This is perhaps one of the most exciting pieces in our Chesapeake Collection. The inspiration piece retails for more than $1000, the cost to build this…around $40! This project will be a tad tedious with the cutting and joining, but the savings, and the style it has…amazing! I hope you like this, I know I do! I am fairly certain I need this, and also fairly certain that I say that for every new plan! ha
Showcase: Built From These Plans
$25-$50
- Tape Measure
- Sander
- Drill
- Kreg Jig
- Jig Saw – to notch out the corners of each shelf.
- Saw – if you prefer to have your lumber supply cut your boards then you can make do without this.
- Finish nail gun – optional and you can use screws or a finish nail set, but that is not necessarily preferable.
- 2 – 2×2 at 8’
- 1 – 1×2 at 8’
- 1 – 1×2 at 10’
- 1 – 1×3 at 6’
- 20 – 1×3 at 8’
- 1/2 Sheet of 1/4” Ply at 4’x4’
- 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 1/4” Finish Nails
- 2 Door Handles
- 2 pair – Hinges
- Wood Glue
- Wood Filler
- Sanding Supplies
- Finishing Supplies
- 4 – 2×2 at 35 1/4″ Legs
- 4 – 1×2 at 16 3/4″ Top and Bottom Rails Side Panels
- 3 – 1×2 at 45 3/4” Rails and Front Trim
- 12 – 1×3 at 27 3/4” Side Panel Boards
- 6 – 1×3 at 45 3/4” Shelf Rails
- 51 – 1×3 at 13 3/16” Shelves
- 2 – 1×3 at 52” Top
- 19 – 1×3 at 16 5/8” Top
- 1- 1/4″ Plywood at 45 3/4″x28 1/2″ Back Panel
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Build your Side Panels: Join the Yellow Panel Boards to the Top and Bottom 1×2’s using your pocket hole system set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue. Then Join the Top and Bottom 1×2’s (blue) to the Legs in the same manner. Center the Panels on the Legs leaving 3/8” on either side. Each of the Panel Boards will be 1/4” apart including a 1/4” space between the legs and the first panel boards (yellow) on the outside edges (both the front and the back sides, on both sides).
Construct the Shelves: Use your pocket hole system (kreg jig) set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue to attach each yellow panel board to the outside rails (blue) on the underneath side of the shelves. You will make a total of 3 shelves for this buffet. On the outside rails (blue) you will need to notch out a space that is 3/4” wide and 3/8” deep to accommodate the legs. The rails (blue) will sit 3/4” back from the front and back of the legs on both sides (this will leave space for the doors later). Attach each shelf to the Side Panels using your pocket hole screws and glue as shown below. You need to place the top shelf 8 7/8” down from the top of the legs and the bottom shelf needs to sit 5 1/4” from the ground, but the placement of the center shelf is entirely up to you and your needs. I have placed dimensions for the location of it, as I chose for this plan but you can alter this as needed for your particular needs.
Fasten the Aprons and front trim in place: Use 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue to fasten the top 2 rails in place and for the bottom rail, align flush with the shelf and fasten using 1 1/4” finish nails and glue.
Tack on the Back: you can use a sheet of 1/4” plywood as shown below, and fasten in place using your 1 1/4” finish nails and glue. You also have the option of constructing a back panel in the same manner as the sides, shelves, and top of this unit, using 1×3’s spaced 1/4” apart. I chose to skip this for the back simply because I was beginning to think it tedious to draw, which means it would be even more tedious to construct. So I leave this to you and your ambition!
Construct the Top: If you want to secure this top down, you may, using finish nails. This will be constructed just as the sides, and shelves by spacing 1×3’s 1/4” apart and fastening to the outside boards using your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue.
Construct the Doors: Yep, just like all of the other steps, join the horizontal boards to the outside boards using your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue and then hang according to the instructions on the hinges you choose for this piece. The original appears to use standard butt hinges.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.
