by Robert Steele

Cabinetry and

Architectural Woodworking

When I first moved to this area and took a teaching job at UVCC, I had to take on some extra jobs in order to get enough money for a down payment on a home.

One job was for a retired couple. They didn't have very much money, and the man was blind. I had a run of cabinets installed and was putting the counter top on them. This entailed fitting (scribing) the back edge to the wall. The process calls for fitting and cutting about 4-5 times on order to make it fit really nice.

The first time I slid the counter top against the wall it was a terrible fit because of the crooked wall. The lady was watching and was devastated because it looked so bad. I quickly told her I had yet to fit it.

Scribing a line parallel to the wall, I slid the counter top out and sanded to the line. Moving back against the wall the lady was elated because the contrast between the first and second time was so much better. As I said, to do it really nice I would have had to do it a couple more times. She was totally happy.

Questions:

Should I take it out and fit it some more or screw it down and take her money?

How would I feel if I finished it the way I think it should be?

How would I feel if I did what she asked?

Is personal pride in accomplishments important?

How come I still remember it after all these years?