I need help

Martina,

First of all, don’t put any stock into what that person had to say at the store. He obviously suffers from severe stupidity. Secondly, keep in mind that many woodworking masterpieces were constructed uisng hand tools only. Mueseums are full of them. Finally, Project # 3 looks great. Yes, it’s larger. But that just means it has more parts. Plan and work your build in manageable pieces and it wont be any harder than the smaller designs. It will just take you longer to do it. Finally, I’d recommend building it in pine. Just make sure you use a seal coat before staining it. Pine has a tendency to blotch. Good luck. Mom will enjoy it!

Rat.

-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

i like design numbers 6 or 7.

And also i would call the owner/manager of that store and give them a piece of your mind!

good luck!
NWB

-- Nick, Maine; www.nwbwoodworks.com

Would you be my daughter?

I wish i were closer as I would love to help on two fronts. construction and de-struction. [I would like to help put that Red-Neck in his place, a.k.a. De-struction]

-- Rustfever, Central California

Don’t ever let the A-holes get you down. You can do this and we will help anyway we can. If possible just use plywood for the cabinet and solid wood for the frame, doors and drawers.

-- Dan-- Info for all @ http://www.hoistman.com

I like #3 the most, then #6 for it’s simple lines.

I think #6 would be easier to accomplish though.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

i liked 2 and 5.

I like #3. Whichever you pick – go for it. You can do it.

-- Don, Saginaw Mi

First off, don’t ever go to that hardware store again! Don’t do business with …. I think you know what I want to say.

I like #5, and for something as long as 6-7 feet good plywood would be the best bet. Try to avoid home center plywood, go to a real lumberyard and buy quality plywood. A solid wood face frame will cover the plywood edges and give a great look to the buffet. Use solid wood for the drawer fronts at least, popular makes good drawer sides with plywood bottoms. Keep it simple and the job can be accomplished with basic tools and care. I wish I was close enough to be of some help but Ohio is a ways from Texas. lol. If I can be of any help in the design or planning stages send me a PM and I will do all I can to help.

Bruce

-- Bruce - Fav. Quote "A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry Calahan

Don’t let the mouthbreathers get you down, Martina. In the meantime, join an established local woodworking group (hopefully with a large member base), tell them your story and see if you can find out more about the guy, then take your final wood order elsewhere after you make mouthbreather work up no less than four quotes (cherry, walnut, oak, and pine), then call up the store and cheerfully tell the owner why you didn’t buy from him, and casually mention your affiliation and how you’ll be writing an article about the experience building the buffet table for the monthly newsletter. Ha!

I’m partial to #1, although I do tend to prefer mission and shaker style furniture, so I might be biased. The more drawers you add the more time you’ll spend constructing, so keep that in mind.

Feel free to post the store name and phone number here in your blog. There is no reason for that dingus to treat a customer that way. Wanna guess what we could do with the phone number?

And definitely look into joining a local woodworking guild. They will be tickled pink to have you! Find a mentor there and pull every last bit of knowledge from their brain!

-- Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Martina,
The guy was an idiot who was threatened by a woman…..his problem not yours. I would encourage you to seek out the manager of the store and let him know what an insulting idiot he has working for him.
YOU CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE! Lumberjocks are helpful.
I am not acquainted with anyone who was born with complete woodworking knowlege or a fully equipped shop. Doing challenging projects is how we know what tools we need…and too often only desire. Rat was right…..all of the 18th C furniture masterpieces were built with hand tools…..I never thought of it that way but he is dead right.
First thing is to pick your design. Build what you are comfortable with. Take it one step at a time. I am concerned about your 4 1/2 foot height. Typically buffets used for serving are between 30 and 36 inches high. Reevaluate how many drawers you include, they usually only collect clutter. One row of drawers below the top gives a nice linear appearance. Pine would be a good choice as it is easily worked with hand tools and readily available in most areas. One of my first projects was a complete set of white pine dining room furniture. That was 25 years ago and I still use it every day. I can send pictures if you think it may be useful.
Above all Martina…BE SAFE. Please feel free to contact me at anytime and I will give whatever assistance I can. Actually, that comment was moot because that’s what Lumberjocks do.

