Desk Thermometer. Project No. 5

Material: Small piece of #3 cylinder and 3/4" rod.

Plate 2Y includes a desk thermometer in which a clock or watch could also be used. As can be seen, this consists only of a slice of cylinder and a slice of inch rod, cut off, polished and cemented together. How much labor would it take to make this striking gadget in any other material?

Handles and Drawer-Pulls. Project No. 6

Material: Scraps.

Plate 2G shows what is perhaps the commonest use of plastics, and one of the most effective—the making of handles with which to ornament larger projects made of wood or other materials. Only a spot of plastics is needed to "set off" large projects, because of the bright color and high finish of plastics, and the addition of a little handle of cast resin has often turned an otherwise drab article into an eye-catching novelty. In professional work, special-shaped castings are frequently used, but as a rule scrap material will serve the purpose. The illustration shows a group of commercial handles from which the craftsman can get many ideas for the "finishing touch" that a plastic handle gives.

Scotties. Project No. 7

Materials: Special casting or 3/16" sheet. Scottie-pins, are usually made from one of the many special-shaped castings of plastics available, which is 6 inches long and shaped to the outline of a scottie dog. All that is necessary to do here is to slice off a scottie about 3/16 in. thick and fasten a pin-back to him with drive-screws. Of course, you can go further and carve him into the half-round, indicating the hair, eyes, etc. Scrap 3/16" sheet material can also be used for Scot-ties and other types of cut-out pins and clips, using the fretsaw.

Scotties are also frequently used for handles for boxes, etc., either in the flat, half-round or full-round carved.

Another interesting use of the Scottie is the following:

A Plastic Scottie-Blotter This blotter-holder Plate 3D, is easy to make, and makes a very attractive item. It consists merely of a section of bracelet-cylinder 1 3/4inches wide which has been cut, heated and opened up slightly, and cut off to a 4 1/4 inch length, and a half-inch thickness of the regular Scottie bar-pin shape, rounded slightly and cemented in the center of the concave side of the other piece. Sheet stock could be used as well for the flat part, but cylinder scrap will do as well. On the top of the sheet near each end is filed a little notch, into which a spring clip made of wire fits, and this clamps the little piece of blotting paper cut which is cut to size. Different colors can be used for the Scottie and the sheet stock of course, but the one in the photo was jade throughout.