it
specially for the purpose (Fig. 272).

SQUARING.--Another important point to remember is that the drawer sides
must be true and squared to an exact length and planed up to thickness;
otherwise the finished drawer will be in winding and out of truth.

To true and square the ends of drawer sides, drawer backs and drawer
front, a most useful little machine is the mitre trimmer; failing this,
excellent results can be obtained by using the shooting board.

[Illustration: Fig. 273.--Method of Marking with Cutting Gauge.]

GAUGING.--After squaring up the timber accurate gauging of the ends is
another important point. The gauge used should be a cutting gauge, so
that the line is incised about 1/32 in. in depth, thus effectually
cutting the cross fibres of the timber.

Fig. 273 shows the method of using the cutting gauge. The stock of the
gauge must be held well up to the end of the timber. The gauge is a most
difficult tool for the novice to use, and his trouble is generally caused
by holding it too flat. Tilt the gauge a little so that the thumbscrew
shown in the illustration goes nearer to the floor; the blade will then
not bite so keenly, and better results will be obtained. The dotted lines
indicate the positions which the dovetails will occupy when marked out.

The gauge is set a trifle less than the thickness of the drawer sides to
allow for the thickness of the steel cutter, and a gauge line is marked
on the inside of the front and all round the drawer back. The gauge is
now readjusted so as to leave a 1/4-in. lap on the front, and a line
marked on the ends of the front and all round the ends of the sides which
will engage the drawer front. A glance at Figs. 270 and 273 will make
this clear.

[Illustration: Fig. 274.--Removing the Waste Wood.]

The dovetail pins on drawer part and back are spaced out and marked on
the end with the aid of the joiners' bevel, the lines being then squared
down to the gauge line by the method shown at Fig. 272--that is, by
using the try-square and marking awl.

The drawer front is now put into the bench vice, and the pins are cut as
indicated in Fig. 274. The drawer back is treated in a similar manner,
but of course in this case it is not "lap" but "through" dovetailing, and
the saw kerf goes through the timber and down to the gauge line.

[Illustration: Fig. 275.--Cutting away the Half Dovetails.]

We now come to the point where it is necessary to remove the superfluous
mater