See that the spur is sharpened to a knife-like point, so that it will make a smooth line. Set the gauge by holding it in the left hand, the thumb under

Fig. IS. First Piece or Rule.

the beam and against the head, the first finger on top of the head and the other fingers grasping around the beam. With the right hand hold the rule, opened to one foot long, against the head, and directly behind the spur and on top of the beam, Fig. 14. By pressing with the rule, or with the thumb and finger, the head will be moved until the proper line on the scale is brought directly behind the spur. Then lay the rule aside, holding the head in place by the pressure of the first finger of the left hand until the thumbscrew has been tightened with the right hand. Test the gauge to see if it has been correctly set by applying the rule again.

Fig. 14. Setting the Gauge.

To draw the line, take the gauge in the right hand, three fingers grasping the beam - the first finger over the head and the thumb against the beam, and as nearly opposite the spur as is convenient. Always place the head of the gauge against a side having a

Fig. 15. Drawing a Gauge Line.          face-mark.

Take the piece used in Lesson 2 (To Plane An Edge At Right Angles To A Surface), and, with the gauge set to 1/2 inch, draw a line on the side first trued, 1/2 inch from the face edge. Before attempting to draw the line it is well to practice the movement of the hand and arm by rolling the gauge until the spur will not touch the surface of the piece, and then making the movement as if drawing the line the entire length of the piece. Next allow the spur to touch a very little, making a very light line. Gradually increase the strength of the line until a line of the proper heaviness has been produced. Next draw a line \ inch from the face, and then a line 1 inch from the face, and lastly a line 11/2 inches from the face (Fig. 13). Make all these lines of equal strength and smooth and straight to the extreme ends. It is usually more convenient to rest the end of the piece against the bench stop; and, in order to draw the line to the extreme end of the piece, it willbe necessary to roll the piece as shown at Fig. 16. Be careful to hold the work and gauge so that you can easily see how deep the spur is cutting, and also whether the head of the gauge is against the

Fig. 16. Finishing a Gauge Line.

face side. If you are careful in making a light line at first, you will have no serious difficulty in drawing a line through knots or over diagonal grain.