SPLIT BAMBOO RODMAKING 191 



ping place and the result very often is a slip 

 or something that will mar your work. That 

 is one reason why the micrometer is so satis- 

 factory;' the marks are all in thousandths. 



At first you will not be expert enough to 

 attempt to bevel and taper a strip held in the 

 grooved board mentioned, although you can 

 readily reduce each strip to satisfactory shape 

 in this way and by drawing through the cen- 

 ter gauge. From this stage on, then, consult 

 your micrometer or gauge often, noting at the 

 same time the readings on your grooved block. 



In using the block plane with scraper edge 

 you can plane a strip from either end without 

 the slightest fear of cutting into grain or knot. 

 Therefore plane toward the butt end of your 

 strips until they are of good form and size, 

 then reverse them and holding the strip in the 

 groove with left thumb behind the plane, work 

 toward the other end, first on one side, then on 

 the other, always being careful to see that the 

 enamel face of strip lies true in the groove. 

 And as the edges of Tonkin are very sharp, 

 either bandage the left thumb or provide it 

 with the thumb of an old glove, and in either 

 case dip the member in powdered rosin fre- 

 quently. Should you sustain a bad cut and 

 it is almost impossible to avoid this at first 



