Chapter VI: Introduction (5)

Possessed of this little book and a good slide-rule, mechanics might carry in their pockets some hundreds of times the power of calculation that they now have in their heads, and the use of the instrument is very easily acquired.

THE ENGINEER’S SLIDE-RULE, and Its Applications.

A Complete Investigation of the Principles upon which the Slide-Rule
is constructed; together with the Method of its Application to all
the Purposes of the Practical Mechanic.—By WILLIAM TONKES.—Paper.
25 cents.

THE LIGHTNING CALCULATOR.

_Practical Hints on Lightning Calculating._—To which are added Rules,
Tables, Data, Formulæ, and Memoranda, for making rapidly those
everyday calculations that are required in business, mechanics, and
agriculture.—Paper. 20 cents.

A CENTURY OF INVENTIONS.

An exact reprint of the famous “Century of Inventions” of the Marquis
of Worcester (first published in 1663).—With an Introduction, Notes,
and a Life of the Author.—With Portrait after a Painting by Van
Dyke.—Edited by JOHN PHIN.—Cloth. $1

This is one of the most extraordinary books ever published. The famous “Century of Inventions” is of more than mere historical interest. It contains numerous hints and suggestions of what might be accomplished, and will be found of great interest and value to every one interested in mechanics. Many persons claim that the Marquis of Worcester anticipated many of our most important modern inventions and discoveries. Great care has been taken to reproduce exactly (so far as modern type, &c., could do it) the edition published by the Marquis himself. It has been entirely out of print for many years.

THE ELECTRICIAN’S POCKET COMPANION.

Electrical Rules, Tables, Tests, and Formulæ.—By ANDREW JAMIESON, C. E.,
F. R. S. E.—Fully illustrated.—Cloth. 75 cents.

This is the most compact and thorough work in the market for the practical electrician. It contains minute directions for all calculations, tests, &c., with clear engravings of the apparatus employed. The following list of contents will give an idea of its scope:—

Formulæ of the Absolute Units.—Practical, Electrical, and Mechanical.
Heat and Light Units.
Electro-chemical Equivalents, Electrolysis, Heat and Energy of Combustion.
Practical Methods of Electrical Measurements.
Electric Conductors: Copper, &c.—Insulators: Guttapercha, &c.
Submarine Cables.—Aerial Land-lines.
Electric Lighting and Transmission of Power.

=LECTURES IN A WORKSHOP.=—By T. P. PEMBERTON, formerly Associate
Editor of _The Technologist_; author of “The Student’s Illustrated
Guide to Practical Draughting.”—With an Appendix containing the
famous papers by Whitworth “On Plane Metallic Surfaces of True
Planes”; “On the Uniform System of Screw-Threads”; “Address to the
Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Glasgow”; “On Standard Decimal
Measures of Length.” Cloth, gilt. $1

We have here a sprightly, fascinating book, full of valuable hints, interesting anecdotes, and sharp sayings. It is not a compilation of dull sermons or dry mathematics, but a live, readable book. The papers by Whitworth, now first made readily accessible to the American reader, form the basis of our modern systems of accurate work.

THE NEW POCKET CYCLOPEDIA.

A Compendium of General Knowledge, Useful and Interesting Facts,
Valuable Statistics, and Practical Information.—16mo., cloth.
50 cents.

This is a handy volume of 164 pages, printed in small but clear type on very fine thin paper, so that the book may be readily carried in the pocket or trunk. It contains all those facts and figures which are most commonly referred to in everyday life, great care being taken to secure accuracy and clearness. It is not a collection of “curious information” made up from newspaper clippings, but a thoroughly arranged manual of the most useful general knowledge.

HOW TO BECOME A GOOD MECHANIC.

Intended as a Practical Guide to Self-taught Men: Telling What to
Study; What Books to Use; How to Begin; What Difficulties will be
met; How to Overcome Them. In a word, how to carry on such a course
of self-instruction as will enable the young mechanic to rise from
the bench to something higher.—Paper. 25 cents.

