240 



THE WORLD'S ADVANCE 



outfit therefore resolves itself into one of 

 whether the performance is to be given 

 in a chain of small lecture halls or good- 

 sized theatres. In the former case the 

 small portable outfit is ample and cer- 

 tainly far more useful, while the latter 

 use would justify the best aggregation 

 of paraphernalia the capital of the owner 

 would command. The salaries of fea- 

 ture vaudeville acts are, as a rule, com- 

 mensurate with the pulling power and 

 therefore the attractiveness of the act 

 itself. Recognizing this, it is certainly 

 wise to put forward every effort in an 

 endeavor to make the true vaudeville act 

 as big, as spectacular, and, to sum it up, 

 as impressive as may be possible. The 

 results justify the expenditure. 



In the construction of the apparatus 

 the average reader is face to face with a 

 problem. The manufacturer of standard 

 apparatus will not even quote on this 

 special material ; the model shop wherein 

 inventions are developed is too thorough 

 and expensive; the average electrician 

 knows nothing whatsoever about the ap- 

 paratus in question; the typical machin- 

 ist is worse than useless where complete 

 assembly is concerned, as he is either 

 too "rule of thumb" or too literal. The 

 reader will wonder what he is to do. 

 The answer is to build a home workshop. 

 It is cheaper in the beginning and in the 

 end, and if the apparatus is worth hav- 

 ing and building, it is deserving of a 

 proper birth place. The tools required 

 may be purchased for perhaps a quarter 

 of the sum demanded by the combined 

 carpenters, machinists, electricians and 

 the rest of the vast army of mechanics, 

 each one of whom does not know just 

 what is desired, but is certain that he is 

 capable of building it just the same. 



The construction is best done in a spa- 

 cious room wherein the apparatus can 

 also be set up and tested, and the act 

 rehearsed. This means, of course, the 

 installation of electric service. The room 

 should have plenty of open floor space 

 rather than spacious work benches, al- 

 though these are quite as essential within 

 reason. The tool equipment may con- 

 sist of a fairly complete set of wood- 

 working tools and bench, an engine lathe 

 of light construction but of large capac- 

 ity as regards swing, a small drill press 



and complete set of metal tools, such as 

 pliers, hacksaw and files. With such an 

 equipment the handy man and it is as- 

 sumed that the would-be entertainer is a 

 handy man or he had better not start on 

 the road with his outfit may construct 

 the entire set of apparatus with the as- 

 sistance of a bright boy or even girl if 

 she be mechanically inclined. And after 

 the apparatus has been built by the man 

 who intends to use it, who can gainsay 

 the fact that he, better than anyone else, 

 is prepared to take care of it and repair 

 it if necessary? If some of the more in- 

 tricate machine work, of which there is 

 little, is beyond the capabilities of the 

 amateur, then let him go to the regula- 

 tion shop and have just that part fin- 

 ished up to drawings. 



The question of drawings brings us to 

 a point of vital importance. Before a 

 stroke of work is done on the apparatus, 

 each and every part should be depicted 

 in a large drawing and all dimensions 

 checked to determine their accuracy. 

 The space available in this magazine has 

 not rendered it possible to cover this de- 

 tail with any thoroughness, but the in- 

 dividual worker should develop his de- 

 sign from the suggestions given, making 

 his drawings complete in order that he 

 may fully understand the construction of 

 the various parts. For the convenience 

 of those who do not feel capable of de- 

 veloping these drawings, the author of 

 this series has prepared a set of detailed 

 blueprints showing the construction of 

 the apparatus as a supplement to the ar- 

 ticles.* 



In no sense is the work of building 

 the apparatus difficult and neither does 

 it require the services of skilled labor. 

 The ability to use tools in an intelligent 

 manner and, what is far more important, 

 a fairly intimate knowledge of the ap- 

 paratus being built, may be said to i f>n- 

 stitute the qualifications for success. \n 

 order that the latter qualification may be 

 obtained, it is suggested that the pros- 

 pective builder diligently consult every 

 book pertaining to the subject that he 

 can lay his hands on. These books may 

 be numbered on the fingers of one hand, 

 (Continued on page 246) 



*These blueprints may be obtained at a moderate 

 price through our Book Department. 



