Woodworking Uses of Tools 13 



grip vice, see Fig. 5. Beyond these desiderata, the bench may 

 take any convenient shape or form, that shown in Fig. 6 being 



FIG. 6. Carpenter's bench, with clamping device. 



a useful type of bench for ordinary work though fitted with 

 the common screws. 



Glue. Glue is an important aid to woodwork construc- 

 tion, and well repays a little care in its preparation. Various 

 makes of glue are on the market, principally " Scotch," 

 "French," or "Town," the first two of which are to be 

 preferred. 



As a rule, light-coloured glue is of the better quality. 



The method of preparation recommended is as follows : 



Break up the glue into pieces not greater than half a square 

 inch in area. Place these in a suitable vessel and cover well 

 with water. Allow to stand overnight, then pour off any excess 

 of water, and if all the glue has expanded, owing to absorbed 

 water, it may be bodily removed to the inner glue pot, and 

 heated for about an hour, when, after skimming, it is ready for 

 use. Should only a portion of the glue have absorbed water 

 the whole may still be melted up as before, but cold water 

 should be added before heating, in quantity calculated to 

 be sufficient to soften all the glue to an equal extent. 



Glue is tested by its ability to run off the brush, which 

 it should do in an unbroken stream. Glue, used in too con- 

 centrated a form, sets before it has had time to soak into 

 the pores of the wood, and will subsequently chip off the 