-- Don, Pittsburgh

I like number 3 as well. Not knowing what your experience level is right now, I feel that doing all those drawers and openings might be a touch ambitious. If you are up for the challenge, then by all means, go for it. They are all great designs. A good way that may help you pick is to draw up a cut diagram. If you’re like me and prefer to do some things the old fashion way, use an architect’s scale along with some inexpensive drafting tools (triangles, T-square, etc.) and do up a scale drawing of your piece and you can also plan your plywood cuts the same way. Or, as I’m sure will be mentioned, you can try figuring out Google SketchUp. I say try, because I’ve been trying to figure it out now for a while and can’t seem to get it.

As for the issue with the store, if they are part of a chain (i.e. TrueValue, Ace) then along with contacting the owner/manager, I’d write a letter to the home office about the type of service that is at that store. If that fails, a letter to the editor of your local paper can do wonders as well. I’m sorry that you were treated like that. Try not to let it get you down.

Good luck.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

Hmmm….sorry to hear there are still neanderthals living amongst us….I would bet that person has no relationship of any consequence as his opinion is truly archaic. If it were my store, I would hope the customer lets me know about my sales people being so rude….He would receive his final check instantly….

Now as to your project…you should have enough time to perform either project that you roughed out. I think either of your drawings are superb and would make excellent tables….A choice would probably need to be based upon the personal preferences of your mother…as to type of decoration/furniture that is in place.

As to materials….In these types of situations….I use less expensive woods for the frame….and then cover the exposed areas with the better grades…..you can also use plywood backing and buy vaneer or use trim to cover the exposed areas (thus using inexpensive plywood to get the shape)....it just depends on what you are comfortable with using….On a piece I did for a friends kids room….(they didn’t want to spend alot – but they wanted the furniture to match)....the pieces in the room were all maple (the rather ugly colonial style) so I used cheap 1/2” ply for the shape and drawers…then glued up some maple vaneer and some thin cut trim pieces….I used false fronts for the drawers…..They loved it…and it was easy/cheap to make.

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

Yall are amazing! I would love to have any of you as a father! I did call his manager and tell him about the issue and comments, he apploized and offered me 10% off my order.

Now how do you ”?notch?” a drawer together? Is it a chisel and hammer? I hope so!

-- Martina, Houston, TX

Lowes – 281-255-6777

-- Martina, Houston, TX

Hey Martina,

Firstly, I would suggest you tell us what hardware store, treated you like this. I’m sure some fellow LJ’s in the area would happily boycott the store after hearing how the staff treated you.

As for which piece, I like most of them. I would say go with the one you like and feel confident with. If you happen to be new to woodworking I would probably opt for maybe number 2 it looks a little simplier and is still a very nice design.

Best of luck

What is a T-Sq? Is it like what you use for cutting Sheetrock?

-- Martina, Houston, TX

As for the notching…I think you mean a box joint? It looks like interlocked squares? There are also dovetails…that look just like they are called….

It is easiest to do these joints with a router or table saw….but you can hand cut the squares and chisel them out…it’s time consuming…but my grandfather used to do it by hand….he had it down to a steady rythm…I would use a good saw….like a box or japanese saw….and a very sharp chisel…..you can cut one side…then lay it on the other and use it for a template to mark up the adjoining side…

A T square is used to draw straight lines….the T helps you align to a straight edge like a table….and slide along to draw a line down the long part of the T… These are used alot in drafting….but yes…they can be used to draw staight lines on sheetrock.

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

Drawers…....you can “notch” or more correctly rabbet them together using a handsaw, hammer and chisel.

-- Don, Pittsburgh

Yep thats the one

-- Martina, Houston, TX

I have a lot of sheetrock materials. I got tired of walking into this funny wall in my house – one night I was going to the kitchen and “BAM” right into the wall – I stubbed my toe so hard that I tore it 90% off… I had to go to the doctor the next morning and have it removed… I came home and while the pain meds were still working took a hammer and started knocking the wall down… well – luckily no wires or support beams… so I now have an “open” wall… I had to fix the part that I did want to keep up… lol – now. That was a lot of work, my family now calls me Demo…

-- Martina, Houston, TX

Martina
Lowe’s knows of the Red-Neck. Expect something to happen from the corporate level in short order.

