Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys / Wooden and Cardboard Toys, Mechanical and Electric Toys

HOME-MADE TOYS
FOR
GIRLS AND BOYS

Copyright, 1915, BY
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD COMPANY
Published, August, 1915

Constructive ideas expel destructive ideas from the juvenile mind.

[INTRODUCTORY NOTES]

Through the author's handicraft volumes, and magazine and newspaper articles, thousands of boys and girls who never realized they could make their own toys, have succeeded in constructing models which would do credit to Santa Claus' master toy-makers.

The success of this new home industry has suggested the need of a volume devoted entirely to toy-making, and in Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys the author has brought together a large number of the toy ideas from his former handicraft volumes, and from his articles published in the Ladies' Home Journal, Woman's Home Companion, Good Housekeeping, the Boys' Magazine, and other publications, and he believes that as collected and arranged the material will be found a veritable gold-mine of toy-making information.

Go to any toy store and price the toys similar to those described within these covers, then estimate if you can how much the other toys you do not find would cost if manufactured, and you will discover that one hundred dollars would not cover their value. One splendid thing about these home-made toys is that the greater part of them require little more than the pick-up material found at home. Few boys and girls are given a one hundred dollar assortment of toys at a time, yet any one can own a collection of this value who is willing to spend the time necessary to follow the instructions given in this book. Probably, though, some of the toys will be wanted now, and the others one, two or three seasons hence, because, you see, the book is an all-the-year-round handy book with suggestions for every season. Some of the toys will be of especial interest to boys, yet girls who like what boys like will enjoy making them also.

Home-made toys are generally longer lived than store toys because the boy or girl who expends a certain amount of effort producing gives them better care. Home-made toys have a greater value than boughten ones because there is as much fun making them as playing with them. Doing something interesting, getting satisfying results out of the work, putting an idea into tangible form, and having a toy to show of which it can be said, "I made this all myself,"—these are the factors in toy-making so fascinating to boys and girls.

It is no less a child's nature to want to do that which is most pleasing to him, than an adult's, so why not encourage this wholesome activity of toy-making to which the child takes as readily as a duck takes to water? It trains the mind to think clearly, the hands to work cleverly, replaces destructive thoughts with constructive ideas, and, in making the boy or girl dependent upon himself or herself for toys, is invaluable in developing resourcefulness.

Recognizing how easily the child's interest is attracted and held by anything of a building nature, toy manufacturers have placed scores of so-called "construction sets" upon the market, but, though excellent as these outfits are, the toys they form are merely assembled, not really made by the boy or girl, and much of the value of making is lost. Exactly as good models as those assembled with "construction sets" can be made of pick-up materials, as chapters in this book show. In fact, some of the models in the manufacturers' instruction pamphlets—merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels and swings—are almost identical with home-made models devised long ago by the author for his readers. Furthermore, there are many, very many toys in Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys which are beyond the limited possibilities of "construction sets."

A. N. H.

Oak Park, Illinois,
May 31, 1915.

LIST OF HALF-TONE ILLUSTRATIONS

(In addition to 346 text illustrations)

[LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS]

HOME-MADE TOYS
FOR
GIRLS AND BOYS

HOME-MADE TOYS

No mechanical toy is more interesting to make, nor more interesting to watch in operation, than a miniature windmill. It is a very simple toy to construct, and the material for making one can usually be found at hand, which are two reasons why nearly every boy and girl at one time or another builds one.

The Paper Pinwheel shown in [Fig. 1] is one of the best whirlers ever devised. A slight forward thrust of the stick handle upon which it is mounted starts it in motion, and when you run with the stick extended in front of you it whirls at a merry speed.

Fig. 1.—The Paper Pinwheel is the Simplest Pinwheel to Make.

A piece of paper 8 or 10 inches square is needed for the pinwheel. Fold this piece of paper diagonally from corner to corner, both ways. Then open the paper, and with a pair of scissors cut along the diagonal creases, from the corners to within ½ inch of the center ([Fig. 2]). Next, fold corners A, B, C, and D over to the center, as shown in [Fig. 3], run a pin through the corners and through the center of the sheet of paper, drive the point of this pin into the end of the stick handle, and the pinwheel will be completed.

Fig. 2.—Diagram for Paper Pinwheel.

Fig. 3.—How the Paper Pinwheel is Folded.

The Pinion-wheel Windmill in [Fig. 4] may be made of cardboard or tin. A circular piece 10 or 12 inches in diameter is required. After marking out the outer edge with a compass, describe an inner circle about 1 inch inside of it; then draw two lines through the center at right angles to each other, and another pair at an angle of 45 degrees to these. These lines are shown by the heavy radial lines in [Fig. 5]. One-half inch from each of these lines draw a parallel line, as indicated by dotted lines in [Fig. 5]. The next thing to do is to cut out the disk, and cut along the heavy lines just as far as the lines are shown in the diagram ([Fig. 5]), and then to bend up the blades thus separated, to an angle of about 45 degrees, bending on the second set of radial lines (dotted lines in [Fig. 5]).

Fig. 4.—A Pinion-wheel Windmill.

You had better make a cardboard pinion-wheel first, then a tin one afterwards, as cardboard is so much easier to cut. A pair of heavy shears will be necessary for cutting a tin wheel, and a cold chisel for separating the edges of the blades.

Fig. 5.—Diagram for Pinion-wheel Windmill.

To Mount the Pinion-wheel drive a long nail through the center, through the hole in a spool, and into the end of a stick. Then nail the stick to a post or a fence top.

The Four-blade Windmill shown in [Fig. 6] has a hub 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick ([Fig. 7]). This should be cut out of hard wood. Draw two lines across one face, through the center, and at right angles to each other. Then carry these lines across the edge of the block, not at right angles to the sides, but at an angle of 45 degrees. Saw along these lines to a depth of 1¼ inches. The ends of the windmill blades are to fit in these slots.

Cut the blades of equal size, 9 inches long, 5 inches wide on the wide edge, and 1½ inches wide on the narrow edge, and fasten them in the slots with nails.

Fig. 6.—A Four-blade Windmill.
Fig. 7.—Hub
Fig. 8.—How to Slot End of Shaft for Tail.

With the blades in position, pivot the hub to the end of the windmill shaft, a stick 20 inches long ([Fig. 6]). The end opposite to that to which the hub is pivoted is whittled round, and slotted with a saw to receive a tail ([Fig. 8]). The tail may be of the same size as the blades, though it is shown shorter in the illustration.

Mount the Windmill upon a post, pivoting its shaft at the balancing center with a nail or screw. Bore a hole large enough so the shaft will turn freely upon the pivot, and the windmill will thus keep headed into the wind.

The Eight-blade Windmill in [Fig. 9] has a spool hub ([Fig. 10]), and blades made of cigar-box wood, shingles, tin, or cardboard ([Fig. 11]). You will see by [Figs. 10] and [11] that the blades are nailed to the side of short spoke sticks, and the sticks are driven into holes bored in the spool hub. The hub turns on the rounded end of the shaft stick ([Fig. 12]), and the square end of this shaft is slotted to receive the fan-shaped tail ([Figs. 12] and [13]).

Fig. 9.—An Eight-blade Windmill.

For the Hub use a large ribbon-spool. You can get one at any drygoods store. Locate eight holes around the center of the spool at equal distances from one another, and bore these with a gimlet or bit, or cut them with the small blade of your jack-knife.

Cut the Eight Blades 6 inches long, 5 inches wide on their wide edge, and 1½ inches wide on their narrow edge. Prepare the hub sticks about ½ inch by ¾ inch by 4½ inches in size, and whittle one end pointed to fit in the hub ([Fig. 11]). Fasten the blades to the spokes with nails long enough to drive through the spokes and clinch on the under side. Glue the spokes in the hub holes, turning them so the blades will stand at about the angle shown.

Fig. 10.—Spool Hub. Fig. 11.—Blades. Fig. 12.—Shaft. Fig. 13.—Tail.

The Shaft should be made of a hard wood stick about ¾ inch by 1½ inches by 30 inches in size. Cut the round end small enough so the hub will turn freely on it, and punch a small hole through it so a brad may be driven through to hold the hub in place. Cut the slot in the square end with a saw.

Cut the Tail of the shape shown in [Fig. 13].

Pivot the Windmill upon the top of a post support, in the same manner as directed for the other windmills.

[Figure 14] shows how the toy windmill may be rigged up

Fig. 14.—How the Windmill may be Rigged up to Operate a Toy Jumping-Jack.

To Operate a Toy Jumping-Jack, by supporting the jumping-Jack on a bracket, and connecting its string to the hub of the windmill. You can make your jumping-Jack like the one in [Fig. 110], the details of which are shown in [Fig. 113].

Cut the upright of the bracket (A, [Figs. 14] and [15]) 14 inches long, and the crosspiece (B) 7 inches long. Nail A to B, and nail the jumping-Jack at its center to the end of B ([Fig. 15]). Fasten the triangular block (C) to the lower end of A, and then nail both A and C to the edge of the shaft at a point that will bring the string of the jumping-Jack a trifle beyond the windmill blades.

Fig. 15.—How the Jumping-Jack is Supported.
Fig. 16.—Spool Hub.

Fasten a small stick with a brad driven in one end, in notches cut in the hub's flanges ([Fig. 16]), and connect the brad and Jack's string with a piece of wire or strong string. Then as the windmill revolves it will operate the toy in the manner indicated in [Figs. 14] and [15].

[CHAPTER II]

HOME-MADE KITES

The Malay tailless kite is probably the most practical kind ever invented. It will fly in a wind that the tail variety could not withstand, and it will fly in a breeze too light to carry up most other forms of kites. It is also a strong pulling kite, and can be used for sending aloft lanterns and flags. For the purpose of lifting, the pulling strength can be doubled by flying two Malays in tandem.

Fig. 17.—A Malay Tailless Kite.

How to Make a Malay. [Figure 17] shows a Malay kite in flight, [Fig. 18] a detail of the completed kite, [Fig. 19] the completed framework, and [Figs. 20], [21], and [22] the details for preparing the frame sticks.

The Sticks. This kite has a vertical stick and a bow-stick, each of which should be 40 inches long, about ¾ inch wide, and ³/₈ inch thick, for a kite of medium size. In the cutting of the sticks lies half the secret of making a kite that will fly successfully.

Fig. 18.—Completed Malay Kite with Belly-band Attached.

Drive a small nail or large tack into each end of the two sticks, to fasten the framing-string to ([Figs. 20] and [21]), and notch the side edges of the bow-stick near each end for the attachment of the bow-string ([Figs. 21] and [22]).

The amount to bend the bow-stick is important. For a kite with a bow 40 inches long the distance between the string and stick should be 6 inches ([Fig. 21]). Use a strong twine for the bow-string, and tie it securely to the notched ends.

Framing the Sticks. Fasten the bow-stick at its exact center to the vertical stick, placing it 4 inches down from the top of the vertical stick, as indicated in [Fig. 19]. Drive a couple of brads through the two sticks to hold them together, and then reinforce the connection by wrapping the joint with strong linen thread, crossing the thread in the manner shown.

Fig. 19.—Framework of Malay Kite.

When the two sticks have been joined, connect their ends with the framing-string. Stretch this string from stick to stick, and tie securely to the end nails. Instead of the end nails, the sticks may be notched to receive the framing-string, but the nails are more satisfactory because the string can be tied fast to them and will not slip.

Covering the Framework. The strong light-weight brown wrapping-paper now so generally used makes an excellent covering for the framework. A few sheets can be purchased at a near-by store for the purpose. You will likely have to paste together two or more sheets to make one large enough. The paper should be placed on the outer face of the bow-stick, and should be allowed a little fullness instead of being stretched tight as on hexagonal tail kites. Lap the edges of the paper over the framing-string in the ordinary way of covering a kite.

Attach the Bridle at the intersection of the bow-stick and vertical stick, and at the lower end of the vertical stick ([Fig. 18]), and make it of the right length so when held over to one side it will reach to the end of the bow, as indicated in [Fig. 18]. Tie the flying line securely at the point A ([Fig. 18]); then the kite will be ready for its maiden flight.

Fig. 20.—Detail of Vertical Stick.
Fig. 21.—Detail of Bow-stick.
Fig. 22.—Detail of End of Bow-stick.

Flying-Line. The kind of cord which a mason uses for his plumb-lines is splendid for flying the Malay kite. If you cannot get some balls of this, be certain that what you do get can be relied upon, because it is provoking to lose a kite which you have taken a great deal of pains in making, through the breaking of the flying line.

The Box-kite. Of the more pretentious kites, none is as popular as the rectangular box-kite.

Box-kites may be purchased ready-made in a number of sizes, but they are not cheap, and it will pay any boy to take the time necessary to make one. While their construction requires considerable more work than the single-plane type of kite, it is not difficult.

Fig. 23.—Raising the Box-kite.

[Figures 23] and [24] show a kite of scientifically developed proportions. Pine, spruce, and whitewood are the best materials for

The Kite Sticks, though any strong, light-weight wood of straight grain may be used if easier to obtain. If you live near a lumber yard or planing-mill, possibly you can get strips of just the size you require from the waste heap, for the mere asking, or for a few cents get them ripped out of a board. If not, you will find it easy enough to cut them yourself with a sharp rip-saw.

The Side Frames. Cut the four horizontal sticks ³/₈ inch thick and ³/₈ inch wide, by 36 inches long (A, [Fig. 25]), and the four upright connecting sticks (B, [Fig. 25]) ¼ inch thick, ½ inch wide, and 10 inches long. Tack the upright sticks to the horizontal ones 6 inches from the ends of the latter, as shown in [Fig. 25], using slender brads for the purpose, and clinching the projecting ends. In fastening these sticks, be careful to set sticks B at right angles to sticks A.

Fig. 24.—The Box-kite.

After fastening together the side-frame sticks as shown in [Fig. 25], lay them aside until you have prepared the cross-section of the kite.

Fig. 25.—Make Two Side Frames like this.

The Covering for the End Cells. A light-weight muslin or tough paper should be used for this material. Cheese-cloth will do if you give it a coat of thin varnish to fill up the pores and make it air-tight, after it has been put on. The light-weight brown wrapping-paper now so commonly used is good covering material.

The cell bands for the kite illustrated should be 10 inches wide and 5 feet 9 inches long. If of cloth, they should be hemmed along each edge to prevent raveling and to make a firm edge. If of paper, the edges should be folded over a light framing-cord and pasted. Sew together the ends of the cloth bands, or paste the ends of the paper bands, lapping them so the measurement around the inside will be exactly 5 feet 8 inches, the proper measurement around the sticks of the finished kite.

Fig. 26.—Cross-section of the Box-kite.

Assembling the Kite. Slip the bands over the side frames, spread the frames to their fullest extent, and hold them in this position by means of sticks sprung in temporarily between upright sticks B. Then measure the proper length for the diagonal braces C ([Fig. 26]). These sticks should be notched at their ends to fit over the sticks A, as shown in [Fig. 27], and they should be a trifle long so they will be slightly bow-shaped when put in place. In this way the frames will keep the cloth or paper bands stretched tight.

Fig. 27.—Detail of Diagonal Braces.

The notched ends of the diagonals should be lashed with thread to keep them from splitting. Lashings of thread around the frame sticks A, as shown in [Figs. 25] and [Fig. 27], will keep the ends of the braces from slipping away from the uprights B, which is the proper position for them. Bind the braces together at their centers with thread, as shown in [Figs. 24] and [26]. Coat the lashings with glue after winding them, and the thread will hold its position better.

The cloth or paper bands should be fastened to each horizontal frame stick with two tacks placed near the edges of the bands.

There are several methods of

Attaching the Bridle, but that shown in [Fig. 24]4 is generally considered the most satisfactory. Of course, the kite is flown other side up, with the bridle underneath. The three-point attachment has cords fastened at the two outer corners of one cell, and a third cord to the center of the outer edge of the other cell; and the four-point attachment has cords attached at the four outer corners of the kite. The ends of the bridle should be brought together and tied at a distance of about 3 feet from the kite. It is a good plan to connect the ends to a fancy-work ring.

Fig. 28.—A Good Hand Kite-reel.

