Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber's Notes: Italic text is marked _thus_; bold text is shown =thus=. Apparent typographical errors have been corrected and hyphenation standardised. Unusual punctuation and original spelling have been retained. Fig. numbers do not follow in strict numerical order.

THE BOY CRAFTSMAN

HANDICRAFT BOOKS BY A. NEELY HALL

_8vo. Cloth. Illustrated with hundreds of photographs and working drawings by the author and Norman P. Hall_

THE BOY CRAFTSMAN HANDICRAFT FOR HANDY BOYS (_Revised Edition_)
THE HANDY BOY (_Revised Edition_)
HOME-MADE TOYS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
HANDICRAFT FOR HANDY GIRLS
CARPENTRY AND MECHANICS FOR BOYS
HOME-MADE GAMES AND GAME EQUIPMENT (_Revised Edition_)
OUTDOOR BOY CRAFTSMEN
BIG BOOK OF BOYS' HOBBIES

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD COMPANY BOSTON NEW YORK

THE BOY CRAFTSMAN

Practical and Profitable Ideas for a Boy's Leisure Hours

BY A. Neely Hall

With more than four hundred illustrations by the author and Norman P. Hall

BOSTON
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

COPYRIGHT, 1905, BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD COMPANY.
Published, August, 1905.

_All rights reserved._

THE BOY CRAFTSMAN.

Norwood Press
J. S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith Co.
Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

Work hard--Play hard.

--THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

NOTE TO THE READER

The boy of to-day is ever on the lookout for new ideas which can be adopted for his work and recreation, schemes which are practical and which are thoroughly up-to-date. They must be helpful in suggesting ways of earning money, as well as entertaining, for what boy of the present day does not feel the need of such suggestions to aid him in raising the funds necessary to carry on his work?

In none of the books published on boy's handicraft has the question entered into consideration as to how he is to obtain the means with which to buy such materials and apparatus as the work requires. A boy should not expect to draw upon his father's purse for everything his fancy desires. It is important that he learn to earn his spending money, for in doing so he becomes independent and more careful as to how he invests it. Having had the experience of working, the average boy learns to so appreciate the value of hard-earned money that it is pretty certain he will spend it only for something with which he can earn more or which will prove useful to him in his work and play.

"The Boy Craftsman" has been undertaken with a view of helping boys with their problems of earning money, as well as furnishing recreative and entertaining work, and to this end the first portion has been devoted to suggestions for the carrying on of a number of small business enterprises, and the second and third parts to outdoor and indoor pastimes for all seasons of the year.

In "Profitable Pastimes" a boy will find work that will make easy the matter of earning money with which to buy such materials as he needs to carry out the suggestions offered in the book, while the practical knowledge acquired and the handiness developed in pursuing the several lines of work is certain to be helpful to him in later years.

The tools and apparatus used are such as a boy of average ability can procure with a little hustling, and can be purchased singly, or two or three at a time, as his money permits. The materials at hand can be used in thousands of different ways, and in preparing the chapters this has been taken into consideration, these odds and ends being utilized whenever it has been possible to do so.

Carpenter work is something with which every boy must familiarize himself to a certain extent in order to do anything in the line of construction, so the fitting up of a workshop and the proper handling of tools have been described in the first two chapters, in view of making it a simple matter to perform the work embodied in the rest of the book.

Technical terms and phrases have been eliminated from the text as far as possible, and where it has been deemed necessary to include them, to describe certain operations for which a boy should know the proper terms or expressions, they have generally been explained in the first chapter in which they occur. To simplify the matter of referring to the definitions of these, they have been arranged alphabetically in Chapter XXIX.

Some of the material contained in this book was originally written by the author in the form of magazine articles for _The American Boy_ and _The Boys' World_, and thanks are due the publishers, The Sprague Publishing Company and The David C. Cook Publishing Company, for permission to reprint it. This material has been revised and enlarged upon, and is presented with new and additional illustrations.

The author is always glad to hear from his young readers, and to be of assistance to them in answering any questions they wish to ask regarding their work.

A. N. H.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
May 31, 1905.

CONTENTS

PART I

_PROFITABLE PASTIMES_

CHAPTER I
PAGE
A BOY'S WORKSHOP 3

Value of a Knowledge of Carpenter Work--Location of Shop--A Solid
Work-bench--The Vise--Bench-stops--Carpenter's Horses--A
Bench-hook--A Mitre-box--A Sand-paper Block--A Strop--A Plumb--
Purchasing Tools--Tool-cabinets--Racks for Tools--A Carpenter's
Carrying-box--A Nail-box--Receptacles for Supplies--Workshop
Clothes--Care of Oily Rags and Waste.

