392 THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 



the cost to such an extent that ordinary mechanics are not will 

 ing to purchase them. The old way of adjusting and key 

 ing them with a wedge is good enough for any mechanic, and 

 will without any doubt supplant and triumph over every other 

 mode of adjustment. 



574. Set the plane on the hind end, holding it erect with the 

 left hand, with the left thumb in the throat, placed on the face of 

 the bit. Rest the fore end against your chin and look lengthways 

 of the face of the plane, and put the plane iron through the throat 

 until the eye can just see a little of the edge. Hold it then with 

 the left thumb while the wedge is crowded in with the right hand. 

 A light tap with the hammer will fasten it. Never drive in 

 the wedges as if they were never to be again withdrawn. Try 

 the plane ; and with light taps with the hammer start it in until 

 it cuts deep enough. For planing cross-grained, eaty timber, 

 sharpen the bit, and set the cap or shaving breaker (see Par. 

 570) as close to the cutting edge of the bit as practicable. To 

 withdraw the bit, hold the plane with one hand, with the thumb 

 in the throat at the lower edge of the wedge. Press upward with 

 the thumb on the wedge as you strike on the fore part of the 

 plane, on a rivet head which is put in the plane to hammer on. 

 Or turn the plane upside down, and withdraw the wedge and bit 

 with one hand, by thumping the plane downwards on the bench. 



575. Mechanics many times dispose of their old planes because 

 the mouth is too wide. Such a defect may be obviated by set 

 ting a piece of band iron in the face of the plane so that the 

 mouth will admit only a thin shaving. When planing straight- 

 grained stuff, raise the cap, or shaving breaker; because more 

 force is required to shove a plane when the shaving breaker is 

 set near the edge of the bit. If a wedge is driven in very hard 

 in keying the bit, there is danger of springing the plane. 



THE WAY TO PLANE A BOARD TRUE AND SMOOTH. 



576. If a board is pretty true, not warped nor winding, it is a 

 short job to plane it. Lay it on the work-bench, with one edge 

 about even with the front side of the bench. With the jack- 



