The photo frame shown ([Fig. 86]) was the last form our boys attempted in the flat.
It has the advantage of simplicity, only one kind of cut being used; but the long flowing lines, which must be first drawn on the wood free-hand, require all the patience and skill one can command.
The form in outline is the artist's palette, and the opening for the picture an ellipse.
All the lines in the carving converge to a point to the left of the centre of the opening.
[XIV]
THE SHOP
The man who is most successful is the one who is best prepared for his work. In beginning to learn how to use woodworking tools, the average boy is very often hampered by the lack of facilities. The place he is to use for his shop should at least have good light. Many of the lines he uses are knife lines, which are harder to see than pencil lines, so that light at least is an essential.
The tools should be as good as he can obtain. This does not mean that it is necessary to have elaborate sets of chisels, gouges, etc., but the cutting tools should be of well tempered steel. It is far better to have a few very good tools than an elaborate equipment of poor ones, such as the boy's ready-made tool chest often contains.
A good workman is one who can do a large variety of good work with a few well-selected tools.