This is not a book of “goody-goody” advice, neither is it an advertisement of any special system, nor does it advocate any hobby. It gives plain practical advice in regard to acquiring that knowledge which alone can enable a young man engaged in any profession or occupation connected with the industrial arts to attain a position higher than that of a mere workman.

CEMENTS, GLUE, AND PASTE.

A Practical Treatise on the Preparation and Use of all kinds of
Cements, Glue, and Paste.—By JOHN PHIN, author of “How to Use the
Microscope.”—Paper. 25 cents.

Every mechanic and householder will find this volume of almost everyday use. It contains nearly two hundred recipes for the preparation of cements for almost every conceivable purpose.

HINTS FOR PAINTERS, DECORATORS, AND PAPER-HANGERS.

Being a Selection of Useful Rules, Data, Memoranda, Methods, and
Suggestions for House, Ship, and Furniture Painting; Paper-Hanging,
Gilding, Color-Mixing, and other matters useful and instructive to
painters and decorators.—Prepared with special reference to the wants
of amateurs.—By AN OLD HAND.—Paper. 25 cents.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO

=SUCCESS IN THE USE OF RECIPES=, Formulæ, &c., with Hints on Chemical
and Mechanical Manipulation.—Intended as a supplement to all books of
recipes.—By JOHN PHIN.—12mo, paper. 25 cents.

While it is an undoubted fact that many of the recipes published in the ordinary collections are erroneous, either from original blunders on the part of the authors or from mistakes in copying, failure in the use of others frequently arises from defective information and vicious methods on the part of those who attempt to put them in practice. The object of the present book is to give such hints and cautions as will enable the worker to secure success where success is possible; and where the products are intended for sale it gives special and valuable advice as to the best methods of putting them on the market.

A MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION IN

THE ART OF WOOD ENGRAVING.

With a Description of the necessary Tools and Apparatus, and
Concise Directions for their Use; Explanations of the Terms used
and the Methods employed for producing the various classes of Wood
Engravings.—By S. E. FULLER.—Fully illustrated with engravings by the
author, separate sheets of engravings for transfer and practice being
added.—New edition, neatly bound. 50 cents.

A really thorough and practical work, written for those who want to learn the art without the aid of a teacher.

=A GUIDE TO COLLODIO ETCHING.=—By Rev. BENJAMIN HARTLEY.—Illustrated
by the author.—12mo, cloth. $1.00

This volume gives complete and minute instructions for one of the most delightful of amateur arts. It is fully illustrated by woodcuts of all the apparatus used (which is very simple and easily made), and also by actual photo-prints of the etchings themselves.

THE PRACTICAL POCKET COMPANION.

A Cyclopedia of the most useful Facts, Figures, and General
Information required by everybody in everyday life.—Edited by
JOHN PHIN, author of “How to Use the Microscope,” “The Workshop
Companion,” “Chemical History of the Six Days of Creation,”
&c.—Numerous illustrations. 10 cents.

CONTENTS.—Abbreviations in Common Use—Business Laws and Commercial Rules—Acceptances—Agencies—Bills of Exchange—Checques—Common Carriers—Corporations—Law of Finding—Indorsements—Innkeepers—Negotiable Instruments—Partnerships—Promissory Notes—Protests—Receipts—Concrete Walls for Houses—Copyrights—Rules for Correspondence—How to treat Accidents to the Eye—Factors of Safety—Best Methods of Extinguishing Fires—Language of Flowers—Significance of Gems and Precious Stones—Periods of Gestation and Incubation—Legal Holidays—Homestead Law—Distinguishing Characteristics and Anxious Periods of Infectious Diseases—Prevention or Attacks of Insects—Knots, and How to Tie Them, with full page of illustrations—General Rules—Single Draw-knot—Galley-knot—Square-knot, or Reefing-knot—Weaver’s-knot, or Sheet-bend-knot—Half-hitch—Two Half-hitches—Clove-hitch—Timber-hitch—Bowline-knot—Fisherman’s-knot—Whipping or Binding—Tying Parcels—Care of Leather—Lightning-rods, general rules for—Best Materials—Proper Size and Best Shapes of Rod—Painting—Points, or Air-Terminals—Ground Connections—Arrangement and Mode of Attaching the Rod to the House—Value of Moneys of Foreign Nations—Passports—Patents—Antidotes for Poisons—Postal Rules and Rates—Railroad and Steamboat Signals—Rules for Spelling and the Use of Capitals—Trade-marks—Weather Indications, &c.

=WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.=—A book for
everybody.—Cloth, gilt. 50 cents.

This is one of the most useful books ever published. It tells exactly what to do in case of accidents, such as severe cuts, sprains, dislocations, broken bones, burns with fire, scalds, burns with corrosive chemicals, sunstroke, suffocation by foul air, hanging, drowning, frost-bite, fainting, stings, starvation, lightning, poisons, accidents from machinery and from the falling of scaffolding, gunshot wounds, &c. It ought to be in every house, for young and old are liable to accident, and the directions given in this book might be the means of saving many a valuable life.

COMMON SENSE IN THE POULTRY-YARD.

A Story of Failures and Successes, including a full account of 1,000
hens and what they did. With a complete description of the houses,
coops, fences, runs, methods of feeding, breeding, marketing, &c.,
and many new wrinkles and economical dodges.—By J. P. HAIG.—With
numerous illustrations.—Cloth, gilt title. $1

This is a lively and entertaining work, which embodies the actual experience of many years in the keeping of poultry in large and small numbers. It is the most thoroughly practical work on poultry in the market, and contains an amount of solid information which, to even the keeper of a dozen fowls, will make it worth many times its cost.

A DICTIONARY OF PRACTICAL BEE-KEEPING.

With Notes and Practical Hints.—By JOHN PHIN, author of “How to Use
the Microscope,” &c.—Numerous illustrations.—Cloth, gilt. 50 cents.

This work discusses thoroughly nearly five hundred subjects. Gives in condensed form an immense amount of valuable information under the different headings. Under the heads _Bee_, _Comb_, _Glucose_, _Honey_, _Race_, _Species_, _Sugar_, _Wax_, and others, it brings together a large number of important facts and figures now scattered through our bee literature and costly scientific works, and are not easily found when wanted. Here they can be referred to at once under the proper head.

PLAIN DIRECTIONS FOR ACQUIRING

THE ART OF SHOOTING ON THE WING.

With Useful Hints concerning all that relates to Guns and Shooting,
particularly in regard to the art of loading so as to kill. To which
has been added several valuable and hitherto secret recipes, of great
practical importance to the sportsman.—By AN OLD GAMEKEEPER.—12mo,
cloth. 75 cents.

This book contains a novel and most valuable feature found in no other work on this subject. This is a series of graduated lessons by which the self-taught young sportsman is enabled to advance step by step from such easy marks as a sheet of paper nailed on a fence to the most difficult trap-shooting and the sharpest snap-shots.

=THE PISTOL AS A WEAPON OF DEFENCE=, In the House and on the
Road.—12mo, cloth. 50 cents.

This work aims to instruct peaceable and law-abiding citizens in the best means of protecting themselves from the attacks of the brutal and the lawless, and it is the only practical book published on this subject. Its contents are as follows:—

The Pistol as a Weapon of Defence—The Carrying of Firearms—Different kinds of Pistols in Market—How to Choose a Pistol—Ammunition, different kinds: powder, caps, bullets, copper cartridges, &c.—Best form of Bullet—How to Load—Best Charge for Pistols—How to Regulate the Charge—Care of the Pistol: how to clean it—How to Handle and Carry the Pistol—How to Learn to Shoot—Practical Use of the Pistol—How to Protect Yourself and Disable your Antagonist.

The Hardwood Finisher.

