| rticle gives some information for people just starting | | | | and light easy strokes to begin with, do not put too |
| out in woodworking, whether at home or in the | | | | much pressure on the wood at this point. Then |
| workplace. | | | | gradually increase the length of your stroke until it is |
| Whether you are in the workplace or simply want to | | | | the full arm length. When you are near the end of a |
| take up woodworking as a hobby, there are a few | | | | cut, lessen the arm length and ease back on the |
| basic things that you need to be aware of. Making a | | | | pressure again. |
| drawing of the task you are about to undertake is a | | | | Planning |
| good idea. You then need to make a list of the | | | | Wood has to be planed. Use a jack plane to take off |
| materials and the type of wood that you require and | | | | any rough surface, later a smooth plane will be needed |
| either purchase these or if you are at work give it to | | | | to smooth out previously straightened edges. |
| the lumberman to fill. When you do this be very | | | | Squaring up |
| precise in your specifications. | | | | Squaring up is leveling up. A level surface is one in |
| Laying out Your Wood or Rough Stock | | | | which all points lie in the same plane. To level a |
| To begin with you will need the following: | | | | surface, therefore, means to plane off the high places. |
| - Rule | | | | There are several ways of testing a surface to find |
| - Try square or steel square | | | | whether it is true (straight) or not. An experienced |
| - A straightedge | | | | mechanic would probably find the eye sighting test |
| - A pencil. | | | | sufficient. This consists in closing one eye and sighting |
| Directions: | | | | with the other along the length of the piece for |
| Measure off and mark the length of the piece required; | | | | straightness. A beginner will find it advisable to use the |
| measure off near the end the width wanted; at what | | | | following test, in addition, until his eye has become |
| is to become the other end of the piece, mark off the | | | | trained in detecting inaccuracies. This test is used by |
| width as before. With the straightedge, connect these | | | | mechanics when great accuracy is desired. It consists |
| points and draw a line through them | | | | in testing for wind by means of winding sticks and in |
| To do this the pencil is held against the end of the rule | | | | testing for straightness of length and width by means |
| and the whole is pulled toward the worker. The | | | | of a straightedge. Once you have learned these basic |
| thumbnail of the left hand held on the rule at the | | | | things, you are ready to start making the items that |
| desired point acts as a gauge head. | | | | you want. |
| When it comes to cutting your wood, use a hand saw | | | | |