To avoid confusion, the subject herein treated is considered in three divisions. Part I. contains the essential facts concerning common bench tools for wood; it describes their action, explains their adjustments, and shows how they may be kept in order. Part II. presents a course of practice by which ability to use the tools may be acquired; and Part III. discusses such forms and adaptations of joints as will meet the requirements of ordinary construction. It is not expected that the student will complete Part I. before entering upon Part II., or that he will finish Part II. before commencing Part III. He will find greater profit in using them together. For example, a shop exercise involving the chisel (Part II.) should be accompanied or preceded by a study of the chisel (Part I.); again, the various forms of mortise-and-tenon joints (Part III.) will be better understood and more easily remembered, if considered during the time when types of such joints are under construction in the shops (Part II.). In the writer's experience with classes of students, one hour has been given to class-room work for every five hours given to shop work. By this apportionment, Parts I. and III. can be mastered in the class-room while Part II. is in progress in the shops.

The equipment necessary for carrying out the course of practice given in Part II. is much less expensive than may at first appear. Besides a bench, a pair of trestles, and a bench-hook, the following-named tools are needed: I 2-ft. Rule. I Framing-Square. I 7-inch Try-Square. I 8-inch Bevel. 2 8-inch Marking-Gauges. I Chalk-Line, with Chalk. I Lead-Pencil. I Scriber. Firmer-Chisels, I each, \,f, \n, 3/1 in bit Zlt ,11 ariA ,ut Gouges, i each, §", \n, f", and i". I 22-inch Cross-cutting-Saw, 8 teeth.

I pair 8-inch Dividers.

I pair jj-inch Matching-Planes.

I T3g-inch Beading-Plane.

I ^-inch Beading-Plane.

I Plow.

I 24-inch Ripping-Saw, 6 teeth.

I 10-inch Back-Saw.

I 8-inch Drawing-Knife.

I Fore-Plane.

I Jack-Plane.

I Smooth-Plane.

I Set Auger-Bits, \" to 1" by i6ths.

I Bit-Brace.

I Brad-Awl.

I Carpenter's Hammer.

I Mallet.

I Nail-Set.

I Oilstone.

I Hand-Scraper.

I doz. Quill Bits, assorted from J" down. I Miter-Box. I Grindstone.

If provision is to be made for more than one student, the items printed in small type need not be duplicated. One set of these will suffice for any number less than thirty.

The writer is indebted to Mr. M. Golden, of the School of Mechanics and Engineering, Purdue University, for the execution of many of the drawings and for valuable suggestions.

W. F. M. G

Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.

Preface To Second Edition

In the preparation of this edition the text has been revised and a new section dealing with timber and its preparation for use has been added. This appears as Part IV and, in common with Parts I and III, is designed for use in connection with the course of practice outlined in Part II. Use has been made of Snow's "Principal Species of Wood," from which several of the illustrations of Part IV have been taken or adapted, and also of certain publications of the United States government, especially those prepared by Professor C. S. Sargent and Dr. B. E. Fernow.