Place the shelf border on the bench-hook and take the po sition for sawing shown in Fig. 37. In starting the cut, guide the saw by holding the side of the finger or thumb-nail against the side of the saw just above the teeth. It is best to begin by moving the saw forward and backward the full length, resting it against the • thumb or finger, but not allowing it to touch the piece. Next

Fig. 87. Using the Backsaw.

lower it so that it will touch the back corner a very little, and continue moving it forward and backward, but do not allow it to cut. After you are sure that you have the correct motion, allow it to cut a very little, gradually lowering the hand and cutting farther across until the kerf extends entirely across the surface. Do not rest the saw full weight on the board while it shows any tendency to catch when making the forward

Fig. 38. Positions in Starting the Saw.

stroke. Fig. 38 indicates the various positions of the saw in starting and gradually lowering the hand until the kerf extends entirely across, when the saw is nearly or quite level. Do not try to start the saw by drawing it toward you and then lifting it on the forward stroke. Learn to control the saw properly, and then there will be no need to draw it backward to start it.

See that the saw cuts very close to the line, but that it does not cut the line. The line should not be broken or roughened by the teeth of the saw. Neither should there be any material between the saw kerf and the knife line. Watch carefully the knife lines down the edges, and continue sawing until the kerf extends to the lines which are 1/8 inch from the face side. Be very careful to saw exactly to the lines and no farther, for the piece is to be bent; and if the sawing is not well done, the piece may break instead of bend.

You may set a try-square at the side of the saw to see when it is at right angles to the surface (as in Fig. 95), but it is better to accustom the eye to see the correct angle by looking at the corner in which the try-square would be placed. Avoid looking directly down upon the saw. Always look obliquely to the surface of the board. Saw at the same side of each line, except one line at each end, which is to be left until you are ready to smooth the ends. Begin near one end and change ends as you near the opposite end. After cutting all the lines, except the end ones, place the piece in the vise and saw from the edge into each hole.