SHOP PROJECTS omemade Torch Stand A propane torch has an important place in every home workshop, but I've found that it is easily tipped over and presents a con- stant hazard once it is lit. To remedy this, I con- strueted the simple rack at left. It holds the torch at a convenient angle and leaves both hands free. In addition, when the torch is not in use it can remain in the stand for storage. The torch can be readily lifted out when desired and the tray in the base provides handy storage for the light- er, solder, flux and other torch-related items. All parts are of nominal one-inch stock and assem- bly is with glue and 4d fin- ishing nails. You may want to build several stands, al- tering the angle of the rest 3/Ax23/4x 91/2" so that the torch can be 3/4x13/4x23/4" used for special jobs. If you decide to make a rest that will hold the torch nearer to the vertical, I recom- mend that you notch the small board at the other end in order to cradle the tank bottom securely. If desired, you can add a torch stand as a permanent fixture to your workbench by attaching it with a large flathead screw. You can turn stand to whatever direction is most convenient for the jobat hand.—Harold Jackson 174 POPULAR MECHANICSand Handy 8x 3/4x 16° ‘meta strip sul he handle Technical Art by Fred Woltf ALUMINUM AND WOOD forming tool serves as an tid in shaping semicircular parts of the ladle’s clomp JANUARY 1971 wexsraxe ‘metal strip Lead Ladle Burn the paint and oil residue off an old oil-filter casing and you have the mak- ings of a ladle capable of melting about five Ibs. of lead. With its unique Y- branched design and its two file handles, you can easily control the flow of lea into molds for fishing sinkers, lead sol- diers, belt weights and the like. The ladle lasts through a dozen or so melting ses- sions. The used throw-away oil filters are available free at your local gas station. ‘The handle shown is made to accommo- date a 3%4-in.-dia. oil filter, but change this diameter if you use a different size filter. Start with the sharp breaks of 75° for the ears of the clamp; this will insure parallel ears when mounted. Then form the semicircular halves in the forming tool as shown at left. Clamp the handle parts together with a C-clamp and drill through two ¥%-in.-dia. holes in one handle to receive the carriage bolts. With the ladle assembled, use a torch to melt lead initially, and charcoal to keep it in a molten state—A. Barkey 175