-- Rustfever, Central California

Yes Martina you can find it in the sheet rock aera….looks like a big T about 4 ft long….Now to your project do not use pine even tho it is cheap it will warp….I would go with ply wood for the cabinetry and hard wood frame poplar is nice hard wood for painting and you can as well stain it too…1/2 ply should do the trick no lower than a c grade …that is the sanded side of the smothness…. another thing you might want to see if there is any lumber jocks near by i’m sure they would offer to help out….

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

First off THERE IS NO REASON FOR THAT BEHAVIOR FROM NO ONE PERIOD THE DUMB* HAS ISSUES SO you done the right thing by calling his super but I would have call corporate office. And the discount should be 30%. As far as your design, you do what you feel comfortable with.If you need info this place is loaded with knowledge Just ask

-- I think I need a dust collector

Hello, If your going to build this you have to see if you have the tools on hand to do the job. The walnut can be pricey. But I would use walnut and pine for a secondary wood. And like was posted before your dimensions are way off. Go to a library and check out some wood working plan books. And alter as you see fit. But I hope you have a well equipped shop to make which ever design you decide.

hey demo , you got guts girl ! and smarts too .
well everyone bashed that store/guy pretty good , so lets talk costruction .
the coment about the height is good , as most servers need a place to put the dishes at a convinient height ,
i would maybe think in terms of making it in parts ,ie. two smaller drawer/ door cabs , that can be readily moved into and around and make a drawer unit that ties them together in place and then the top .
draw out with your sheetrock square if you want the front and side views of the pieces try and make the drawings with the real dimensions of clean straight boards from the store ( you have to pick through them ) , any ply wood you use , go to a decent lumberyard and explain your needs to a kind worker or owner and have them cut your pieces exact , not close like some morons do . with the tools you have , you may think about making simple face frames and using the ply behind and glued and screwed to them , just watch the corners where they come toghether
so you don’t have exposed ply showing , or cover that with trim later .
so where are you going to do this work ?
cutting a sheet of ply in your living/bedroom is going to be hard with a handsaw , hence making a cut sheet with grain orientation for ” grandpaw ” at the lumberyard .
dont get to much wood all at once unless you can keep it straight until you use it . poplar might be good , as it is relatively easy to work , and will take stain o.k. . the weight of each board will tell you how dense it is , some
are lighter than others ,dense and heavy being harder in weight and work ability .
as far as drawers go , if you can swing it , you can get premiled stock from rockler in differnt widths that you can crosscut to lenght , or just order drawers pre-built to your size , they are not that expensive and rockler has doors with every kind of style you could want sanded ready for stain .
so to recap :
1- make in sections .
2- make full size drawings and ply cut sheet ,with store bought clean wood .
3- make them sized to fit through doors and stairs .
4- stain in sections ( if a piece gets blown , its easier to fix/replace ) .
5- maybe use a krieg type jig for back screws for face frames ?
6- try and join a woodworkers guild and meet others that can help .
7- see about other LJ’S in your area .
8- take a vacation and come to new mexico ,you can build it here in my shop , with lots of tools .
God bless , and just pm if you need to ask questions ( of me or others here ) .
and hey , WELCOME to LJ’S !

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

You can certainly use a construction T-square (like you described) for drafting, but this is more like what I was suggesting

http://www.staples.com/Staedtler-Mars-24-Wood-T-Square/product_242495

It’s going to be a lot lighter and easier to handle that a big aluminum square.

I use one with a scrap piece of half inch ply as a drafting “table” for most of the plans I draw up.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

gald to see some egar to learn and stand up for them self. TAKE that big box Store for all they are worth.

As for your project, #3 looks great and it seems to be your favorit. as every one else has said take your time. as for getting some of these joints done. well i migth sugest going by a local retailer that speaciles in woodworking (theres one in Huston) and ask them for some on hands demo. They do it all the time and every one working their is usaly a woodworking nut. and they can help you more the the Lowes rednecks (Ps depot is a bettere place and willing to teach also). another good sources for learning those Notches as you call them would be of the internet. Dove tail , Box joints ect search out.

will help if you have any questions

-- Keivn S Leadbeater Sr.,FL www.kevinscustomwoodworking.com

pondering this blog post:
Does a mentor, (teacher, father) simply allow a youth placed under their supervision to do ‘anything’, independent of their capabilities? When asked for help with a challenge does one have a responsibility to be honest and forthright with their assessment of its difficulty, cost and effort to produce?