A Good Hand Kite-reel that can be held in one hand and operated by the other is shown in [Fig. 28]. Get a ½-lb. size baking-powder can for the winding-spool, locate the center of the cover and bottom end, and with a can-opener cut a hole 1 inch in diameter through each ([Fig. 29]). Then cut two wooden disks 5 inches in diameter for the spool flanges. These may be cut out of thin wood. If you do not wish to take the trouble to cut them round, just saw off the four corners diagonally, making the pieces octagonal. Bore a 1-inch hole through the center of each piece. Tack the can cover to the exact center of one disk, as shown in [Fig. 30], and the can to the exact center of the other. Then fit the cover on the can, and glue a strip of cloth or heavy paper around the joint to keep the cover from working off, and the spool will be completed.

Figs. 29 and 30.—Details of Hand Kite-reel.

The axle upon which the spool turns is a piece of broom-handle 10 inches or so in length ([Fig. 30]). Bore two holes through it in the positions shown, for pins to keep the spool in its proper place. Wooden pegs can be cut for pins. For a winding handle, pivot a spool on the right-hand disk by means of a nail or screw. The inner flange of the spool handle may be cut off as shown in [Fig. 28].

Both hands are frequently needed to haul in string quickly enough to bring a kite around into the wind, or to handle it when it pulls very strong, and then there is nothing to do but drop the hand reel upon the ground, unless you have an assistant to give it to. This is where the advantage of

Fig. 31.—A Body Kite-reel.
Fig. 32.—Detail of Axle Support.
Fig. 33.—Detail of Crank.

A Body Kite-reel comes in. With it strapped about the waist, it will go wherever you go, and always be within easy reach. [Figure 31] shows one simple to make. The spool of this is made similar to that of the hand reel shown in [Fig. 28]. If, however, you wish a larger winding-spool, you can use a larger can than the baking-powder can—a tomato can or syrup can—and increase the diameter of the wooden flanges accordingly. Instead of the spool turning upon the broom-handle axle, the axle turns with the spool, so the spool must be fastened to the axle.

The axle supports A ([Figs. 31] and [32]) should be about 7 inches long, 4 inches wide at the wide end, and 2 inches wide at the narrow end. Cut the holes to receive the axle ends a trifle large so the axle will turn easily. Cut the connecting crosspieces B of the right length so there will be about ¼ inch between the ends of the spool and supports A.

Cut the crank stick C as shown in [Fig. 33], bore a hole for the axle end to fit in, bore another hole in the edge for a set-screw to hold the stick in place on the axle end, and pivot a spool in place for a handle. If the hole in the spool is too large for the head of the nail used for pivoting, slip a small iron or leather washer over the nail.

An old belt or shawl-strap should be used for strapping the kite-reel to your body. Fasten this to the ends of the axle supports A by nailing the strips D to them as shown in [Fig. 32].

[CHAPTER III]

A HOME-MADE MODEL AEROPLANE

Model aeronautics has become nearly as popular as kite flying, and girls as well as boys have taken to building these unique air toys.

The model aeroplane requires more work than ordinary kite construction. It also requires more patience and greater accuracy, because each part of the little aircraft must be made just so, assembled just so, and "tuned-up" just so, to produce a model which will give a good account of itself. Of course your first model will probably not be perfect. But if you do your work correctly and carefully it will fly, and the experience you have acquired will make it possible to turn out a more nearly perfect second model.

Many types of model aeroplanes have been devised, but those of the simplest form of construction have made the best showing. The majority of record-breaking models have been of one type—a triangular framework, equipped with two planes, and a pair of propellers operated by a pair of rubber-strand motors. A most successful model of this type is shown in [Fig. 34], and described and illustrated on the following pages. This model has a distance record of 1620 feet made at the Aero Club of Illinois' aviation field at Cicero, Chicago, where it flew 16 feet beyond the fence of the 160 acre field. The model weighs but 5½ ounces, has 9-inch propellers of 27 inch pitch, and is in every essential a speed machine.

Fig. 34.—Launching a Model Aeroplane.

The first part of the model to make is the triangular

Fuselage, or motor base. This consists of two side sticks, splines, or spars (A, [Fig. 35]) of straight-grained white pine cut to the dimensions marked upon the drawing, with their bow ends beveled off for a distance of 1¼ inches, glued together, and bound with thread. The stern ends have a spread of 8 inches, and are braced at that distance by the separator B ([Fig. 35]). This separator is fastened flatwise between sticks A, and its edges are reduced as shown in the small section drawing of [Fig. 37] so they will offer less resistance to the air. This piece is fastened between sticks A with brads. Separators C, D, and E are of the sizes marked in [Fig. 35], and of the proper length to fit between side sticks A at the places indicated on the drawing. They are cut oval-shaped, as shown in the small section drawing in [Fig. 37].

Figs. 35 and 36.—Working-drawings of Model Aeroplane Designed and Built by Harry Wells.
This Model has a record of 1620 feet made at the Aero Club of Illinois' Aviation Field at Cicero, Chicago.

Before fastening the separators in position,

The Thrust Bearings for the propellers, and the end plates for connecting the wire stays, must be prepared. [Figure 38] shows a dimensioned detail of the thrust bearings, and [Fig. 37] shows how they are bound to the ends of sticks A with thread. These are cut out of brass, bent into the shape shown, and have a hole pierced through the folded tip for the propeller-shaft to run through, another through one end for the brad to pass through that pins stick A to B, and another through the other end to fasten the end of the wire stays to. The small detail in [Fig. 37] shows the end plates for the wire stays. These are made no longer than is necessary for the connecting holes for the wire-stay ends. Pierce a hole through the center of each plate for the brad to pass through which fastens sticks A to the ends of the separators. The plates are bound to sticks A with thread.

Fig. 37.—Detail of Fuselage and Motor of the Wells Model.
Fig. 38.—Detail of Thrust Bearing, Propeller-shaft, and Connections.
Fig. 39.—Detail of Bow Hook and how Rubber Motor is Connected to it.

The Bow Hooks support the bow ends of the rubber motor, and are made upon the ends of a piece of heavy piano-wire bent V-shaped to fit over the ends of sticks A ([Fig. 39]). Bind the wire to the sticks with thread, coating the thread with glue to make it hold fast ([Fig. 37]).

The Main Plane has a framework built as shown in [Fig. 40], with the front or entering-edge, and the rear or following-edge, made of sticks of white pine or other light-weight wood, and the ribs and tips on the ends made of No. 16 gauge aluminum wire. The ends of the frame sticks are cut away on their outer edge, to receive the ends of the wire forming the tips, and the ends of these wires, and the laps of the wire ribs, are bound in position with thread, and the thread then coated with glue to hold it in position.

The Elevator, or front plane, has a framework made as shown in [Fig. 41]. Its entering-edge is a stick, and its following-edge, ribs, and end tips, are made of No. 16 gauge aluminum wire. You will notice by [Fig. 41] that the center ribs cross the following-edge of the frame and are bent up in the form of a flat loop. This loop rests against the under side of the fuselage, and gives the elevator its proper angle for stability ([Fig. 36]). The tips are bent up to add stability.

The frames of the main plane and elevator are covered with china-silk, which may either be sewed or glued in place, and this is given a thin coat of shellac to make it air-tight and taut. The covering must be put on smoothly to reduce to a minimum what is known as skin resistance—the resistance that the plane makes to the air while passing through it.

The main plane and elevator are held to the fuselage by means of rubber-bands slipped beneath them and over the fuselage, and unlike the planes of the majority of models, are fastened to the under side of the fuselage. [Figure 36] shows the approximate position of the elevator. That of the main plane will vary under different air conditions, sometimes being placed over the separator C, and at other times closer to separator B than is shown in [Fig. 35]. Therefore, you must adjust your plane and elevator—this operation is known as tuning—to suit the condition of the atmosphere, until you find the positions where they will give the machine the greatest stability. A great factor in the successful flight of a model aeroplane lies in properly tuning the planes, both laterally and longitudinally, and of course the planes must balance at their centers, in order to make the machine balance properly.

Fig. 40.—Detail of the Main Plane Framework of the Wells Model.
Fig. 41.—Detail of the Elevator Framework.
Fig. 42.—Detail of Fin.

The Fin directly over the center of the elevator ([Figs. 34] and [36]) is provided for stability, and may be used as a rudder by turning it slightly to one side or the other. It is made of No. 34 gauge sheet aluminum, cut to the form shown in [Fig. 42]. Its vertical edge is bent around a piece of heavy wire, as shown in the plan detail of [Fig. 42], and the lower end of the wire is fastened upright between the bow ends of sticks A.

Fig. 43.—The Wells Model Propeller.

The Propellers are the most difficult part of the model aeroplane to make. They must be very accurately cut, and must be of identical size and pitch. The pitch of a propeller is, theoretically, the distance forward that it advances in one complete revolution.

[Figure 43] shows one of the propellers of Harry Wells' machine, which is 9 inches in length and has a 27-inch pitch. [Figure 44] shows

How to Prepare the Propellers. The pair must be opposites, that is, one must be of right-hand pitch and the other of left-hand pitch, or, in other words, the upper end of the right-hand pitch propeller turns to the right, and that of the left-hand pitch propeller turns to the left, when viewing them from the rear.

Fig. 44.—How to Prepare a 9-inch Propeller.

Step A consists in properly planing up a straight-grained block of white pine 1½ inches thick, 2 inches wide, and 9 inches long, with its sides and ends straight and true, for

The Propeller Blank. Draw a line around the four faces of this block at the exact center of the length. Then on faces C and D, lay off a distance of ½ inch on the center-line, measuring from the edge of face B, for the thickness of the propeller-hub, and draw diagonal lines from the upper and lower left-hand corners of faces C and D to the end of the hub center-line (Step B). Then cut away the portions outside of these lines, as shown in Step C. Lay out the hub upon faces A and B of the block, with a ½-inch diameter, and bore a small hole through the center to receive the propeller-shaft (Step C). Draw diagonals from the corners to the center-line of the hub (Step D); then cut away the wood outside of these lines (Step E).

The next step (F) consists in laying out the form of the propeller blade upon all four sides and ends of the block, and Step G is the final one of cutting out the propeller, scooping out its blades concave on one side, and carving them convex on the opposite side. A very sharp knife must be used for cutting; and the work must be done slowly and carefully, because the least slip is likely to ruin the propeller. The entering-edge of each blade is the almost straight edge, and should be cut very thin. The ends of the blades should also be cut thin, while the hub should be cut away as much as can safely be done without weakening the propeller.

When you have completed cutting the propellers, place them at their centers across the edge of a knife-blade, and if they do not balance perfectly, locate the trouble and correct it. Finish the work with fine emery-paper, and then shellac it. Some boys glue silk over the ends of their propeller blades, for a distance of ½ inch or so, to reinforce them and make them less likely to split.

The Propeller-shafts are made of heavy piano-wire, bent into a hook at one end ([Fig. 38]) to receive the rubber strands of the motor, and cut of the right length to extend through the hole in the bearing, through a glass bead, through the propeller, and then to bend over the side of the hub ([Figs. 37] and [38]). By bending over the end of the shaft against the hub, it is held securely in place.

The Motors consist of twelve strands of ¹/₈-inch flat rubber, each, and as these are 1 yard in length, exactly 24 yards of rubber are required. The rubber is not connected direct to the hooks on the bow and propeller-shafts, as the wire would quickly cut through the strands. Instead, small rings are bent out of wire, with pieces of small rubber-tubing slipped over the wire, and the ends of the rubber strands are looped through these rings and bound in place with thread ([Fig. 39]). The wire rings are then slipped on and off the hooks quickly. As light and heat cause rubber to deteriorate, you must remove the motors from the machine after use, pack away in a covered box, and keep in a cool place, in order to get the longest life possible out of the rubber.

It has been found that rubber motors can be wound much farther by lubricating them with glycerine. It is only necessary to put a few drops of the glycerine upon a clean cloth, and rub it over the outside strands; then wind the motors, and it will work over the surface of the inner strands until all parts are covered.

Fig. 45.—A Home-made Motor Winder.
Fig. 46.—The Kind of Egg-beater to Use.
Fig. 47.—How the Motors are Connected to Winder for Winding.

Of course the rubber motors must be twisted an equal number of turns, in order to make the propellers work the same, and this is usually done with an ingenious winder made from an egg-beater, which winds both motors simultaneously.

The Home-made Motor-winder shown in [Fig. 45] is made from a Dover egg-beater ([Fig. 46]). To convert the egg-beater into a winder, it is necessary to cut off the loop ends and the center pivot wires on which the loops turn. Then bend the cut-off ends of the loops into hooks, and punch them to fit over the pivot wire ends, as before ([Fig. 45]). The ends of the pivot wires must be riveted to keep the hooks in position.

[Figure 47] shows

How the Egg-beater Winds the Motors. While an assistant supports the model by the propeller end, you remove the motor rings from the hooks on the bow of the fuselage, and slip them on to the hooks of the egg-beater. Then you turn the crank of the winder, counting the turns as you do so, and when you have wound the motors as far as you wish, slip off the motor rings, and slip them back on to the bow hooks of the model aeroplane. Motors of models like that shown in this chapter are wound one-thousand turns or more for each flight.

Wind the Motors Slowly, especially after the first row of knots begin, as it puts the rubber to the least amount of strain by doing this. Quick winding not only strains the rubber but makes the knots form in bunches, and uneven winding, of course, produces an uneven unwinding.

The propellers must be held after the motors have been wound, to keep them in check. [Figure 34] shows

The Position to Take for Launching a Model from the hand. The machine should not be thrown forward, as the movement would cause too great a disturbance of the air, resulting in the machine losing its stability, and probably upsetting. The best method is to give the model a slight push that will start it off at a speed a trifle under that produced by its propellers.

[CHAPTER IV]

A HOME-MADE TOY MOTOR-BOAT

The toy motor-boat shown in [Figs. 48] and [49] is propelled by a tin propeller run by a rubber-band motor. A handful of rubber-bands will cost only a few cents, and the rest of the working material can be picked up at home.

Fig. 49.—The Completed Motor-boat.

Fig. 50.—Stern, with Motor in Place.

Prepare the Bottom of the Hull out of a piece of wood 1 inch thick, making it of the shape and dimensions shown in [Fig. 51]. Be careful to curve the side edges the same. Use a saw for cutting out the piece, then smooth up the edges with a plane and sandpaper. The stern should be sawed off on a bevel as shown in [Fig. 52].

Fig. 51.—Diagram of Hull.

The Sides of the hull (B, [Figs. 52] and [53]) are thin strips 2½ inches wide. Nail one to one edge of the bottom block, then saw off the bow end on a line with the bow of the bottom block, and the stern end on the same slant as the bevel cut on the stern of the bottom block. With one piece in position, nail on the second side and trim off its ends. If you have any difficulty in making a neat joint between the bow ends of sides B, take a piece of tin from a can, bend it around the bow, and tack it in place as shown in [Fig. 48]. The stern piece (C, [Figs. 53] and [54]) should be cut next, to fit the slanted ends of the sides.

Figs. 52 and 53.—How the Hull, Sides, Stern and Deck Pieces are Assembled.

The Deck (D) extends from the bow almost to the center of the boat. Its top surface should taper in its length and curve from side to side. The piece may be whittled or planed to this shape. Fasten it with brads to the top edges of the sides of the boat.

Fig. 48.—Launching the Toy Motor-boat.

To Complete the Boat, go over the work carefully, trim off all projecting edges, drive nail heads beneath the surfaces, putty nail holes and cracks, and give the wood two coats of paint of whatever color you want to have the motor-boat.

The Propeller (E, [Fig. 54]) is cut from the side of a tin can. Cut a piece 3 inches long and ¾ inch wide, round its ends, and with the point of a nail pierce a hole through it each side of the center of the length of the piece ([Fig. 55]). To finish the propeller, it is only necessary to take hold of the two ends and twist the piece into the shape shown in [Fig. 56].

The Propeller-shaft requires a short piece of wire with one end bent into a hook (F, [Fig. 56]). Stick the straight end of this shaft through one hole in the propeller, and the hooked end through the other hole, then twist the hooked end over on to the main part of the shaft, as shown in [Fig. 57]. Make a tight twist so the propeller will be held perfectly rigid on the shaft.

