common hand
drill can be used. Sometimes the bracket is improved in design by
adding a few curves to the end pieces of the brace, making the
effect as shown in Fig. 4. After these brackets are made they are
coated with asphaltum or Japan; or the brackets may be painted or
stained any desired shade.

In some of the work required, it is necessary to shape a complete
loop or circle at the end of the piece. This may be wrought out as
in Fig. 5. The use of a bar of iron or steel is as shown. The bar
is usually about 2 in. in diameter and several feet in length, so
that it will rest firmly on a base of wood or stone. Then the
bending is effected as at F, about the bar E, by repeated blows
with the hammer. After a little practice, it is possible to
describe almost any kind of a circle with the tools. The bar can
be bought at an iron dealers for about 40 cents. From the junk
pile of junk shop one may get a like bar for a few cents.

A convenient form for shaping strip metal into pieces required for
brackets, fences, gates, arches, and general trimmings is
illustrated at Fig. 6. First there ought to be a base block, G, of
hard wood, say about 2 ft. square. With a round point or gouging
chisel work out the groove to the size of the bar, forming a seat,
by sinking the bar, H, one-half its depth into the wood as shown.
In order to retain the bar securely in position in the groove,
there should be two caps fitted over it and set-screwed to the
wooden base. These caps may be found in junk dealers' heaps,
having been cast off from 2-in. shaft boxes. Or if caps are not
available, the caps can be constructed from sheet metal by bending
to the form of the bar, allowing side portions or lips for boring,
so that the caps can be set screwed to the wood. Thus we get a
tool which can be used on the bench for the purpose of effecting
series of bends in strips of metal.

Since the introduction of the laws requiring that signs of certain
size and projection be removed from public thoroughfares in
cities, there has been quite a call for short sign brackets, so
termed, of the order exhibited in Fig. 7. These sign-supporting
brackets do not extend more than 3 ft. out from the building. A
boy can take orders for these signs in almost any city or large
town with a little canvassing. The sign supporting bracket shown
is merely a suggestion. Other designs may be wrought out in
endless variety. A hook or eye is needed to sustain the ring in
the si