-- criticism: the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of a artistic work...

Martina, I can’t really add a lot to what everyone else has said. The store clerk was a jerk…..nuf said.
As far as what design, that will be up to you. You know “you” the best and you know what your Mom would like, which I’m sure she is going to love whatever you do. All I can say is “Go Girl !” and good luck. We all know you can do it and I know all the LJ’s that have responded will be glad to help in any way. We’ll walk you through every step if that’s what you need. Thanks for sharing with us and can’t wait to see your project.

-- John @ Myrtle Beach

Thanks Guys! Yall are all GREAT!

-- Martina, Houston, TX

like has already been mentioned, the lowes guy is a jack-@ss.

personally I like design #4. And after looking at the nightstand you have in progress, you should be able to do the buffet no problem. it’s the same idea, just a little bigger.

keep us up to date!

-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com

Martina, My stepdaughter works at the Lowes call center here in Wilkesboro. She suggests that you call the call center and lodge a complaint against the guy that told you that. No customer should be treated like that at all. We did look up the store number and location from the lowes.com site and she is going to look into whether any complaints have been called in recently. Please call the center tomorrow and tell them what happened. The number is : 1-800-445-6937

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Martina,

I like your design ideas! Your thought process is excellent. An item like you want to create is such a personal thing, and your designs come from the heart. It would be so hard for me to chose one of your designs as my favorite. Which ever one you choose…..YOU GO GIRL!! GOOD LUCK!

When I am in the beginning thought process of a new project, I have found myself turning to my fellow Lumberjocks for inspiration and a beginning point of my design and construction planning. Start by searching the projects page for “buffet” (or what ever topic you choose). Then go look at what the people have created here. When you find something you like, study how it is made, and by all means ask the poster how they accomplished their build. As a poster I find this to be one of the ultimate in compliments, when I am asked about my works, by someone who is considering a similar project.

When you meet a hurdle, check back with us and the good people on this site will help. I am supremely confident of that!

As Darryl said, keep us up to date on your progress.

Trev

-- Trevor Premer Head Termite and Servant to the Queen - Heirloom Woodworking

I get the same attitude sometimes when I shop for tools or wood. To avoid this I always wear my shop clothes; my carpenter jeans, old oversized t-shirt with dried glue on the front of it, and my white Nike cap covered with purpleheart sawdust. Oh and always have woodworkers pencil on your ear, well applied lipstick and mascara. No attitude with this, I think it makes the guys nervous. LOL

Okay, I understand that you are working with only hand tools, and not sure about tackling the larger projects. With that in mind I am between 1 and 2, leaning toward 2. These both are great designs and certainly projects that don’t seem like they will be too overwhelming. Both have two drawers & two doors, perfect as a beginning challenge.
That would be my choice, then I would be sure to be able to finish it by Christmas and maybe add some special touches too !

Good luck….
Lisa

-- I inherited the woodworking gene and it's gone into overdrive.......

What tools do you own? I thought I had read that you only have hand tools . . . so I reread the post and couldn’t find reference to your tools. Its rather late and I had a rough day.

Anyhoo . . . what tools do you own? Many amazing projects have been done by hand tools, but in many cases these folks have oodles of experience. My thought would be to pick something rather simple and run with it. The more complicated a project . . . the more opportunity for “learning experiences” (mistakes). Although we all learn from mistakes, having too many early into a hobby can be discouraging for some. However you do seem to have a can do attitude. :-)

just my $0.02

Oh . . . I’m partial to #2.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Martina, I like #6 but I think I would put the drawers on the top. Just a thought because I think your mother would rather have them there and not have to stoop over to get to them. I too wish I was closer to help you but feel free to PM me for anything further. I hope our first PM was helpful.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Hey…...I really like the lines of #2. It seems quite elegant and not too bulky. Not sure what tools you have, but if you have any questions feel free to shoot me a message (or any of us for that matter) I/we would be more than happy to help.

As for the fella at the hardware store, he’s certainly not worth your time. I think I would pass on giving them any more business.

Good Luck and keep us posted

-- Measuring twice and cutting once only works if you read the tape right!

Martina,

LJ is a very generous, helpful, and talented community. I think this will help get you a start.

