Pattern Making

inion of American patternmakers. It is soft, easy to work into shape with edged tools, is light, and does not have that tendency to curl and twist that some other woods have. Whitewood and fir are being substituted for pine, however, because of the scarcity and price of pine. Lignum-vitae, black walnut, etc., are very hard on edge tools, and are used only for patterns which are to be used over and over again. The grain on pine ordinarily runs straight. It is not brittle nor easy to sliver up as in the case of some soft woods like redwood or California cedar. When picking out lumber in the yard or at the lumber racks in the shop, always get a dry and straight-grained board. A soft, dry board that is very light and shows no. signs of pitch is a good board to pick out. If it is not dry and well seasoned it will cause no endof trouble, because it will shrink, check or crack. "Season-dried stock" seems to work better and has more "life" in the board than ordinary yard stock. Wide boards are apt to be the best, and the expert can tell after a little experience by rapping a board whether it is good or not. A knot or two does not do much harm, and all pattern-makers say that a few wormholes indicate good wood. It may be noticed in a lumber yard that the ends of boards and planks are sometimes painted. This is mostly on cheap stock. Fine lumber seasoned and dried well does not have the ends painted. In a good sound plank deposits of sap are formed around the pores, s...