Take a sheet of No. § flint paper, or sandpaper, as it is commonly called, and lay it, paper side up, on the bench. Place the backsaw across it so that the teeth of the saw will be at the center of the sheet, and tilt the blade to bring the teeth firmly against the paper. With the

right hand grasp one corner of the paper and pull upward and toward the saw, tearing the paper across the center as shown in Fig. 44. Tear one of these pieces again, making a piece 1/4 the size of the sheet. Tear a sheet of No. 11/2 paper in the same manner.

Place the half sheet of No. 11/2 paper on the bench with the flint side up. Hold the scale com-

Fig 45. Sandpaperinq an End.

Fig. 44. Tearing Sandpaper.

pleted in the last lesson as shown in Fig. 45. Hold it very firmly, and move it from you without allowing it to shake or tip. Notice that the thumb and fingers are as near the paper as they can be without being injured. Examine the end of the piece often, using a try-square, and each time change the position of the piece, so that it will be smoothed and yet kept straight and square. When all the roughness left by the chisel has been removed, repeat the operation, using the half sheet of No. 1/2 paper. Continue using this paper until the surface appears bright and the grain of the wood shows plainly. The coarse paper is to remove the tool marks, and the finer paper is to remove the fine white torn grain and scratches made by the coarse paper. You will notice that it is possible to remove only small irregularities with the coarse paper, for if we try to remove any large defects the corners will become rounded, and it will be necessary to reline and rechisel the end. In no case leave the corners rounded, for round corners are the mark of the shiftless workman.

When each end has been properly smoothed, take a quarter sheet of the No. 1/2 paper and fold it carefully to 1/8 sheet size. Hold it as shown in Figs. 46 and 47, and smooth the four sides. Do not use a block for work of this kind, as it would surely round the corners and spoil the work. Be very careful not to rub much near the ends or edges.

Remember that the paper cuts most directly under the fingers, and therefore be careful how you press upon the paper, and frequently change the position of the fingers, so that the paper will be worn evenly. Do no more rubbing than is necessary to make a smooth, glossy surface. Too much sandpapering is as bad as too little. By holding the work up to the light you can easily distinguish the smooth from the rough places.

Learn also to test the work by feeling with the hand or fingers.

Look closely at your work, and you will discover that it is best torublengthwise of the grain.

Scratches made by rubbing across the grain are quite apt to injure

Fig. 46. Sandpapering a bide. Compare this view with Fig. 47.

Fig. 47. Sandpapering. Observe that the. paper does not touch the edge of the piece.

the appearance of the finish. It is necessary to rub both with the grain and against the grain in order to remove the fine fibers which stick up on the surface.