HOW TO CONSTRUCT A FUN - PROVOKING Cigarette Dispenser
When the fisherman’s figure is pushed backward, one of the fishes instantly disgorges a “butt”
By HOWARD R. HEYDORF
STRUGGLING with his catch, this comic fisherman seems to be fighting a pretty hopeless battle. Give him a little help by tilting him backward and he will reward you with a cigarette delivered through the mouth of one of the fishes. He will continue to deliver cigarettes one at a time till the magazine of thirteen is empty.
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How to Build an Electric Organ FOR ABOUT FIVE DOLLARS
WITH its deep, mellow notes, the electric organ is fast gaining the musical limelight. As a rule, these instruments are large and costly. Yet, for the price of a new hat, you can build a duplicate of a small organ that was featured in a recent coast-to-coast radio broadcast.
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That sundial looks like something out of Hellraiser.
a sundial for your garden
Sundials are not only decorative adjuncts to outdoor gardens and walls—they’re also fascinating and fairly reliable time tellers.
By Carl W. Bertsch
SUNDIALS may be made of a variety of materials; the only requirement is that they be weatherproof. Exterior-grade plywood, stainless steel, aluminum, opaque plastics, brass, copper, bronze, concrete, ceramics, and slate are all useful. Hour lines and numerals may be painted, etched, or carved.
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Building and Riding a Unicycle
Learning to ride this fugitive from the circus is becoming an increasingly popular modern day exercise
By HAROLD P. SMITH
A USED or even wrecked 20 or 24-in. bicycle will supply most of the major parts needed to make a unicycle, and you can build it for one-third the cost of a new one.
We chose 24-in. bikes for parts to build the unicycles shown in Fig. 1. If you are picking up a used or wrecked bike for parts, select one with a good front wheel fork and rear wheel. And, if possible, one having a New Departure Model D or Bendix 13 coaster brake because these types have rear wheel hubs that are identical in size and shape at both ends, a feature that simplifies the making of the axle adapters.
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These are actually kind of cool looking.
Photographic Cut-Outs Appear to Prop Up Book Ends
To make novel photographic book ends of the type illustrated, first take pictures of the subjects pushing against a wall or the side of a car and enlarge to 5″ by 7″. These enlargements are mounted on 1/4″ thick plywood with glue or dry mounting tissue.
The outlines are then cut on a jig saw with a rather fine blade.
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It seems like at least half of the craft projects in this country used to be about making crude representations of ethnic stereotypes.
Laughable Lamps
By KENNETH MURRAY
HOME decoration isn’t a subject to make light of, but here’s a way to do it nevertheless. These comical lamps are formed from 7-1/2- and 10-watt bulbs of the round, outside-colored variety, usually sold for 10 cents. More powerful lamps would be unsatisfactory because the novelties are not for general illumination—merely to add a spot of live color here and there.
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Workbench Award Winners…
THE proud builders of each project pictured this month are five dollars richer and also have our beautiful Workbench Award Certificate. Their entries were chosen, as the best submitted for the month. We know you like to see what others are doing—and we know others like to see what you are doing. So why not send us a few photos of yourself with your project? If judged one of the best received during the month we’ll publish your picture, send you a five dollar check and a Workbench Award Certificate. Enclose sufficient stamps for return postage and mail your entry to:
WORKBENCH AWARDS. MECHANIX ILLUSTRATED. 67 West 44th Street. New York 18. N. Y.
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A Seesaw Merry-Go-Round
By HARRY D. TIEMANN
A LOT of fun can be had with the teeter-totter merry-go-round shown in the illustration, and any boy can make it who is at all handy with carpentry tools. If built substantially it will amuse the youngsters, big and little, for years. It will go up and down like a seesaw and spin around like a top until the passengers are dizzy.
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Harmless Steam Cannon Shoots Ball Bearings
THIS tiny steam cannon operating in much the same manner as Archimedes famous cannon will prove an interesting project for the workshop. The cannon works in a very realistic manner simply by heating 3/8-inch steel bearings until they are red hot then dropping into the barrel of the cannon in which a small quantity of water has been poured. The hot bearing striking the water converts it into steam which immediately expands and shoots the bearing out of the cannon.
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FANCY DRESS For Drinks
by George Daniels
YOUR guests will get even more of a kick out of the refreshments you serve them if you dress up each bottle in a costume which fits the personality, shall we say, of the liquor it contains. The most difficult part of this project is getting the “stuff,” but once you have solved this problem, the rest is easy.
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This seems like a really, really bad idea for a party game. What questions would you ask to guarantee an interesting evening?
Also, I love how it can also be used as a kissing meter and that the girl who gets kissed is referred to as “the victim”.
Have Fun With a Lie Detector
No use lying or trying to hide your emotions. This little gadget will surely find you out.
By Tony Karp
IF YOU really worked late in the office last night you have nothing to worry about if the wife wants to give you a little going over with the help of this he detector. But, if you were out with the boys, played poker or told her that the smear on your collar is red ink— watch out! This little gadget will give you away.
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The Mysterious Submarine
By F. D. BURKE
THE interesting little toy described in this article will, when placed in water, automatically dive and come to the surface again, repeating this performance, on an average, once a minute over a long period of time. It not only makes a very good toy for a boy but can be used also for advertising purposes. Placed in a glass tank and displayed in a show window, its actions will attract the attention and interest of passers-by, who will stop to wonder how it operates.
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