I haven't been on the forum since the changes hit, and when I read this I thought, "Boy, someone is giving Treb a run for his money..."

Then the light bulb went on.

Good stuff.

Plot, character development, and education all in one package. What more could you ask for? Great writing, and helpful!

Thanks, everyone.

This is my token gift of goodwill toward Houzz since taking over Gardenweb. As readers may or may not know, I write a column professionally and struggle with whether or not to post here for free or submit the piece as a column and get paid for it. Once it's published here, I can't submit it at www.countertopiq.com. I am a month ahead anyway. Enjoy.

I made a medium screw-up on this job and fixed it flawlessly. I don't know if that's a whole column or not. I do love the catharsis of confession.

I hope you know how many folks appreciate your contributions here. The help you generously provide is part of the glue that keeps this community together.

Based on your past threads, I am kinda having a hard time believing you made a small screw-up, let alone a medium one...!

Treb, you continue to fascinate and amaze.

Tee hee, I enjoyed the read, and the education!

Holy moly.

Truly, I'd have loved to see your screw up, before and after. Simply because I'm sure to most eyes, your screw up would have been perfect.

Out of curiosity, Can you publish your article, then copy it here? Or does it become their property. Could you quote yourself? I don't know how it works if it's you. If someone else is doing it, copyright infringement is very clear.

Good to see you.

CEFreeman:

www.countertopiq.com pays for the right to be the first to publish my work. Just like the supermarket, fresh has value. I retain my copyrights.

Solid surface sinks are adhered to the back of a full sheet. When the adhesive is cured, the top is flipped, a hole is cut through the top inside the sink area, a router bit is inserted in the hole and the nylon protected bearing on the bit rides along the inside of the bowl, cutting it out perfectly. Another bit profiles the edge the same way.

Using a straight bit with no bearing to cut the initial hole, I mistakenly uncovered the sink flange as shown here. If it had been any deeper, I would have destroyed the bowl. The reason I cut so close was to maximize the size of the sink cut-out that had to be turned into side splash for this job. I plunge cut into the front sink corners for this very reason. I don't want anyone to see the repair every time they use the sink if this happens.

Sometimes the nylon falls off the bearing for no apparent reason. That's really fun.

This is a piece of veined Witch Hazel ground to fit in the edge profile and adhered with color matched adhesive.

The edge is re-profiled and sanded. And no, a customer would never be told of this.

Wow, that's truly impressive! (Both the story and the repair.)Reaffirms Corian as my next countertop. Love the integrated sinks and the look of Witch Hazel.

Loved the story treb!

I didn't put 2 & 2 together at 1st, but then crcollins said the light bulb went on & Bam, I knew it was you! Great story & fun lesson. I believe mudhouse said something about how your so generous with your knowledge & one of the many people on here that helps to keep the community together. So true & greatly appreciated for all of it. Especially nice to see you after such a big change on here.
I was a little worried that we might have lost that wonderful community of all of the generous & charitable help. But, I think it's all coming back. I, for one, am glad to see so many of the regulars on here.

Thanks again for a fun story Treb.

+1 mudhouse and bicycle girl.

This was funny. I too was confused how anyone could be writing with such authority other than Treb. I hate this changeover from the old easy-to-use site. But I have beautiful Corian countertops my house thanks in part of the Qs&As of Mr Trebuchet.

Love Corian. Love Witch Hazel. That was a good one, Treb.

It's "Venaro White Corian" not "Verona". Geesh.

Hi Joseph Corlett, LLC - thanks for the story!

I was wondering what your views where on rabbetting (is that even a word?!) a Neolith surface?

Hianta Cassam Chenai Interiors:

I think it'd be a great experiment. I've never done it and don't know anyone who has. Like most things, you've got to find a fabricator who isn't married to "but we've always done it this way."

Thanks Joseph Corlett, LLC. We shall see what my fabricator says!

Well wow, this has all been instructive. First, regarding this change -- I too have been gone awhile and am wandering without a rudder. It's different here on GW, way more awkward to post yadayada and I have no doubt at all this has been discussed to a faretheewell.

But this is a great introduction to the new GW, including the old worries about our counters! Them was hard decisions and I've made my peace with it all. Very funny story, and very helpful. I still regret mightily having put in (and paid the upcharge for) a fancy island edge ... sigh. A little information goes a long way, :)