WITH RULES AND DIRECTIONS FOR FINISHING IN NATURAL COLORS, AND
IN ANTIQUE, MAHOGANY, CHERRY, BIRCH, WALNUT, OAK,
ASH, REDWOOD, SYCAMORE, PINE, AND ALL
OTHER DOMESTIC WOODS;

_ALSO FOR FILLING, STAINING, POLISHING, DYEING, GILDING AND
BRONZING_.
Compiled and Edited by FRED. T. HODGSON,

Editor of “The Operative Builder,” late editor of “The Builder and
Woodworker,” and of “The Cabinetmaker and Upholsterer.”

Illustrated, 12mo, Cloth, $1.00.

In these days of “Hardwood Finish,” the carpenter and joiner who does not make himself acquainted with all the new and latest methods of working and finishing our native woods is handicapped, and will not be as likely to receive as much money for his day’s work as the workman who “knows all about it.”

This work has just been brought out at the very time it is wanted the most, for finishing in the natural woods has lately become the fashion, particularly in the better class of buildings. This is a proper and healthy fashion, for paint, while all right in its way, is neither in as good taste as the natural finish, nor is it as clean or as handsome. We know that most carpenters and joiners who have had no experience in preparing wood for this kind of finish do not care to try it for fear of failure; but we can assure such that if they follow closely the methods laid down in this book they will be astonished and gratified at the results.

Directions are given at length for the preparation of the wood and the application of “fillers,” with some good and sound advice regarding these important operations. Hints in fixing hardwood finish so that nail or screw heads cannot be seen are clearly presented, and the whole practice of scraping, rubbing and polishing are given with a clearness and simplicity that the dullest workman may readily understand.

The work is equally useful to the cabinet-maker, painter and decorator as it is to the carpenter and joiner.

This book is written to enable the workman to know, who does not know, as well as the man who does know, but who desires to know more; and, to the American workman’s credit be it said, in this last class there are many.

The following are a few of the many commendatory press notices the work has received since its publication:

“Should be in the library of every painter who aims to keep up with the times in the practice of his art, as a work of this character will be of great assistance and value. The formulas and suggestions laid down are good, and we find much to admire in the general make-up of the work.

“The writer is well known as the author of many practical books of the day, and thoroughly understands the wants of the trade and meets them in a satisfactory manner.”—_National Builder_, Chicago, Ill.

“In order to make it as complete as possible, a variety of authorities on the subject have been consulted, and every effort put forth to make the work practical in all respects.”—_Carpentry and Building_, New York, N. Y.

“This excellent work, with its very practical aspect, seems to cover a field that has been, perhaps, somewhat neglected. It is exceedingly practical, and with numerous formulæ for all kinds of stains and wood dyes, as well as finishes, is one that is to be found of value to many operatives.”—_Scientific American_, New York, N. Y.

PRACTICAL CARPENTRY.

BEING A GUIDE TO THE

Correct Working and Laying Out of all kinds
of Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Work.

With the Solutions of the Various Problems in Hip-Roofs, Gothic
Work, Centering, Splayed Work, Joints and Jointing, Hinging,
Dovetailing, Mitering, Timber Splicing, Hopper
Work, Skylights, Raking Mouldings, Circular
Work, Etc., Etc.

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED A THOROUGH TREATISE ON

“CARPENTER’S GEOMETRY.”

_ILLUSTRATED BY OVER 300 ENGRAVINGS._

By FRED. T. HODGSON,

AUTHOR OF “THE STEEL SQUARE AND ITS USES,” “THE BUILDER’S GUIDE
AND ESTIMATOR’S PRICE BOOK,” “THE SLIDE RULE AND
HOW TO USE IT,” ETC., ETC.

Handsomely Bound in Cloth, Price $1.00.

This is the most complete book of the kind ever published. It is Thorough, Practical and Reliable, and at the same time is written in a style so plain that any workman or apprentice can easily understand it. The annexed table of contents will give a better idea of its scope and value than can be had from any amount of notices or descriptions:

TABLE OF CONTENTS.