R. A. Warner.

The object of this article is to tell how the writer constructed, from material costing less than'one dollar, a talking-machine, using the disc records, with which many a pleasant evening has been [spent. It is of such simple construction that our youngest readers can build one like it. It consists principally of four parts: the motor, the sound-box, sound-box holder and regulator, each'of which will be briefly but fully described.

First, make from 1/2" pine a box 10" x 12" outside measurement and 3" deep. This is to be fastened to a base having a molded edge, by screws driven from the under side and counter-sunk. (See A, Fig. 1.) Cut a notch 3" fron corner 2, Fig. 2, 1 wide, 3/4" deep. A cover is now to be made that fits inside the box and rests on four posts 21/2" long and 1/4" square, glued in each corner. (See A, Fig. 1.)

With cover in place, but not fastened, lay out a center line, and also 5" from corners 2 and 4, the line bisecting it. At the intersections of these lines (B, Fig. 2,) bore a hole in which a smooth, straight lead pencil will turn easily. Lay off a diagonal from 1 to 4, and 1" from corner 1 make a similar hole.

Directly under these holes on the bottom of the box fasten the flaring ends cut from a spool (D, D', Fig. 1). These must be reamed out with a round file, so the lead pencil will turn without binding. Cut two pieces of a very hard round lead pencil (E and E', Fig. 2,) 4" and 41/2" long, respectively ; the lower ends should be bluntly pointed, to reduce the friction, and one end of the 4" length being squared to receive the crank (H, Fig. 1).

Procure two large spools such as linen thread is wound on, or a large spool of any kind, the size being immaterial, the holes in the spools being a tight fit for the lead-pencil shafts ; fasten them so the tops will be 1/8" below the cover, as shown at F, F', Fig. 1. Loose wooden washers made from sections of a spool should be put between the spools and cover, to prevent the shaft from jumping out of the bearings in the bottom of the box. Cut grooves with a round file on the spools for the belt to run in. Take a thoroughly seasoned piece of hardwood 1/2" thick and cut a disc 10" in diameter (G, Fig. 1,) and a smaller disc of 1/4" wood 4" in diameter ; fasten the latter to under side of G, and carefully bore a hole through both pieces to tightly fit shaft E', so the disc G will turn as true as possible. A cardboard washer may be put under this to reduce friction. Cover the top of disc with felt or baize, to provide a friction hold for the record disc. Make a small wooden crank (H, Fig. 1,) which will clear the disc G, and fasten to the squared end of shaft E. The regulator, I-J, consists of a wooden disc (I, Fig. 1,) §" thick, 4" in diameter, to which should be fastened, with two screws, a strip of iron (J, Fig- !>) 1/4" thick, 2" wide, 8" long, a hole being bored in the center for the shaft. Fasten as shown at E', Fig. 1, with a washer under the disc. Connect the spools with a belt,- a leather shoestring makes an excellent one,- and the motor is complete.

Now comes the sound-box (Fig. 1), on the construction of which will depend the clearness and volume of the tones produced. It must be remembered that to secure the best results all parts must be constructed so as not to jar or rattle, and this applies particularly to the soundbox. Fig. 3 shows detail of parts. Procure from a druggist a round wooden pill-box 2" in diameter and 1" or more deep. (See a, Fig. 3.) b and c are two wooden rings §" thick, made to fit the inside of the box a; these may be cut out with a knife or fret-saw. d is an isinglass diaphragm, the same size as the rings. This should be placed between the rings and all fastened with three fine screws (the fourth screw also holds the needle-holder in place). The thickness of the isinglass is best ascertained by experimenting until the best results are obtained. The diaphragm should now be glued securely in the box a, with the outside ring flush with the edge of the box. e is a piece of steel bent or filed to shape as shown, and should have a hole bored at f for a long, slender screw, that binds both rings together. A 1/16" hole should be bored in the end 3/8" deep; a small thumbscrew at g holds the needle in place. This part of the apparatus can be made up by a jeweller at small cost, if the reader has not the necessary equipment for making it. The end that rests against the diaphragm should be smooth and rest flat, being kept in contact by melting a little sealing-wax and pouring around it. Get two short gas-pipe nipples and a 1/4" elbow, and fasten by screwing into the bottom of box a, in hole previously made. (See O, Fig. 2.) This completes the sound-box.

Take a piece of hard wood(L, Fig. 1,) 1" wide, 1/4" thick and 14" long, and bore a hole in one end, fastening to the sound-box by screwing nipple through it to sound-box. (See L, Fig. 1.) Make another piece 1/4" thick, 1" wide and 12" long (see O, Fig. 1), on one end of which fasten another spool, N, by nailing up through strip into spool Make a fork, M, as shown in Fig 1. This should be connected to arm L, and should turn easily in spool N. The height of the spool and fork should be such as to cause the arm L to rest parallel with disc G. This completes the machine ; but before fastening, it should be adjusted. Turn the soundbox so the needle slants about the angle shown in Fig. 1. The arm O should now be pushed forward or backward in notch until the needle-point rests on a line with B on disc G, and the two arms L and O are in line with each other. (See Fig. 2.) The arm O may now be screwed to under side of cover. The records come in two sizes: 7" at 50 cents each, 10" at $1.00 ; the 10" record producing much the louder tones and longer pieces. Also get a package of needle-points : 100 for 10 cents. A horn may be made of heavy paper, or a metal one can be bought for 50 cents to $1.00. It should be fastened securely to the nipple and be supported by wire, R, attached to the arm L, resting under the horn. To operate, place a record on disc G, swing the sound-box by the arm L, so the needle-point rests on the outside edge of the record; then turn the crank, and if you have followed these directions you will be well repaid for the time and trouble you have used. The description of this machine has intention