I think #2 is a good design and with your level of experience it will be more manageable. Christmas will be here before you know it and the more doors and drawers that you have to make the longer it will take.

I would not recommend pine at all. Use poplar and choose the pieces that do not have the dark purple or black streaks and you will be fine. Poplar is a very easy wood to work with, it is very stable, cost is reasonable, and it can be stained to look like other wood especially if you are going darker. Use poplar and maple or birch plywood. Once it is all stained it will look great.

Pine has knots and is unstable in comparison. It is also more difficult to get a plywood to go with it if you are not using the supply shops that the cabinetmakers use.

I recommend finding a local woodworking club too. You might also try the school systems. I know that the local school system here has outreach night courses in woodworking. They hold them at one of the high schools and the people get to use the equipment.

Find the local woodworker supply store and they will be a center of information to connect with other woodworkers and woodworking groups. You may be able to find someone that can give you help.

Just a little upfront honesty here, you can do it with hand tools but if you can find a shop or get some basic power tools it will be easier.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

#3 looks ambitious, primarily because there are a lot of drawers. But I’m a big proponent of learning to swim by jumping in the deep end.

Others have suggested that you find a local woodworking group. I’d second this, for two reasons:

1. You’ll get access to people who have the real expertise to help, and whom you can ask to do operations that you don’t have the tools or expertise to do. And, yes, professional cabinet and furniture makers regularly pay other shops to do a few cuts that they don’t have the tools to do.

2. You’ll find out where to buy wood. Unless you’re doing simple home improvement jobs, Lowe’s is an awful place to buy wood. Further, for something as big and ambitious as this project is going to be, you’re going to want things like high quality veneered plywoods or MDF, and you may have to have the veneers you want custom glued. You don’t have the equipment to do that right, the local veneering shop (and you probably have one somewhere near you) does, and will happily take the veneers of your choosing and apply them to the substrate of your choosing.

You mention “pine, walnut and MDF”. That’s a pretty wide range, and pine usually is a whole lot softer than Walnut (there are some eastern pines that are pretty hard, but you won’t find ‘em at Lowe’s). For a project this ambitious it might be worth learning just enough Google SketchUp or similar to draw up the piece and try to put colors and textures on it to narrow down your look a bit more. And get some pine and walnut, put ‘em together, sand and finish them, and make sure that those are really what you mean. I built some prototypes for the kitchen cabinet doors that I have in my shop right now, they’re maple frame with mahogany center panels, and my first panel with curved interior frame edges evoked several “looks like a melting tootsie roll” comments. Saved a lot of shop time by building a prototype that let us decide “nope, not like that” right up front.

You also mention “hand tools”. Much of my shop is powered hand-held tools. All the tools in my shop will transport in a mid-sized sedan with roof racks (I don’t, for instance, have a table saw), and I’d tackle a project like this, but you might want to break down this piece into the sorts of cuts you’ll have to make, how accurate you’ll need to make them, and make sure that you can do that.

For instance, with the right jigs you can make amazingly accurate cuts in sheet goods with a circular saw, but that’s a jig you’ll want to build first (I cheated and bought a saw and rail system, mine’s Festool, DeWalt and Makita make systems like that now, and there are also aftermarket rails you can buy, or you can build a base, bolt it on to your saw, and cut your own rail). If you’re patient you could probably make those cuts with a straight hand saw, but I’m not that patient.

Others have mentioned that dovetails for drawers have historically often been hand cut. If you take advantage of this, you can do things with spacing that are very hard to do with a router, and give your piece that extra “wow”. You can also buy or build a router jig to do this, don’t discount building it (yes, it’s possible to build a router dovetail jig completely from scratch, or you can buy the pattern plate and build your own clamp frame), or even borrow one. (You’re fifteen hundred miles from me, I’m safe making that suggestion. Giggle.)

