n
the board. This simply wears out the tool, and if there should be any
grit on the board it will be sure to ruin the bit. This applies
particularly to the jack plane, but is bad practice with the others as
well.

A work bench is a receptacle for all kinds of dirt. Provide a special
ledge or shelf for the planes, and be sure to put each plane there
immediately after using.

THE GAGE.--A man, who professed to be a carpenter, once told me that he
never used a gage because he could not make it run straight. A few
moments' practice convinced him that he never knew how to hold it. The
illustration shows how properly to hold it, and the reason why it should
so be held follows.

You will observe (Fig. 26) that the hand grasps the stem of the gage
behind the cheekpiece, so that the thumb is free to press against the
side of the stem to the front of the cheekpiece.

HOLDING THE GAGE.--The hand serves to keep the cheekpiece against the
board, while the thumb pushes the gage forward. The hand must not, under
any circumstances, be used to move the gage along. In fact, it is not
necessary for the fingers to be clasped around the gage stem, if the
forefinger presses tightly against the cheekpiece, since the thumb
performs all the operation of moving it along. Naturally, the hand
grasps the tool in order to hold it down against the material, and to
bring it back for a new cut.

THE DRAW-KNIFE.--It is difficult for the apprentice to become accustomed
to handle this useful tool. It is much more serviceable than a hatchet
for trimming and paring work. In applying it to the wood always have the
tool at an angle with the board, so as to make a slicing cut. This is
specially desirable in working close to a line, otherwise there is a
liability of cutting over it.

This knife requires a firm grasp--firmness of hold is more important
than strength in using. The flat side is used wholly for straight edges,
and the beveled side for concave surfaces. It is the intermediate tool
between the hatchet and the plane, as it has the characteristics of both
those tools. It is an ugly, dangerous tool, more to be feared when lying
around than when in use. Put it religiously on a rack which protects the
entire cutting edge. _Keep it off the bench._

CHAPTER IV

HOW TO DESIGN ARTICLES

FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGNING.--A great deal of the pleasure in making
articles consists in creative work. This means, not that you shall
design some entirely