288

��Popular Science Monthly

��Emergency Bolts

TWO short bolts may often be made to serve as one long one as shown in Figs. I and 2, when no long bolts are at hand. The two bolts A and B are

��ca

���The nuts shown practically double the length of the bolts

coupled together by means of the nut C. When two timbers are to be fastened together as shown in Fig. 2, it may be necessary to drill a recess M in one of the pieces to hold the coupling nut C but often the bolt is used in the manner shown in Fig. 1, where there are two projecting end pieces. In this case it will not be necessary to make room for the nut.

Renewable Fuses

AN attachment plug can be con- verted into a renewable fuse by re- moving the flexible cord and connecting a length of fuse wire across the ter- minals. The plug should be inserted in series with the apparatus.

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��The Care of Paint Brushes

HOSE who have only occasional use for paint brushes find difficulty in caring for them, as it is expensive to buy new brushes for every job. The following will solve the problem :

Procure a dish (a tin can will do) and fill with water high enough to cover the bristles of the brushes. Then pour in a small quantity of lubricating or ma- chine oil.

Next wrap the bristles in paper, kept in place with an elastic band or a tied string, and place in the dish of water with the oil floating on top.

The oil prevents the evaporation of the water and the rusting of the iron brush parts.

The paper wrapping keeps the bristles in shape, and prevents contact with the oil.

Lengthens Life of Blow-Torch Burners

WHEN used constantly, the brass tube through which the flame of a blow torch passes is rapidly burned away, so that complete new^ burners

���The attachment plug is converted into a renewable fuse

��Money is saved when the burner of the blow torch is made detachable

must be frequently attached. This rather costly procedure can be avoided if the actual "business end" of the burn- er is made detachable, or renewable.

Several short lengths of brass pipe, equaling in size that of the burner it- self, should be procured. With a hack- saw cut oft an inch or so from the end of the burner and thread the remaining end. A narrow ferrule, or coupling, should be tapped to fit the threads, and the brass tips threaded to correspond with the shortened burner, ^^'hen one tip is burned down, it can be quickly re- placed by a new one.

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