The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Telescope The Model Forum Conducted by KENNETH L. FAIRBANKS Because tolerances is scale model building are so extremely close and because the slightest warp in a single member when construction is complete can destroy much painstaking work, it is important that utmost care be exercised in the selection of woods. Not only does a great deal depend upon the kind of wood used, but equally important how that wood was cut. By far the best material, commonly obtainable, is white pine. But you should be certain that it is well seasoned and quarter-sawed. Not only will quarter-sawed stock provide the least possibility of later warpage, but the resulting line of the grain will be most advantageous to carving. Most stable of the white pine is "sugar pine", but even in buying that, you should be certain that the cut is quartered. Special uses will often dictate the selection of wood. If it is to be steamed and bent, magnolia, red oak or white oak will provide the best result. Where natural color is required, such as in panels and the like, both dark and light mahogany can be used. The illustration below will demonstrate the method you may employ to check your selection of wood. However, it is quite often difficult to be sure that you have a seasoned wood. Better to be sure and season it yourself. Buy ahead of your needs and store it for a time in your own shop. Thus, it will be subjected to the drying inside air and tempratures before you risk it in delicate work. Woods thus stored have a tendency to "check" at the ends. This is prevented by painting over the ends of long boards with shellac, varnish, or oil base paint. Obviously, after this care and preparation you have greatly increased the value of your "stock". Treat it accordingly and further increase the value of your assets by saving small pieces. These can be kept in labeled boxes for easy identification. Greatest shrinkage is in , . , . . direction of annual rings Quartersawed boards are . I always the most stable. If the end grain is between 45° and 90» the board is quarter-sawed or edge grain. flat grain.