WHAT TOOLS AND APPARATUS ARE NEEDED
PREPARING THE WORKSHOP.--Before commencing actual experiments we should
prepare the workshop and tools. Since we are going into this work as
pioneers, we shall have to be dependent upon our own efforts for the
production of the electrical apparatus, so as to be able, with our
home-made factory, to provide the power, the heat and the electricity.
Then, finding we are successful in these enterprises, we may look
forward for "more worlds to conquer."
By this time our neighbors will become interested in and solicit work
from us.
USES OF OUR WORKSHOPS.--They may want us to test batteries, and it then
becomes necessary to construct mechanism to detect and measure
electricity; to install new and improved apparatus; and to put in and
connect up electric bells in their houses, as well as burglar alarms. To
meet the requirements, we put in a telegraph line, having learned, as
well as we are able, how they are made and operated. But we find the
telegraph too slow and altogether unsuited for our purposes, as well as
for the uses of the neighborhood, so we conclude to put in a telephone
system.
WHAT TO BUILD.--It is necessary, therefore, to commence right at the
bottom to build a telephone, a transmitter, a receiver and a
switch-board for our system. From the telephone we soon see the
desirability of getting into touch with the great outside world, and
wireless telegraphy absorbs our time and energies.
But as we learn more and more of the wonderful things electricity will
do, we are brought into contact with problems which directly interest
the home. Sanitation attracts our attention. Why cannot electricity act
as an agent to purify our drinking water, to sterilize sewage and to
arrest offensive odors? We must, therefore, learn something about the
subject of electrolysis.
WHAT TO LEARN.--The decomposition of water is not the only thing that we
shall describe pertaining to this subject. We go a step further, and
find that we can decompose metals as well as liquids, and that we can
make a pure metal out of an impure one, as well as make the foulest
water pure. But we shall also, in the course of our experiments, find
that a cheap metal can be coated with a costly one by means of
electricity--that we can electroplate by electrolysis.
USES OF THE ELECTRICAL DEVICES.--While all this is progressing and our
factory is turning out an amazing variety of useful articles, we are led
to inquire into the uses to which we may devote our surplus electricity.
The current may be diverted for boiling water; for welding metals; for
heating sad-irons, as well as for other purposes which are daily
required.
TOOLS.--To do these things tools are necessary, and for the present they
should not be expensive. A small, rigidly built bench is the first
requirement. This may be made, as shown in Fig. 1, of three 2-inch
planks, each 10 inches wide and 6 feet long, mounted on legs 36 inches
in height. In the front part are three drawers for your material, or the
small odds and ends, as well as for such little tools as you may
accumulate. Then you will need a small vise, say, with a 2-inch jaw, and
you will also require a hand reel for winding magnets. This will be
fully described hereafter.
You can also, probably, get a small, cheap anvil, which will be of the
greatest service in your work. It should be mounted close up to the work
bench. Two small hammers, one with an A-shaped peon, and the other with
a round peon, should be selected, and also a plane and a small wood saw
with fine teeth. A bit stock, or a ratchet drill, if you can afford it,
with a variety of small drills; two wood chisels, say of 3/8-inch and
3/4-inch widths; small cold chisels; hack saw, 10-inch blade; small
iron square; pair of dividers; tin shears; wire cutters; 2 pairs of
pliers, one flat and the other round-nosed; 2 awls, centering punch,
wire cutters, and, finally, soldering tools.
[Illustration: _Fig. 2. Top View_ MAGNET-WINDING REEL]
[Illustration: _Fig. 3. Side View_ MAGNET-WINDING REEL]
If a gas stove is not available, a brazing torch is an essential tool.
Numerous small torches are being made, which are cheap and easily
operated. A small soldering iron, with pointed end, should be provided;
also metal shears and a small square; an awl and several sizes of
gimlets; a screwdriver; pair of pliers and wire cutters.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the cost of tools is not a very
expensive item.
This entire outfit, not including the anvil and vise, may be purchased
new for about $20.00, so we have not been extravagant.
MAGNET-WINDING REEL.--Some little preparation must be made, so we may be
enabled to handle our work by the construction of mechanical aids.
[Illustration: _Fig. 4. Journal Block._]
First of these is the magnet-winding reel, a plan view of which is shown
in Fig. 2. This, for our present work, will be made wholly of wood.
Select a plank 1-1/2 inches thick and 8 inches wide, and from this cut
off two pieces (A), each 7 inches long, and then trim off the corners
(B, B), as shown in Fig. 4. To serve as the mandrel (C, Fig. 2), select
a piece of broomstick 9 inches long. Bore a hole (D) in each block (A) a
half inch below the upper margin of the block, this hole being of such
diameter that the broomstick mandrel will fit and easily turn therein.
Place a crank (E), 5 inches long, on the outer end of the mandrel, as in
Fig. 3. Then mount one block on the end of the bench and the other block
3 inches away. Affix them to the bench by nails or screws, preferably
the latter.
On the inner end of the mandrel put a block (F) of hard wood. This is
done by boring a hole 1 inch deep in the center of the block, into which
the mandrel is driven. On the outer face of the block is a square hole
large enough to receive the head of a 3/8-inch bolt, and into the
depression thus formed a screw (G) is driven through the block and into
the end of the mandrel, so as to hold the block (F) and mandrel firmly
together. When these parts are properly put together, the inner side of
the block will rest and turn against the inner journal block (A).
The tailpiece is made of a 2" × 4" scantling (H), 10 inches long, one
end of it being nailed to a transverse block (I) 2" × 2" × 4". The inner
face of this block has a depression in which is placed a V-shaped cup
(J), to receive the end of the magnet core (K) or bolt, which is to be
used for this purpose. The tailpiece (H) has a longitudinal slot (L) 5
inches long adapted to receive a 1/2-inch bolt (M), which passes down
through the bench, and is, therefore, adjustable, so it may be moved to
and from the journal bearing (A), thereby providing a place for the
bolts to be put in. These bolts are the magnet cores (K), 6 inches long,
but they may be even longer, if you bore several holes (N) through the
bench so you may set over the tailpiece.
With a single tool made substantially like this, over a thousand of the
finest magnets have been wound. Its value will be appreciated after you
have had the experience of winding a few magnets.
ORDER IN THE WORKSHOP.--Select a place for each tool on the rear upright
of the bench, and make it a rule to put each tool back into its place
after using. This, if persisted in, will soon become a habit, and will
save you hours of time. Hunting for tools is the unprofitable part of
any work.