There are many ready-mixed stains and wax finishes upon the market, and these are in general better for the use of manual-training classes than any which can be mixed, as they are sold in convenient form and for every conceivable purpose.

In purchasing shellac, care should be taken to secure a satisfactory article. Certain manufacturers, in putting up shellac, use some adulterant, which prevents its hardening properly. This can be known only by testing. Pure shellac and alcohol, spread thinly, will set perfectly in a few minutes, but the kind above mentioned will require a longer time to set; in fact, finger marks will be left upon it the next day, unless handled carefully, and it will be very little harder a year after its application.

Pure shellac and alcohol, which should be specified in ordering, has an appearance similar to coffee and cream, while the objectionable kind has a peculiar oily appearance.

After an opportunity for one comparison in appearance and in behavior under a brush, the difference will be evident.

The most reliable shellac is that which is cut by the teacher himself. This may be done by dissolving gum shellac in alcohol. Break up gum shellac into fine pieces, or use flake shellac; put the pieces into a jug or glass jar, and cover them with alcohol; set this away, and shake it occasionally. Grain alcohol, or the best grade of wood alcohol, may be used; either will give satisfactory results. Fresh gum shellac should be secured for this purpose, or it will not cut properly. Test a small sample before purchasing, unless it is guaranteed.

A suitable brush for stains and filling may be bought at a very low price, as it makes little difference if the work is not done so smoothly as shellacking, for the spreading of which an expensive brush is necessary, which should be well taken care of, if the best results are desired. A teacher can make six of each kind of brush last three or four years by giving his personal attention to caring for them; on the other hand, a gross of each may be destroyed in the same time if he leaves their care entirely to his students.

Some little care should be exercised in the selection of the supply of screws and nails. The assortment of nails should include some of every size from 3d. fine to 20d. common, and from half inch to l0d. finish. Likewise, screws suitable for the needs of the course should be ordered, and, in addition, one or two dozen each of several larger sizes, and a few boxes of assorted smaller screws. There should also be a small assortment of screw hooks and eyes, carpet tacks, and similar articles, as the manual-training teacher frequently is called upon to accommodate others, and there is often a demand for various kinds of odds and ends in doing jobs around the shop.

Lists Of Equipment

The following outfit is suitable for the benches of a school where the individual equipment is to be purchased, and is for the use of twenty-four students at one time.

Individual Outfit for Twenty-four Students

24 benches, fitted with drawers, racks, and closets for tools. 24 outfits of tools, each consisting of: 1-15" iron jack plane.

1-7" iron knuckle-joint block plane.

1-1/4" socket firmer chisel.

1-1/2" socket firmer chisel.

1-f" socket firmer chisel.

1-1" socket firmer chisel. 1 gauge. 1-12" backsaw. 1-20" cutting-off saw. 1-24" ripsaw.

Note. For mature students of carpentry, instead of the two last-mentioned saws, a 22" panel saw, a 26" ripsaw, and a 26" cutting-off saw should be provided in addition to the backsaw.

1-8" swing bitbrace.

1-12 oz. bell-faced claw hammer.

l-2 1/2" hickory mallet.

1-6" screw driver.

1-6" bevel.

1-6" try-square.

1 pr. 6" wing dividers.

1-8" X 2" X 1" oilstone.

1 self-righting oil can.

1 bench brush. 1 bench hook. 1-24" straight rule. 1-1/4" auger bit. 1-3/8" auger bit. 1-1/2" auger bit. 1-f" auger bit. 1-1" auger bit.

The above is a satisfactory equipment for students taking the carpenter's trade course, and for most of the work the students may be called upon to do if the school is part of an institution in which they are expected to aid in keeping the buildings in repair.

For a manual-training school, some of the tools above mentioned will be found unnecessary for the individual equipment, but they should be a part of the general or rack equipment of the shop. In such a school, in which a satisfactory but an economical outfit is desired, the following list of tools will be found suitable.

Outfit of Common Tools for Each Bench

1-20" cutting-off saw.

1 bench brush.

1-24" ripsaw.

1 bench hook.

1-12" backsaw.

1-6" screw driver.

1-24" straight rule.

1 oilstone.

1 gauge.

1 self-righting oil can.

1-6" try-square.

1 bitbrace. 8" swing,

1-12 oz. hammer.

Individual Outfit of Edge Tools

1-15" iron jack plane.

1-7" iron knuckle-joint block plane.

1 each, 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1" socket firmer chisels.

l_each, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1" auger bits.

General or Rack Equipment

(These tools are suitable to accompany either of the above described bench outfits.)

3-24" iron jointers.                          2-12" try-squares.

8-10" iron smoothing planes.           6 framing squares.

Note. Edges of framing squares should be divided into 4ths, 8ths, 12ths, 16ths. (For manual training, two will be enough.)

