^26 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Aug.. 1910.- 



BUILDIXG HINTS FOR SETTLERS. 



The series of articles under the heading of " Building Hints for Settlers " has- 

 proved, by the numerous letters received, of considerable interest. There are, 

 however, many farmers and intending farmers who are not quite up to all the 

 details of the work necessary for building, generally. A series of articles dealing 

 with tools and their uses in the various branches of construction has been arranged, 

 and the first of these, on Plumbing, appears below. — Editor. 



IX.— FARM PLUMBIXG— SELECTIOX OF TOOLS. 



C . 11 . Wriglii, Instructor in Plumbing. Eastern Suburbs Technical College. 



On a modern farm, improvements and breakdowns in connexion witii 

 water supply and general plumbing work are of such frequent occurrence 

 that the farmer has often to fall back on his own resources and effect the 

 necessary repairs himself. It is surprising how the call for this work 

 increa.ses, and such being the ca.se he must realize the fact that certain tools 

 are necessary, and a little trouble taken in the selection and care of these 

 will amply repay him. 



Good tools not only do better work than inferior ones, Ijut reduce the 

 time taken on it. Remember, that just as a farmer must attend to his 

 stock so should he give at least a little attention to his plant and tools ; 

 for even good ones, if neglected, have a habit of falling into a state of 

 rust and decay. It is also most important that he should be able to place 

 his hand directly on the tool he requires, and not interrupt his job to look 

 for it. That being so, have a place for tools and try to keep them in 

 their places. To this we will refer later. 



Water pipes and fittings play such an important part in modern farming: 

 that we will give the selection of water tools first consideration. 



Vices. — A pipe vice that is .strong, light and reliable, will be wanted. 

 To .select a heavy cast metal article is to go back thirty years, for there 

 are several modern vices that fill these requirements. 



The Chain Pipe Vice, costing 15s., is the latest idea, and is very quick 

 in action. The Footprint vice made by the same firm as the well-known 

 Footprint pipe wrench, made entirely of wrought iron and steel, takes 

 up to 3-inch pipe and costs 17s. 6d. A popular vice is the Sectional Jaw 

 pipe vice. It is made in three sizes, quick in action, and the teeth have 

 four cutting edges. ^Vhen these are worn they can easily be removed from 

 the body and ground straight again. The.se vices are all light and reliable 

 and can readily be carried along with other tools. 



Stocks and Dies. — There is a fairly large variety of stocks and dies, 

 both solid and adjustable, on the market. The latter are very u.seful 

 tools in the hands of experts, but for several reasons the solid die is the 

 type that the farmer should .select. 



The Walworth stocks and dies are light and strong, have a good cutting 

 edge and are capable of doing a large amount of work. The handles can 

 be unscrewed, and most important, the price is low, 27s. 6d. for the 

 largest make, which screws from ij-in. to 2-in. pipe. The ChatwiiT 

 .solid die, for .smaller work, screwing up to i inch, costs 47s. 6d. 



The Oster adjustable stocks and dies are u.seful tools in the hanrls of 

 an expert, and are in fact the best threading tools obtainable, hut might 

 only add to a farmer's worries ; for parts easily get lost, and rough 

 handling may put it out of order. However, to any one who cares to give 

 it fair play, it reduces the labour in threading pipes, e.specially in 2-incb 



