That oak beam I cut 2 inches too short

Last month I was framing a porch in Portland and miscut a 12 foot oak beam by 2 full inches. Had to scarf in a splice with a 6 inch long dutchman joint to save the piece. The client didn't even notice after I sanded it down, but I told them anyway because honesty pays in this trade. Anybody else ever botch a cut that bad and find a fix that worked?

2 comments

2 Comments

kevin_flores1mo ago

Yeah did you try explaining the dutchman joint to them? I once messed up a stair tread by 3/4 inch on a walnut staircase and ended up inlaying a strip of purpleheart to make it work. The homeowner thought it was a design choice and asked if I could do it to the other stairs too. I told them the truth but they insisted anyway so now there's this random colorful staircase that gets compliments all the time. Made me realize sometimes the goofs turn into the best features if you lean into them.

ryanburns1mo agoMost Upvoted

You know @kevin_flores that reminds me of when I had a buddy who built a whole deck and realized after it was done that the ledger board was off by like an inch and a half. He just built a little step up into the back door and called it a feature. People loved it. Sometimes you just gotta lie to yourself and the wood and pretend it was the plan all along.