PLANING THE STRIPS 79 



this hand on starting to go over the strip, they should 

 press the strip down into the groove and at the same 

 time either to the right or left a lateral pushing 

 or pulling in order to force the rind side of the 

 bamboo firmly against its side of the groove, and to 

 hold it there and prevent its tilting away. When 

 the holding-hand is shifted to the second position, 

 the fingers twist the strip toward one or the other 

 side to accomplish the same end. Once again, heed 

 the caution always to plane with the plane's face 

 parallel to the mold's surface not dropped either 

 to the right or left. 



If the above cautions be not observed, the result 

 will be a strip that is irregularly triangular on cross- 

 section, with one planed surface wider than the 

 other, as illustrated, instead of being symmetrical, 

 as indicated by the dotted line in the pic- 

 ture. To prevent a strip's thus " going 

 off " lopsidedly, remember in your planing Lopsided strip 

 of sides alternatingly that it is principally 

 the narrower surface which requires correction in 

 order to even up the cross-section; so make frequent 

 observations of your work with this in mind. The 

 endeavor should be made to have the triangular sec- 

 tion equilateral early in the planing and to keep it 

 so, rather than to permit of carelessness at first with 

 the intention of remedying the matter later. This 

 will save the amateur rod-builder much tribulation, 

 as it is one of the most vital points, it being of course 



