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Popular Mechanics Co.

"The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do"


--Contributed by C. E. Warren, M. D., North Easton, Mass.

** Sealing-Wax Bent While Cold [61]
If a piece of sealing-wax is supported in a horizontal position by
one end, as shown at A in the sketch, it will gradually bend to
the shape indicated by the dotted lines B. To attempt bending it
with the hands would result in breaking it unless a steady
pressure were applied for a long time. This peculiar property is
also found in ice.
[Illustration: Bending Cold Sealing-Wax]

** Homemade Pottery Kiln [62]
A small kiln for baking clay figures may be built at a cost of $1.
The following shows the general plan of such a kiln which has
stood the test of 200 firings, and which is good for any work
requiring less than 1400 deg. C.
Get an iron pail about 1 ft. high by 1 ft. across, with a cover.
Any old pail which is thick enough will do, while a new one will
cost about 80 cents. In the bottom of this cut a 2-in. round hole
and close it with a cork or wood plug, A, Fig. 1, which shall
project at least 2 in. inside the pail. Make a cylindrical core of
wood, B, Fig. 1, 8 in. long and 8 in.


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