When Thing Go Wrong...B&W Tree and Moon times two.

[FrankEV]

I posted, in Bragging Rights, the Individual Tree and Moon project a while ago.  This set is a commission project I got for a mirrored set of the B&W Tree and Moon.  The cutting for this set was a stack cut 5/32” Birch Solid Core Ply.  The painted White Backers are 1/4" BB ply.

Why, when you take a commission project, everything that can go wrong will go wrong.  So read on only if you want to know my sad story.

First time, after cutting was complete (with no cutting problems), the double-stick tape I used left residue on what was to be a finished side of one of the panels.  No matter how much cleaning and sanding I did, the tape outline was visible through the paint finish.  Then, after what seemed like an eternity for the Black paint to dry, when I clamped the glued-up assemblies in my press, when removed from the press the paint surfaces were marred.  Obviously, the paint was not fully cured hard enough.   Trying to salvage the work, I sanded the surfaces lightly, to make everything uniform, and applied a Clear Gloss Krylon coating.  Again, it was immediately obvious that something was wrong with the combination of finishing materials as the painted surface all bubbled up.  Both went to the bin of scraps that will be used in my fire pit this fall.

On to a second cutting, again this time with no cutting problems.  Made sure there was no tape on the finished panel face.  Decided to try using a Black Lacquer Finish instead of Paint for this second set.  The lacquer dries much more quickly, but again when the glued-up assemblies came out of the press, the surfaces were again marred slightly.  I guess it needed to dry even longer.  However, Lacquer is more forgiving, and an application of clear Gloss Lacquer returned the surface to the finish desired.  Things were looking good at this point.

I had made the floating frames earlier and they are designed to have a 1/8” gap between the panel and frame.  The dimensions of the panel and frames are never an exact match as intended, so I usually need to slightly trim the panel to make the 1/8” gap uniform all around.  Trimming panel number one and then fitting and mounting it in its frame went perfectly.  Not so much with the second piece.  

While trimming the second panel, I took my eyes off the panel momentarily, and the edge of the panel was slightly gouged by the saw blade.  CA glue and sawdust came to the rescue and, with a little black Lacquer touch up I was able to repair the damage.  However, while installing the mounting hardware clips on the back side, although the face down panel and frame were lying on a protected surface, a small area of the now finished surface got damaged somehow.  With careful sanding and applications of both the Black Lacquer and Clear Gloss Lacquer, I was able to repair the damage.

Although I should charge double because I had to make them twice, I will be giving the customer a discount on the price I quoted.

If there is a moral to my story, I have not figured it out yet, other than "don't look away while timmimg a finished panel on the table saw".    

     

[Sycamore67]

Those are very nice.

Sorry about your problems.

[Scrappile]

Yep, when most important things just seem to become most difficult.   But the end result no matter how difficult to get theres is awesome.

[MarieC]

I am so sorry to hear that your first one couldn't be salvaged. I have trouble with blinking...so I feel your pain.   However, your last ones are beautiful! 

[Wichman]

Murphy was an optimist!

 

[Roberta Moreton]

I am just happy to know that I’m not the only one. By the way, It turned out great! 

[jpburcham]

The journey from start to finish is very often not a straight line. If it was easy, anyone could do it!. 

The finished project looks fabulous!  Well done - way to persevere. 

[daveww1]

great job

[barb.j.enders]

The finished pieces look great.  Sorry it was such a journey to get there.

[jerry walters]

I have been amazed at all your beautiful work and artistic talents. In fact, I was beginning to think you are a robot. Although I am not happy that you had issues with this project, I am happy that you are HUMAN. I would be happy to take you ones you had issues with off your hands. I am certain that whoever you did this work for will be very happy.

Jerry

[Farmerdon]

Beautiful work!

[FrankEV]

They are already cut up and on the burn bin!

[TAIrving]

Reminds me of a favorite poem:  Quote by Edgar A. Guest: “When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, W...” (goodreads.com) 

[OCtoolguy]

Frank, you do great work and I'm sure that's why you get commissions to make things. Folks know that you put your heart into whatever you make and when they receive their item, it will be the best it can be.

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by OCtoolguy

[Dak0ta52]

I feel your pain! I've often said, "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all." My employer has a wheel that you spin with various amounts of money ranging from $10 to $1000 and at certain times of the year will allow employees to take a spin. I've always said if they had a space saying "You owe the company $XX, that would be the one I'd land on.

I do believe you are a bit of a perfectionist... it shows in your work. Remaking these pieces to YOUR satisfaction prior to selling them to the customer may very well lead to many more commissions that will more than pay for the loss of the two botched pieces... hopefully!

And as always, your two pieces above are exceptional.

Edited August 10, 2023 by Dak0ta52