The vise should not be used to avoid the proper handling of the edge tools and the saws. Seldom, if ever, should any piece be held in the vise while using either a hand saw or a back saw. A good mechanic cannot use a hand saw or a back saw so well with the piece of work held in the vise as when it is held on a bench-hook, and it is useless for the beginner to attempt to do good work in this manner. You may succeed in cutting off a piece of wood, but you will neither have done a good job nor have learned anything of value. If you will not use the vise for such work you will not only soon be able to do more work, but you will be able to do better work and will also be learning the proper method of working.

When a piece is to be ripped it should be held in the vise, unless it is too large, and then it should be held upon the sawhorses as shown in Fig. 94. If the piece is too wide to be held as shown in Fig. 72, it may be held as shown in Figs. 205 and 206.

Fig. 205. Ripping in the Vise.

Fig. 206. Ripping in the Vise. Finishing.

The jaws of the vise should be of wood or lined with wood, and you should be very careful not to injure them with the tools. Also be careful not to overstrain the vise either by turning the screw too tightly or by placing the piece which is being held too near to one corner or edge of the jaws. It is sometimes a good idea with some vises to place a piece of waste material on the end or side of the jaws opposite to the work as shown in Fig. 207.

Fig. 207. A Block in the vise to Hold it Square.

Proper methods of holding work are shown in Figs. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 61, 69, 71, 98, 103, 108, 117, 121, and 124.

The working of the soft wood joints should not be done in the vise but on the bench-hook, as directed in the lessons. When the work is in hard wood and much chiseling is required, the vise may be used, but not otherwise. Do not undertake to work hard wood until you have learned to handle your tools properly on soft wood, or you will likely not learn to do your work properly at all.

There are many styles of vises. The one shown in many of the illustrations represents a large number of styles of "quick acting" vises of more or less value. For the beginner there is no quick acting vise equal to the simple but old style wooden vise with an iron screw. These wooden vises may be seen in use by many woodworkers and especially by carpenters.