New subject: Use of the miter box.

Wood: Poplar.

Preparatory.

A.   Make working drawing.

B.   Make stock list.

C.   Cut all pieces, making usual allowance for working. Cut the top from a piece of straight-grained, soft wood, which will make the carving easier. The triangular pieces that hold the top in place should not be cut until the work is ready for them. Exercises.

1.   A. Work pieces of the rim to required size by usual method. B. Plane and sandpaper both sides of each piece.

2.   Nail the pieces together; the ends between the sides. Use 7/8 " brads, and place the poorest side inside of the box/

3.   Finish the outside of the ends with sandpaper. Be careful not to rack the box in doing this. Do not sandpaper the top or bottom edges of the rim. 4. A. Make the bottom of the box 5/8" longer and 5/8" wider than the rim of the box. Measure from

the rim itself; do not take the dimensions from the stock list.

B.   The top, or the best side, should receive a quarter round on all edges. Be sure that the round is true, and that it does not extend on far enough to prevent the rim from fitting the bottom perfectly.

C.   Plane and sandpaper the bottom.

D.   Fit the rim to the bottom of the box. It is important that there should be a perfect joint upon the outside, to insure which, see C, Topic 84 C.

E.   Be sure that the rim of the box is square, and nail the bottom to it with 3/4" brads. 5. A. The dimensions of the top should be ascertained in the same way as those of the bottom. B. Round all edges to make a thumb molding, or round them under so that they suggest the form of the thumb when held with the ball up. Insist upon the correct contour of the curves of both the top and bottom. C. Plane both sides of the top. Do not sandpaper.

6.   Select a simple design for carving. Draw it carefully with a hard pencil, and with tools in good order, proceed to cut the design.

7.   See Ex. 6, Fig. 19.

8. A. Cut triangular pieces from a piece 3/4" wide. Make the cuts as indicated in Fig. 25 A. Sandpaper them.

B.   Find their exact location by laying the top bottom-side up on the bench ; place the rim in its place upon the top while in this position. Mark the two sides of the angle of each corner with a sharp knife. Remove the rim, and measure the thickness of the rim in from these marks.

C.   Fasten the triangular blocks in their places, using glue very sparingly. 9. Plane top of rim to fit the under side of the cover.

10.   Inspect for defects.

11.   Stain, color putty, shellac, or wax to suit taste.