3 Sept., ig^o.] Building Hints for ScHlers. 583 



BUILDING HINTS FOK SETTLERS. 



XI. FARM PLUx\IBING--ODD JOBS. 



C . H . Wright, Instructor in Plumbing. Eastern Suburbs Technical 



C ollege . 



The selection and care of tools, having been described in the previous 

 article, the use of them will now receive consideration. Although amateur 

 plumbing may lack some of the charms of carpentering and engineering, it 

 is none the less u.seful ; and if the farmer were able to do a little himself, 

 it would often add greatly to the domestic comfort of his family. Those 

 living close to townships are in a position to engage qualified mechanics, 

 but others are inconveniently situated and unable to meet this expense. 



The soldering of galvanized sheet iron will receive first attention. This 

 metal is used to a. great extent in farm dwellings and buildings. Inferior 

 soldering is so frequently met with that it is considered best to describe 

 the process in detail. 



Galvanized sheet iron consists of iron rolled out into thin sheets, those 

 in general u.se being 26 and 24 gauge respectively. It is then galvanized 

 by being dipped into molten zinc. The solder used, whicli should consist 

 of equal parts of tin and lead, melts at 370 degrees Fah. This heat is 

 appliea with a soldering iron, which has been made hot in a firepot made 

 of an old white-lead tin or nail can. If, while one is being used, another 

 is getting hot, no time will be wasted in waiting. A flux is required to 

 make the solder adhere to the metal ; for galvanized iron use raw spirits of 

 salts, which is applied by means of a brush. As brushes wear out quickly, 

 it is well to know how to make one. This may be done in the following 

 manner: — Cut a piece of tin 6 inches by | inches, and bend it double; 

 this will then be 38 inch wide. Before tightly closing it place some horse- 

 hair insid*^. so as to leave a tuft projecting from one end. Then compress 

 the sides together, and finally trim the hair with the snips. 



When the soldering iron is hot it must be tinned (juickly as follows: — 

 First file the four tapered sides bright towards the point. Then insert the 

 bright point in a piece of sal-ammoniac and then rub on a piece of solder, 

 and the iron will, if hot enough, show a brightly tinned " face." Failing 

 the sal-ammoniac, a piece of galvanized iron and a little spirits of salts 

 may be used to tin the filed surface. By rubbing the soldering iron in the 

 sal-ammoniac at frequent intervals a good face will be retained on the 

 iron. With a little practice the right working heat will be readily ascer- 

 tained ; if too cold the solder will not flow freely, and if too hot the 

 tinning will be burnt off. 



With the actual soldering, first see that the lap fits well, and then run 

 the spirits along the seam with the brush. Melt a tack of solder here and 

 there to hold it in position. Then hold the face of the iron well on the 

 lap, and feed it with solder as you draw it along. This will sweat the 

 solder underneath and make a strong joint. Should it appear rough, run 

 the iron over it the second time, only do not add any more solder — just 

 a little spirits to help it to flow freely while you hold the lap down with 

 the point of a file or some similar tool. Then wash it with a piece of rag, 

 as any spirits left on will deteriorate the material. When soldering tin, 

 some pieces of zinc must be clipped into the spirits to "kill " it. 



X 2 