6-4" screw drivers.

4-8" screw drivers.

2-12" screw drivers.

12 hickory mallets, 2\" face.

6 gauges.

2-12" bevels.

8-6" bevels. (Omit for carpentry.

8-6" wing dividers. (Omit for carpentry.) 2-10" wing dividers.

1-12" wing divider.

6 slip stones. Assorted sizes and shapes. 3-26" cutting-off saws. 8 points. 2 sets auger bits. 1 doz. each, #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, German bits. 1 each, 3" and 2" expansion bits.

6 wooden countersinks. 6 lightning countersinks.

1  set socket firmer chisels. 1/8" to

2". 6-18" turn-saw frames. (Omit for carpentry.) Blades for above saws. 6-16" compass saws. 6 clamps; to open 3' 6". 6-14" hand screws. 1 doz. 12" hand screws. 1 doz. 10" hand screws. 1 doz. each, 6" and 4" slim taper files. 1 doz. 12" half round cabinet files. 1 doz. flat bastard mill files; single cut. 6 bit files. 1 each, 8" and 12" monkey wrenches. 3-6" button pliers. 1 each, 8" and 10" button pliers. 3-6" end-cutting nippers.

1 glass cutter.

I-1 1/12" department tool stamp. 1 set 5/16" steel letters. 1 set /16" steel figures. 1-30" level. 1-12" iron level.

3 doz. nail sets. Cup point. Assorted, mostly small. 1 doz. peg-awl hafts. 6 doz. awls for above hafts. 1-10" swing, ratchet brace. 1 doz. 3 1/2"X 5" cabinet scrapers. 1 doz. iron spokeshaves. 1 doz. sloyd knives. 1 hack-saw frame. 1 doz. hack-saw blades. 2-10" drawshaves. 1 iron routing plane. 1-9" iron rabbet plane. \-\" wood bead plane. 1 set 7/8|" match planes. 1 set \" match planes. 1 iron tongue and groove plane.

1  breast drill.

2  doz. twist drills, assorted from

1/8" to 1/2.

3each,1/4,3/8,1/2,,3/4',,l,',1 1/4,gouges.

3  each, 1/4",1/2", 3/4", 1", center bits. 24 drawing kits.

24 pencil compasses. 2-3" hatchets. 1 grindstone.

In a school where strictest economy is necessary, the equipment of tools on the following page will be found sufficient for a class of twenty-four boys to do all the work planned in these courses.

Many teachers prefer an equipment similar to the fol lowing, there being fewer tools to care for and to keep in order, as it eventually falls upon the teacher to see that al the tools are in the best possible condition for a new class

Economical Bench Equipment for Twenty-four Pupils

General Tools for Rack Equipment

6-20" cutting-off saws. 10 points. 6-24" ripsaws. 6 points. 4-10" iron smoothing planes. 1-24" iron jointer. 1-12" try-square.

1 framing square. (6, for the Carpenter's course. 12-12 oz. hammers. 3-4" screw drivers. 6-6" screw drivers. 2-8" screw drivers. 1-12" screw driver. 3 oilstones.

3 self-righting oil cans. 4-6" wing dividers. 6-8" swing bitbraces. 2-6" swing bitbraces. 1-10" ratchet bitbrace. 1 set auger bits.

6 each, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", auger bits. 6 each, #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, German bits.

2  doz. assorted twist drills, 1/8" to

1/2". For bitbrace. 1-1/4" wood bead plane. l-7/8" dado plane. 1-9" iron rabbett plane. 1-10" drawshave. 6 sloyd knives. 6 iron spokeshaves. 6-3 1/2"' X 5" cabinet scrapers. 6 peg-awl hafts.

3  doz. awls for above hafts.

1 doz. nail sets. Cup pointed

Small size. 1-18" level.

1-1/12' steel department stamp. 1 set \" figures. . 1 glass cutter. 2-6" button pliers. 2-6" end-cutting nippers. 1-8" monkey wrench. 1/2 doz. 8" flat bastard mill files

Single cut.

1 doz. 12" half round cabinet files. 1 doz. 4" slim taper files. 1 doz. 6" slim taper files. 4 clamps. To open 3' 6". 3-14" hand screws. 6-12" hand screws. 6-10" hand screws. 3-18" turning saw frames with blades. (Omit for carpentry.) 3-16" compass saws. 1 set socket firmer chisels, \" to 2".

6 each, 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", socket firmer chisels. 3 wooden countersinks.

1  lightning countersinks.

2 slip stones.

3 each, 1/2", 3/4, 1", 1 1/4", gouges.

2 each, 1/4, 1/2", 3/4", 1", center bits.

6-6" bevels.

1-3" hatchet.

8-2 1/2" hickory mallets.

1 grindstone.