The making of _Steel-Punches_ is a Branch of the _Smith_’s Trade: For, as I told you in the Preface to _Numb._ 1. The _Black-Smith_’s Trade comprehends all Trades that use either Forge or File, from the _Anchor-Smith_, to the _Watch-maker_: They all working by the same Rules, though not with equal exactness; and all using the same Tools, though of different Sizes from those the Common _Black-Smith_ uses; and that according to the various purposes they are applied, _&c._ Therefore, indeed, a _Letter-Cutter_ should have a Forge set up, as by _Numb._ 1. But some _Letter-Cutters_ may seem to scorn to use a Forge, as accounting it too hard Labour, and Ungenteel for themselves to officiate at. Yet they all well know, that though they may have a common _Black-Smith_ perform their much and heavy Work, that many times a Forge of their own at Hand would be very commodious for them in several accidental little and light Jobs, which (in a Train of Work) they must meet withal. But if our _Letter-Cutter_ will have no Forge, yet he must of necessity accommodate himself with a _Vice_, _Hand-Vice_, _Hammers_, _Files_, _Small_ and _Fine Files_ (commonly called _Watch-makers Files_) of these he saves all, as they wear out, to smooth and burnish the Sides and Face of his Letter with, as shall be shewed; _Gravers_, and _Sculpters_ of all sorts, an _Anvil_, or a _Stake_, an _Oyl-stone_, _&c._ And of these, such as are suitable and sizable to the several Letters he is to Cut. These, or many of these Tools, being described in _Numb._ 1. I refer my Reader thither, and proceed to give an account of some Tools peculiar to the _Letter-Cutter_, though not of particular use to the Common _Black-Smith_. [Illustration: _Plate 10._] ¶. 2. _Of the_ Using-File. This _File_ is about nine or ten Inches long, and three or four Inches broad, and three quarters of an Inch thick: The two broad sides must be exactly flat and straight: And the one side is commonly cut with a _Bastard-Cut_, the other with a _Fine_ or _Smooth Cut_. (See _Numb._ 1. _Fol._ 14, 15.) Its use is to _Rub_ a piece of Steel, Iron, or Brass, _&c._ flat and straight upon, as shall be shewed hereafter. In chusing it, you must see it be exactly Flat and Straight all its Length and Breadth: For if it in any part Belly out, or be Hollow inwards, what is Rubbed upon it will be Hollow, Rubbing on the Bellying part; and Bellying, Rubbing on the Hollow part. You must also see that it be very Hard; and therefore the thickest _Using-Files_ are likeliest to prove best, because the thin commonly Warp in Hardning. ¶. 3. _Of the_ Flat-Gage.