26 



The two dove-tail joints shown in Fig. 48 may be attempted, 

 after having succeeded with the half -lap; and these exercises should 

 be continued by the student until such control of the chisel is nt- 

 tained that this and similar work can be done with ease and certainty. 

 For Iffying out work of this kind the blade of a pocketknife or 

 bench knife should always be used. This gives a clean, sharp-cut 

 angle for the meeting sides of the joints, which cannot be obtained 

 if a scratch-awl is used. The awl tears and breaks the fibres of the 

 wood, producing a rough, ragged angle, which, on fitting, cannot 

 produce a smooth and close piece of work. A pencil is equally 

 objectionable because of the indefinite dimensions given by its use. 



An assortment of four to nine carver's gouges, front bent as 



24 



Fig. 49. 



shown in Fig. 49, will be found necessary for working out short, 

 deep curves, and in places where a straight gouge cannot be used, 

 as in the core boxes for a globe valve, shown in Figs. 222, 223, 227, 

 228, and similar work. 



The full set consists of nine tools, the curves of which are 

 numbered from 24 to 32. The two extremes, Nos. 24 and 32, are 

 shown in Fig. 49, and also the shapes of the curves of the seven 

 intermediate's, Nos. 25 to 31 inclusive. 



If desired, to save expense, each alternate tool might be 

 omitted from the set, only the odd numbers 25, 27, 29 and 31 being 

 selected. For ordinary work these will be found sufficient. 



SQUARES. 



The best try-squares are now made with graduated blades, 

 Fig. 50, and from two inches to twelve inches in length of blade. 

 Several sizes will be found necessary, as in many cases the 



