To make a half-plate printing- frame, first mitre four pieces of 1/2 in. stulf (any well-seasoned wood will do), two pieces 8 5/8-in. by 1 1/4 in , and two pieces 6 7/8 in. by 1 1/4 in., and join with a strip of veneer at the four corners. Glue across two blocks A and B 8 1/2in. by 1 in. by 1 in. Two blocks Lin. square should be sawn across diagonally and glued flush into the four corners to form stops for the negative. The frame will now have a sight of 6 1/8in. by 41 in. and a rebate of 6|in. by 4fin. Out of 1/2-in. stuff cut a pie.-e 6 1/2 in. by 1; in. Plane it up flat and halve it the short way of the stuff. On one side of each slab a piece of velveteen should be glued and the slabs hinged together. The fold-over spring is the better form, the print not being so liable to slip. When mitring is not possible, two pieces 6 in. long may be glued to A and B, thus leaving a space for gluing over C and D (see Fig. 2). This may be further strengthened by screws, but the frame will not bear so much rough usage. It is essential that the frame should be free from twist, or the negative will be broken.

Fig. 1.

How To Make a Half-plate Printing Frame.