nail through it, and then nail the box up in the ordinary way. The washer formed by the leather or cardboard causes the nail to stand up above the level of the box. so that it can easily be drawn out with an' ordinary pair of pincers or pliers, without in any way damaging the wood. GET AN OIL STONE! Everyone who uses wood-working tools should have an oil stone on widen to sharpen them. It may, perhaps, be true enough that “ only a poor workman quarrels with bis tools ” —that is to say. lays the blame on them when he does bad work. But, tor all that, it is quite certain that no one can turn out really good work with tools that are blunt. And blunt tools always waste time. The tools to which wo are here referring are. of course, such as chisels, gouges, and so forth. Another tool that often requires a “ touch on the stone ” to keep it in order is the bit, or cutting blade, of a plane. The bit is easily removed for the purpose of sharpening. When sharpening any tool use plenty of oil on the stone, wiping this off when done with, and putting the’stone away practically dry. Press the tool down on the stone quite lightly, and as you grind it to a sharp edge hold it always at the same angle or slope. The knack takes a little learning, but once you get it you keep it. INSTEAD OF A GREENHOUSE. There are many people who arc fond of' gardening and cultivating flowers but who arc handicapped by not having the use of a greenhouse. The idea given here might prove useful to readers who find themselves in this difficulty. A small box, without a bottom, and having a piece of glass for its top. should be fastened to the end of a stick. The box can either be nailed cm to the stick nr affixed by means of a staple. The stick is then pushed into the ground over the plant which is to be cultivated, so that as it grows up it is protected and sheltered by the glass covering and the wooden sides of the box. A NOVEL HANDLE. After constant use the handles of saucepan lids are liable to become loose and fall off. A new and serviceable handle can be made from an old cotton reel, , A bole is first punched in the middle of the lid, and the reel is fastened to the latter by means of a small bolt. A handle of this description will not get heated as a metal one would, and there is no need to use any solder when fastening it to the lid. REMOVING A TIGHT SCREW. Anyone who has attempted to remove a very tight screw knows what a difficult business it is. After straining and twisting for a considerable time, the operator frequently ends by destroying the bite of the screw, which remains fixed as tightly as ever. With the aid of a pair of nippers, however, the affair is quite a simple one. Place the screwdriver in position, and then catch hold of the blade with the nippers just above the head of the screw. Press the screwdriver firmly, and at the same time twist round the blade with the nippers. The tightest screw will yield to this sort of persuasion. Another method is to make a poker red-hot and then apply the point to the head of the screw for a few seconds. When the head has cooled down again you will be able to withdraw the screw quite easily with an ordinary screwdriver. The explanation of this is that when the screw is heated it expands and makes the hole it is in a little larger. When it cools down again it contracts, making it quite easy to extract it from the enlarged hole. PREVENTS SPILLING. It is frequently necessary to pour liquids from a shallow vessel into a bottle, and without the aid of a funnel this often proves to be a wasteful and messy job. To overcome the difficulty, if a slender piece of stick for wire) be first moistened with the liquid and held in the neck of the bottle, and the lip of the shallow vessel brought to touch the stick, the whole of the liquid may be safely poured out, and without spilling a single drop. RAISING A LADDER. If you want to raise a fairly heavy ladder, and have nothing to keep the foot steady, got a friend to help you lift it by standing on the bottom rung on the other side of the ladder to yourself. His weight will keep it from slipping, and by pulling he can make it easier For you to raise it. If you try to tackle the job alone the foot of the ladder may slip and so cause a nasty accident. MAKESHIFT FOR CASTORS. In some places it mav bo difficult to purchase a castor and so renew one which may have been broken from a

bedstead or chair. If the screw is left bare it wears the carpet. In the way of a makeshift an ordinary wooden handle from a drawer is ail that is required. This handle is slipped over the screw, and when the bed is moved it revolves so that it makes little or no impression on the carpet. FOR FRETWORKERS. One of the most delightful of hobbies for winter evenings is fretwork. It is both useful and enjoyable, and the cost iis comparatively small. Hero are a few hints which beginners should keep in mind:—Always keep the blade of your saw nnright. If you hold it slantwise you will not obtain such a clean cut. Do not lie in a hurry. A steady movement is much better than a lot of sharp, short jerks, which are liable to break the blade. It is as well to practise a few times on a spare piece of wood before attempting a set pattern. Don’t try curves before you can successfully cut along a straight line. Keep your saw in a warm, drv place. Otherwise both frame and blade will get rusty. If you use a hand saw trv and get one with a spring lever attached. This will save you a lot of trouble in tightening up the blade. TO LOOSEN STOPPERS. The man of the house is frequently asked to take a tight glass stopper out of a bottle. If it is too tight even for muscular efforts try this method. Wind •« hit of rag or wool around the neck of the bottle, and pour very hot water on to the rag from a kettle. Th : s will cause the neck of the bof+'n to expand, which it docs more rapidlv than the solid stopper inside it. The grip on the stopper being thus eased, it may be removed. To prevent a recurrence before replacing the stopper smear it with a thin coat of vaseline.