74 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



penter calls a fore-plane, and such surface should 

 be carefully tested lengthwise with a straight-edge 

 and crosswise with a try-square. 



But the writer has a much simpler method than 

 all this, of making wooden molds for all that he re- 

 quires of them. Indeed they need only approximate 

 accuracy; yet it is easy enough to have the angle of 

 the groove true. Furthermore, they may be only 

 from six inches to a foot in length, the strips being 

 shifted alon$ when planing them. 



The reader is now introduced to the very conven- 

 ient little tool called a center-gauge. You see that 

 it has one pointed end and several notches, all their 

 angles being 60 degrees. This may be obtained 



The indispensable little center-gauge 



from the larger hardware stores, either untempered 

 or of tempered steel; you want the latter, and it will 

 cost about twenty-five cents. Time and again you 

 will find it handy for testing angles. Take your two 

 strips of any soft wood and plane one edge of each 

 approximately to the required bevel just free- 

 hand. Place the strips side by side, the bevels fac- 

 ing, and test them with the point of the center-gauge. 



