Measure twice, cut once...
Mistakes can be expensive and there's a saying in the woodworking industry: Measure twice, cut once. If your 'expert' doesn't know this, you need to replace him.I make detailed drawings for the items I release to production and 'map out' any special cutting so there's no room for mistake... It's a great plan until someone doesn't read the drawings and decides they are good enough to 'wing-it' thinking it's a simple jigsaw puzzle.
Remembering the time I ordered only one sheet of really expensive material.
We priced a job that could be done using one sheet... no room for error.
Woodgrain material and I noted the steps.
#1 cross cut the front panel - do this first
#2 rip (long cut) the 2 side strips
#3 cross cut the remainder of parts
I got a call from the installer "Hey, you didn't order enough material for the job."
Sure I did... I referenced the note on the first page explaining the cutting instructions were on the second page.
"Oh, I didn't look there" was his response.
Another sheet of material had to be ordered.
The completion date was moved back (as in late) and the client was angry.
Back-charging the installer for his mistake wasn't enough compensation.
All the profit was gone.
Reputation for being on-time was blemished.
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