The Holder

Prepare a working face (Chapter II., Paragraph 2); plane one edge perfectly straight and square and mark it the working edge (Chapter II., Paragraph 4). Plane one end perfectly square with the working face and working edge (Chapter II., Paragraph 5). In laying out your design, make all measurements from the working face and the working edge. Carefully lay out your chosen design on the working face. This may be partly laid out with the compasses and finished freehand. Be sure the two sides are alike. With the turning saw, coping or compass saw (if you have curves in your design) cut out the shape of the holder. Carefully smooth all of the edges with the wood file, and finish them with sandpaper. Make sure that you remove all tool marks and leave the edges perfectly square.

Assembling

This piece of work is to be assembled with glue and screws. Locate the holes for the screws, bore through the back piece with a bit large enough to allow the screws to go through easily (Chapter II., Paragraph 9); also bore the hanging hole. Use a smaller bit and bore in the holder to receive the screws. Be sure the holder stands perfectly square on the back piece.

Finishing

When your work is assembled, with a sharp steel scraper (Chapter II., Paragraph 16) remove all rough places, pencil or tool marks. Sandpaper with a very fine, clean piece of sandpaper. Stain the work the desired color (Chapter IV., Paragraph 54). Finish with two or more coats of shellac (Chapter IV., Paragraph 57).

In small pieces of work like this all back parts should also be stained and shellaced.

Optional and Home Projects Employing Similar Principles.

Tool Racks

1. This principle of using a back, with some special sort of holder attached, may be employed in a great many different styles of tool racks. By making the back very much longer and using a strip with a number of suitable holes in it for a holder, a very convenient rack may be provided for such tools as files, bits, screwdrivers and chisels.

Pantry Wall Rack

2. A back made as long as desirable and provided with hooks, dowel pins, or even nails, will furnish a convenient rack for many things which are usually kept in the pantry. The particular style of hook or hanger may be selected to suit the articles to be hung.

Hat Rack

3. By making the back a little more elaborate, and perhaps adding some artistic effect in the way of a suitable design, a very satisfactory hat rack may be provided. The hangers may be made of wood, or some pleasing style of hook may be purchased.