How to build a buffet

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build a buffet. If you want to learn more about building a basic buffet, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. There are so many designs and plans to choose from when building a buffet, so make sure you take a look over the related woodworking projects that are featured on our site.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the buffet to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

If you don’t have a rich expertise in woodworking field, you should ask a friend to give you a hand with the project. There are many things that you could go wrong, so make sure you plan everything and invest in quality materials. Select the lumber with attention, making sure the components are perfectly straight and in a very good condition. Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building a buffet

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 51″ long, 2 pieces – 12 1/2″ long, 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 4 3/4″ long BASE
B – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 18″x60″ long, 2 pieces – 18″x26″ long FRAME
C – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 26″x58 1/2″ long BACK
D – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 26″x17 1/4″ long PARTITIONS
E – 4 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 16 1/2″x19″ long, 2 pieces – 17 1/4″x19″ long SHELVES
F – 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 17 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 14 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 14 1/2″x16″ long 3xDRAWERS
F – 3 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 7 7/8″x18 3/4″ long DRAWER FACES
G – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 18 3/4″x25 3/4″ long DOORS

2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 8 ft
3 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 8 ft
2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler
drawer pull
slides
hinges

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface

Time

One Day

Buffet plans
Free dresser plans

Building a buffet

Building the frame of the buffet

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the frame of the buffet. In order to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to cut the components at the right size out of 3/4″ plywood. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the vertical components and secure them to the top and to the bottom components. Make sure the corners are right-angled before inserting the 1 1/4″ screws and add glue to enhance the rigidity of the structure.

Fitting the back

Cut the back of the buffet out of 3/4″ plywood and drill pocket holes along the edges of the piece. Fit the piece into place and secure it to the frame using 1 1/4″ screws. Add waterproof glue to the joints and make sure the edges are flush.

Fitting the splitting walls

Continue the woodworking project by fitting the splitting walls to the structure. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the components and secure them to the top and to the bottom components using 1 1/4″ screws. Add waterproof glue to the joints and remove the excess material. Make sure the corners are square before inserting the galvanized screws.

Building the legs

Building the legs for the buffet is a straight-forward process, but you need to take accurate measurements and use a jigsaw to make the curved cuts. Smooth the edges with sandpaper and remove the residues.

Building the base frame

The next step of the project is to build the base of the buffet. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the 1×2 components and secure them to the legs. Leave no gaps between the components and add glue to enhance the rigidity of the structure. Drill pocket holes through the supports and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the bottom of the buffet.

Fitting the shelves

Continue the project by fitting the shelves into place. Cut the 3/4″ plywood at the right size and secure them to the frame by drill pocket holes along the sides and inserting 1 1/4″ screws. Place a spirit level on the shelves to check if they are perfectly horizontal.

Building the drawers

Build the drawers using the information described in the diagram. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the side components and secure them to the perpendicular components with 1 1/4″ screws. Cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood, drill pocket holes along the edges and secure it to the bottom of the drawers. Check if the corners are right-angled before inserting the screws.

Fitting the drawers

Fit the drawers into place and lock them to the frame with metal slides.

Fitting the doors

Afterwards, fit the faces to the drawers, making sure you leave a 1/8″ gap around the edges. Secure the faces to the drawer with screws and waterproof glue. One of the last steps of the project is to fit the doors to the buffet. Leave a 1/8″ gap around the edges and secure it to the frame with appropriate hinges. Fit the handles to the doors and make sure they open and close properly.

How to build a buffet

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues.

Thank you for reading our project about buffet plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends and LIKE us, by using the social media widgets, if you want to be the first that gets our latest articles.

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