Stock 13/8 inches thick, 13/4 inches wide, 81/2 inches long, of pine or basswood.

This piece should be worked to exactly 11/2 inches by 11/4 inches. As each half is to fit into a gain, it is very essential that the piece be made exactly square and exactly the same size at each end. You should now be able to work your material to size and square with little difficulty. Place two sets of face-marks on the piece so that you can find the face edge after the piece has been cut in two Unless you are very careful you will make the mistake of cutting both notches or gains from

Fig. 67. Halved Cross.

the same side, so that when the pieces are placed together the face-marks will not both be on the same side, as they ought to be.

Lay off the two pieces by superposition as described in Lesson 18 (Making A Halved Tee). Work the gains in the same manner as the gain in the halved tee (Lesson 18). Finish one piece all ready to be placed together, and then finish the other piece, doing all the work before the pieces are tried together in any way after the lines have been made.

When both are completed, put them together: and if you have done your work properly, they will slip together without the aid of a hammer, and will also be tight at every point. Finish the ends with the chisel, making the pieces each 4 inches long. Do not plane the sides or use any sandpaper on this joint.