The week I ruined a $1200 slab of walnut

Last spring I had a client bring in this gorgeous 8 foot walnut slab. Almost cried when I saw it. I cut the dovetails too aggressive on the drawer fronts. Ended up with a 2mm gap on the left side. Had to scrap the whole piece and start over. Anyone else ever botch a premium piece that bad and just have to eat the cost?

3 comments

3 Comments

olivia_lopez983mo ago

The thing about your story that gets me is that you had to call the client. That part is always the worst. I did something similar with a cherry desk years ago, and I still remember the phone call like it was yesterday. But what I'm wondering is, did you ever show that ruined slab to the client before you scrapped it? I mean, did you try to explain what happened and see if they would accept a discount or a different design? Because sometimes people are more understanding than we expect, especially if you're honest about it. It might have saved you some of that cost if you had talked it through with them first.

charlies373mo ago

Blew a hole right through the veneer on a customer's dining table once. Was trying to fix a tiny scratch and my sander just went through it like butter. $800 table turned into firewood real quick. Had to call the guy and tell him I'd buy him a new one. My wife still brings it up when I'm working on something expensive. That sinking feeling when you realize there's no going back is something else. Never made that mistake again, that's for sure.

colescott3mo ago

Told my buddy Steve about this exact situation a month ago when he melted a router bit into a customer's walnut slab and @olivia_lopez98 you're right, he called the guy right up front and the client actually offered to take it as a "rustic" piece for half price. Ended up saving the whole job.