Finally, the wood for a project like this could get pricey. You might want to start with some simple subset that’ll force you to do a few drawers, cut your sheet goods (veneered MDF or plywood), get your joints straightened out. you could even pick your dimensions such that any drawers or doors you build can get used in your final piece and you’re only out the plywood for the carcase if you decide not to keep your first pass. Something like a side table with one or two drawers and a door would make a good place to get your techniques for those bits worked out, without committing to several hundred to a thousand bucks in wood.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

Since he beat me too it…I will second all of Todd’s advice, pretty much what I was going to say! I would make it like kitchen cabinets…a combination of veneer ply carcass, and hardwood face frame/draw front elements. If your going to work with plywood, you might want to get comfortable with some basic power tools like a table saw or even a curricular saw and a straight edge. The big boxes have nicely dressed variety’s of the most popular hardwoods( Red Oak, Maple, Poplar), in very convenient sizes. It costs a little more but when you are working with limited tool resources the less milling the better.
I like all your designs, but I also think #2 would be the best choice based on what you have said.

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

Hi Martina

I agree with what Todd A. is telling you about what wood to use and where you might get help.

I work at Lowe’s part time and I cannot believe how that jerk treated you. That boy be going out the door if I had anything to say about it! As far as the manager offering you a discount, thats is a joke! I would be calling the call center like cabinetmaster suggested. Hang in there Kid!

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

Martina,
I would not let that comment go “untouched”.
I would go back to that store and ask to speak to the manager – tell him what was said…then tell him you will tell everyone you know how you were treated! There is just no excuse for that kind of behavior. I was in Rockler this week and 3/4 of the customers were women! The guy could not have been any nicer to me even giving me a “discount”!! (Yeah, Rockler in Cambridge MA).
I like #5 and #7 best. If you are planning to stain it, what about birch or oak veneer plywood? So…now you have every design chosen by one or more LJs…just goes to show you that we just love wood!!!!
Ellen

-- Ellen on Cape Cod

I went back to the store – because every time I called the manager, he conveniently was “out”... Thanks for the call center number! It will be nice to stop dealing with the red-neck!

as to the lipstick – I didn’t think about it – but I had just got off work and was dressed in nice close, 4” heels, hair in a bun, so maybe he thought I was an uptight yuppie… I am not sure – but when i go tonight I will be in jeans my NY Yankees “Jeeter” t-shirt (I feel lucky in this shirt – no project is to big when i wear it!) and my hair down, I found a local lumber yard that smells just wonderful when you pass!

As for Tools, I just bought a large fancy Miter Saw – no clue how to use it – but that is all the fun!, chisels, hammer, and now a T Sq., and Sheetrock Sq., Hand Sanding block, hand plane (2 types), small “girly” plug in screwdriver, hand carving set, assorted hand wrenches, screwdrivers, flatheads, hand saw, hacksaw – “meat cleaver” This thing is sharp!, hand tile cutter, 3 levels, sm, med, long… lol… and last a air compressor.
What I will be buying tonight, I am going to venture out and say that a circular saw, jigsaw, electric sander, and who knows maybe a power drill… power drills kind of scare me… don’t know why. it is the only tool that I am nervous around.

I asked my mother what she wanted for Christmas – she said “more storage!” So it looks like I am on the right track!

I never knew about all of the multiplex of woods, I am learning so much! I will have some pictures of the trip tonight and the wood next week…

-- Martina, Houston, TX

Hi Demo,
Sorry for the experience at Lowe’s. Some jerks still roam the earth.
I think all of you designs are great; #2 looks good. If I may suggest, go to your local furniture store with your designs and look at what they have and see if there’s something close to your dimensions. See if it looks and feels good to you. Then take a look at the construction/dimensions for ideas and draw up your plans. And lastly call on the LJ’s when you get stuck and help will be on its way.
You go girl!!!

I like # 6 but it feels just a bit too top heavy. I would be tempted to make the top cupboards not quite as tall and make the lower section taller, equal to what you take off of the top section. I think you have a nice eye for design.
Don’t let one jerk get you down. Your LJ friends are here for you.

-- Bibb in CO at http://katanadesign.com

If I can make a suggestion on tool buying: Hold off until you have a specific need. That way you’ll have a better idea of what particular traits you’re looking for in a tool.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

I am very dissapiointed that you were treated so cruelly by an idiotic salesman ! I will apologise on his behalf he obviously does not have the brains for the job.Please do not think that men in general are like this they are really not and most decent men would be equally angered by this moron I hope things work out for you Very kindest of regards to you from Me Alistair.PS what a sad day when things end up like this!!!!!!!