CHAPTER II

THE PROPER HANDLING OF TOOLS 20

Care of Tools--The Cross-cut Saw and Rip-saw--Sawing--The
Back-saw, Compass-saw, and Gig-saw--Kerfs--The Jack-plane,
Fore-plane, and Smoothing-plane--Planing--Testing Work--The
Firmer-chisel--Paring--The Framing-chisel-Chamfering and Bevelling
--The Gouge--The Draw-knife--Boring--An Automatic-drill--
Hatchet and Hammer--Driving Nails--Withdrawing Nails--Toe-nailing
--Blind-nailing--Clinching--The Nail-set--Nails--Screw-driver
for Bit-stock--Screws--The Countersink.

SHARPENING TOOLS 37

Grinding Chisels, Gouges, Draw-knives, Knives and Hatchets--The
Washita Oil-stone--Whetting--Stropping--Sharpening Saws.

LAYING OUT WORK 42

Use of the Try-square--Gauging with Rule and Pencil--A Marking-gauge
--A Mitred Try-square--The Bevel--To Divide a Board.

CHAPTER III

THE BOY ABOUT THE HOUSE 47

Opportunities for Work--Outfit for Jobbing--The Hinge-lock--
Clothes-line Reel--A Broom and Dust-pan Rack--The Fly-killer--An
Ash-sifter--A Bread-board--A Plate-rack

CHAPTER IV

SUGGESTIONS FOR A BOY'S ROOM 57

Simple and Inexpensive Furnishings--What the Room should Contain--A
Cosey-corner--Pennants--Small Posters--Picture-frames--A
Writing-desk--Another Style of Desk--An Ink-stand and Pen-tray--A
Couch--A Window-seat--A Curio-cabinet--Book-shelves--A
Blacking-case--A Towel-rack.

CHAPTER V

HOW TO MAKE A DOLL-HOUSE 71

Store Doll-houses--Profit from making Doll-houses--The Materials
Required--The Base--The Floors--Partitions and Walls--Stairways
--Balustrades--Front and Rear Steps--The Gambrel Roof--The
Gable-ends--The Doors and Windows--Outside Trimmings--Casters--
The Chimneys--A Mantel and Fire-place--Andirons--The Interior
Woodwork--Painting the House.

CHAPTER VI

ANOTHER DOLL-HOUSE AND A STABLE 91

Packing-cases and Other Material--The Floor Plans--The Partitions
and Walls--The Elevator-shaft--The Windows--The Roof--The
Chimney--An Elevator--The Gable-ends--The Stairway--A Balustrade
--Other Details.

HOW TO MAKE THE STABLE 100

Dimensions of Stable--The First Story--The Roof--The Gable-ends--
The Stall Partitions and Feed-troughs--Windows--Ladder to Hay-loft
--Feed-hoist--The Drop-front--A Stable Door--Painting.

CHAPTER VII

FURNISHING THE DOLL-HOUSE 105

The Walls and Ceiling--Hardwood Floors--Carpets and Rugs--
Window-shades and Curtains--Portieres--Pictures--A Cosey-corner--
Buying Furnishings.

CHAPTER VIII

DOLL-FURNITURE 109

Metal Furniture--Miniature Mission Furniture--Material--Drawing
the Patterns--The Chairs--The Settee--Tables--A Side-board--A
Mirror--The Grandfather's Clock--Kitchen Furniture--The Beds--
The Dresser--A Wash-stand--Finishing.

OTHER CIGAR-BOX FURNITURE 122

A Folding-bed--The Dresser--A Wardrobe.

CHAPTER IX

A BOY'S PRINTING-SHOP 126

Location of Printing-shop--Equipment--Selection of Type--
Type-cases--A Rack for Type-cases--A Composing-stick--A
Composing-rule--Justifying--A Home-made Galley--"Pieing"--Proofs
--The Imposing-stone--The Chase--Furniture--Locking-up a Form--
Distribution--The Tympan--Overlaying--Underlaying--Gauge-pins--
Inking the Press--Care of Rollers--Neatness--Receptacles for
Materials--Care of Waste Paper and Oily Rags.

CHAPTER X

AMATEUR JOURNALISM 142

A Collection of Amateur Papers--Amateur Press Associations--Some
Methods of Printing Papers--Examples of Amateur Papers--The
Character of a Paper--Naming--The Frequency of Publication--The
Size of Page--A Stereotyped Heading--The Choice of Type--A Cover
--Binding--Advertisements--The Advertisers' Dummy--Second-class
Matter.

