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

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8/26/2000 3:29 AM
Bruce	Re: Need advice in dealing w/ woodworkers/cab builders Excellent example of a perfectly cut box joint!     Bruce

 

8/21/2000 3:59 AM

Eric H

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.

 

8/24/2000 5:00 AM

Pete

Rich,     I'll give you a little bit of advise. If you want something done properly, do it yourself! Dovetails aren't that hard to do once you get into it. However if you'd like someone else to do it, look in the papers for retired carpenter or cabinet maker. Most usually don't charge a heck of a lot and will do a better job than most cabinet makers today.     The best place to find them (well in australia anyway) is at a pub near you! My old man gets a heap of work from mates up at his local tavern.     3 dovetails in a 12" piece of wood? I don't think he understood what you wanted. If he did he'd probably charge more, and would most likely be ripping you off.     I built dovetails when I was 13 years old, and they fit as well, so it can't be too hard to do.     Good luck with the project     Pete

 

8/26/2000 2:27 PM

Deltablues

Just a comment from the peanut gallery. But are you trying to replicate a Fender cab or make a "Custom" cab?     Fender (to my knowledge) always used "finger joints" not "dovetail joints". The only reason I'd bother with the more time consuming dovetails is if the cab wasn't going to be covered with anything (bare wood). They're alot more appealing to the eye.     As far as strength is concerned, unless you're planning on dropping it off of a truck on a regular basis, I can't see properly done finger or dovetail joints every coming apart.

 

8/26/2000 8:15 PM

WARREN

three dovetails on the piece of wood you described is not optimal....I am a professional self-employed cabinetmaker and musician and I say you were ripped....$125 to do what you pictured is however,what you agreed to and unfortunately you didn't specify the spread....he no doubt cut the three using mostly his bandsaw or scrollsaw with just perhaps a tiny bit of adjustment with a hand chisel....I make antique reproductions of the highest order which includes carvings and HANDCUT, not machine cut dovetails on all drawers and etc...for 125 you should have gotten 1 set per inch for the width of the board....are these dovetails going to show on the exterior of the cabinet? if so you must ask him to do them again the right way although you'll probably have to supply more wood..if not then you'll have to lick your wounds and learn a lesson .....be VERY specific when giving plans to woodworkers draw a picture of what you have in mind if possible

 

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