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

As you mature in your woodworking skills, I have no doubt that you will master traditional joinery. A project like this could be done with a Kreg PocketHole jig and biscuit joinery. You can get the basic kit for about $80 and you have to use the drill (scary tool) with it. It would be a quick, effective, and efficient means of joinery as you start out. A biscuit joiner will cost more but is well worth the money

As a pro I use the Kreg Jig. I am even using it on some cabinetry right now. It makes an angled hole to use screws for the joinery. I use it when the holes will be buried on the inside of a project and will not be seen like this here:

I use the biscuit joiner quite a bit, it works better when you do not want the joinery to be visible. Sometimes I cannot risk losing a setting so I have two (but I have a business.)

I am not ashamed to use modern methods of joinery. They work great when used appropriately. I also did a blog addressing the use of modern joinery methods here.

Dan does have some good advice about buying tools and I second the motion.

Post some photos of the tools and we will be able to give some guidance for what you have. Are you working out of a garage or basement?

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

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-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

Hey Martina
I know you have had a lot of feed back on you question. Don’t let jerks like the lowes guy get to you he probably didn’t know the answer to your question so he fell into Jerk mode. You can do it .I teach woodworking and many of my best students are woman. There’s lots of help here. I don’t know how long you have to build this project ,but if it’s rushed you may run into trouble. As to design many buffets are similar to #5 but with one set of drawers ,good luck on your build and welcome to LJs.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

The Lowe’s resolution.

First, this clown was wrong to treat you this way as an individual and as a customer.

The company needs to terminate his employment immediately.

Lowes needs to immediately implement training to prevent this type of sexual discrimination and harassment for future. (If this happened to you, it happened to others, and if unchecked, will continue until corrective action is taken.)

He has caused tremendous damage to you personally and to his company image.

Next, the company needs to be very proactive to fix the damage they have caused to you and to their image.

As a manager / owner for a retail business my steps are; For you…

1) Ask you to stop in so I can listen to what happened and how you were treated.

2) Apologize for the actions of the individual employee, assure you that these are not the store policies.

3) Learn about the project you were interested in doing.

4) Either work with you personally, or assign my best instructor staff in my store demo area to help you complete this project to completion. (if I didn’t have qualified instructor, I’d hire one just for you.)I would make sure to schedule that person around your convenience to be there to help complete the project.

5) Provide all the materials, tools, finish, guidance and coffee that it took to complete this to your satisfaction.

6) Free to you certificates for you for any future training, demonstrations projects they will ever offer.

I don’t know the depth of the emotional damage this jerk caused, but I guarantee that if the store management doesn’t do something proactive to help resolve it, a jury could put a substantial number to it.

If the store manager isn’t jumping through hoops to correct this immediately, then Corporate needs to terminate his employment immediately too.

Q

-- I don't make sawdust...I produce vast quantities of "Micro Mulch."

Martina, Did you ever give Corporate a call? If so, what did they do? I hope you got some good resilts from them.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

That guy’s jerk.

Here’s my 2 cents: use Poplar and stain it with a walnut stain. It will look just like walnut and the material will be less expensive so you wont have to worry as much about making mistakes.

Good luck! Keep at it!

-- Laziness - Apathy = Efficiency

Unfortunately i have seen this same thing on a more minor scale personally. about 8-9 years ago, the girl I was dating needed some work done on her deck. We went into HD and she said watch this,. she said that she would ask the question and they would answer to me. She called it. The store associate gave me the answer. Looked me directly in the eye, when I hadn’t even said a word.

Now being a shop teacher I encourage the girls to stay in the class. Mostly they want out because they are the only girl or 2. In my past 11 years of teaching, it seems to be the girls that turn out the best projects. That attention to detail a female has compared to the hurry up and get it done attitude of the male. It has taken me many years to learn that detail trait.

Feel free to PM any questions. I will help in whatever way I can. If you want to make a trip up north to ST Louis. I will give you a weekend crash course in the school shop on different tools and how to use them. I enjoy my job because it is teaching my hobby. I am currently in the process of setting up an adult course at my school because so many adults don’t have the access but want to make something for themselves.

One other approach. When I lived in KC, the local Woodcraft store had a shop that you could be a member of and pay a monthly fee to use. However the liabilities got too much and not enough use, so they discontinued it.

One final note, I wish I could comment on your design, but I can’t seem to find them, just the comments from others.

Let me know if you need anything.