previous: rich i went back an forth decieding if i... -- 8/20/2000 8:00 PM

Re: Need advice in dealing w/ woodworkers/cab builders

8/21/2000 3:59 AM

Eric H

Re: Need advice in dealing w/ woodworkers/cab builders quote: "i talked to him and he basically laughed"   A good craftsman never laughs at someone with less knowledge --particularly when their questions are valid --like yours. IMHO when someone laughs that way, it's usually followed by a baffle-em-with-bullshit answer, designed to cover their ass --I've been in the trades a long time, and hear it a lot.   This is the year 2000, asking someone to pay for hand-cut dovetails is absurd --unless they were specifically requested--because they take too long. There are only 3 because he doesn't know what he's doing (7 or 8 sounds right).   I can hand-cut dovetails all day long, and they should fit tight without glue --that's why they were invented by the Chinese, when glues were unreliable.   I only would use hand-cut dovetails on a very expensive piece of furniture when I am looking for a certain visual effect, and only if I was certain of recovering the cost of the time spent. I suspect the guy never uses dovetails --most modern cabinet-makers never do, since they spend most of their time making kitchen-cabinets, and other casework, which won't justify the expense. If he had a jig, he would have used it.   I feel badly about this because I recommend seeking help in this way (to you, or someone else recently).     The price is high, but not ridiculously so --I would charge around $100 (unles you catch me when I'm feeling charitable --which happens too often for my bottom line!). Good work is expensive, but this isn't good work (going by your description).   You can tell him I think he's a wanker, but it probably won't help.