Paragraph 5. After you have prepared a working face and a working edge, the next step in squaring stock is to prepare a working end. To do this means to make one end of the material perfectly square with the working face and also with the working edge. If the end of your material has been sawed reasonably square you may be able to plane it perfectly square by the use of the block plane. If not, you will have to saw it first. To do this, square a line across the working face, holding the handle of the try - square firmly against the working edge, as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19.

Then hold the try-square handle firmly against the working face and square this line across the working edge, as shown in Figure 20. With the back saw carefully saw it just outside this line. This may be done by holding the material on the bench hook, as shown in Figure 21. With the block plane smooth this end until it is perfectly square. Fasten the material in the vise with the end extending only a few inches above the bench top; handle your block plane as shown in Figure 22. Do not attempt to push the plane entirely across the board; if you do you will find that the material is damaged by splinters being torn out. Plane only part way across from one edge and then plane from the other edge. In preparing a working end, test with the try-square frequently to be sure that it is exactly square with both the working face and the working edge.

Figure 20.

Figure 21.

Figure 22.