After a plug has been tapped in lightly with a small mallet (never to the bottom of the hole, for it may expand and then protrude), it must be cut off carefully after the binder has set. Use a slick or a fairly heavy chisel. Hold the tool blade bevel down with the cutting edge 1/16 to 1/8 inch above the surface, as shown in [next card]. Now slide the blade along or tap it with a block or small mallet. This will slice the plugs off at a safe distance above the work surface. Go back and notice which way the grain runs. Take one or two slices with the grain so it does not crack off below the surface and ruin the appearance of the job. I used to cut off plugs in planking by walking along the hull quite rapidly. Then they were just sanded off flush with coarse paper on a block. Inserting plugs does not have to be a painstaking or time-consuming chore if you use your noodle.
