Custom built Library | getting it right when things go wrong during the build
Custom builders of furniture | Dealing with build issues, how you respond is just as important as the final product.
We had a saying in the OR - Beware the surgeon who is good at getting out of trouble. The implication was that if a surgeon was good at getting out of trouble that meant they were good at getting into trouble.
While there were the unfortunate few that resembled that remark, the fact is we’re human and mistakes will be made, regardless of how “good” you are.
The mark of a true craftsman is how one handles those mistakes. Do you cover them up and deny them, or accept them, learn from them and work to fix them?
On the recent library build, I was routing a groove in the solid wood countertop which would house a tongue on the upper bookcases, keeping the cases perfectly aligned. Unfortunately, I didn’t tighten the router on its rails, resulting in a groove that was anything but straight or in the correct location. A big mistake, for sure.
The fix involved cutting off a couple of inches of the top and attaching a new piece back on. It took several extra hours of work, but the result was well worth the effort.
Not to be outdone, later on I realized that a defect on the bottom of the solid wood top would actually be seen. When gluing the boards together I noted the chunk missing from the edge, but figured since it was on the bottom side it would be ok to leave as it wouldn’t be seen. And I didn’t want to waste precious material.
As fate would have it, when the board was trimmed to final size, the defect was plainly seen on the end of the top. Again, do you take the easy road out, whatever that is, or do the right thing.
In this case I chiseled a 45 degree channel in the defect, cut a corresponding patch to fit and glued it in. After a little hand plane work the repair is hardly evident. From there, the finish sanding and the application of sealer and the final touches.
Custom built Library here in Colorado |Were these mistakes harmful to the outcome? No.
Not only were the repairs worth the effort, but demanding of the effort. Our responsibility in the building of handcrafted furniture is to ensure a quality outcome without compromise.
