Build a Chinese Butcher Table

An Easy to Build Knock Off Inspired by Wisteria

I think I need a bigger house. I keep finding all of these great furniture pieces, drawing plans for them, and wanting to build them. I don’t have room for any more furniture! I’m trying to reduce my “collection” as it is. In all reality, a new house to contain my “collection” is totally out of the question, let alone a crazy idea…

Today, I’m sharing free plans to build a Wisteria Inspired Chinese Butcher Table. This is a really cool table. It would be a relatively cheap build and it would be fun to distress it so that it looks like it came straight out of the past!

 

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 2″ pocket hole screws
• 2″ edge banding (<– affiliate link!)
• Three sets of 16″ drawer slides
• Three drawer pulls (mismatched would be awesome for this project!)
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

• 2 – 1×8 at 8′
• 2 – 1×12 at 8′
• 7 – 2×2 at 8′
• One sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 28-1/2″ – Legs
• 6 – 2×2 at 16″ – Side Frames
• 2 – 1×12 (ripped to 10″)  at 16″ – Side Panels
• 6 – 2×2 at 55″ – Back Frame and Stretcher, Front Stretchers
• 1 – 1×12 (ripped to 10″) at 55″ – Back Panel
• 2 – 2×2 at 10″ – Front Dividers
• 2 – 2×2 at 16″ – Slide Supports
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 19-1/2″ x 74″ – Top
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/2″ x 14-1/2″ – Center Drawer Bottom
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/2″ x 15″ – Outer Drawer Bottoms
• 6 – 1×8 at 14-1/2″ – Drawer Sides
• 2 -1×8 at 16″ – Center Drawer Front and Back
• 4 – 1×8 at 16-1/2″ – Outer Drawers Front and Back
• 1 – 1×12 (ripped to 9-3/4″) at 16-3/4″ – Center Drawer Front
• 2 – 1×12 (ripped to 9-3/4″) at 17-1/4″ – Outer Drawer Fronts

 

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs, side frames, and side panels. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the panel pieces, as well as each end of the frame pieces. Also drill pocket holes in one long edge of two of the frame pieces to attach the top. These pieces should be located at the top of the assembled side frame. Attach the frame pieces to the panel using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back side of the panel should be flush with the inside face of the frame pieces. Then attach the panel to the legs using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws through the frame pieces, and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the panel into the legs.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the back panel and stretchers. Drill pocket holes in the pieces as shown, as well as one long edge of the upper frame piece to attach the top. Attach the stretchers to the panel using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back side of the panel should be flush with the inside face of the stretchers. Then attach the panel to the legs using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws through the frame pieces, and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the panel into the legs. Attach the lower stretcher as shown using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the front stretchers. Drill pocket holes in each end and attach as shown using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the dividers. Drill pocket holes in each end and attach as shown using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the slide supports. Drill pocket holes in each end and attach as shown using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the top. Spread glue on the face of one piece and lay the other piece on top. Wiggle it a little to create suction, then clamp until dry. Apply the edge banding and trim away the excess.

Position the top so that 8″ over hangs each side, and 1/2″ overhangs the front. Attach to the cabinet using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws through the holes in the frame pieces into the underside of the top.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the bottom pieces, as well as the ends of the side pieces. Attach the sides to the bottom first, using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws, then attach the fronts and backs.

Install the drawer slide hardware (according to the manufacturer’s instructions) on the side panels and the slide supports. This easy tutorial on installing drawer slides will be helpful! Make any necessary adjustments.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. There is a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the fronts. Take a look at this easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts. Install the drawer pulls.

Distress and finish as desired.

I think I’ll be adding the free plans to build a Wisteria Inspired Chinese Butcher Table to my “to build” list! I may use it as a console in my dining room or as a work table in the craft room…. Have any questions? Please le me know at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!

Originally posted 2014-03-14 08:00:29.