154 



Electric Experimenting Table Made 

 from an Old Commode 



/VN old commode such as is very often 

 XjL discarded or sold for little or nothing 

 can be very easily and cheaply transformed 

 into a high class electrical experimenting 

 workbench in the following manner. First 

 procure a nice smooth board and nail it 

 firmly to the two uprights A, which are 

 found on nearly all old commodes. This 

 forms the switchboard B, upon which 

 all switches, rheostats, meters, etc., can be 

 conveniently mounted. 



In the accompanying drawing, a very 

 convenient arrangement is shown. The 

 dry cells, storage battery, or transformer is 

 placed in the little cupboard C, at the 

 bottom of the stand, from whence the two 

 wires lead to the switchboard and are there 

 connected as the user may see fit. All the 

 wires are run behind the two uprights A, 

 so as to make all the wiring invisible, 

 which adds much in neatness. 



The terminals for connecting motors and 

 other experimental apparatus are placed 

 upon the little back board D. Old battery 

 binding posts may be used for this purpose. 



Popular Science Monthly 



A board placed on the towel hanger sup- 

 ports of a commode for an instrument board 



Each terminal is operated by a switch on 

 the board so that it is not necessary to 

 disconnect a wire in order to shut off the 



current. It is also very convenient to have 

 one of the terminals connected in series 

 with a rheostat E, so that the quantity of 



All instruments and tools may be kept in 

 the drawers while the top is used for a table 



current can be regulated. A ground con- 

 nection F might also prove handy for 

 various experiments. 



A call bell G and small electric light H 

 can also be mounted on the board. For 

 anyone possessing a wireless telegraph set, 

 this stand is doubly convenient, as the 

 aerial switch can be placed on the board 

 and the instruments mounted directly on 

 the top of the stand, if desired. Innumer- 

 able other connections and uses will readily 

 present themselves, depending on the 

 apparatus possessed. 



Tools and instruments can be kept in 

 the drawers / and thus be always handy 

 and out of the way. A small hand vise 

 can be fastened on the stand if needed. 

 The principal advantage of it all is that 

 everything is conveniently contained in 

 one unit. — J. Edward White. 



Panels Made Out of Rubber Storage 

 Cells for Radio Apparatus 



IN making panel facings for loose couplers 

 or cabinet sets cut up an old hard rubber 

 storage-battery case and use it for the 

 switch-panel facing. When drilling be care- 

 ful not to apply too much pressure. A plane 

 may be used on this material if great care is 

 taken ; but it is very brittle and will break 

 easily. It may be polished with sandpaper. 



