The essential features of a gavel are that the ends of the head should be rounding in shape, and that it be made of wood from a hard, sonorous variety, and of a pleasing design.

Fig. 136. Gavel.

Turn the head of the gavel first being particular to finish the wood so that it will take a very high polish. Be sure to select stock long enough to allow for waste at each end, as shown in Fig. 137. Usually, there should be a longer stub of waste at the spur center than at the dead-center.

Outline the pattern, as shown in Fig. 138. Finish the central portion of the pattern first, and then work toward the ends, finishing the rounded ends last. These will require very careful scraping in order to finish properly. Hold the chisel while scraping as shown

Fig. 137. Gavel Roughed to Shape.

in Figs. 105, 127, and 211. After the piece has been polished, it will appear as in Fig. 139.

In cutting the stub end off, leave enough material to sandpaper thoroughly so that each end will be free from any roughness or marks caused by the tools. To sandpaper the ends, lay a piece of sandpaper on the bench, and rub the gavel on the paper. Use coarse sandpaper at first in order to cut the end down to an even, rounding surface. After removing the rougher places, finish the work by holding the sandpaper in the palm of your hand. Finish with paper so fine that the ends will take a polish equal to the other parts of the gavel. Examine the head carefully and plan to have the handle located so as to give the best effect. Place the head in the vise with a block at each end, as shown in Fig. 140. Bore the hole nearly through, being careful to make it straight and at right angles to the surface.

Fig. 138. Pattern Outlined.

Fig. 139. Head Finished in Lathe.

Select a piece for the handle, and turn it as indicated in Fig. 141, having the larger end near the live-center. First round the piece the entire length, and then fit the end next to the dead-center into the hole bored in the head of the gavel. Determine the length and turn the large end. Finish the central portion (Fig. 142), and then carefully polish all, except the part which enters the head. Glue the handle to place.

Gavels vary greatly in size. No. 136 is 3 1/2 inches long and 2| inches in diameter. The handle is 9 1/2 inches long and 13/16 inches

Fig. 140. Gavel Head in Vise.

Fig. 141. Handle Roughed Out.

in diameter at the large end. The hole in the head for the handle is \ inch in diameter.

No. 144 is 2 7/8 inches long and 1 7/8 inches in diameter. The handle is 9 inches

Fig. 142. Handle Polished.                                      long and

§ inches in diameter at the large end. The hole in the head is 7-16 inch.