The Body Of The Scoop

The body of this scoop is to be made of galvanized sheet iron; it will require a piece 10" long, and wide enough to form the bottom plus the two sides (15"). With the square lay out an exact rectangle of this size, square pencil lines across it indicating where it is to be bent to form the corners; be sure these lines are just wide enough apart to receive the back which you have already made. With the compasses lay out the curves indicating where the corners are to be cut off. With tinner's snips, or an old pair of heavy shears, cut out the shape of the body as laid out. Place the sheet of galvanized iron between two straight-edged boards with the pencil line (for the corner bend) exactly even with the edge of the board; clamp in the vise and bend the sheet iron to a right angle. A few light blows with the hammer will complete the angle and make it perfectly square. Bend the other side in like manner.

Assembling

Glue the handle into the back; the end which extends through may be split and wedged, then sawed off even and planed smooth with the surface. Fasten the sheet iron body in position by nailing it with small brads (Chapter II., Paragraph 21).

Finishing

Sandpaper the wood parts perfectly smooth (Chapter II., Paragraphs 16 and 17) and give them one or two coats of shellac (Chapter IV., Paragraph 57). With a file or piece of emory or sandpaper rub off any rough or sharp edges of the sheet iron which may be exposed in such a way as to cut one's hands.

Optional and Home Projects Employing Similar Principles.

Soil Scoop

1. In connection with the class work in agriculture, where there will be a number of experiments calling for the handling of soils, a few scoops made in this way will be found very convenient. Discarded tin cans, such as baking powder, coffee or fruit cans may be used. Cut one end to the desired shape for the point of the scoop, the other end need not be removed; a wooden end should be shaped to fit this end snugly; it should be fastened in position (in the inside of the scoop) with brads into its edge; a screw through the wood (and the tin end) into the end of the handle will hold it firmly in place.

Dust Pan

2. A very convenient dust pan, which has the advantage of serving also as a sort of pail in carrying out the dust, can be made very easily in accordance with the Suggestions for Original Design. The two wooden sides are placed as far apart as one would desire the width of the dust pan to be and a continuous piece of sheet iron is bent around them and fastened with brads. A piece of heavy, stiff wire is bent and placed in holes in the sides to serve as a bail and a long handle of desired length is to be attached to this bail.

Watering Or Feed Trough For Chickens

3. Following this same principle of construction a very satisfactory watering or feed trough for chickens may be made. Take a sheet of galvanized iron or tin of the desired size and turn up the two sides as far as the required depth of the trough; prepare wooden ends of the proper dimensions, and fasten them into position by brads driven through the metal. If it is to hold water, the brads must be very close together; the wood parts should be painted.