In household practice, a sealing paste known as “Mendeleev’s putty” has long been used: it is commonly used to seal the joints of the frame and glass walls of aquariums. This sealant is plastic at temperatures above approximately +45°C and does not crack after hardening. And although it is diluted by many organic solvents, it Read more…
Almost a hundred years ago, when automobile manufacturing was taking its first steps, curious phenomena were observed in this field from the perspective of our contemporary. Today it goes without saying that an automobile is a vehicle with a gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine (ICE). But in those days, firstly, the automobile was considered Read more…
Low-pressure, large-diameter pneumatic tires are excellent propulsion systems for all-terrain vehicles even in the most difficult road conditions. However, when they work with modern high‑speed engines, they require a significant reduction of angular velocities by means of the transmission and, as a result, an increase in the number of gear stages, as well as in Read more…
What is the microplane “Wasp” created by Kronstadt craftsmen? At first glance, it seems there is nothing new in it. A strut-braced high-wing monoplane, a scheme that has become the most popular among amateur designers. This very scheme was the basis for the microplanes “Leningradets” by N. Tatsiturny, “Malysh” by L. Komarov, “Sputnik” by V. Read more…
Furniture for sitting is usually bought in matching pairs. For example, two folding armchair-beds. Over time they become morally outdated, an anachronism. Throwing them away seems a waste, but converting them… Such armchairs, made by the same factory, have matching overall and mounting dimensions. Because of this, after removing the side panels (legs) on each Read more…
Four wheels, an engine, and a driver’s seat. Such are karts—tiny sports cars that surprisingly quickly gained widespread popularity in all countries of the world. Thanks to their simplicity and accessibility, karts opened the way to motorsports for broad segments of youth. Karting—racing in miniature cars—became a favorite sport of schoolchildren. Recently, the kart-car got Read more…
Champignon cultivation began at least two hundred years ago. In the early 19th century these mushrooms were successfully grown by Petersburg market gardeners, with the peasant Osinin from Yaroslavl Province considered a pioneer. Whole dynasties of mushroom growers from Moscow, Novgorod, Tver and other major cities are known, who used specialised greenhouses for their production Read more…
The first furrow on his homestead plot was made by resident of Pavlovo-on-Neva village, Kirovsky district, Leningrad region V. I. Morozov using an electric winch in the spring of 1980. Having confirmed the reliable operation of the unit, Vasily Ivanovich sent its description to the editorial office, which was published accompanied by a comment from Read more…
“Not long ago, the chief engineer of one of the factories producing refrigerators, V. V. Ulyanovsky, called me. As it turned out, he was interested in the thermostat I built for storing potatoes on the balcony in winter.” This is how engineer-builder A. A. Rozhdestvensky somewhat unexpectedly began presenting his mini-vegetable storage. Then he showed Read more…
It all started when we—a young childless couple—bought two “Kama” bikes and got into cycling. When our daughter was born, we faced the question: how could we all ride together? I made a small seat and mounted it on the rear rack. It served us faithfully for several years. But as our daughter grew, the Read more…