CHAPTER XI

A BOY'S DARK-ROOM 153

Profit in Photography--The Necessary Equipment--The Bedroom as a
Dark-room--The Bath-room as a Dark-room--Another Scheme for a
Dark-room--A Work-table--Running Water--A Water-tank--A Sink--
A Washing-box--A Drying-rack--Another Scheme for a Drying-rack--A
Cabinet--A Ruby-light--A Home-made Lantern--A Plate-lifter--
Classifying and Preserving Negatives--Manila Envelopes--A
Negative-case.

CHAPTER XII

A WINTER ENTERPRISE 169

An Opportunity for Making Money--A Snow Plough--A Scraper--A Snow
Shovel.

PART II

_OUTDOOR PASTIMES_

CHAPTER XIII

A BACK-YARD CLUB-HOUSE 175

How Some Boys Built a Club-house--A Mysterious Letter--Drawing the
Plan of a Club-house--The Material--Fishing Studs--Staking out the
Building--The Studs--Boarding up the Sides--The Roof--The Floor
--A Window-sash--A Batten Door--Wooden Latch--Calking up Cracks.

CHAPTER XIV

HOW TO BUILD A LOG-CABIN 186

The Pioneer Cabin--The Cabin of To-day--Selection of a Site--
Design and Size--The Material--Staking out the Cabin--The
Lock-joint--The Sills--Construction of Roof--Ridge Boards--A Log
Chimney and Fire-place--Calking--A Mud Floor--The Windows--The
Cabin Door--Wooden Hinges--Wooden Latch--The Latch-string--A
Mantel-shelf--Provision Cupboard--Rustic Seats--Bunks--A
Camp-table--A Few Pointers about Camping--Utensils--Other
Necessities--Provisions.

CHAPTER XV

HOW TO BUILD A CANVAS CANOE 201

Canoeing as a Sport--Popularity of Canvas Canoes--Materials--The
Bow and Stern Pieces--The Keelson--The Mould--Putting the
Framework Together--The Gunwales--The Ribbands--The Deck Beams--
The Ridge Pieces--The Deck Braces--The Cockpit--The Canvas
Covering--The Deck--Painting--The Cockpit Coaming--The Keel--
The Bilge-keels--Outside Gunwales--A Seat--How to mend Punctures
--A Single Paddle.

CHAPTER XVI

HOME-MADE TRAPS 218

Trapping as a Pastime--The City Boy and his Country Cousin--The
Figure-four Trap--A Box Trap--The Dead Fall--The Sieve Trap--The
Coop Trap--A Rabbit Snare--A Twitch-up--The Professional Trapper
--Wolves and Coyotes--Story of a Trapped Indian.

CHAPTER XVII

TOY GUNS, TARGETS, AND BOWS AND ARROWS 229

Ancient War Engines--New Idea for a Cross-bow--Shingle Arrows--A
Toy Pistol--Cardboard Bullets--A Shot-gun--An Elastic Sling--A
Boy's Barrel-hoop Target--A Simpler Target--How Points are Scored--
The Bow and Arrow--Length of Bow--The Bow-string--The Arrow-shafts
--Preparing Arrow-heads--Feathering--A Quiver--Proper Position
for Shooting with Bow--The Indian's Bow--How his Arrows were made
and Feathered--The Preparation of his Arrow-heads.

CHAPTER XVIII

AN OUTDOOR GYMNASIUM 243

Location for Gymnasium--A Horizontal Bar--Tumbling Mat--Parallel
Bars--The Punching-bag Platform--A Pair of Jump Standards--A
Vaulting Pole--A Spring-board--Hurdles--A Running Track--Method
of Starting for Short Sprints--Mark for Broad Jumping--An Athletic
Club--Athletic Meets.

CHAPTER XIX

A BACK-YARD CIRCUS 255

The Ancient Roman Circus--The Circus of To-day--How Several Boys
gave a Circus--Preparing the Yard for a Circus--Making the Ring--
Good Circus Seats--A Tent--Decorating the Tent--A Ticket Office--
A Turnstile--The Side Show--Cages for Side Show--Animated Animals
--The Elephant--The Giraffe--The Two-legged Wild Horse--The Wild
Man of Borneo--A Monkey's Make-up--The Ring Master--The Clown's
Suit--The Attendants--Ideas for a Performance--A Slapper--
Looping the Hoop on a Giraffe--A Chariot--Parades--The Advertising
Signs.

