Popular Science Monthly
��935
��Substitutes for the Ordinary Carpenter's Levels
IN laying the foundations of a house a rubber hose may be used as a substitute for a carpenter's or engineer's level. The illustration explains how to use it. It is evident that the wate- will be at the same level in both ends of the hose.
��A Good Substitute for a Solid Round Belt
��W1^
��round belt of the kind sed on a jig-saw machine, or light lathe, is required and a solid roimd belt cannot be obtained, a very good substitute, superior in some ways to the solid belt, can be made by using a
rawhide belt
��Another way pi — ' | | b | | ' ®1 — 'B"— -"—' h * lace somewhat
is to set a tub [J* OL^Iq U ^""^ ^^jl fe""^ longer than
almost full of ^^—'^ ^^ no z needed. After
water at about tt " a » soaking it in
the proper fig i. —=2=^?^^ warm water for
height, near I 1 ' some time to
the center of Two methods of constructing an accurate level, soften the
the building. A ™ ""^^^^ t^^ medium to obtain the straight- leather, pro-
, , , ,- ^ , edge or sighting level for a distant mark , , , . ^
block ot wood ceed to twist
supporting a long rule, as shown in it up until it is perfectly round. Then
Fig. I, is placed on the water. As the hang it up to dr\- with a weight of
block can turn around freely, the leveling 30 pounds or more on the end. This
can be obtained in all directions. To will make a belt with a better grip than
adjust the rule, direct it to a point A at that of the solid belt, and it has the
some distance, turn the block end for added advantage of being adjustable,
end, and if the rule points exactly to- By undoing the ends and either twisting
wards A again, it is properly placed, or untwisting it, the length can be in-
By moving a small stone B back and creased or curtailed considerably. The
forth on the block, the proper adjust- twisted leather belt will also have a bet-
ment can be easily obtained. ter grip on the grooves of pulleys than
The best method is to make the water- the smooth-surface round kind,
level as shown in Fig. 2. This level can For fastening the ends, make a close
be made by anyone handy with tools. spiral spring about 2J4 ins. long and of
It is composed of a block C that can such a diameter that the round belt will
revolve on the end of the staff D. To fit in tightly. When the two ends of the
the block is attached a tube 3 or 4 ft. belt meet in the center of the coiled
long, terminating at both ends with ■ spring the ends of the wire are passed
glass tubes — lamp chimneys will do. through the leather in the form of a
Water is poured in until it reaches hook. This makes an ideal joint which
about half way up the tube. No adjust- has flexibility and is easily remo\ed for
ment is needed since the water is at the tightening. It will not tear out like the
same level in both tubes. The instru- usual hooks on account of the holes
ment is far more accurate than one being so far away from the ends. Also
would suppose and is amply sufficient because the spring is pulled out, it
for use in laying Sc') contracts and grips the belt
foundations. — 'aC'w/u^J "^^^ water poured into a ^^ more firmly.-
Adrian GeT.^Z. |' ]gSSian length of hose win reach ./7"l/r^^ B. E. DOBREE.
the same level at both ends
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