The Bearing Plate G ([Figs. 54] and [58]) supports the propeller. Cut it out of a piece of tin 1½ inches wide by 3 inches long, bend it in half crosswise to give it stiffness, and then bend it lengthwise to the angle shown so it will fit over the slanted stern of the boat. Punch two holes through the upper end for nailing the plate to the stern, and a hole at the lower end for the propeller-shaft to run through.

For a Thrust Bearing, slip a couple of beads over the propeller-shaft, between the propeller and bearing plate G. Probably you can find glass beads in your mother's button bag.

Fig. 54.—Longitudinal Section of Assembled Motor-boat.
Figs. 55-59.—Details of Propeller.
Fig. 60.—Rubber-band Motor.

After slipping the beads on to the shaft, and sticking the shaft through the hole in bearing plate G, bend the end of the shaft into a hook; then screw a small screw-hook into the bottom of the hull, at the bow end (I, [Fig. 54]), and you will be ready for

The Rubber-band Motor. Rubber-bands about 1½ inches in length are best for the purpose. Loop these together end to end ([Fig. 60]) to form a strand that will reach from hook I to the hook on the propeller-shaft; then form three more strands of this same length, and slip the end loops of all four strands over the hooks.

To Wind the Motor, give the propeller about one hundred turns with your finger; then, keep hold of the propeller until you launch the boat.

There are many ways of elaborating upon the design and construction of this toy motor-boat, but, having given the necessary instructions for building a simple model, I am going to leave further development for you to work out. Here is an opportunity for you to use your ingenuity. Devise an adjustable rudder, add a keel, finish off the cockpit with a coaming, install a headlight made from a pocket flashlight—in fact, see just how complete a motor-boat model you can build.

[CHAPTER V]

HOME-MADE TOY WATER-MOTORS

You can own a water-motor like the one shown in [Fig. 61], because its construction requires nothing but easily obtained materials.

Fig. 61.—A Varnish-can Water-motor in Operation.

The Case of this water-motor is made of an empty varnish can—preferably one of gallon capacity. Nothing better could be desired. The tin can makes a lightweight compact case; the spout in the top is in just the right place and of the right size to receive the water power from a faucet; and as the water connections can be made tight there is no possibility of water splashing on to the floor—a big argument in your favor when seeking permission to use the motor in the bath-tub, wash-basin, or kitchen sink.

Fig. 62.—The Completed Varnish-can Water-motor.

You can get an empty varnish can from any painter, or at a paint store. The first step in converting the can into the motor case consists in removing the bottom. You will find this soldered in place, in all probability, and it can be removed quickly by holding the can over the flame of a gas burner until the solder melts, when a few taps upon the edges will cause the piece of tin to drop off.

The Water-motor Wheel is shown in the cross-sections of the water-motor ([Figs. 63] and [64]), and [Figs. 65] to [67] show its details. The diameter of the wheel should be about ½ inch less than the inside width of the can. In the model from which the drawings were made, this measurement is 5½ inches. Cut the two side pieces of the wheel out of a piece of cigar-box wood, and bore a ¼-inch hole through the center of each for the wheel axle. Fasten a spool to the center of one side piece for a pulley-wheel ([Fig. 66]).

Figs. 63 and 64.—Sections through Water-motor Case.

Prepare Eight Paddles 1¾ inches wide and 2½ inches long, out of cigar-box wood. Locate the positions for the ends of the paddles, upon the side pieces, by drawing a horizontal line, a vertical line, and two diagonal lines at angles of 45 degrees, through their centers. This will simplify the matter of spacing the paddles equidistant from one another ([Fig. 67]). Use brads for fastening the side pieces to the paddle ends. Those removed from the cigar boxes will do.

The Wheel Shaft should be a trifle shorter than the inside width of the can, and enough smaller than the ¼-inch hole in the wheel side pieces so the wheel will turn freely. Locate the centers for the axle upon the two sides of the can, in the proper position so there will be the same margin above and at the ends of the wheel. Drive a nail through each side of the can into the axle end.

Fig. 65.—The Completed Water-motor Wheel.
Figs. 66 and 67.—Details of Water-motor Wheel.

An Outlet for the water after it has passed over the wheel paddles must be provided, and the best way is to fasten a strip to two opposite sides of the can so as to raise the bottom about an inch, as shown in [Figs. 62], [63], and [64].

For a Pulley-belt use a piece of heavy cord. Cut a slot through the front of the can for the belt to run through, and make this slot large enough so the cord will not rub against the sides ([Fig. 63]).

Pulley-wheels for attaining different speeds can be made of spools of various sizes. A bicycle wheel with the tire removed, mounted in a frame, is excellent for a large wheel.

Figs. 68-69.—How to Make a Water-tight Connection between Faucet and Water-motor.

Connecting up the Water-motor. If you operate the water-motor in the kitchen sink, you can either build a platform as shown in [Fig. 61], to bring the spout of the varnish-can case up to the level of the faucet, or you can set the water-motor in the sink and lead a piece of rubber tubing from the spout to the faucet, as shown in [Fig. 68]. If you use the latter arrangement, slip the lower end of the rubber tubing over a short piece of glass, brass, or tin tubing, and stick the short tubing through a hole in a cork large enough to fit the spout of the varnish-can case ([Fig. 69]). If you raise the water-motor high enough so the faucet will set down into the spout, you can cut a large enough hole for the faucet, through a cork, and then fit the cork in the spout as shown in [Fig. 64].

Another Water-motor. The little water-motor in [Fig. 70] will furnish sufficient power to operate simple mechanical toys.

The Water-motor Wheel. Procure two baking-powder can covers for the ends of the water-motor wheel (A, [Fig. 72]), a cigar-box out of which to make the wheel paddles, and a stick ¼ inch square and 5 inches long for the wheel axle (B, [Fig. 72]).

Fig. 70.—A Small Water-motor that can be Operated in a Wash-Basin.

Fig. 71.—The Water-motor Wheel.

Figs. 72 and 73.—Details of Water-motor Wheel.

Cut eight paddles from the cigar-box wood 1 inch wide and 5 inches long. Take a pair of these strips and fasten them to one can cover, in line with each other, and close against the sides of the cover (C, [Fig. 73]). Fasten with tacks or brads driven through the cover into the ends of the strips. Take another pair of strips and fasten them to the same cover, in a similar manner, at right angles to pair C (D, [Fig. 72]). Then tack the pairs of strips E and F to the cover halfway between pairs C and D. With the paddles in position, locate the exact center of the end of the can cover, and drive a nail through at this point into the end of axle B. Slip the free ends of the paddles into the other can cover, and carefully drive tacks or brads through the cover into them. Drive a nail through the center of the cover into the end of axle B.

The Wheel Supports. [Figure 74] shows the supports for the wheel. Cut the end pieces G 4 inches wide and 6 inches high, and the cross strips H 1¾ inches wide and 5½ inches long. Nail pieces G to H, as shown, allowing the lower ends of G to extend ½ inch below strips H, and leaving a space of ½ inch between strips H. The axle holes in pieces G ([Fig. 74]) should be located in the center of the width of these pieces, and halfway between their tops and strips H. Bore the holes with a gimlet, or make them by driving a large nail through the pieces, and then withdrawing it.

Fig. 74.—Support for Water-motor Wheel.

To Mount the Wheel upon the supports, withdraw the nails driven into the ends of axle B, slip the wheel between uprights G, and drive the nails through the holes in G back into the holes in the axle ends ([Fig. 71]).

The Pulley Wheel. One can cover should be converted into a pulley by winding several turns of string around it, near each edge, leaving a groove between the string. Coat the string with glue to make it stick fast to the cover.

The Water-motor Case. [Figure 70] shows how the water-motor case is constructed by fastening boards N, I, J, K, L, and M to the wheel supports G. There must be a slot through I and another through J, for the string belt to pass through, and a hole through K for the intake of water from a faucet. These can be cut out of the edges of the boards, as shown, before they are nailed in place. Leave an opening between boards N and M, and the bottom of ends G, for an outlet for waste water.

[CHAPTER VI]

A HOME-MADE TOY RAILWAY

Fig. 75.—Upright.

It is often thought that a toy railway is beyond a boy's ingenuity to construct, whereas, in reality, it is one of the simplest toys he can make. This applies to the tracks, stations, and cars of every description, all of which can be made with a few strips of wood, some spools, nails, cardboard, and a bottle of glue, for materials. If you have passed the age of caring for such toys as this, you will, no doubt, enjoy the making of one for your younger brother, or for one of your boy relatives.

[Figure 76] shows a railway set up and in running order. As shown in the illustration,

Fig. 76.—The Toy Railway in Operation.

Fig. 77.—Support for Trolley-line.

The Trolley-line, or overhead cable, runs around the wheels of two supports, one at either end of the track. Prepare four pieces of wood the shape and size of that shown in [Fig. 75] for the uprights of these supports, and make two wheels three inches in diameter. The wheels may be marked out with a home-made compass—a pencil tied to the end of a piece of string, if you haven't a compass. When the wheels have been cut out, place them in your bench-vise, one at a time, and with a file make a groove around the edge as shown at C, [Fig. 77]. Bore a three-eighths-inch hole through each upright at F, [Fig. 75], and another through the center of each wheel. Now fasten two of the uprights six inches apart upon a block of wood, as shown at A and B, [Fig. 77]. Whittle a shaft to fit loosely in the holes of the uprights, and, after slipping it into them, fasten one of the wheels upon one end and a small spool upon the other (see C and D in [Fig. 77]). A weight of some sort should be fastened to the base, as shown at E. The uprights for the other support should be similarly mounted upon another block of wood. Fasten the remaining wheel to an axle run through the holes in the uprights, and, as it is unnecessary to have a spool upon the other end of the axle, cut it off short and drive a nail through it to prevent it from slipping through the holes. Having thus prepared the supports, place them as far apart as you wish to extend the railway, and run a cord around the two wheels and tie it. Then set the supports a little farther apart, if necessary, to tighten the cord. Run another cord from spool D to

Fig. 76.—The Toy Railway in Operation (2).

A Water-motor, steam engine, or whatever power you can get with which to operate the railway. A bicycle inverted with the tire removed from its rear wheel has been used satisfactorily, as has also a sewing-machine with the belt slipped off and the cord from the spool put in its place.

A good substitute for the tin tracks ordinarily sold in shops for toy railways will be found in those shown in [Fig. 78]. These

Fig. 78.—The Tracks.

Tracks consist of quarter-inch strips mounted upon pieces of cardboard. Make a small gimlet-hole in one end of each stick, and drive a short finishing nail in the opposite end (see [Fig. 78]). Cut the cardboard strips the length of the sticks, and tack them to the sticks as shown in the illustration. If inch and one-half spools are used for the car wheels, the inside gauge of the tracks should be an inch and three-quarters. By lapping the cardboard strips over the ends of the sticks, and the sticks over the ends of the cardboard strips, and placing the nail dowels in the ends of the sticks as in the drawing, a strong track is formed when the pieces are fitted together. This may be extended to any desired length by adding more sections to it.

Fig. 79.—A Top View of Car Truck.

The Cars for this railway will have their trucks constructed alike, and it is a simple matter to transform a car from one style into another. [Figure 79] shows a top view of a truck. For the bed of this cut a three-eighths-inch board twelve inches long by two and one-quarter inches wide, and, after rounding the ends as shown in the drawing, cut a mortise at A and B two and three-eighths inches from either end.

Fig. 80.—Spool Wheels.

Procure two one and one-half inch spools for wheels, and drive a wooden peg through the hole in each, cutting off the ends so they project a little beyond the hole, as shown in [Fig. 80]. Then bore four holes in the edges of the truck-bed with a gimlet at C, D, E, and F (see [Fig. 79]), and, after setting the spools in mortises A and B, pivot them in place with small finishing nails driven into the wooden pegs. These nails should fit loosely in the gimlet holes. In order to drive them into the exact centers of the spools, it is best to locate these points upon the ends of the pegs before placing the spools in the frame. A quarter-inch hole should be bored in the top of the truck-bed at G and H ([Fig. 79]) in which to fasten the two uprights I and J (see [Fig. 81]). Make the uprights four inches long and whittle a peg upon the lower ends to fit holes G and H (see [Fig. 82]). Bore a hole with a gimlet in the top of each and run a piece of heavy wire from one to the other, bending it as shown in [Fig. 81]. Fasten K between I and J, as shown. Place a small brass ring upon the wire before you fasten it in place. A small hook should be screwed into one end of the truck and a screw-eye into the other end, for couplings, should you wish to hitch two or more cars together.

Fig. 81.—The Completed Car Truck.

Fig. 83.—A Gondola Car.

A Gondola Car, such as shown in [Fig. 83], should have its truck made similar to [Fig. 79], with the exception that it should be two inches shorter, in order that cigar-box strips can be used for the side pieces. Cut the strips an inch and one-half high and fasten them to the bed of the car with brads. This car may be used as a trailer.

The car shown in [Fig. 81] is a rather crude affair, but with a little more work may be transformed into a better looking car—

Fig. 84.mdash;Side View.

Fig. 85.—End View.

A Street Car such as is shown in [Figs. 84] and [85] being an example of what can be made. The sides, ends, and roof of this car are made of cardboard, the patterns for the cutting of which are shown on [page 55]. [Figure 86] shows a cross-section taken through the center of the car. The two side pieces A should be prepared first, as shown in [Fig. 87]. With a ruler and lead-pencil draw in the windows about as shown in the drawing, using double lines to indicate the sash. Then, with a sharp knife, cut out the center of each just inside of the inner line. These windows may be left open or may be covered on the inside with tissue-paper. If tissue-paper is used, oil it to make it more transparent. When the two sides have been prepared, bend each along the dotted lines (see [Fig. 87]) and tack one to each side of your car truck as shown in [Fig. 86]. When properly bent, the distance between the upper part of the sides should be two and three-quarters inches. Cut the two inner ends of the car the shape of [Fig. 88], using a compass with a radius of two and one-half inches with which to describe the curve at the top. Draw in the panels and sash lines as you did those upon the side pieces, being careful to get them on the same level, and cut out the door and window openings. Fasten these end pieces between the sides with glue, and also tack them to the uprights of the car (I and J, [Fig. 81]), which will come just inside of them. The roof is made in two sections (B and C, [Fig. 86]). For B cut a piece of cardboard twelve and one-quarter by three and three-quarter inches ([Fig. 89]), draw the curved end with a compass, using the radius shown on the drawing, and slit the corners as indicated by the dotted lines. When this piece has thus been prepared, remove the wire from the top of the truck (see [Fig. 81]). Bend the cardboard over the sides and ends of the car, and lap corners D and E over F and G, and H and I over J and K, tacking them with thread to hold them in place. To fasten this part of the roof to the top of the car, cut a number of small strips of linen, and glue them to the under side of the roof and to the inside face of the sides and ends of the car (see [Fig. 86]). The upper portion of the roof C should be made out of a piece of cardboard bent into the shape of [Fig. 90], and cut at the ends so the upper portion of C projects a little beyond its sides. Draw the ventilation lights upon the sides of C as shown on the drawings, and then fasten the piece upon the top of B with strips of linen in the same manner as you fastened B in place. C should now have the same curve to its top as B. Cut and glue a piece of cardboard in each end of C to complete the roof. The shape of this piece is shown in [Fig. 91]. The outer ends of the car should be made as shown in [Fig. 92], and tacked around the ends of the wooden truck platform, and also fastened to the under side of the roof with strips of linen.

Figs. 86-94.—Details of Toy Street Car.

The window openings may be cut in each end, but it will make a stronger car if they are simply drawn upon it. Cut four cardboard steps similar to [Fig. 93] and tack them to the sides of the front and rear platforms. When the car has been put together, replace the wire in the tops of uprights I and J ([Fig. 81]), running the ends through the roof (see [Fig. 84]). Paint the sides and ends of the car yellow with brown trimmings, and paint the roof a light gray. Water colors can be used for the purpose. Letter the name of your car-line upon the sides and the number of the car upon each end and side. The route should be lettered upon strips of cardboard with pins run through them as shown in [Fig. 94], these strips to stick in the roof of the car (see [Figs. 84] and [85]).

