[TRANSFERRING A DESIGN TO WOOD.]
A design may be traced by placing a piece of transparent paper over the desired drawing and outlining it with a pencil. The resulting tracing is cut out, placed on a stiff piece of cardboard or fiber board, and redrawn on this. The board is then cut carefully with scissors or a sharp knife. This pattern may be used for a long time and other patterns may be made from it in a similar manner.
Another simple method is to place a piece of carbon paper beneath the desired drawing, carbon side down, and to go over the lines of the drawing with a medium-hard pencil. This transfer may be made directly on the wood or on a piece of cardboard which is to be cut out and used as a pattern. For cut-up picture puzzles the picture is pasted directly on the wood and, after drying, is cut at random. See [Plate 5].
[ADAPTING THE PROBLEM TO THE BOY'S ABILITY.]
As the child's efficiency increases and he leaves the simpler toy forms for others of increasing difficulty, he should be encouraged to read the working drawings of the article which he intends to make. Show him how to discover from the drawing the lengths, widths, thicknesses of the pieces to be made and, after carefully checking him up, let him work out his own salvation for a while. In other words, do not do it all for him. Let the result be at least 90 per cent the boy's own work. Be ready, however, to assist at the right moment and never turn a deaf ear to the persistent question, "Why"?
By following this logical method of procedure in teaching, the writer has found that the young craftsman is ready a great deal earlier to work out original ideas and designs to a practical and successful conclusion.
[FINISH AND COLOR.]
After all cutting with edged tools has been completed, all pieces should be carefully sanded to insure the removal of all scars, pencil lines and other imperfections.