CHAPTER XX

SUGGESTIONS FOR FOURTH OF JULY 272

The First Fourth of July Celebration--Pyrotechnics Costly
and Dangerous to Make--The Making of Harmless and Inexpensive
Fireworks--A Fire-cracker Cannon--To fire the Cannon--A
Fire-cracker Mortar--Mimic Battles with Paper Soldiers--Another
Toy Cannon--To fire the Cannon--Firing Fireworks from
Kites--Firing a Pack of Fire-crackers from a Kite--Shooting
Nigger-chasers--Japanese Lanterns hung from Kite-strings--A
Shooting-torch--A Final Set-piece.

CHAPTER XXI

HALLOWEEN 281

Ancient Superstitions and Origin of Halloween--A Magazine
Bean-blower--A New Style of Tick-tack--A Clockwork Tick-tack--
The Goblin-man--The Disappearing Rope.

CHAPTER XXII

A BACK-YARD TOBOGGAN-SLIDE 291

One Advantage of a Small Slide--Location--Length--The Platform--
Framework--Railing around Platform--A Ladder--Making a Swift
Slide--A Home-made Sled--The Runners--Reënforcing the Runners.

PART III

_INDOOR PASTIMES_

CHAPTER XXIII

A MINIATURE THEATRE 303

An Interesting Entertainment--A Picture-frame Proscenium--The
Stage Framework--The Gridiron--The Stage Floor--The Drop-curtain--
Lighting the Theatre--The Footlights--Floodlights--Colored Lights
--Spotlights--Admission Tickets and Programmes.

CHAPTER XXIV

SCENERY, PROPERTIES, AND MECHANICAL EFFECTS 311

Materials for Scenery--An Ocean Scene--Additional Waves--Frames
for Drops--A Mid-ocean Scene--A Seashore Scene--A Field Scene--
The Trees--A Blockhouse Scene--Pine Boughs for Trees and Shrubbery
--Moss for Mounds and Hills--Rustic Bridges--A Pond or Lake--A
Street Scene--An Interior--A War Drama--Paper Soldiers--Scheme
for Marching Soldiers--Separate Standards--A Jointed Figure--Stage
Properties--Tents--An Indian Teepee--Battleships--Trains and
Wagons--Mechanical Effects--Thunder--Rain--Wind--Lightning--
The Roar of Cannon.

CHAPTER XXV

MAKING A TOY RAILWAY 331

The Trolley-line--Supports for Trolley-line--Power for Operating
Railway--Tracks--The Cars--A Gondola Car--A Street Car--Other
Cars--Operation of Railway--A Station.

CHAPTER XXVI

CLOCKWORK AUTOMOBILES 343

Procuring a Set of Clockworks--An Automobile Touring-car--The
Frame--Preparation of Clockworks--The Belt--Testing the Machine--
The Cardboard Sides--Wheels--Mud-guards--Lamps--The Steering-wheel
--A Horn--The Brake--The Chauffeur--Painting the Machine--An
Automobile Delivery Wagon--The Cardboard Sides--The Wheels--Other
Portions--Painting the Wagon--A Clockwork Railway.

CHAPTER XXVII

WORK TO DO WITH A KNIFE 356

How Boots were Marked in a Penitentiary--A Home-made Fountain Pen--
The Magic Pin-wheel--To Operate the Pin-wheel--A Wooden Chain and
Rattle--The Chain--The Rattle--Finishing the Chain and Rattle.

CHAPTER XXVIII

CORK TOYS 363

Materials Required--Cork Animals--A Pig--A Horse--The Elephant
--The Giraffe--A Porcupine--Other Animals--The Korka-bird--A
Duck--Canoes--Small Sail-boats--Cork Furniture--A Chair--The
Sofa--A Small Tabouret--A Toy Log-cabin.

CHAPTER XXIX

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND PHRASES 371

INDEX 385

LIST OF HALF-TONE ILLUSTRATIONS

(In addition to more than four hundred text illustrations.)

PART I

A Boy's Workshop _Frontispiece_

OPPOSITE PAGE

Treatment of a Boy's Room 58

Fig. 64.--A Colonial Doll-house 78

Fig. 96.--Another Style of Doll-house} 90
Fig. 97.--Interior View of Doll-house}

An Amateur's Outfit 128

A Group of Amateur Papers 142

Fig. 168.--A Handy Dark-room} 154
Fig. 172.--A Washing-box and Drying-rack}

PART II

In Camp for the Summer 175

A Boys' Log-cabin 188

Two Simple Cabins 198

Caught at Last 226

The Back-yard Circus 268

PART III

A Miniature Theatre 303

Fig. 330.--A Field Scene } 316
Fig. 338.--A Blockhouse Scene}

Fig. 339.--A Street Scene 320

Fig. 375.--The Car completed} 344
Fig. 376.--The Framework }