Nikola Tesla Books
A FOREWORD ON APPARATUS FOR THE STAGE 181 and bench, an engine lathe of light construction but of large capacity as regards swing, a small drill press and complete set of metal tools, such as pliers, hacksaw and files. With such an equipment the handy man--and it is assumed that the would-be entertainer is a handy man or he had better not start on the road with his outfit-may construct the entire set of apparatus with the assistance of a bright boy or even girl if she be mechanically inclined. And after the apparatus has been built by the man who intends to use it, who can gainsay the fact that he, better than anyone else, is prepared to take care of it and repair it if necessary? If some of the more intricate machine work, of which there is little, is beyond the capabilities of the amateur, then let him go to the regulation shop and have just that part finished up to drawings. Working Drawings.-The question of drawings brings us to a point of vital importance. Before a stroke of work is done on the apparatus, each and every part should be depicted in a large drawing and all dimensions checked to determine their accuracy. The space available in this book has not rendered it possible to cover this detail with all thoroughness, but the individual worker should develop his design from the suggestions given, making his drawings complete in order that he may fully understand the construction of the various parts. For the convenience of those who do not feel capable of developing these drawings, the author has prepared a set of detailed blueprints showing the construction of the apparatus as a supplement to the book.* In no sense is the work of building the apparatus difficult and neither does it require the services of skilled labor. The ability to use tools in an intelligent manner and, what * See advertising pages in back of book.
