The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1943-07-29
CRACKED BOILERS

IT is not uncommon for a home
1 owner to be startled by the crack
ing of boiler during the idle sea-
son. With the boiler out Of COM
mission, there seems no reason or
excuse for such a calamity. Yet
there is very good reason for it,
although the origin may date back
to the time when the boiler was in
stalled. A boiler is made up Of Sec
tons, which during installation are
held together by what are called
tie-rods; that is, rods passing
through to draw the sections tightly
together by the setting up of nuts
at the ends. The Tightening of these
tie-rods is necessary during install
lation, but when once the sections
are brought together. the tie-rod is
no longer needed. The nuts at the
ends can then be loosened, or, as
a matter of fact, the rods can be
withdrawn entirely. If the nuts
are left tight, rust will form I'm
der them, and in time may pro-
duce so much pressure that the
sections will give way under it. Un-
fortunately, there is no way in which
the home owner can check up on
this condition. He can only hope
that the boiler was installed by
someone who understood the situa-
ton and guarded against it by the
loosening of the tie-bolt nuts.
Shellac for Floors
Question: Shellac is recommend
ed for hardwood floors, with scatter
rugs. But from my experience with
shellac, conclude that good spar
varnish would be better. What do
you think?
Answer: When correctly applied,
shellac is an excellent finish, and
will withstand heavy wear. How
ever, it should be applied only to
bare wood. If there is any old fin
ish left on your floors, it should all
be taken off with heavy floor ma
chine. The shellac used should not
be more than six months old, and
of top quality; the dealer can as
sure you on both these points. Shell
lac should not be used as it comes,
but be thinned with two to three
parts of good denatured alcohol to
every two parts of shellac. Under
these conditions you can get excel
lent service.
Scorched Rug
Question: In taking a kerosene
stain from an old Persian rug it
was covered with brown paper and
ironed. But the iron was too hot
and the rug was scorched. What
will remove the mark?
Answer: The scorch mark is &C.
tual damage to the tips of the fbers
of the rug. One way to take out
the mark is to rub gently with me-
dunn to coarse emery cloth.
Wood Shingles
Question: In laying wood shingles
I am told that there should be
spaces between the roof boards. Is
this SO?
Answer: No; it is not Spaces are
supposed to be for ventilation, but
that seems to be unnecessary. Il
it were, roof insulation would not be
possible. For instructions on laying
wood shingles write the Red Cedar
Single Bureau, Chicago
Paint Thinner
Question: l have used clear gaso
line in place of turpentine for thin
ming house paint. 1t seems to work
but evaporates quickly. Could
use loaded gasoline for the purpose
Answer: Gasoline is not recon-
mended, for it evaporates complete
ly. Turpentine. on the other hanc
goes into combination with the paint
and the results are longer lasting
Outdoor Grill
Question: We want to build an out
door fireplace for cooking. Where
can we get plans?
Answer: There have been a mum
Der of articles on grill design il
the magazines Popular Science anc
Popular Mechanics. You can lool
them up at public library.
Coating Wallpaper
Question: Is there some kind O.
clear shellac 1 could use to protec
my kitchen wallpaper, especially
above the stove?
Answer: You can use good quail
ity white shellac; or a water clear
varnish to be had from a dealer il
wallpaper.
Painting Fiber Rug
If the rug is used indoors you car
use dye to be had at a drug store
For outdoor use. get house pain
thinned with one-quarter as mucl
turpentine. Rub it into the fibe
instead Of merely coating the sur