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.


this is true, however, it is when a salesperson in a store says one thing, but they actually mean another. So many times people are mislead by thinking they are gettting a solid cherry dresser for example, and really they're getting solid cherry fronts and maple gables.

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.


In the 'new' products seen out there, so many times they will dovetail the front as a 'vanity' feature, where front and back dovetails are used because it makes a stronger, longer-lasting drawer. There is no doubt that there are other types of joinery, however, I think that overall it is believed that the english dovetail technique is the most superior out there. Do you agree? S

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

Unfortunately, you cannot. But it would be a good question to ask an antique restorer or the salesperson on a salesfloor.

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.

Remember that we are talking about signs of quality. When care is taken on the smallest things...like simple sanding, it's a good tipoff that the craftsman has spent the proper amount of time and care on the big things. There's no arguing that. S

6. Are tall pieces finished on top?

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

I don't know about you, but theres nothing worse than coming down from a loft and looking down onto the top of a tall entertainment console only to see bare wood, or finish overspray. Again, just because a piece of furniture doesn't have this doesn't mean it's not good, but these are signs of quality which differentiate one piece from another. S