Handy Devices

Red on White (Editor’s Choice):

Kenneth Hinnenkamp, Melrose, Minnesota, was walking through a large barn one day and found that he could not see his fire extinguishers--even though he knew four were mounted around the building. He thought of a fix. Around the four sides of each of the 6 x 6 posts holding the extinguishers, he wrapped pieces of white plastic. The red extinguishers stood out against the white background making them easy to see should an emergency arise.

Wire Stretcher:

So, how do you keep 80 feet of electric wire pulled tight? John Sawyers, Puryear, Tennessee, has to stretch an electric fence gate across an 80-foot opening to his hay barn. To keep the wire from sagging, he attached a screen door spring to the gate handle and the wire to the spring.

Rolling rims:

Brian Cottrell, Upton, Kentucky, made a portable worktable from scrap rims. The table stand is made from two rims welded together. For the tabletop, he salvaged a fan from an old spreader truck. The fan, he notes, is a bit concave. But, that makes it a great surface to hold nuts, bolts and tools that may otherwise roll off onto the shop floor. He also mounted a 4-inch vise to the top. Cottrell welded four wheels, two onto each of two pieces of 1-inch bar steel. He welded the bars to the bottom of the stand.

WINNING IDEAS: Win $150 if your idea is chosen as the month’s “Editor’s Choice” Handy Device. Win $50 for other ideas used on this page. To submit a Handy Device, please send clear photographs, detailed drawings and a complete explanation of your idea. With each entry, include your name, address and telephone number. Send Handy Device entries to Progressive Farmer, 2204 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 415, Birmingham, AL 35209. Sorry, but we cannot acknowledge submissions or return photographs, drawings or documentation.

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