Most likely just a flawed piece of wood--that stuff happens--but I figure Marc will make it right if he can. No idea if the original owner took proper care of it either (I know of some serious 3-D shooters that like to shoot broomstraws). No problems with mine with several years of use and abuse (no ice though--generally the only ice we see in MS comes from the freezer-lol). The got to be doing something right--can' t stay in bussiness 30+ years if you aren' t. Anyhow, give me a holler when you get a chance, and I' ll see what I can do--we' ll make you happy one way or the other![&:]

Chad