Having seen how the car is made, you will find it a simple matter to make designs for

Other Cars, using the same scheme for the trucks, and altering the patterns for the sides, ends, and roof, to suit the design.

Nothing has, as yet, been said about the

Operation of the Railway, and though [Fig. 76] probably shows sufficiently clear how it is run, a few words may be helpful. The car or cars are placed between the wooden tracks, and the trolley (or cord attached to the ring on top of the car) is tied to the trolley-line as in the illustration. Upon starting your engine, water-motor, or whatever motive-power you have, the car will run from one end of the track to the other. When it has reached the support of the trolley-line, it will stop long enough for the cord trolley to pass around the wooden wheel, and then run in the opposite direction until the other support is reached. It will thus be seen that the trolley hangs to the upper part of the cable, or trolley-line, in running one way, and to the lower part on the return run. In changing the direction of the run, the ring to which the trolley is attached slides to the other end of the car.

Fig. 95.—The Railway Depot.

A Station such as is illustrated in [Fig. 95] is made out of cardboard and mounted upon a seven-eighths-inch board large enough to form a railway platform. After cutting out the side and end pieces, with door and window openings placed as shown in the illustration, fasten them together with strips of linen glued in the corners. Make the roof low and extend it over the platform upon each side and over the gable-ends, as shown in the illustration. Paint the sides of the depot the regulation depot red, and the roof a shingle or slate color. Paint the door and window-sash black, letter the name of the station upon the gable-ends, and with a ruler and lead-pencil rule off the boards upon the sides, and the slate or shingles upon the roof. As this is a typical railway station, two may be made of the same pattern, one for either end of your car line.

[CHAPTER VII]

HOME-MADE TOY ELEVATORS

The elevator shown in [Fig. 96] is a unique mechanical toy well worth one's making. Release the little car at the top floor, and it will descend to the ground floor, and then return to the starting point, without you having to touch it a second time. A magical elevator? Perhaps so. A little mechanical device performs the trick.

The same plan may be followed for installing the doll-house elevator in Chapter XIII, but the more stories there are the more fun there is in operating the elevator. This is why I have adapted the scheme to

A Toy Office Building. Six stories are shown in [Fig. 96], but you can make a modern sky-scraper with as many stories as you like. A packing-case 3 feet 6 inches long, stood on end, was used for the model. Another box or two can be added to the top for additional stories. Besides the box, or boxes, get enough box boards for floors and partitions.

Make the Floors in two pieces (A and B, [Fig. 98]), so the opening for the elevator shaft can be cut out of the end of one piece in the manner shown. This opening should be about 5 inches square. Mark out and cut the boards for all of the floors at one time, and be careful to get the shaft opening the same in each floor. Cut the notch C in board A about 1 inch square.

Fig. 96.—A Toy Office Building with Elevator.

Fasten the floor boards in place with nails driven through the sides of the box.

The Partitions, a pattern for which is shown in [Fig. 99], can be made quicker by omitting the doorway, but this is easy to cut by sawing along the sides and then splitting out the piece between the saw cuts.

The Elevator Car should be built up of cigar-box wood, as shown in [Figs. 101] and [102]. The front portion (D) should be about 3 inches wide, 2½ inches deep, and 4 inches high, and the rear portion (E) should be of the same width, 2 inches deep, and 2½ inches high. Fasten these upon the base piece F as shown.

The Elevator Guides. Bore the holes G through the top and bottom of the car, close to the sides, for guide wires H to run through ([Figs. 101] and [102]). These holes may be bored with a screw-eye if you haven't a gimlet or drill. Bell-wire, or almost any wire that you have on hand, will do for the guides. Fasten two screw-eyes into the under side of the top of the shaft, the same distance apart as holes G, and in the proper position so they will come exactly over them (I, [Fig. 100]). Use the car for determining these measurements. Then bore two holes through the bottom of the shaft directly below the screw-eyes (J, [Fig. 100]). Attach the wire to one screw-eye, run it down through holes G in the car, through one of the holes J, then across to and up through the other hole J, up through the other set of holes G in the car, and attach to the second screw-eye I.

The Cables. The elevator is lifted by means of cord L ([Figs. 97] and [101]). Fasten this cord to a tack driven into the top of the car, then run it up and over spool M ([Figs. 97] and [101]), over spool N ([Fig. 97]), and tie to weight K.

The Counter-balance. A bottle, filled with sand to make it weigh more than twice as much as the car, should be used for this. Screw a small screw-eye into the cork to tie the cord to.

The counter-balance runs up and down in

The Smoke-stack, which is fastened to the back of the building ([Fig. 97]). Make the stack of cardboard mailing-tubes, joining them end to end with bands of paper pasted around them. Fasten the stack to the back of the building with wire straps, and brace the top as shown in [Fig. 96], but leave it unattached until you have adjusted

Fig. 97.—Section through Elevator Shaft.

The Overhead Pulleys, or sheaves. These are spools. You will see by looking at [Fig. 100] that spool M turns on the axle O, and the ends of this axle are cut to fit snugly in screw-eyes I.

Fasten pulley spool N in the smoke-stack by means of a wooden axle pushed through holes pierced in the side of the stack, as is shown in the small drawing above, [Fig. 97]. Bore a hole through the back of the building for the cable cord L to run through (P, [Figs. 97] and [100]), and cut another through the smoke-stack.

How the Car Operates. When the weight and cord have been adjusted and the smoke-stack erected, the elevator will run from the ground floor up to the roof of its own accord, because the counter-balance is much heavier than the car. To make it descend it is necessary to add weight to the car, to make it enough heavier than the counter-balance so it will drop of its own accord. This is done with

Ballast consisting of a bottle of sand or salt of twice the combined weight of counter-balance K and the car. After filling the bottle, cork it up, and screw a screw-eye into the cork. Then screw the eye of a 2-inch hook-and-eye into the roof of the building, directly over the center of box E of the elevator (R, [Figs. 97] and [101]), and attach one end of a rubber-band to the hook and tack the other end to the top of the elevator-shaft ([Fig. 101]).

With the hook and rubber-band properly adjusted, this is what happens when the car ascends to the top of the shaft. The bottom of the rear portion of the car strikes bottle Q, lifts it enough to release the end of the hook (R), and the rubber-band springs the hook out of the way ([Fig. 97]). The bottle remains upon the rear portion of the car, and its weight carries the car to the bottom of the shaft.

Fig. 98.—Floors.

Fig. 99.—Partitions.

Fig. 100.—Front View of Elevator Shaft.
Figs. 101 and 102.—Elevator Car Details.

To Make the Car Rise to the top of the shaft again, remove bottle Q. Replace the bottle upon the end of hook R, and it will be in position for the next trip downwards.

Cut the holes Y and Z ([Fig. 100]) through the outside wall of the shaft for hand holes through which to reach bottle Q and hook R.

Fig. 103.—Detail of Brake and Controlling Levers.

[Figures 97], [100], and [103] show

A Simple Control for stopping the car at the different floor levels. Stick S may be a piece of broom-handle, curtain-pole, or flagstaff. Bore a hole through the bottom of the shaft, directly below holes C in the floors (T, [Fig. 100]), and slip the stick through hole T and into slots C. Then locate on one side of stick S points just below the under face of each floor, and upon the opposite side locate points just above where the back edge of the elevator will come when the car is raised to each floor level ([Fig. 97]). Remove the stick, and drill or bore a small hole at each point marked; then replace it, nail a small block (U, [Fig. 100]) across the top end to hold it in place, and drive a nail, with its head filed off, into each of the holes.

When stick S is turned to the position shown in [Fig. 97], while the car is going down, the first nail below the car will project beneath it and bring it to a stop; and if the stick is turned in the opposite direction while the elevator is going up, the first nail above the car will project over the back edge of portion E and bring the car to a stop.

Fig. 104.—An Outdoor Elevator.

Two Levers operate the brakes (W, [Figs. 97] and [100]). Cut these of the shape shown in [Fig. 103], and screw one to each side wall. Then tack a piece of cord to stick S, wrap the ends of the cord once around, slip them through screw-eyes V screwed into the side walls, and tie to tacks driven into levers W.

One series of brakes can now be set by pulling forward one lever, and the other series by pulling forward the other lever. By driving a nail into stick S at X ([Fig. 100]), and a nail into the bottom of the shaft, each side of stick S, the levers will turn the stick just far enough in either direction to bring the brakes into operation.

Fig. 105.—Supports for Elevator Guides and Cables.

If there is a kitchen porch to your house, construct

The Outdoor Elevator shown in [Fig. 104] to run from the ground up to that porch. If you live in an upper story of an apartment building, your elevator can be made to run to a greater height, which, of course, will make more fun.

It will save considerable work to use the porch, because for one thing you will not have to build an upper platform to stand upon to reach the elevator car when it runs to the top, and for another thing the supports for the guides and cable can be fastened directly to one of the porch posts.

[Figure 105] shows a large detail of

The Guide Supports. Cross strips A, B, and C should be 18 or 20 inches long, about 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. At a distance of about 1 inch from one end of strips A and B screw a screw-eye into one edge, and 8 inches from those eyes screw a second screw-eye (D, [Fig. 105]). Screw-eyes with ½ inch eyes are large enough. A dozen will cost about 5 cents at the hardward store. The elevator guides are fastened to these.

Besides the screw-eyes there must be two clothes-line pulleys for the cable to run over. These cost 5 cents apiece. Screw one pulley into the edge of strip B, halfway between the two screw-eyes D (E, [Fig. 105]), the other into an edge of strip C at the same distance from the end that you have placed the pulley in strip B (F, [Fig. 105]).

Nail strip A to the porch post as close to the ground as you can get it, strip B to the same face of the same post, about 18 inches above the porch railing, and strip C to the opposite face of the post at the same height as strip B. Nail these strips securely in place.

If you cannot find a starch-box or other small box out of which to make

The Car, go to a grocery store. You will be sure to find just what you want there. It is not likely that the grocer will charge you anything for a small box like this. If you have placed screw-eyes D 8 inches apart, as directed, the width of the box should be a trifle less than this measurement, but if the box you pick up is wider the screw-eyes can be spaced as much farther apart as is necessary to accommodate it.

Fig. 106.—Elevator Car.

[Figure 106] shows how the box is converted into the car. Screw two screw-eyes into each side of the box, one above the other, as shown at G, for the elevator guides to run through, screw another into the exact center of the top (H) to tie the hoisting cable to, and screw another into the exact center of the bottom to tie the lowering cable to. Nail a narrow strip across the open front of the car, at the bottom, to keep things from falling out.

Get heavy wrapping-twine or stovepipe wire for

The Guides. Attach these guides to screw-eyes D in strip B, first, drop them through screw-eyes G in the sides of the car, and then fasten to screw-eyes D in strip A.

Fig. 107.—Counter-balance.

The Counter-balance is a large can filled with earth, sand, or small stones. Its weight must be equal to about three times that of the empty car. Fasten the lifting cable through holes punched in opposite sides of the can ([Fig. 107]).

Use a strong wrapping-twine for

The Lifting Cable. After tying this to the counter-balance, run it over pulley F, then over pulley E, and tie to screw-eye H in the top of the car. The cable must be of the right length so when the counter-balance has dropped to the ground the car will come just above the porch railing, as shown in [Fig. 104]. Tie

The Lowering Cable to the screw-eye screwed into the under side of the car.

As long as the weight of the car and its load remains less than half of that of the counter-balance, the counter-balance will drop and by so doing lift the car. The cable attached to the bottom must be pulled to lower the car.

Those of you boys who own a tree-hut, or intend to build one,[1] should erect an elevator similar to the one just described, for hoisting supplies to the hut.

FOOTNOTE

[1] Plans for building Tree-huts, and a Dumb-waiter for supplies, are given in Chapter XXV of "The Handy Boy."

[CHAPTER VIII]

HOME-MADE MECHANICAL TOYS

Those of you boys who have examined the little mechanical toys sold upon the street corners just before Christmas probably have been surprised to find how simply they are made, and perhaps it has never occurred to you that you might make toys equally as good for presents for your younger brothers, sisters, or cousins. Most of the smaller mechanical toys are not only easy to make, but they require materials which cost little and can usually be picked up at home. Sometimes it takes considerable thinking and planning to discover just the things which can be adapted to the various parts of toys; but that is where part of the fun of toy making comes in.

A Buzz-saw Whirligig is an interesting toy ([Fig. 108]). Lay out a disk about 5 inches in diameter upon a piece of cardboard, locate the position for the spool-end on the center of each face, and make four rings outside of this. Divide the circumference of the disk into sixteen equal parts, and lay off the teeth as shown. ([Fig. 111].) The spool-ends used for centers should have two holes drilled through them for the twisting cord to slip through, and should be fastened to the disk with glue or brads.

A cotton string is best for

Fig. 111.—Detail of Buzz-saw Whirligig shown in [Fig. 108].

Operating the Whirligig. After slipping it through the holes in the spool-ends, tie the ends together. To work the toy, slip the first finger of each hand through the loop of each end, and whirl the disk in one direction until the string is twisted from both ends as far as the center. Then pull firmly on the ends of the string, and the disk will whirl in the opposite direction until the string is untwisted and twisted up again in the opposite direction. As the strings twist, slacken your hold upon the ends, and when it has wound up tight pull again to make it whirl in the opposite direction. The disk should whirl very steadily when working right, and the knack of making the string twist so the disk will do so is attained with a little practice.

The Clog-dancer ([Fig. 109]) is an easily made loose-jointed doll. His dancing-stage is a shingle or piece of stiff cardboard held on the edge of a chair beneath your knee. He is held by means of the string attached to his head, so that his feet rest lightly upon the stage, and he is made to jig by tapping the outer end of the stage with the free hand.

Fig. 108.—The Buzz-saw whizzes when you twist the Cord.

Fig. 109.—The Eccentric Clog-dancer is a Circus in himself.

Fig. 110.—Pull the string and Jack jumps comically.

With a little practice the figure can be made to go through the steps of the most eccentric clog-dancer.

Fig. 112.—Details of Body of the Clog-dancer shown in [Fig. 109].

The more grotesque the dancer's appearance is, the more amusing his dancing will be, so the cruder you make him the better. [Figure 112] shows the working details for his construction. The center part of a thread-spool forms the head, and a spool-end and the rounded end of a broom-handle form the hat. These three pieces are nailed together. The body is a piece of a broom-handle, and a spool-end nailed to it forms the shoulders. Drive a nail into the end of the body, tie a string to this, and run the string up through the hole in the head, and out through a hole in the hat; tie the string to a fancy-work ring.

Fig. 113.—Details of Body of the Jumping-Jack shown in [Fig. 110].

The arms and legs are made of sticks whittled to the lengths marked in [Fig. 112], and about ¼ inch in diameter, and are jointed by driving tacks into their ends and connecting these with heavy linen thread. [Figure 112] shows how the feet and hands are cut, and how tacks are driven into them for the thread connections. Paint the clog-dancer's body, arms, and legs white, his head, hands, and feet black, and mark his eyes, nose, and mouth upon his face in white.

A Toy Jumping-Jack is always amusing, and [Fig. 110] shows a simply constructed home-made model. You will see by [Fig. 113] how the figure is made. The peaked _hat_ is half a spool tapered down from the end to the center; and the head is the center from a darning-cotton spool, shaped down at one end for a neck, and with eyes, nose, and mouth cut in on one side. [Figure 113] shows the diagrams for the front and back of the body, the arms, and the legs. These are cut out of cigar-box wood. Cut the neck stick A long enough to run through the head and hat, with a square block on the end to fit between the body pieces. The blocks B should be of the same thickness as block A. Bore the pivotal holes through the arms and legs in the positions shown, using a small gimlet or red-hot nail with which to do the boring, and tie a piece of heavy linen thread through each as shown. The arms and legs are pivoted on brads driven through the front of the body into the back.

When the body has been fastened together, bring the ends of the threads together, and tie to a small ring; also knot the threads close to the body to keep them together. In painting Jack, you might provide him with a red coat, blue trousers and a blue hat, white stockings, and black shoes.

