Handyman Guide > Files & Measuring Tools

The first rule in planing is to work in the direction of the grain. This direction can be determined with the first stroke. If the blade tears the wood and makes a rough surface, reverse the direction and work from the other end.

Do not try to take off too much wood at one time. Set the blade so that a thin shaving will be taken off rather than large chunks of wood. If you do this you will get greater accuracy and a smooth surface.

There are several methods of end-grain planing, to avoid splintering the wood. If the piece of wood is wider than required, do not remove the excess until the end has been planed. Chamfer one edge by cutting the corner off at an angle and plane toward the chamfered edge.

The same result can be obtained by placing a piece of scrap wood against the far edge of the wood to be planed and holding both in a vise. The scrap piece of wood should be level with the piece to be planed. Any splintering that occurs will be on the edge of the scrap wood and not on the piece to be finished.

Do not let waste accumulate in the plane, as this will reduce the efficiency. Always keep the plane blade sharp and never set a plane flat. This will dull the blade. Get in the habit of placing a plane on its side each time you have finished using it.

FILES

A wood file is used in smoothing wood difficult or impossible to work with other tools. Files are classified according to their length, shape, and the spacing of the teeth. A file used for rough work is called a rasp. A metal file is very useful for sharpening screwdrivers, garden tools, and other odd jobs. Both wood and metal files should be fitted with handles to avoid injury to the hands.

MEASURING TOOLS

It is quite impossible to do any sort of building without the aid of proper measuring tools. Always measure before you start work; never depend upon the eye alone.

Rules. A good rule is the first item on any list of measuring tools. Wooden folding rules or flexible steel rules are suitable for large jobs, and a 12-inch straight rule is convenient for shop work. Cloth rules should not be used when a great degree of accuracy is needed, as the cloth can be stretched enough to cause considerable error.

Squares. A large 24 x 16 in. steel framing-square can be used on any number of jobs. Besides the scale of inches and a right angle, it contains information on laying out numerous other angles. Do not allow the steel square to become rusty, as this will make accurate reading impossible.

A try-square is somewhat smaller with a wood or metal handle. It has many uses in the home workshop, such as making angles and squaring off small pieces of wood.

The combination square can be used to layout 90- and 45-degree angles. Many of these squares have a level built into the handle. A combination square can be used on almost any construction job.

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Tools and Materials
Hammers - Handsaws - Screwdrivers - Chisels - Brace and Bit - Hand Drill - Brad Awl - Planes - Files - Measuring Tools - Rules - Squares - Marking Gauge - Levels - Pincers - Nail Set - Drawknife - Cabinet Scraper - Small Tool Kit - Putty Knife - Pliers - Wrenches - Paint Scraper - Sharpening Tools - Nails - Wood Screws - Corrugated Fasteners - Mending Plates - Bolts - Abrasives - Woodworking Glue - Splices and Joints.

The Workshop
Equipping the Workshop - Heating - Fire Precautions - The Workbench - Saw Bucks - Tool Rack.

Home Construction
Elements of the House - Building Materials - Lumber - Molding - Kinds of Wood and their Characteristics - Plywood Wallboard - Roofing Materials - Concrete - Mixing Concrete - Cement Mortar - Concrete Forms - Concrete Blocks - Cinder Blocks - Bricklaying - Fieldstone - Anchoring in Masonry - Soldering.

Furniture
Upholstered Furniture - Furniture Upkeep - Removing Stains - Removing Dents - Leather Upholstery - Cane Seats - Furniture Repairs - How to Repair Breaks - Levelling furniture - Remodeling Furniture - Polishes and Polishing - French Polishing - Painting Furniture - Sticking Drawers - Metal Furniture.

Painting
Paint Brushes - Storing Brushes - Varnish - Water Paint and Plastic Paint - Types of Paint - Paint Thinners - Mixing Paints - Preparing the Surface - Painting Flaws - Removing Paint - Exterior Painting - Painting New Wood - Repainting - Metal - Interior Painting - Calcimine - Painting Woodwork - Old Wood Trim - Staining - Fillers - Varnishing - Bleaching - Enameling - Painting Radiators - Painting Concrete - Shingles - Stoves and Stove Pipes - Whitewash.

Heating
Home Heating Systems - Chimneys - Coal Furnaces - Fuels - Burning Wood - Furnace Dampers - Starting a Coal Fire - Removal of Ashes - Coal Stokers - Oil Burners - Kerosene Heaters - Thermostats - Boiler Dampers - Fuel Economy - Warm Air System - Steam System - Vacuum System - Hot Water System - Radiators - Boilers - Maintaining the System - Insulating the System - Home Insulation - Storm Windows - Weather Stripping - Insulating Your Home - Blanket and Rigid Insulation - Unfinished Attic and Exterior Walls - Winterizing a Cabin - Preparing the foundation - Winterproofing a Cottage - Fireplaces - Reducing Condensation - Humidity.

Plumbing
The Plumbing System - Fresh water supply - Low Water Pressure - Hot Water System - Hot Water Heaters - Hot Water Tanks - Dirty Hot Water - The Sewage System - Sewage Disposal - Cesspools - Septic Tanks - Clearing Sewer Pipes - Clearing Drains - Plumbing Traps - Toilet Traps - Noisy Plumbing - Leaks in Water Tanks - Frozen Pipes - Clogged Water Pipes - Hard Water - Faucets - Shower Mixing Valves - Leaky Flush Tanks - Flush Valves - Removing Toilet Bowl - Leaky Pipes - Draining the Plumbing - Sealing Traps - Draining the Heating System - Types of Pipe - Insulating Pipes - Water Corrosion - Cleaning Fixtures.

Electricity
Definition of Terms - Ohm's Law - Alternating and Direct Current - Sources of Electrical Power - The Electrical System - Overloading the Circuit - Rewiring - Reading a Meter - Precautions - Fuses - Types of Cord - Splicing Wires - Replacing Plugs and Switches - Home Lighting - Electric Motors - Signaling System - Transformers - Burglar Alarms - Repairing the System - How to Install a Bell System.

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