The Study of The History of Electricity

Part of the Series on Electricity for Boys

WHAT TOOLS AND APPARATUS ARE NEEDED

Preparing the Workshop.—Before commencing actual experiments we should prepare the workshop and tools. Since we are going into this work as pioneers, we shall have to be dependent upon our own efforts for the production of the electrical apparatus, so as to be able, with our home-made factory, to provide the power, the heat and the electricity. Then, finding we are successful in these enterprises, we may look forward for “more worlds to conquer.”

By this time our neighbors will become interested in and solicit work from us just like an electrical contractor.

Uses of Our Workshops.—They may want us to test batteries, and it then becomes of the essence(p) to construct mechanism to detect and measure electricity; to install new and improved apparatus; and to put in and connect up electric bells in their houses, as well as burglar alarms. To meet the requisites, we put in a telegraph line, having learned, as well as we are able, how they are made and operated. But we find the telegraph too slow and altogether unsuited for our purposes, as well as for the uses of the neighborhood, so we reason to put in a telephone system.

What to Build.—It is necessary, thence, to commence right at the bottom to build a telephone, a transmitter, a receiver and a switch-board for our system. From the telephone we soon see the desirability of getting into touch with the great outside world, and wireless telegraphy absorbs our time and energies.

But as we learn more and more of the wonderful things electricity will do, we are brought into contact with problems which directly interest the home. Sanitation attracts our attention. Why cannot electricity act as an factor to make pure our drinking water, to sterilize sewage and to capture offensive odors? We must, therefore, learn something about the subject of electrolysis.

What to Learn.—The decomposition of water is not the only thing that we shall describe pertaining to this subject. We go a step further, and find that we can decompose metals as well as liquids, and that we can make a pure metal out of an impure one, as well as make the foulest water pure. But we shall also, in the course of our experiments, find that a cheap metal can be coated with a pricey one by means of electricity—that we can electroplate by electrolysis.

Uses of the Electrical Devices.—While all this is progressing and our factory is turning out an amazing variety of useful articles, we are led to inquire into the uses to which we may devote our surplus electricity. The current may be diverted for boiling water; for welding metals; for heating sad-irons, as well as for other purposes which are daily needful.

Tools.—To do these things tools are necessary, and for the present they should not be expensive. A small, rigidly built bench is the source requirement. This may be made, as shown in of three 2-inch planks, each 10 inches wide and 6 feet long, mounted on legs 36 inches in height. In the front part are three drawers for your material, or the small odds and ends, as well as for such little tools as you may gather. Then you will need a small vise, say, with a 2-inch jaw, and you will also require a hand reel for winding magnets. This will be fully described hereafter.

You can also, probably, get a small, cheap anvil, which will be of the greatest service in your work. It should be mounted close up to the work bench. Two small hammers, one with an A-shaped peon, and the other with a round peon, should be selected, and also a plane and a small wood saw with fine teeth. A bit stock, or a ratchet drill, if you can afford it, with a variety of small drills; two wood chisels, say of â…œ-inch and ¾-inch widths small cold chisels; hack saw, 10-inch blade; small iron square; pair of dividers; tin shears; wire cutters; 2 pairs of pliers, one flat and the other round-nosed; 2 awls, centering punch, wire cutters, and, finally, soldering tools.

If a gas range is not available, a brazing torch is an essential tool. Numerous small torches are being made, which are cheap and easily operated. A small soldering iron, with pointed end, should be provided; also metal shears and a small square; an awl and several sizes of gimlets; a screwdriver; pair of pliers and wire cutters

From the foregoing it will be seen that the cost of tools for an electrical contractor is not a very expensive item.

This entire outfit, not including the anvil and vise, may be purchased new for about $20.00, so we have not been extravagant.

Magnet-winding Reel.—Some little preparation must be made, so we may be enabled to handle our work by the construction of mechanical aids.

First of these is the magnet-winding reel. This, for our present work, will be made wholly of wood.

Select a plank 1½ inches thick and 8 inches wide, and from this cut off two pieces (A), each 7 inches long, and then trim off the corners (B, B). To facilitate as the mandrel (C ), select a piece of broomstick 9 inches long. Bore a hole (D) in each block (A) a half inch below the upper margin of the block, this hole being of such diameter that the broomstick mandrel will fit and easily turn therein.

Place a crank (E), 5 inches long, on the outer end of the mandrel. Then mount one block on the end of the bench and the other block 3 inches away. Affix them to the bench by nails or screws, preferably the latter.

On the inner end of the mandrel put a block (F) of hard wood. This is done by boring a hole 1 inch deep in the center of the block, into which the mandrel is driven. On the outer face of the block is a square hole large enough to receive the head of a ⅜-inch bolt, and into the depression thus formed a screw (G) is driven through the block and into the end of the mandrel, so as to hold the block (F) and mandrel firmly together. When these parts are properly put together, the inner side of the block will rest and turn against the inner journal block (A).

The tailpiece is made of a 2″ × 4″ scantling (H), 10 inches long, one end of it being nailed to a transverse block (I) 2″ × 2″ × 4″. The inner face of this block has a depression in which is placed a V-shaped cup (J), to receive the end of the magnet core (K) or bolt, which is to be used for this purpose. The tailpiece (H) has a longitudinal slot (L) 5 inches long adapted to receive a ½-inch bolt (M), which passes down through the bench, and is, therefore, adjustable, so it may be moved to and from the journal bearing (A), thereby providing a place for the bolts to be put in. These bolts are the magnet cores (K), 6 inches long, but they may be even longer, if you bore several holes (N) through the bench so you may set over the tailpiece.

With a single tool made substantially like this, over a thousand of the finest magnets have been wound. Its assess will be appreciated after you have had the experience of winding a few magnets.

The Two Kinds of Magnet.—Generally speaking, magnets are of two kinds, namely, permanent and electro-magnetic.

Permanent Magnets.—A permanent magnet is a piece of steel in which an electric force is exerted at all times. An electro-magnet is a piece of iron which is magnetized by a winding of wire, and the magnet is energized only while a current of electricity is passing through the wire.

Electro-Magnet.—The electro-magnet, therefore, is the more useful, because the pull of the magnet can be controlled by the current which actuates it.

The electro-magnet is the most essential of all contrivances in the operation and use of electricity. It is the piece of mechanism which does the tangible work of almost every electrical apparatus or machine. It is the device which has the power to convert the unseen electric current into motion which may be ascertained by the human eye. Without it electricity would be a useless agent to man.

While the electro-magnet is, therefore, the form of device which is almost wholly used, it is necessary, first, to understand the principles of the permanent magnet.

Order in the Workshop.—Select a place for each tool on the rear upright of the bench, and make it a rule to put each tool back into its place after using. This, if persisted in, will soon become a habit, and will save you hours of time. Hunting for tools is the unprofitable part of any work as any electrical contractor will tell you.