The drawings (Fig. 40) show a satisfactory arrangement of containers and covers for stains and finishes.

The containers are granite pails about six inches in diameter and four inches high. These pails are set on blocks which are fastened to the bottom of the inclosing box. When not in use the stain in the container is protected from the air by a metal cover seven inches in diameter and ten inches high. The container, brush, cover, and block are all given the same number to avoid mistakes in returning things to their proper places. Several containers and covers are inclosed in one long box, the lid of which forms a shelf when open, as shown in the drawings (Fig. 40). The box can be locked with a padlock when not in use, thus preventing misuse of the bench and finishes.

Fig. 40.

Reference Work:

1. Find out how the following articles are made, and when they are used: turpentine, linseed oil (boiled and raw), benzine, resin, drier, japan, white lead, zinc oxide, putty, spirit stain, water stain, copal varnish, shellac varnish, rubber set brushes, and pumice-stone.

2. Try to collect the raw materials and make: (1) linseed oil; (2) rosin; (3) turpentine; (4) lamp black; (5) vegetable dyes - it will be well to tone down your dyes with lamp black; (6) filler; (7) wax; (8) brushes. Experiment with pieces of tin, with old dust brushes, and other inexpensive materials. You may find that you can make brushes that will do very well indeed for applying stain and filler and so save your good brushes for shellac and varnish.

3. Look up the subject of house painting. Collect several brands of paint, and prepare and paint samples. Expose some samples to the action of the weather. Try out various proportions of turpentine, lead, and oil; turpentine, lead, zinc oxide and oil, to determine the best wearing qualities for out of door work. Experiment with colors.