A Cricket-rattle is about the liveliest form of rattle ever devised ([Fig. 114]). After constructing one for your sister or brother, you probably will decide to make one for yourself. For this rattle, first prepare a notched spool (A, [Fig. 116]). The notches in this need not be cut as perfectly as shown, but the notches in one end of the spool must be exactly opposite those in the other end. Whittle the handle B to the shape and size shown, cut the strips C out of cigar box wood, and prepare the block D as shown. The groove in the edge of D is cut of just the right width to receive the end of the wooden strip E. The length of E is best determined after nailing the ends of strips C to D, and slipping the handle through the holes in strips C and spool A. It should extend from the groove in D into the notches in A. Make it as wide as the spool is high. Paint the rattle red or blue.

Fig. 116.—Details of the Noisy Cricket-rattle shown in [Fig. 114].

The Turtle Toy which crawls along the floor when you alternately pull and slacken a thread that runs through its shell, has always been one of the most popular of mechanical toys, and you will be surprised to find how easily our home-made model shown in [Fig. 115] is put together. The shell is a small tin mold such as is used for molding jellies. One about 4 inches long costs 10 cents. A mold having the form of a bunch of grapes is a pretty good form for the turtle shell, as you will see by the illustrations.

Fig. 114.—Whirling the Cricket-rattle makes it chirp.

Fig. 115. —The Crawling Turtle's shell Is a Jelly Mould.

Fig. 117.—How Head, Feet, and Tail are Attached to a Jelly Mould to Make the Turtle shown in [Fig. 115].
Fig. 118.—The Spool Wheels and the Rubber-bands which Propel them

The head, the tail, and the four feet are cut out of tin from a can, and bent into the forms shown in [Fig. 117]. Then slits are cut through the narrow rim of the mold by piercing the tin with the point of a nail at the proper places for attaching them, as shown in the small detail drawing, and the tab ends are pushed through the slits, bent over, and clinched with a pair of pincers.

A thread spool 1¼ inches long forms the wheels on which the turtle runs, and two rubber-bands 1½ inches long propel it. Cut a piece of a lead pencil a trifle longer then the spool, split it into halves, remove the lead, and insert the rubber bands in the groove; then slip the piece of pencil into the hole in the spool ([Fig. 118]). The rubber-band ends must project an equal distance beyond the spool-ends. Before fastening the spool to the tin mold shell, tie the end of a piece of heavy linen thread to its center, and then wind about twenty turns about it. Pierce a hole through each side of the mold a trifle in front of the center, and after slipping pieces of string through the ends of the rubber-bands ([Fig. 118]), tie them through the holes pierced through the sides of the mold. Pierce a hole through the shell, directly over the center of the spool, slip the free end of the thread wound on the spool through this hole, and tie it to a fancy-work ring ([Fig. 117]).

To Make the Turtle Crawl, place it upon the floor, pull on the ring, and as the thread unwinds from the spool the rubber-bands will twist; then slacken the thread, and the turtle will crawl along the floor. As the rubber-bands untwist, the thread will wind up on the spool again. Continue pulling and slackening the thread alternately, and the turtle will continue to crawl.

[CHAPTER IX]

HOME-MADE TOPS

There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them. A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry. Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days. There are many experts among these South Sea Islanders. The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind. An eye witness of a contest reported that the winning top spun 27 minutes, which you must admit is a pretty long time.

Whip-tops and peg-tops of several varieties can be purchased at the corner candy store, but the kinds I am going to show you how to make cannot be bought anywhere.

Figs. 119 and 120.—Clock Wheel Tops.
Fig. 121.—Upholstering Tack Top.
Fig. 122.—How to Hold Upholstering Tack for Spinning.
Figs. 123 and 124.—Details of Spool Top.

Clock Wheel Tops. A splendid spinner can be made of the little balance-wheel of a broken clock ([Fig. 119]). This little wheel is so accurately made that it will spin very steadily from a minute and one-half to two minutes. As the ends of this wheel's axle are pointed, the top will stand in one spot as long as it spins.

The toothed wheel shown in [Fig. 120], or any of the other forms of wheels from a clockwork will make good spinners, yet, unless you file their pivot ends to points, they will not spin in one spot but will glide and hop over the table in spirals. The friction thus produced decreases the length of time that they will spin, but makes them none the less interesting as tops. Great fun may be had spinning these wheel tops around the balance-wheel top, while the latter is spinning. [Figure 129] shows how to hold a clock wheel between the thumb and first finger, for spinning. Start it with a snapping movement of the fingers.

Fig. 125.—A Shoe-polish Can Top.

A Rug-Tack Top. A rug tack or large upholstering tack is another good spinner. While the clockwork wheels are spun by twirling them by means of the upper end of the pivots, the tack top is spun by holding the spinning point between the thumb and first finger, as shown in [Fig. 122], then giving it a quick twirl and dropping it upon a table. The tack top is an eccentric spinner. First it hops about in a very lively fashion; then, when you think it is about ready to topple over, it regains its balance and for some seconds spins quite as steadily as the clockwork balance-wheel top. The tack top can be spun upon its head as well as upon its point.

A Spool Top. The top in [Fig. 123] is made from a half of a spool and a short piece of lead-pencil. Saw a spool into halves, and then taper one half from its beveled end to the center. Sharpen the piece of pencil to a point, and push it through the spool until its point projects just a trifle. Spin the spool top in the same way as the clock wheel tops.

A Spinning Top Race-track. By drawing a track upon a piece of cardboard, as shown in [Fig. 129], with an opening on the inside, great fun may be had by starting any one of the small tops just described, with the exception of the balance-wheel top, in the center of the space inside of the track, and tilting the cardboard so as to cause the top to spin through the opening on to the track, and around the track. There is a trick in keeping the top from running off the track that can be acquired only with practice.

A Shoe-polish Can Top ([Fig. 125]). This is a sure-enough good looking top, and it spins as well as it looks. It is made of a pencil, a cone-shaped piece cut from a spool, similar to the top shown in [Fig. 123], and an empty shoe-polish can.

Figs. 126-128.—Details of Shoe-polish Can Top.

The dotted line in [Fig. 126] indicates how the end of the pencil sticks through a hole in the shoe-polish can, then through the cone-shaped piece of spool. The hole through the can must be located in the exact center, so the top will balance properly. To find the center, place the box bottom down upon a piece of paper, and with a pencil draw a line around it. Cut the paper along the center, and you will have a piece the shape and size of the can bottom. Fold the piece in half, then in half again the other way ([Fig. 127]), open it up, and the intersection of the two folds, indicated by dotted lines in [Fig. 128], will be the exact center. With the center located, place the piece of paper first upon the bottom, then upon the top of the can, and punch a hole through the center of it and the can, with the point of a large nail. Increase the size of the hole enough to admit the pencil.

Fig. 129.—A Spinning Top Race-track.

Spin this top in the manner shown in [Fig. 125]. Hold the upper part of the pencil between your hands, with the palms together, and slide your hands back and forth, first slowly, then rapidly. Release it so as to cause it to drop squarely upon its point upon a level wooden surface. The steadiness of this top's spinning will depend entirely upon the accuracy with which you cut the center hole for the pencil.

Fig. 130.—A Spiral Top.

A Spiral Top. The top in [Fig. 130] presents a curious appearance while spinning, the spiral design upon it seeming to change its form as the top revolves.

Fig. 131.—Diagram of Spiral for Spiral Top.

The only difference between the construction of this top and the shoe-polish can top is in the substitution of the spiral disk for the polish can. A pencil and cone-shaped piece of spool are required as in the case of the other top.

The spiral design for the disk, shown in [Fig. 131], is large enough so you can make a tracing of it on a piece of transparent paper, and then trace it off upon a piece of cardboard. Fill in alternate rings with black ink or water-color, in the way shown, then cut out the disk, pierce a hole through its exact center to fit over the pencil end, and glue the under side to the top of the cone-shaped piece of spool. Spin this top in the same way as the shoe-polish can top is spun ([Fig. 125]).

Fig. 132.—A Merry-go-round Top.

A Merry-go-round Top ([Fig. 132]) is a new idea easily carried out. You will require a cardboard disk 12 inches in diameter, three spools, a pencil, and some light-weight cardboard.

[Fig. 133] shows the details for this top. If you haven't a compass, use a large-sized dinner plate with which to draw the circumference of the disk (A). Then cut a conical-shaped piece of spool (B), stick the lead-pencil through it for a spinning point (C), punch a hole through the disk to fit over the pencil, and tack the disk to B. Cut off a third of the length of a ribbon spool for E, and fasten another spool (D) to the top of the pencil. Spool D should be glued fast to the pencil, and the spool-end E should turn loosely upon it. Coat the lower part of the pencil with glue so it will stick fast in B.

Fig. 133.—Detail of Merry-go-round Top.

How the Top Spins. When you have made this much of the top, spin it to see how it works. Wrap the spinning cord—a strong lightweight wrapping-twine—about spool D, in the same manner that you wind the cord on any top; then, holding spool end E with the left hand ([Fig. 132]), pull steadily upon the cord with the right hand until all is unwound, and gently drop the top upon its spinning point. To get the best results, the cardboard used for the disk platform must be very straight. If it warps, flatten it by pressing it under a pile of books.

Fig. 134.—How Horses are Mounted upon Top Platform.

Horses and Riders for the merry-go-round may be prepared like those of the clockwork merry-go-round in Chapter X ([Figs. 143], [146], and [147]). [Figure 134] shows how two burnt matches or toothpicks are lashed to the legs of the horses for supports, and [Fig. 133] shows how holes are pierced through the disk platform to stick them in.

A Flag mounted upon spool D will make the merry-go-round top complete.

[CHAPTER X]

HOME-MADE CLOCKWORK TOYS

The toys shown opposite [page 90] are a few of the many mechanical toys which can be operated by clockwork, and they are easy to make, too, requiring no more mechanical ability than is possessed by the average boy old enough to handle the simplest of tools.

Generally it is easy to find an old clock somewhere about the house, and a clock which has been discarded simply because it has become worthless as a timekeeper is perfectly good for operating these toys, provided the mainspring is in working order. It is not necessary to have a set of works for each toy, for they are so quickly fastened in place that but a minute is required to transfer the works from one toy to another.

Before commencing work upon the toys, get together

The Other Necessary Materials. These will consist of cigar boxes, cardboard, cotton or silk spools, glue, brads, and a few pieces from the woodpile, with one or two additional articles which are mentioned later on. Brads ⁵/₈ inch and 1 inch in length should be purchased for fastening the framework of the toys together, and the cigar boxes should be about 8 inches by 4 inches by 2 inches in size. Remove the paper from the boxes as described on [page 175].

Fig. 139.—How the Clockwork Motor is Fastened to the Cigar-box Cover.
(This Box has been cut down to the Proper Length for the Ferris Wheel.)

To Prepare the Clockwork for use, remove it from its case, detach the hands and face, and pry off the small wheel pivoted directly under the hands; this wheel is shown at A in [Fig. 139]. Remove also the balance-wheel B ([Fig. 139]) and the lever C pivoted next to it, to increase the speed of the remaining wheels.

Fasten the clockwork motor for

The Merry-go-round shown in [Fig. 135] to the cover of a cigar box, as illustrated in [Figs. 136] and [139], boring holes through the cover with a gimlet for the pivot ends on the back of the works to set into. Remove the lower flange from a spool (D, [Fig. 139]) and fasten the spool on to the central pivot of the clockwork in the position formerly occupied by wheel A. The hole in the spool will be too large for the pivot and must be filled up with sealing-wax. To do this, hold a piece of sealing-wax above the spool and melt it with a lighted match, allowing it to drip into the hole until the latter is about half full, then press the wax down with the end of a match until it is compact, smooth it off on the bottom of the spool, and make a dent in it with a pencil to indicate the exact center of the hole. Heat the end of the pivot with a lighted match, and press it into the dent in the wax, being careful in doing so to get the spool straight upon the pivot. Cut a hole through the bottom of the cigar box belonging to the cover to which you have attached the works, for spool D to project through ([Fig. 139]).

To Make the Standard for the merry-go-round, cut four strips of wood 8 inches long, and fasten one to each corner of the cigar box, turning the bottom side of the box up; then cut a piece of ½-inch board 10 inches square, locate its center F by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner as shown in [Fig. 140], bore a 1-inch hole through it at this point for spool D ([Fig. 136]), and then nail the box to the center of the board as shown in [Fig. 140].

The Tent should be laid out upon heavy white paper as shown in [Fig. 141]. After describing a circle with a radius of 9 inches, describe another circle within it with a radius of 7½ inches, this inner circle (shown by dotted lines in the diagram) being drawn for a guide in fastening the tent upon its tent-poles.

Fig. 135.—A Merry-go-round.

Fig. 137.—A Ferris Wheel.

Fig. 136.—A Clockwork Motor.

Fig. 138.—The "Flying Airships.

Fig. 140.—Plan of Top of Standard for Merry-go-round.

Fig. 141.—Pattern for Tent of Merry-go-round.

Fig. 142.—The Tent ready to be Fastened upon a Tent-pole.

Cut out the tent along the outer circle, and from it cut a triangular piece about the size of that included between lines KL and ML in the diagram. Cover the under edge of KL and the upper edge of ML with glue, lap KL over to about NL, and rub down the edges with a cloth to make as neat a joint between the pieces as possible ([Fig. 142]). Bore a hole through each corner of the standard top (G, H, I, and J, [Fig. 140]), then cut four sticks 7 inches long, sandpaper them until smooth, and glue them into these holes for

The Tent-poles. When the tent has dried, tack it to the ends of the poles, being careful to make it set evenly upon them; cut a scalloped border out of red or blue paper and paste it to the edge all around as shown in [Fig. 135], and stick a small flag in the peak.

Fig. 143.—Full-size Pattern for the Horses of the Merry-go-round.

The Horses. A full-size pattern for these is shown in [Fig. 143]. Take a piece of tracing-paper or any thin transparent paper, and place it over the pattern and make an exact copy; then rub a soft lead-pencil over the other side of the paper, turn the paper over with the blackened side down, and transfer the drawing six times upon a piece of lightweight cardboard. Paint the horses with water-colors, using the pattern as a guide for shading and marking them, then cut them out with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors.

[Figure 144] shows the pattern for

The Sleighs. Draw this out upon a piece of cardboard, cut it out and fold along the dotted lines, then turn in the flaps and glue them to the dashboard and to the back. Cut two seats by the pattern given, bend down the flaps and glue them to the sides of the sleigh, and make the back for the front seat like that on the back seat ([Fig. 145]). Then make another sleigh similar to the one just completed, for two are required for the merry-go-round. Paint the sleighs green or yellow with trimmings of a lighter shade.

Fig. 144.—Pattern for the Merry-go-round Sleighs.

[Figure 136] shows

The Shafts upon which the horses and sleighs are mounted. Cut them 5½ inches long, whittle them round, and rub them down with sandpaper. The shafts are fastened in a spool hub which has five holes bored in it (E, [Fig. 136]); bore the holes with a gimlet or small drill, marking them off first with a pencil to be sure of getting them spaced at equal distances. Point the ends of the shafts and glue them into the holes in the hub, then connect this spool to spool D with a piece of a lead-pencil 2 inches long ([Fig. 136]6).

Fig. 145.—A Completed Sleigh showing Attachment to Shaft.

To fasten the horses to the shafts, punch a hole through three of them at X ([Fig. 143]) and slip each one over a shaft, then tack the other three horses to the ends of these shafts at the point X. To fasten the sleighs to the remaining shafts, glue one end of a piece of paper to the back of the front seat and the other end around the shaft ([Fig. 145]).

The Girl Riders for the sleighs are shown full size in [Fig. 146], and

The Boy Riders for the horses are shown full size in [Fig. 147]. Make tracings from the patterns as you made that of the horse and prepare four girls and six boys. Paint their clothes in bright colors. Cut a second leg for each boy rider, so he can be made to sit astride of his horse, and glue the leg to his hip as shown in [Fig. 148]. Cut a slit in each seat of the sleigh and stick the flaps on the girl riders in them.

