S of solid-surfacing that, by all rights, should have served as a hardy worktop for several decades. It was located in an out-of-the-way corner of the kitchen, and contained no cutouts or heat-producing appliances. It was also well supported on all four edges by secure and level cabinets. Yet the very next day, when the homeowner laid a couple of heavy books on the top, it cracked — splitting it right through the middle. Stress Risers Upon close examination of the countertop, I found that, in the course of fabrication, I had pieced and glued together strips of material to build up the front edge and had left a void in one of the joints. This tiny
