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About joseph DeMartino
Expertise
there is not a lot of questions that i'm unable to answer though most referring to home building i do have a lack of extensive knowledge.

Experience
i have been a woodworker for 26yrs.have worked for carpenters doing
custom interiors in some very expensive homes and offices in some commercial buildings as well.anything interior i've done.for the last
11yrs.i've had my own shop.i focus both on restoration as well as accurate reproduction of furniture.focus on primarily 19th and 20th. century.do alot of early to mid 18th century.if i don't know the
answer i have a book relating to it.very into antique

Organizations
i belong to, the national trust for historic preservation
carpenters and joiners of america
antique furniture restorers of america

Education/Credentials
i am primarily self-taught.served a four yr. apprenticeship with a phenominal dutch man,jen(john)derrickson.other than that,on the job.

You are here: Experts > Hobbies > Woodworking > Woodworking > Island Butcher Block cut to short

Woodworking - Island Butcher Block cut to short

Expert: joseph DeMartino - 10/30/2009

Question
I had my contractor order a Island Walnut Butcher block with a inch ogee, I paid the Distributor directly and selected the wood %26 grain. I received a quote for the butcher block and my contractor provided the measurements 75x49 1/2 to the distributor, my contractor also informed me that he provided a template. I received the butcher block and it is a 3/4 inch to short in the length. The distributor is saying that they do not pay attention to numbers only the template cut out. The contractor is saying that they provided the numbers and that the distributor should have called if they were cutting any size different than what the specific size stated. Who is correct? The distributor does not feel they are wrong and the contractor does not feel he is wrong since the numbers are accurate. Can you help me to determine who is responsible and what is the correct way to take measurements for fabrication.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Melanie

Answer
hi melanie
       sorry to hear of your trouble.though i do understand your frustration,i'm afraid that in this case the distributor is correct.they always ask for a template to be made because the customer or her installer so often accidentally write down the wrong number.the responibility lies in the lap of your contractor i would think that your installer would have double or even triple checked since once it is sent, there is no recourse.the one chance you could have to throw this back in distributors lap is if the contractor had written the size numbers directly on the template in large magic marker #'s for then,perhaps,you could argue that responsibly with the #'s so available to them they could have and i emphasize could have,double checked.before mentioning any of what i've said to you first see if you are able to have them return the template so as you can show it to your installer.it is not likely however that they've retained it.in which case your only recourse is either against the contractor or absorbing the experience and realizing that next time you do any thing like this you probably are better off relying on someone local or make a point of double checking
i really do wish i could have had a better response for you.i hope this helps clarify in some way
please keep me informed
be well,
     Joe

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