Fig. 148.—How the Second Leg of the Boy is Attached.

Fig. 146.—Full-size Pattern for the Girl Riders.

Fig. 147.—Full-size Pattern for the Boy Riders.

For the Platform shown directly under the horses and sleighs in [Fig. 135], cut a piece of cardboard 11 inches in diameter; if you choose to make the Ferris wheel before the merry-go-round, you may use the center pieces removed in cutting out the rims, as noted in [Fig. 153]. Punch a hole through the center of this disk large enough for the peg connecting spools D and E to slip through. This platform rests upon the top of spool D and revolves with it.

To Operate the Merry-go-round. The key by which the mainspring is wound up is shown screwed in place on the under side of the cigar-box cover in [Fig. 139]. While winding the mainspring, it will be necessary to have some means of checking it so it will not unwind at the same time, and the best scheme for a check is to bore a small gimlet hole through the cover of the cigar box and stick a match through this and run it between the spokes of one of the clock wheels so as to prevent it from turning. Then when you have wound up the spring and are ready to start the merry-go-round, all you have to do is to pull out the match.

The model of this toy which the author has before him runs for five minutes with one winding, and any boy can make one which will run as well if he follows the directions given and uses a reasonable amount of carefulness in the work.

Other Animals than horses may be used if you wish to follow the arrangement of some of the latest merry-go-rounds, and pictures of these may be found among the colored cut-outs sold in the stationery stores, or if you can draw well, you may copy them from books and magazines. Great fun may be had by changing the positions of the boy riders, making them ride backward part of the time and sometimes two and three boys on a horse.

Doubtless you have heard of the famous Ferris wheel, and a good many of you have ridden in the smaller wheels patterned after it, at the amusement parks, so you will be interested in making

A Miniature Ferris Wheel like the one shown in [Fig. 137].

The Standard for supporting the wheel ([Fig. 149]) consists of two triangular supports, one with a spool hub fastened to its top for the axle of the wheel to run through and the other with the cigar box inclosing the clockwork fastened to it. [Figures 150], [151], and [152] show the construction of these supports. Cut strips P and Q 12 inches long and R 10 inches long, and trim off the upper ends of P and Q so when they are nailed together the lower ends will be 8 inches apart; nail strip R to the lower ends of P and Q ([Fig. 150]). To fasten the spool hub to its support, smear one side of a piece of tape with glue and wind it several times around the spool ([Fig. 151]), then set the spool on top of the support and press the ends of the tape against the sides of strips P and Q ([Fig. 152]).

Fig. 149.—Standard for the Ferris Wheel.

The Clockwork Motor for the Ferris wheel is fastened to the cover of a cigar box just as that for the merry-go-round was fastened ([Fig. 139]), but the length of the box is cut down as much as the clockwork will allow to make the box as square and compact as possible.

It is very necessary to have the axle bearings exactly on a line in order to have the wheel run smoothly, so, in fastening the cigar box to its support, be sure that the center of the hole in spool D ([Fig. 139]) is on a level with the spool hub on the opposite support. Nail the supports to a 10-inch by 12-inch board, 8 inches apart, and fasten a cigar box between them for

The Station Platform ([Fig. 149]).

Fig. 150.—Make Two Supports like this for the Ferris Wheel Standard.
Figs. 151 and 152.—How a Spool is Fastened to the Top of the Support for a Hub.

To Make the Wheel, first lay out the rims upon a piece of heavy cardboard, using the radii shown in [Fig. 153] for describing the circles, then lay the sheet of cardboard upon a board and

Cut out the Rims with a sharp knife, being careful not to run off of the pencil line. The

Hubs of the wheel are spools with six holes bored in them for the spokes to fit in ([Fig. 156]). Cut six

Spokes 5¾ inches long by ¹/₈ inch thick for each hub, and cut a slot in one end of each for the cardboard rims to fit in ([Figs. 154] and [157]). Use a saw rather than a knife in making the slots, for it will make a kerf of just the right width to receive the cardboard and will not be so apt to split the ends of the slender spokes. Whittle the hub ends of the spokes to fit the holes in the spool hubs ([Figs. 154] and [157]). In

Putting together the Spokes, Hubs, and Rims of the wheel, first stick three spokes in a hub and slip a rim into the slots in their ends, then stick the remaining spokes into the hub, one at a time, and spread the rim enough so it can be slipped into their slots ([Fig. 155]).

Fig. 153.—How to Lay out the Cardboard Rims of the Ferris Wheel.
Fig. 154.—The Spokes Fitted into the Spool Hub.
Fig. 155.—The Rim Slipped into the End of the Spokes.

Fig. 156.—A Spool Hub for the Wheel.
Fig. 157.—How the Spokes, Rims, and Axles are Fastened Together.

When the hubs, rims, and spokes have been assembled, lay them aside and get some heavy wrapping-paper or thin cardboard out of which

To Make the Cars. The pattern for the cars is shown in [Fig. 158], and on it you will find all the dimensions necessary for laying it out to the proper size. It will be understood that the unfigured portions of the drawing are the same as those with dimensions marked upon them. The dotted lines at the door and window openings indicate where the cutting is to be done, while all other dotted lines indicate where the cardboard is to be scored and folded.

Fig. 158.—Pattern for the Ferris Wheel Cars.

Use a ruler in making the drawing of the car to get the lines straight, and when you have finished it go over it carefully and compare it with the illustration to be sure it is correct, after which make a careful tracing of it, turn it over and transfer the drawing five times upon cardboard. These and your original drawing will give you the required number of cars. Cut out the openings with a sharp knife and then do the rest of the cutting with a pair of scissors; punch a ¼-inch hole in each end of each car with a lead-pencil ([Fig. 158]), being careful to get the holes exactly opposite. In folding and gluing the cars, slip the flaps inside and bend the roofs so they will follow the curve of the ends ([Fig. 159]).

Fig. 159.—A Completed Car for the Ferris Wheel.

When the cars have been completed, cut six sticks 5 inches long, whittle them down until they are about 3/16 inch in diameter, and sandpaper them until they are perfectly round and smooth. These sticks connect the rims of the wheel and form

The Axles from which the cars are hung ([Fig. 159]). Great care must be used in fastening them between the rims, for they are easily split, and the best way to do is to start a hole first in the ends of each axle with an awl or by driving a brad part way in and then withdrawing it; then drive a brad through each spoke of one rim into an axle ([Fig. 157]); slip the other ends of the axles through the holes in the ends of the cars ([Fig. 159]), and nail the spokes of the other rim to them.

To Mount the Wheel upon its standard, whittle an axle 8½ inches long to fit the hubs, then hold the wheel between the two uprights, with the hubs on a line with the spool bearings and run the axle through the holes ([Fig. 137]).

Build Steps at each end of the platform out of heavy writing-paper or light cardboard. Fold the paper or cardboard back and forth, making pleats about ¼ inch wide for the steps, and after gluing it in place cut out the balustrades and glue them to the edges of the steps. Make the top step low enough so there will be about ¼-inch clearance between it and the bottom of the cars ([Fig. 137]).

After you have made a final inspection to see that everything has been put together properly, your toy will be ready for operation, and I am sure that when you set the clockwork machinery in motion, and the little wheel begins to revolve slowly with each little car balancing upon its axle, you will agree that you have constructed a very interesting toy.

The "Flying Airships" is a riding device consisting of a number of cars suspended by steel cables from large arms pivoted to the top of a tower. When the machinery is started, the arms begin to revolve slowly, and the motion produced causes the cars to swing out away from the center. As the speed of the arms increases, the cars swing out farther and farther, until when the highest speed has been reached the cables by which the cars are suspended have taken an oblique position and raised the cars some distance above the ground; then the speed of the engine is gradually diminished, and the cars finally regain their former position. This piece of apparatus is also known as an aerostat.

You will find the miniature flying airships ([Fig. 138]) easy to construct after making a merry-go-round or Ferris wheel, as many of its details are identical with those of the other toys.

The Standard for the toy is made similar to the one for the merry-go-round ([Fig. 135]), except that the top board is omitted and a circular piece of cardboard of the size of the disks removed in cutting out the rims of the Ferris wheel is substituted in its place. Cut a hole through the exact center of the piece large enough so it will fit over spool D ([Fig. 136]).

Cut a Mast about 14 inches long and of the diameter of the hole in the spool and stick it into spool D; then 3 inches below the top of the mast fasten a spool with four horizontal arms 6 inches long glued into holes bored in it. Fasten a crosspiece 4½ inches long to the end of each arm with brads, and from these suspend

Cars made similar to those of the Ferris wheel, with cords. Set a small flag in a hole bored in the top of the mast and then run cords from the top of the mast out to the ends of the arm pieces.

With this toy the cars cannot be swung out obliquely as on the large flying airships except by

Increasing the Speed of the Clockwork. This can be accomplished by removing one or two of the wheels of the clockwork, but it is not advisable to take out more than one wheel in addition to those removed for the merry-go-round ([Fig. 139]) because the mainspring would require rewinding too often to make the toy enjoyable.

An Electric Motor can be belted to these toys as a substitute for the clockwork, if you own one and prefer to try it out.

The clockwork toys just described were invented by the author for his book "Handicraft for Handy Boys," and were the first designs, he believes, devised for home-made mechanical toys of this nature. No doubt you have noticed that manufacturers of the so-called "construction sets"—steel and wood strips supplied with bolts and screws for assembling—have used these very same forms of models to show what can be made with their outfits. But your Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and aerostat, built as described in this chapter, with materials picked up at home, will be the equal of any that can be built, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you haven't required an expensive "construction set" for making them.

All sorts of toy vehicles can be operated by clockwork. [Figure 160] shows

An Automobile, and [Fig. 161] shows how the clockwork motor is mounted upon the chassis and belted to the driving wheel. The same scheme that was used for the cars of the toy railway described in Chapter VI will be followed in making

The Frame of the automobile, as that is about the simplest way, and makes a light, easy-running vehicle.

Fig. 160.—The Car Completed.

Fig. 161.—The Framework.

Fig. 162.—Top View of Wooden Frame.

The bed will be cut of a different pattern, however, as will be seen in [Fig. 162]. Lay out the piece to the dimensions shown upon this drawing, and then cut it out, making a mortise in each end for the wheels to fit in. The spool wheels should be mounted in the same manner as those of the railway cars, for which see [Fig. 80], Chapter VI, and the directions upon [page 51]. One end of spool A should be pivoted with a longer finishing nail than those used for the other pivots, so that when driven in place about half an inch will project beyond the frame. A small silk spool should be fastened upon this for a belt-wheel (see B, [Fig. 162]). The hole in one of these spools is about three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, so, in order to make it fit tightly upon the nail, it is necessary to fill in around the nail with sealing-wax. To do this, turn the wooden frame upon its edge and place the spool over the nail, being careful to get the nail in the exact center of the hole. Then hold a stick of sealing-wax over the spool, and with a lighted match melt the end and allow it to drip into the hole. When the hole has been partially filled, allow the wax to harden a little, and then press it down around the nail with the end of a match, being careful not to throw the spool out of center by doing so. The hole should then be filled to the top.

We are now ready to prepare the clockwork for mounting upon the wooden frame. The works shown in [Fig. 161] are from an alarm clock, but if you have a striking clock, or one with works a little different from those shown in the illustration, it does not make a bit of difference in the scheme for attaching the works. The three parts shown in the foreground of [Fig. 161] must first be removed from the works. These will be recognized readily in any clock, as they are pivoted close together, and regulate the speed of the other wheels. When they have been removed, the mainspring will unwind rapidly. The frame of the works shown in the illustration is held together with nuts, so that in removing the wheels it was necessary to unscrew two of them, spring the frame open enough to let the wheels drop out, and then replace the nuts again in their former positions. If the frame of your clockwork is riveted together, the wheels will have to be broken out. A small silk spool, such as B ([Fig. 162]), should be fastened upon the small pivot which originally operated the clock's hands, for a belt-wheel. Lay the works upon a table with the face-side down, and, after centering the hole of the spool upon the pivot, fasten it in place with sealing-wax in the same manner as you attached spool B ([Fig. 161]).

The works should now be attached to the wooden frame. Place them with the striker uppermost, near the edge of the frame, so that the small belt-wheels are in line with one another. Then bore a number of gimlet holes in the wooden frame and run copper wire through them, passing it around the posts of the clock-frame and twisting its ends until the works are firmly fastened in place.

A rubber band about an eighth of an inch wide and long enough to reach from one belt-wheel to the other should be procured for

The Belt. This should stretch just enough to cling upon the spools, as more than that would cause too much friction.

Before going any further with the construction of the automobile

Test the Machine, to be sure that it is in perfect running order. Wind up the mainspring, pressing a finger against one of the wheels to hold it in check until you are ready to start the machine. When properly made, the clockwork automobile should run a distance of from twenty to twenty-five feet upon a wooden floor, while about three-quarters of that distance should be covered upon a floor with a fairly smooth carpet.

The Cardboard Sides and other details of the automobile should now be made. The patterns for these have been so shown in [Figs. 163] to [170] that they can easily be laid out to the proper shape and size by means of the process of enlarging by squares described on [page 175], Chapter XVII. White cardboard should be used upon which to draw these pieces, and the thinner it is the easier you will find it to work with.

Figs. 163-170.—Patterns for the Automobile Touring-car.

Fig. 171.—Chauffeur.

Fig. 172.—Cardboard Side of Automobile.

First prepare the two sides, cutting them out by the pattern of [Fig. 163]. Then glue the bottom edge of each side to the edge of the wooden frame, cutting holes in the left side for the belt-wheels and projecting posts to run through (see [Fig. 160] and A, B, C, D, and E, [Fig. 172]). The top to the front of the car should now be cut as shown in [Fig. 173], the distance between the sides being measured to get the piece of proper dimensions. Bend the edges as in [Fig. 173], and glue them to the inner surfaces of the side pieces as shown by the dotted lines in [Fig. 172]. In the same way cut and glue a piece of cardboard between the side pieces at G and H ([Fig. 172]) for the seat-backs. The bent edges of these pieces are shown by dotted lines in the illustration. Draw four

Wheels as shown in [Fig. 164], using a compass with which to describe the circles, and cut them out with a sharp knife. You can cut out between the spokes, if you wish, or leave them solid. Glue the wheels to the cardboard, placing their centers about as located at I and J, [Fig. 172]. Four

Mud-Guards should be cut like [Fig. 165], with flaps made along one edge. Then bend these guards around the tops of the wheels, and, after applying glue to the flaps, press them against the cardboard side, holding your fingers upon the flaps until the glue has dried (see [Fig. 160]). The guards should be placed a little above the tops of the wheels. Cut four

Lamps like [Fig. 166] and glue end K of two upon the front of the automobile at L ([Fig. 172]) and one of the other two upon each side at M. These lamps are shown in position in the illustration of the completed automobile ([Fig. 160]). Draw and cut

Fig. 173.—The Hood.

The Steering-wheel similar to [Fig. 167], and, after pivoting it to the end of a strip of cardboard with a pin as shown in [Fig. 174], bend the lower end and glue it to the under side of the cardboard top F at N (see [Fig. 172], also [Fig. 160]). Make a

Horn like [Fig. 168] and glue it to the steering-wheel as shown in [Fig. 174]. A strip of cardboard about the size of that used for the upright of the steering-wheel should be cut for

The Brake, and glued to the inside surface of the right side of the car at O ([Fig. 172]).

The Chauffeur should now be made. Cut his head and body the shape and size of [Fig. 169], drawing the face upon each side with goggles over the eyes. Cut the arms in two pieces the shape of P and Q ([Fig. 170]), and then pivot P to Q at R and the end of Q to the shoulder of the body at S, using thread for fastening the pieces together. Paint the hat, coat, sleeves, and gloves a leather color, and the face flesh color. The body should then be fastened to the hammer of the clockworks with sealing-wax, as shown in [Fig. 171], while the left hand should be glued to the edge of the steering-wheel and the right to the end of the brake (see [Fig. 160]). By thus attaching the body to the end of the hammer, and winding up the small spring, the chauffeur will shake violently when the auto runs across the floor, showing the vibrations of the machine in a greatly exaggerated and amusing manner.

