2 sliders, 2 inches each = 4 inches 2 " 1-1/2 " " = 3 " 1 " 1-1/4 " " = 1-1/4 " 3 bearers, 1-1/4 " " = 3-3/4 " 1 " 1-1/2 " " = 1-1/2 " 1 " 1 " " = 1 " 1 " 1/2 " " = 1/2 " ------- Total width = 15 inches.
_Remark._--All this is so important that we have shown the measurements drawn to scale in Fig. 11.
Cut out the sliders and bearers from perfectly clean sound bay-wood or red cedar boards, not more than 3/8 inch in thickness. Having turned your sound-board over, with the table uppermost, assemble all the pieces, and satisfy yourself that your measurements are correct, and that so far there is no error in your plans. See that all your planes are in first-rate order, and set yourself in earnest to bring to a perfectly level and true surface the table or top of the sound-board, and one side of the sliders and bearers. No pains must be spared to render the surface of the table absolutely true. Apply a "straight edge" rubbed with chalk, moving it in various directions, and use unwearied diligence in removing all inequalities detected by this means. Take care, too, that there is no "winding." In short, adopt all the means which the rules of good joinery give you for producing a surface faultlessly level. This done, arrange upon the table, with their planed sides downwards, your sliders and bearers, and pin them down upon it with very small brads, piercing through near their edges. In doing this have regard to the grain of the wood, as you are about to dress the upper surfaces. Sink the brads well out of the way of the plane with a punch, and bring the sliders and bearers to a true level as you did the table.
[Illustration: Scale, two-thirds of an inch to a foot. Fig. 11.]
_Remark._--M. Hamel advises that in making the sound-board the table should be left 3 inches longer at each end than the actual box beneath, expressly to afford a bearing for the ends of the sliders during this business of planing them. If this suggestion is not followed, the projecting ends of the sliders will require separate attention.
The three upper boards may now be brought down upon the finished sliders and bearers, and a couple of iron pins or dowels may be let into each of them and into the bearers and table beneath, near their extremities, for the purpose of confining them temporarily in the exact places which they are to occupy. Dress over now the upper sides of the three boards, which do not, however, require attention to absolute truth.