Rod-making. 219 



straight. But if not, the stick must be straightened by 

 the aid of heat. To do this, heat the wood as hot as 

 you can well bear your hand upon it. Unless the stick 

 is small, this must be done gradually, heating it as hot 

 as you dare, then letting it stand a while for the exte- 

 rior to impart its warmth to the interior, and then, when 

 the surface has cooled somewhat, heating again, repeat- 

 ing this until it is warmed through. It can then be 

 straightened, and may remain straight provided no at- 

 tempt is made to work upon it until it is perfectly cold. 

 You will also often find the joint crook under the plane. 

 In this case, it is best to wait until the joint is finished 

 before correcting it. It need cause no uneasiness, since 

 nearly every joint before varnishing and when otherwise 

 finished, requires attention in this respect. 



Now drive your brass pin into the planing-board, or 

 board upon which you propose to rest your joint when 

 planing it. Then, making proper allowance for the ex- 

 cess of length in the joint, draw a straight line on the 

 board equal in length to the proposed joint when finished. 

 Divide it up into spaces, each nine inches long, and num- 

 ber them plainly. By laying your joint beside this line, 

 you can at any moment ascertain exactly where any cal- 

 iper notch should be applied to determine when the 

 proper thickness is reached, without the trouble of meas- 

 uring every time. Then secure your joint by placing one 

 of the drill-holes over the pin, and plane away first on 

 one and then on the opposite side, changing frequently 

 from one to the other. Use the utmost care to keep the 

 two sides parallel. You will know this is the case if 

 both edges are of like width. When you approach the 

 proper taper, set your plane very fine, and use your gauge 

 often. Be patient, remembering that haste is the sure 