Fig. 174.—The Steering-wheel.

It is now only necessary to

Paint the Machine to complete it. The photograph ([Fig. 160]) shows where different colors are needed. The lamps, top, ends, and sides of the front portion of the car should be painted the color of brass, and the rest of the sides, with the exception of a strip along the bottom and the edge of the arms, should be painted vermilion. Paint the inside of the car and the edges of the seat-arms tan color, to represent leather upholstering. With black paint, or ink, stripe off the door and trimmings upon the sides and top of the machine, as shown in [Figs. 160], [172], and [173]. Blacken the brake and steering-wheel and the spokes and rims of the wheels. Along the bottom of each side glue a strip of cardboard for the running-boards.

When you have tired of your touring-car, you can easily convert it into

An Automobile Delivery Wagon, such as illustrated in [Fig. 175]. To make this you will require the same frame as that used for the touring-car, with the clockworks and belt-wheels attached in the same manner. If you have made the touring-car, remove the cardboard sides from its wooden frame, separating the cardboard from the wood carefully so you can put the machine together again when you wish. If you haven't made this automobile, you will find the details for the construction of the frame in [Figs. 161] and [162], and the manner of performing the work described on pages [104] to [107].

Fig. 175.—An Automobile Delivery Wagon.

The Cardboard Sides are much easier to prepare than those for the touring-car, as they are straight and require but little cutting. The outline for these is shown in [Fig. 175], surrounding the drawing of the completed wagon. Lay out one side upon a piece of cardboard, using the dimensions given upon the drawing, and then place it upon a board and cut it out with your knife. Using this as a pattern, place it upon another piece of cardboard and run a pencil around its edges, thus marking out the second side. In cutting out the latter piece, run your knife a little inside of the line in order to allow for the increase in size caused by marking it out with the first cardboard side. Having prepared the two sides, draw panels upon them in some such form as shown in the illustration, separating them with three lines. Draw a small window, with its top slightly arched, near the front edge of each side, and cut an opening for it (see illustration).

Glue the sides to the edges of the truck in the same manner as those of the touring-car were done, piercing holes for the posts of the clockwork to fit in, and openings for the belt-wheels to project through, in the left side. Cut a piece of cardboard for the back of the wagon, fit it between the sides, and fasten it in place by gluing a number of linen strips to it and the sides upon the inner or unexposed surfaces. Then cut a piece of cardboard for the roof, making it about two inches longer than the sides, to give it the proper projection over the front of the wagon. Fasten this piece in position in the same manner as you fastened the back of the wagon.

Make the floor and footboard for the wagon out of a piece of cardboard bent as shown in [Fig. 175], and fasten it across the top edges of the projecting portions of the sides with linen strips. Cut a strip for a seat, and fit it between the sides an inch and one-half above the floor.

The Wheels of an automobile wagon contain fourteen spokes, but as you have the pattern for the touring-car wheels of twelve spokes, you can just as well use it in making the wagon wheels. They should be mounted upon the sides of the wagon, a trifle above the bottoms of the spool wheels, as shown in the illustration, so they will not touch the carpet when the machine is operated.

All Other Portions of the wagon should be made of the same patterns given for the touring-car, viz. the chauffeur ([Figs. 169] and [170]), the steering-wheel ([Figs. 167] and [174]), the brake ([Fig. 160]), and the lamps ([Fig. 166]). As the legs of the chauffeur will show, it will be necessary to cut a pair out of cardboard (the drawing shows the shape clearly enough to work by) and fasten them to his body. Fasten the chauffeur upon the seat and glue his left hand to the steering-wheel, placing the latter in front of him, as shown in the drawing. Stick the lower end of the cardboard upright of the steering-wheel upon a pin run through the wagon floor from the under side. Glue the upper end of the brake to the chauffeur's hand and the lower end to the side of the wagon.

Paint the Wagon with water colors, making the sides, end, and roof olive green, the steering-wheel, brake, and spokes of wheels black, and the lamps yellow or the color of brass. In painting the sides show the battery compartments upon them below what would properly be the bottom of the wagon (see illustration). Leave the cardboard white below this box, as it represents no portion of the machine, but is necessarily brought down so far to conceal the wooden frame. It will give the machine a more finished appearance if, after painting, you go over it with black paint and a fine brush and stripe the panels upon the sides, following the lines which you drew upon them with a pencil. Letter the word "Delivery" upon the center panel of each side, and the firm name in the small panel between the lamp and window.

By attaching a set of clockworks in the same manner as described for the automobiles, you can make

A Clockwork Railway, constructing the cars similar to the street car shown in [Fig. 84], Chapter VI, and using the schemes in the same chapter for the tracks and depots.

Each car should be provided with a clockwork motor, because a single clockwork is not strong enough to pull more than one car. Let me know how you succeed in building a clockwork railway.

[CHAPTER XI]

HOME-MADE ELECTRICAL TOYS

An entire volume might be filled with plans for electrical toys and yet not exhaust the innumerable forms that are within the ability of a boy to construct. There is room in this chapter for only a few, and I have selected simple ideas, those that can be carried out by a boy having no knowledge of working with electricity, with materials that can be obtained at an expenditure of little or nothing. Thus every boy will be able to make these electrical toys.

The Electro-magnet Derrick shown in [Fig. 176] will hoist nails and other small pieces of hardware from the floor to a table top, and as the boom, or arm, can be swung from side to side, and raised and lowered, loads can be moved from place to place in the same way as with large derricks. The toy derrick may be used for loading and unloading toy wagons, carts, and trains of cars, provided, of course, you use iron or steel of some sort for your loads. It is easy enough to get nails, brads, tacks, and odd pieces of hardware for the purpose. The model from which [Fig. 176] was made has lifted a bunch of two hundred and eighty-four brads ³/₈ inch long. By using smaller brads, or tacks, a much larger number could be lifted.

The first part of the toy to construct is

The Electro-magnet. The difference between an electro-magnet and the toy variety of horse-shoe magnet with which every boy is familiar, is that the electro-magnet retains its magnetism only so long as an electric current is passing around it, while the steel magnet retains its influence permanently, after being magnetized, unless it happens to be demagnetized by subjection to heat, or in some other way.

Fig. 176.—An Electro-magnet Derrick.

[Figures 177] to [179] show the details for making a simple home-made electro-magnet.

An electro-magnet consists of a center core of soft iron, wrapped with a coil of insulated wire. When an electric current passes over a wire, a magnetic field is formed around the wire; and when several turns of insulated wire are wrapped about a soft iron core, the magnetic fields of all the turns of the coil, or helix, combine, forming a very strong magnetic field which strongly magnetizes the iron core. As I have said before, this magnet loses its magnetic influence the instant the current ceases to pass through the surrounding coil of wire.

Figs. 177-179.—The Electro-magnet.

You will need a machine-bolt or carriage-bolt 2½ or 3 inches long, and ¼ inch in diameter, for the core of the magnet, some insulated electric-bell wire for the coil, and a piece of heavy cardboard. Cut three washers of a trifle larger diameter than the bolt-head, out of the piece of cardboard ([Fig. 178]), and slip these over the bolt as shown in [Fig. 179]—one at the bolt-head end, the other two at the nut end; then screw the nut on to the end of the bolt.

Fig. 180.—How the Electro-magnet is Connected up.

Before starting to wind the insulated wire upon the bolt, pierce two holes through the inner cardboard washer of the two at the nut end. Then stick the end of the wire through one of these holes, and pull a length of 4 or 5 inches of the wire out between the two washers. Starting at this end of the bolt, then, wind the wire around the bolt, keeping the turns even and each turn pressed close against the preceding turn. When the washer at the head end of the bolt has been reached, wind back to the starting point; then wind back to the washer at the head a second time, and again back to the starting point; and so on until six or eight layers of wire have been wound in place. An even number of layers will bring the free end of the wire back to the double-washer end. Slip this end through the second hole in the inner washer, and bring it out between the two washers, as you did the first end. Then screw the bolt-nut tight against the washers, to hold the wire ends in place ([Fig. 177]). The outer cardboard washer will prevent the nut from chafing the insulation on the wire ends.

Now connect the ends of the coil to the binding-posts of a battery cell, and you will be surprised to find what a strong magnet the head of the bolt core has become.

One end of the magnet coil should be connected to a dry-cell, and the other to a switch; and another wire should connect the switch with the dry-cell ([Fig. 180]).

A Home-made Switch that is easily made is shown in [Fig. 181]. Cut strips A, B, and C ([Fig. 182]) from a tomato can. Tack the turned up ends of A to a wooden knob (D). This forms the switch lever. Strips B and C, folded in half, and punched near the ends, form the binding-post plates.

Fig. 181.—A Home-made Switch.
Fig. 182.—Details of Switch.

[Figures 181] and [182] show how to mount the lever and binding-post plates upon the switch base. Pivot lever A with a small screw passed through a hole punched near its end, and through the hole near the folded end of plate C. Fasten plate B with a rug-tack (F) so the lever will come in contact with it. Screw-eyes E form the binding-posts.

Fig. 183.—Detail of Mast.
Fig. 184.—Detail of Pulley.
Fig. 185.—Detail of Boom.

Instead of using a separate base, the switch can be mounted as shown in [Fig. 176], upon the base of

The Derrick. Cut the base about 8 inches wide and 10 inches long (A, [Fig. 176]). The mast (B) is a piece of broom-handle or curtain-pole 16 inches long, and fits loosely in a hole bored in the base. [Figure 183] shows a detail of the mast. The pulley upon its upper end (C) is made of two spool-ends nailed together ([Fig. 184]), and it turns upon the axle D, which slips through holes in the plates E nailed to the end of the mast. The lever F sticks in a hole in the mast, close to the platform. This is used to swing the boom from side to side. Screw-eye G is placed several inches above F to serve the purpose of a pulley to guide the hoisting cables.

[Figure 185] shows a detail of the boom. Cut the side sticks H 18 inches long, and fasten between them the separators I, which should be just long enough to allow clearance for the spool pulley J. The pulley is mounted on the axle K. Screw the lower ends of the boom to the mast, at a point 2½ inches above the base.

The Windlass for raising the derrick boom, and for hoisting the loads, is shown in detail in [Fig. 186]. Bore a hole through upright L for the axle M to stick through, and cut axle M enough smaller than the spool drums N so they will turn easily. Fasten a crank and handle to one end of each spool, and drive a brad through each end of the axle to prevent the drums from sliding off. Cut four notches in the inner flange of each spool, as shown, and pivot the catches O to the post L, in the positions indicated, so they may be thrown into the notches to lock the windlass ([Fig. 176]).

Fig. 186.—Detail of Derrick Windlass.

The Hoisting Cables should be made of strong cord. Fasten one end of the cable for raising the boom to a nail (P, [Fig. 176]), and run this cord up and over the mast pulley, then down through screw-eye G and over to one drum; tie it securely to the drum so it will not slip around. The other cable should be fastened between the nut and washer of the magnet, as shown in [Fig. 180], run up and over the boom pulley J, then through screw-eye G, and tied to the second drum.

[Figure 176] shows how the dry-cell may be strapped to the base board in front of the mast, and how the wires that connect the electro-magnet, switch, and cell should be twisted around the hoisting cable, part way, and the remainder of their length allowed to hang. Be sure to cut the wires long enough to reach from a table-top down to the floor. Use flexible wire if you can get it.

By mounting the base upon spool wheels, your derrick can be moved along a table-top. Spool-ends may be used for the wheels, and can either be screwed to the edge of the base, or be fastened upon axles as the wheels of the Electric Motor Truck are fastened ([Figs. 203] and [208]).

How the Derrick Works. It is probably unnecessary to explain that a load is picked up by throwing over the switch lever to the contact point and closing the circuit, and that it is dropped by throwing off the switch lever and opening the circuit—which causes the electro-magnet to lose its magnetism.

A Toy Shocking Machine..The little shocking machine shown in [Fig. 187] is a harmless toy with which you can have an endless amount of fun when entertaining friends. The shock it produces is not severe, but strong enough to make your friend's arm and wrist muscles twitch, and perhaps cause him to dance. Large shocking coils contract the muscles to such an extent that it is impossible to let go of the metal grips until the current has been shut off, but in our small shocking machine the handles can be dropped the instant the person holding them wishes to do so.

Fig. 187.—Detail of the Toy Shocking Machine.

The shocking machine consists of an induction-coil, an interrupter, and a pair of handles, all of which are easy for a boy to make, and a wet or dry battery of one or two cells to furnish the current.

Figs. 188-191.—Details of Induction-coil.

The Induction-coil is the first part to make. This is shown in detail in [Figs. 188] to [191]. The coil has windings of two sizes of wire upon an iron core. For the core buy a 5/16-inch carriage-bolt 2½ inches long, and for the wire coils get some No. 20- or 24-gauge electric-bell insulated copper wire, and some No. 30-gauge insulated magnet-wire. To keep the wire from slipping off the ends of the bolt core, cut two cardboard ends about 1½ inches in diameter. Slip one of these on to the bolt next to the head, and the other one next to the nut, as shown in [Fig. 188].

Three layers of the coarse wire should be wound on first, for

The Primary-coil. Pierce a hole through one cardboard end, stick the wire through it, and allow about 5 inches to project upon the outside; then commence winding the wire upon the core, placing each turn close to the preceding turn. When the opposite end of the bolt has been reached, wind back to the starting point, then work back to the other end again. There will be in the neighborhood of 175 turns in the three layers. Cut off the wire so there will be a 5-inch projection, and stick the projecting end through a hole in the cardboard end. This completes the primary-coil ([Fig. 189]).

Before winding the small wire on top of the primary-coil, to form

The Secondary-Coil, wrap the primary-coil with a layer of bicycle tape, or glue several layers of paper around the coil. Then wind on the small wire as you did the coarser wire, being very careful to get it on evenly and smoothly. Wind eleven layers on the coil, and run the end of the eleventh layer out through the cardboard end ([Fig. 190]). There should be about 100 turns of this wire to the layer, or 1100 turns in all.

A crank arrangement can be rigged up to make the winding easier, but with patience, and by doing the work slowly, the wire can be wound almost as well by hand. It is difficult to keep track of each preceding turn, while winding, because of the fineness of the wire, and on this account it is a good scheme to coat each layer with bluing after it has been wound on, so that each turn of the following layer will show plainly against the stained layer beneath it. [Fig. 190] shows the complete induction-coil.

Cut a base block 5 inches wide and 7 inches long, bevel the top edges to give it a trim appearance, and mount the induction-coil to one side of the center ([Fig. 187]), strapping it in place by means of two tin straps similar to that shown in [Fig. 191], cut from a tin can.

The projecting ends of the primary-coil connect with the battery, while the two ends of the secondary-coil connect with the handles. Make three binding-post plates out of folded pieces of tin, similar to plates B and C, in [Fig. 182]. Tack two of these to the end of the base and connect the secondary-coil wires to them ([Fig. 187]), and tack the third near one end of the induction-coil and connect one primary-coil wire to it ([Fig. 187]).

For the Handles take two pieces of broom-handle 3½ inches long, and cover each with a piece of tin ([Fig. 192]). The pattern for the tin covering ([Fig. 193]) shows how tabs are prepared on the ends and holes punched through them for connecting with the induction-coil. The connecting wires should be 5 or 6 feet long. Flexible wire is better than bell-wire for these, because it is more easily handled in passing the handles around. Tack the tin covering to the pieces of broom-handle.

Figs. 192 and 193.—Details of Shocking-coil Handles.

The purpose of the induction-coil is to raise the voltage of the battery. The flow of current must be an interrupted one, in order to shock, and therefore

An Interrupter must be inserted between the battery and one of the wires leading to the primary-coil of the induction-coil. There are several ways to construct an interrupter, but the scheme which I have invented for the model of this shocking-machine ([Fig. 187]) serves the purpose nicely, and is a neat appearing little piece of apparatus. This interrupter is easily constructed as you will see by the working details shown in [Figs. 194] to [198].

Fig. 194.—Interrupter for Shocking-coil.

