Repairs. 241 



the file down and place the splice upon it ; and while 

 rubbing the joint to and fro on the file, I press the 

 wood down upon it with the fingers of my left hand. 

 From time to time I look at the splice, and see how the 

 filing progresses. 



Fig. 75. A B t portions of broken joint; C, splice. 



The file will cut most rapidly where the pressure is 

 greatest, so that by varying the pressure with a little 

 judgment, the splice is soon made perfectly true, as I 

 have done this. Now we will finish the other ; so, there 

 they are complete. Now place them together and see 

 what you think of it. 



NOVICE. They fit perfectly. The rod is not enlarged 

 and the rings are in line. I am astonished that it could 

 be done in so short a time, and by means so simple. I 

 really believe I could do it myself.* 



ANGLER. Without the slightest doubt. In mechanics 

 as in life, skill consists in adapting your means to your 

 end ; the desired result then almost necessarily follows. 

 You see that when I rubbed the splice on the file only 

 the high places touched. Of course these were soon cut 

 away, and the surface became even of itself, so to speak. 



Now we have to unite the splice, and you will then be 



* If the means or the skill to make a perfect fit are wanting, the splice 

 should be so made that the joint is there enlarged ; otherwise it may 

 be "soft" at the splice i.e., inferior to the neighboring parts of the rod 

 in stiffness when it will almost certainly give way again. Subsequent- 

 ly, and under more favorable circumstances, the splice can be taken 

 apart, properly fitted, and permanently repaired with glue. 



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