Evening star., 1941-06-28

Shower Mixers;
House Numbers;
Wood Finish
BY HILSON MUNSEY.


institution. 1t has to large extent
replaced the bathtub, although
many of us still like to soak in the
heat of the bath by lying in the
hot water for the comfort of tired
muscles. There is one serious
danger in a shower. If a cold
water faucet is turned on in any
other part Of the house while one
is taking shower there is the
danger that the hot-water supply
may become too hot, with un-
pleasant consequences.
There are number of mixing
devices for the hot and cold water
intended to obviate the dangers
of scalding. Most of them are
operated on the thermostatic prin-
iciple. When the thermostat shows
too great a degree of heat the
,volums OF hot water is reduced to
o safe level.
There is another water mixer for
the shower that depends solely on
mechanical principles. This mixer
xll6S tNO OtlC lOI lllC lloI
and one for the cold-water water
supply that are delivered to the
mixer through threaded joints in
the unit connected with the water
supply. Between the hot and cold
water chambers is shuttle valve
that will not work until the cold
water is allowed to enter the unit.
+ When the handle is turned to
admit the water into the mixer the
gold water enters and forces back
the shuttle valve. This opens up
the hot-water chamber The fur
fher back the handle is turned the
more the hot water entering the
mixing chamber.
s. This mixer works on hydrostatic
pressure with no relation to the
temperature except that the tenn
perature follows the mechanical
action. If the supply of cold water
Us diminished as 1t would be by the
opening of another cold-water
faucet In the house the pressure in
the coldwater chamber is reduced
and the pressure in the hot-water
chamber becomes greater than that
In the cold-water chamber. AS
result the shuttle valve is forced by
The difference in pressure into the
GOLD water chamber and so reduces
the flow of hot water.
z This action is automatic and in
ftantaneous so that there is no
danger wha tsoever that a scalding
stream of hot water can descend
on the bather. If the cold water is
shut off entirely then the mixer
closes and the flow of water ceases
entirely. This mixer is finished in
chromium plate and can be easily
Installed in the shower circhit.
House Numbers.
Here IS another way of making
the home possible to find in the
dark, House numbers are very use
full when they can be seen. but
merely an irritation when they dis
appear in the darkness of the night.
These particular numbers are made
OF bakehte and require an cleo
trical circuit for their operation.
The numbers, themselves, are black
and are made visible by a tiny cleo
trio light that uses less than 3
cents worth of electricity a month.
The lamp will last for years and
can be replaced for few cents.
Z 1t is held in shield that acts as
. support for the bakelite numbers.
This shield is weatherproof and has
drainage system that takes care
OF rain and snow. The background
for the numbers is white enamel.
The light is diffused over all the
numbers by the simple expedient
OF placing bump in the BACKGROUND
against which the rays of light are
diffused to cover all the numbers
instead of only the middle two, as
would be the case if the light from
the bulb was thrown directly onto
the background. The numbers come
in three different styles and the
shield measures 51.x8 inches. The
electric bulb Is connected to the
doorbell circuit
Wood Finish.
The question of what to do to
finish the woodwork in the base
ment or In the summer cottage Is
always very present one. Most
finishes give an artificial surface
more or less shiny and therefore
undesirable or the finishes darken
the wood and destroy its natural
appearance.
In the case of the so-called dur
able woods, that is cedar, cypress
and California redwood, there is
preparation on the market that will
give a protective coat without in
any way affecting the appearance of
the wood. This finish penetrates
deeply, is a good protection against
moisture and will throw off water
that might try to penetrate and
destroy the wood walls. The natural
grain OF the wood is preserved and
from all appearances the walls
might not have been treated at all.
The preparation can be used
either indoors or outdoors. 1t will
Withstand the weather without anv
sppreciable darkening OF the wood.