Cut the base block A 1½ inches wide and 2½ inches long. Make the shaft B 2¾ inches long and of a diameter equal to the hole in a thread spool; and prepare the crank C to fit on the end, and drive a brad into it for a handle. Fasten the crank to the shaft with glue, or by driving a small brad through the two. The shaft supports D should be prepared as shown in [Fig. 196], 1¼ inches wide across the bottom, ⁵/₈ inch wide at the top, and 1¾ inches high. Bore a hole through each, a little below the top, and large enough so the shaft will turn easily, and fasten these supports with brads to the sides of base A. Drive eight brads into a thread spool, spacing them equidistant from one another, and mount this spool upon the shaft (E, [Fig. 194]), first slipping the shaft through one support, then through the spool, and then through the other support. Drive the spool brads a trifle into the shaft to hold the spool in position.

The projecting arm F ([Fig. 194]) is a strip of tin cut from a can, and must be long enough so each nail-head will strike its end when spool E is revolved. Drive a nail into base A, at G, and, after bending strip F as shown in [Fig. 198], fasten it with brads upon the top of an upright made similar to H ([Fig. 197]), and nail this upright to the end of base A. The upper end of strip F must be bent so it will bear down upon the head of nail G.

The wire from the primary-coil which is as yet not connected should be attached to nail G, and one battery wire should be connected to a binding-post plate I fastened to the lower end of strip F. [Figure 198] shows how the binding-post plate is made out of a doubled piece of tin, with a hole punched through it for a small binding-screw.

This completes the interrupter. Mount it beside the induction-coil upon the base block, and connect it with the battery and the induction-coil, as shown in [Fig. 187]. Connect the battery cells in series. Two cells will be enough.

Figs. 195-198.—Details of Interrupter.

How the Interrupter Works. When you turn the crank of the interrupter, each nail in spool E raises the end of strip F, in passing it, thus breaking the electrical contact between it and the head of nail G. If the strip has been bent properly, it will spring back into contact with the head of nail G, and each time the contact is made, the person holding the handles will receive a shock. The strength of the current can be regulated somewhat by the speed with which the interrupter crank is turned. The shocks are stronger and more distinct when the crank is turned slowly.

Home-made electrical toys of a light construction are easily operated by a toy motor, when the motor and battery cell are not carried by the toy; but when both are transported, as in the case of a wagon, the construction must be very carefully worked out, or the motor will not be powerful enough to drive the wheels.

Fig. 199.—A Toy Electric Motor Truck.

The Toy Electric Motor Truck shown in [Fig. 199] is of light construction, the axle bearings produce very little friction, and the battery is light and of a powerful type.

Get an oblong shaped cigar-box for the bed and sides of the truck, several large thread spools for wheels and pulleys, two small silk-thread spools, four lead-pencils, or sticks whittled perfectly round and ¼ inch in diameter, for axles, belt-shaft, and steering-wheel post, and six screw-eyes 5/16 inch in diameter for the bearings.

First, place the cigar-box in a wash-boiler or wash-tub of hot water, and allow it to remain there until the paper labels have soaked off or loosened sufficiently so they can be scraped off with a knife.

Fig. 200.—Top view of Electric Motor Truck.

Then, after the box has thoroughly dried, cut the two strips A ([Fig. 208]), and fasten them to the bottom, one at each side. Screw the screw-eye axle bearings into these strips. Place them at equal distances from the ends of the strips.

The Wheels are made from the flange ends of the large spools. [Figure 202] shows the front pencil axle. Slip the center portion of one of the large spools on to this for a pulley, then stick the pencil ends through the screw-eyes in strips A, and glue the spool-end wheels on to them. The rear axle is like the front one, with the spool pulley omitted ([Fig. 203]).

Figs. 201-203.—Details of Axle and Belt Shaft.

The Upper Shaft shown in [Fig. 201] supports a spool pulley like the one on the front axle, and its screw-eye bearings should be screwed into the top edge of the sides of the box ([Fig. 200]), directly over the front axle. Slip a silk-spool on to each end of this shaft to keep its ends from slipping out of the screw-eyes.

The Belts. As you will see by [Figs. 200] to [202], the upper large pulley is belted to the motor pulley, and another belt extends from the upper shaft down to the pulley on the front axle. Rubber-bands make the best belts. Cut a hole through the bottom of the cigar-box for the belt extending from the upper shaft to the front axle to pass through. Screw the toy motor to the cigar-box with its pulley directly in line with the upper shaft pulley. Wrap the spool pulleys with bicycle-tape, to keep the rubber-band belts from slipping.

Fig. 204.—Two Home-made Battery Cells Connected in Series.

The Battery. A dry battery is too heavy for the motor truck to carry; so we must make a special two-cell battery like that shown in [Fig. 204]. Two glass tumblers to hold the solution, a pair of battery zincs, a pair of carbons, and a bi-chromate of potash solution, are needed. Old battery zinc pencils with several inches of the eaten end cut off ([Fig. 206]) will do for the zincs, and the carbons from worn-out dry-battery cells cut to a corresponding length will do for the carbons. Fasten together the zincs and carbons with rubber-bands, as shown in [Fig. 207], after wrapping a piece of bicycle-tape around the upper end of the carbon and inserting a small wad of it between the lower ends of the carbons and zincs, to keep them from touching one another.

[Figure 205] shows a completed cell, and [Fig. 204] how the two cells are connected in series, that is, with the carbon of one connected to the zinc of the other. Twisting the connecting wires into coils, as shown, is a good method of taking up the slack.

Fig. 205.—A Single Cell.
Figs. 206 and 207.—Details of Zinc and Carbon.

The Bi-chromate Battery Fluid is made up of bi-chromate of potash, sulphuric acid, and water, in the following proportions:

4 ounces of bi-chromate of potash

4 ounces of sulphuric acid

1 quart of water

In making up this solution, first add the acid to the water,—never add the water to the acid—and then, when the solution is nearly cool, add the bi-chromate of potash. Pour the acid into the water slowly, because the combination of the two creates a great deal of heat, and if the heat forms too quickly your glass bottle is likely to split. Label the bottle in which you put this solution POISON.

As the bi-chromate solution attacks the zinc element of a cell even when the current is not being drawn upon, the zinc should be removed when the cell is not in use.

Amalgamating a Zinc Pencil. To reduce the eating away of a zinc pencil used in a bi-chromate solution, the zinc should be amalgamated by rubbing a thin coat of mercury over its surface. Dip the zinc into the solution, first, then with a rag dipped in the solution rub the mercury on to it.

Fig. 208.—Plan of Motor Truck Bottom.
Fig. 209.—Section through Bottom.

Cut an opening through the cigar-box large enough for the two tumblers to set in. Then cut a strip of tin about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long, and bend it into a U-shaped hanger, to support the tumbler bottoms. Slip the hanger ends under strips A, bend them against the sides of the box, and fasten with tacks ([Figs. 208] and [209]).

[Figure 200] shows how the battery cells are connected. A small switch can be fastened to the side of the truck to shut off and turn on the current, but, instead, you can simply withdraw one pair of elements from its tumbler to shut off the current. When through playing with the truck, however, it is important to remove both pairs of elements and wash them off, because the bi-chromate solution attacks the zinc elements even when the current is not in use. As the bi-chromate solution stains very badly, it is advisable to operate the motor truck only where there is no danger of ruining anything in case some of the solution spills, as in the basement or workshop. If you wish to use a dry-cell instead of the pair of bi-chromate cells, you can place the cell upon the floor and make the wires connecting it to the motor long enough so the truck can run back and forth across a room.

Fig. 210.—Details of Seat and Canopy-top.

The Seat and Canopy-top details are shown in [Fig. 210]. Make these in about the proportion to the cigar-box shown in [Fig. 199]. Fasten the seat to the edge of the seat-back B with glue and brads, and then fasten the side pieces A to the ends of the seat. The dashboard E is nailed to the bottom piece D, and D is nailed to the lower ends of side pieces A. [Figure 211] shows the pattern for the canopy-top. Make it of light-weight cardboard, or heavy writing-paper. Slash the ends as shown; then turn down the corners, and lap and glue them to form the turned-down canopy ends. Fasten the ends to the canopy uprights with tacks.

Fig. 211.—Pattern of Canopy-top.

The Seat-arms are pieces of bent wire, with their ends stuck into holes in the canopy uprights and front edge of the seat.

The Steering-wheel is a section of a spool ¹/₈ inch thick, and is glued upon the end of a pencil or a stick. Run the lower end of the pencil through a hole in the bottom of D ([Fig. 210]). For

The Levers, fasten two small sticks to the end of the bottom piece D with small staples.

[CHAPTER XII]

A HOME-MADE TOY SHOOTING GALLERY

Fig. 212.—The Completed Toy Shooting Gallery.

This interesting toy, with its funny animal targets, and a harmless pistol with which to shoot at them, will provide an endless amount of fun for a winter's evening or stormy afternoon.

[Figure 212] shows the completed toy, and [Fig. 213] the box that forms

The Framework. The targets can be arranged to suit the form of box that you find, and the number may be increased or decreased to suit the space.

Fig. 213.—The Box Framework.

The right position for the box is upon its side so its open top forms the front of the target box ([Fig. 213]). The horizontal piece A ([Fig. 213]) is fastened between the ends of the box, to support targets. It is held in place by nails driven through the box ends into its ends. If your box is much larger than the one shown in the illustration, you can provide two crosspiece supports for targets, instead of one.

The Circular Target should be drawn upon a piece of cardboard with a compass, or, by marking around a cup or small saucer to make the outer circle, marking around a can cover for the second circle, and a coin for the center circle. Blacken the outside and center rings with ink, or by rubbing with a soft pencil.

Figs. 214-215.—Details of Targets.

[Figure 214] shows how the target should be hinged in place to the horizontal strip A. Tack or glue the lower edge of the piece of cardboard to a block of wood B. Then cut a hinge-strip out of a piece of dress lining, and either tack or glue one-half of it to block B and the other half to the target support A.

The Animal Targets are made with pictures cut from magazines and newspapers. The pictures should be colored with crayons or water-colors, to make them as nearly like their right colors as possible.

After cutting out the pictures, paste them upon cardboard, mount the pieces of cardboard upon blocks of wood, as shown at B and C ([Figs. 214] and [215]), and hinge the blocks to the target supports with cloth strips. B shows the method of hinging the targets to strip A, and to the lower side of the box, and C shows the method of hinging the targets to the ends of the box. The former targets fall backwards when struck; the latter targets swing sideways when struck.

Fig. 216.—The Card-shooting Pistol.

[Figure 216] shows

The Card-shooting Pistol, and [Figs. 217], [218], and [219] show the details for making it. Cut block A about 8 inches long, and block B about 3 inches long. Nail A to B as shown. Then take two rubber-bands, loop them together end to end, as shown in [Fig. 218], and fasten one end of the looped bands to the end of block A by means of a nail driven into the block and bent over as shown in [Fig. 217]. Cut a piece of cardboard about I inch square, notch the center of two opposite edges ([Fig. 219]), and fit the loop of the free end of the rubber-bands over the piece of cardboard and into the notches, as shown in [Figs. 217] and [218]. This completes the pistol.

The toy pistol shoots small squares of cardboard, placed in it as shown in [Figs. 216] and [218], with one corner slipped beneath the rubber-band loop.

Figs. 217-219.—Detail of Card-shooting Pistol.

Number the Targets as shown in [Fig. 212], marking the circular target "25," four of the animal targets "10," and the remaining four "5." Each number represents the score of that particular target.

When Shooting, stand 3 or 4 feet away from the target box. Aim at the circular target, because that one counts the most. If you miss it, there is the chance, of course, of hitting one of the other targets below or to one side of it and making a smaller score.

[CHAPTER XIII]

A HOME-MADE DOLL-HOUSE

There is nothing more interesting to build than a doll-house, and the construction is within the ability of the average girl. If brother is willing to lend a hand with the carpenter work so much the better. Sister can attend to the finishing and furnishing, which are important parts of the work that she can do more handily than a boy can. But there is no reason why either a girl or boy cannot undertake a doll-house like that shown in [Figs. 220] and [221], and carry the work to a successful completion, by carefully following the instructions and diagrams in this chapter.

The Building Material. The doll-house in the photographs was built of packing cases. You can buy these at a dry-goods store at 15 or 20 cents apiece.

The Floor Plans are shown in [Figs. 222], [223], and [224]. Your boxes may make it necessary to alter the dimensions given, but that will be simple to do. Patterns for

The Partitions are shown in [Figs. 225] and [226]. In cutting the second-floor partitions ([Fig. 226]), miter one edge of E and F to allow for the bedroom door opening, shown upon the plan, and miter the edges of _G_ to fit between them above the door. The mitering is shown in the drawings ([Fig. 226]).

Besides cutting a stair opening in the second floor, make an opening three by five inches in the second and third floors for

The Elevator-shaft. Care must be taken to have these openings exactly over one another. Make the opening in the second floor six by eight inches in the place indicated upon the plan. This will allow for the elevator shaft and stairway. No stairway has been built to the third story, as the elevator serves the purpose, and one would take up too much of the ball-room space.

The Side Walls should measure nineteen inches wide by twenty-four inches high, and the other two walls thirty inches wide by twenty-four inches high. That portion of

The Rear Wall enclosing the kitchen and bath-room is hinged to open (see [Fig. 222]), and

The Front Wall is made in two sections, each hinged to a strip of wood an inch and one-half wide nailed to the two edges of the house, as shown in [Fig. 220].

The Windows are four by five inches, so four-by-five camera plates can be used for the glass.

The Roof had best be made in two sections, each measuring twenty-eight inches long by twenty-four inches wide. Fasten the boards together with battens on the under side and, after mitering the upper edge of each, nail them to the house so that the ridge is fifteen inches above the third floor. Then nail a board nineteen inches long by ten inches wide in the peak of the roof (D in [Fig. 228]), and a narrow strip three inches from each side wall (K and L in [Fig. 224]). These cut off the triangular shape of the ball-room and give it a better appearance.

Fig. 220.—The Home-made Doll-house.

Fig. 221.—Interior View of Doll-house.

Figs. 222-226.—Plans of Doll-house and Patterns for Partitions.

Fig. 227.—The Chimney.

The Chimney is a solid block of wood with narrow strips nailed to all sides near the top ([Fig. 227]). Make it eight or ten inches long, and cut off the bottom to fit the slant of the roof. Paint the block red, and mark off the mortar joints in white.

An Elevator is something which is found in but few doll-houses. It was built in this house, thinking it might please the young mistress, and it proved such a success that the scheme has been worked out carefully in [Figs. 228], [229], [230], [231], and [232], that you may include it in the house you build.

The cutting of the elevator-shaft has already been described. For material, procure two small pulleys such as is shown in [Fig. 230], four feet of brass chain, six feet of No. 12 wire, half a dozen double-pointed tacks or very small screw-eyes, a short piece of lead pipe, and a cigar-box. Make

The Car out of the cigar-box, cutting it down to two and one-quarter inches wide, three and three-quarters inches deep, and seven inches high (see [Fig. 231]). Place two of the double-pointed tacks or screw-eyes in each side of the car for the guide-wires to run through and another in the center of the top from which to attach the brass chain.

Fig. 228.—Front View of Elevator-shaft and Stairs.
Figs. 229-232.—Details of the Elevator.

The Guide-wires are made of very heavy wire that will not bend easily. Cut two of a length to reach from the first floor to the ball-room ceiling, and after running them through the tacks in the sides of the car, stick their ends into small holes bored at E, F, G, and H ([Fig. 228]). The upper holes should be bored through the ball-room ceiling, while the lower ones need be bored but part way through the first floor. Care must be taken to have these holes in the correct position, so the elevator will run up and down upon the wires without striking the sides of the shaft. The easiest way of fastening the wires in place is to run the upper ends through the holes, until the lower ends can be set into their sockets, and then drive two double-pointed tacks over the top of each wire, as shown at E and F in [Fig. 228].

Now run the elevator up to the top of the shaft, and mark upon the ceiling where the screw-eye in the top of the car strikes. At this point bore a hole through the ceiling and two inches back of it bore another hole, through which to run the weight-chain. When this has been done, cut a short block of wood to fit the peak of the roof and