On May 19, 11:44 am, B A R R Y wrote:
On 19 May 2007 04:54:18 -0700, Steve wrote:

2. IF the piece is solid wood, make sure they aren't using
'secondary' wood species on the side gables (for example) to lower the
quality.

"Secondary" wood is common on hidden and internal parts on the finest
antiques. No responsible craftsperson would dispute this.

In some places, high quality plywood and composites are not only
acceptable, but preferred, such as veneer substrates or drawer
bottoms.

3. Ask for typical signs of quality such as
- english dovetail drawers on the front and the back of the
drawer (pull the drawer out). Is the joinery rough and slapped
together, or finely crafted just so.

As a CNC dovetail machine does, even on cheap bathroom vanity drawers?
G

Sliding dovetails are very common at the back of drawers, and some
very high-end stuff can have joinery designed to show no dovetail at
all.

4. Look at the finish. Catalyzed lacquer is the most superior finish
available today. What kind of lacquer is being used to insure that the
finish will not pose a problem in the near future.

You can tell catalyzed lacquer from other finishes by looking at it?
G

5. Quality pieces are well sanded in unusual places that you don't
normally reach for. feel inside drawers, along bottom mouldings, turn
chairs upside down.

Bull.

6. Are tall pieces finished on top?

Expecting an identical finish to the visible parts, in non-visible
places is pretty ridiculous.

What BARRY said.

r