** Method of Joining Boards [268]

The amateur wood-worker often has trouble in joining two boards
together so that they will fit square and tight. The accompanying
sketch shows a simple and effective method of doing this. Secure a
board, A, about 12 in. wide that is perfectly flat. Fasten another
board, B, about 6 in. wide, to the first one with screws or glue.
Now place the board to be joined, C, on the board B, letting it
extend over the inside edge about 1 in. and fastening it to the
others with clamps at each end. Lay the plane on its side and
plane the edge straight. Place the second board in the clamps in
the same manner as the first, only have the opposite side up. If
the cutting edge of the blade is not vertical, the boards planed
in this manner will fit as shown in the upper sketch. In using
this method, first-class joints can be made without much trouble.
--Contributed by V. Metzech, Chicago.

[Illustration: Joining Boards]

** Toy Gun for Throwing Cardboard Squares [269]

The parts of the gun are attached to a thin piece of wood 1 in.
wide and 5 in. long. It is best to use a piece of wood cut from
the side or cover of a cigar box. A rectangular hole 3/16 in. wide
and 1 in. long is cut in the wood longitudinally along its axis
and 1-3/8 in. from one end, as shown at A, Fig. 1. A small notch
is made with the point of a knife blade at B and notches are cut
in the end of the wood as shown at C. Rubber bands are fastened in
these notches as shown in Fig. 2. The trigger, whose dimensions
are given in Fig. 3, is fastened in the hole A, Fig. 1, by driving
a pin through the wood. The assembled parts are shown in Fig. 4.

Place the cardboard square in the nick B, attach the rubber bands
and pull the trigger. The top rubber band will fly off and drive
the cardboard

[Illustration: Details of Toy Gun]

square 75 ft. or more. The cardboard should be about 1/2 in.
square. These can be cut from any old pasteboard box.
--Contributed by Elmer A. Vanderslice, Phoenixville, Pa.

** Photographic Developing Tray [269]

Plates developed in an ordinary tray must be removed from the bath
occasionally for examination. The film when in a chemical-soaked
condition is easily damaged. The tray illustrated herewith was
made for the purpose of developing plates without having to take
hold of them until the bath had completed its work, the
examination being made through the plate and the bottom of the
tray.

A poc