Homemade Arc Light
Those who wish to produce an arc light for experimental purposes, or for the brief periods required by photography, will find the method of construction shown in the sketch very simple and inexpensive. Using the short lengths of carbons discarded by moving-picture operators, there is no difficulty in maintaining a good arc for 15 minutes, or more, without once manipulating the adjusting screw at the top.
An Efficient Arc Light for Purposes Where a Light is Required for a Short Time
An Efficient Arc Light for Purposes Where a Light is Required for a Short Time
Only three pieces of wood are necessary besides the base, and in the preparation of these no particular care is necessary except to have the top arm swing freely up and down without any appreciable side movement. The carbon holders are merely strips of heavy tin, which need only be screwed up sufficiently tight to hold the carbons in place and yet permit their being pushed up when the top adjusting screw will no longer operate. This adjustment may be readily taken care of by means of a long, slender wood screw with the point filed off and a metal disk soldered to the top. Connections are made to the carbon holders either under a screw head or by soldering the wires to the metal.
In operating any arc light on the commercial 110-volt current some resistance must be placed in the circuit. An earthen jar of water with two strips of tin or lead for electrodes, will answer every purpose.
¶A small leak in an oil or water pipe on an automobile can be temporarily stopped by melting a piece of rubber over the hole.
¶A small leak in an oil or water pipe on an automobile can be temporarily stopped by melting a piece of rubber over the hole.