Catskill Craftsmen Drop Leaf Kitchen Cabinet Cart with Enclosed Cabinet Review

Builder beware!I'm giving it a single star based on the difficulty of assembly.The finished product, however, looks sturdy and cute.So, appearance and functionality can bring it up to three or four stars, based on one's needs.

Positive: I suspect that the Catskill Craftsmen microwave cart 7222N would fit nicely in a small kitchen or apartment.It's cute and very compact.

Functionality: Without the flaps, the top counter is 17 3/4W x 19 3/4D, the right size for a 7.0 cu.ft. microwave oven.Each flap adds an additional 10 ¾ inches of width on each side, providing a total of 39.25 inches, not the manufacturer's description of forty inches.

The inside of the drawer is 2 3/8 inches high, nice height for storing recipes or small utensils.The shelf under the drawer is 16Wx17 ¼ Dx6 1/2H.The shelf behind the two doors measures is 14 ¾ H from its floor to the magnetic metal strike plate.Shelf width is compromised about one and half inches plus because of the 3/4 inch doors and clearance swing space of each door, making the entrance of that bottom shelf slightly narrower than the top shelf.

I bought this cart as a TV stand because TV stands are usually too low; I like the added height.However, the bottom shelves are too narrow to house my DVDR/VCR, so I'll install a TV monitor stand on the top shelf, adding an extra five to seven inches to the cart's overall height.With or without the flaps,it's fine for my small 22" monitor's stand which is narrower than the momitor.

I purchased this Catskill kit because it was primarily described as hardwood.It is hardwood for the important parts: the counter and both leaves, entire drawer, two doors, the three cross slats, and the four posts that hold the unit up.The back, the two sides, the shelves and the two smaller slats that hold the drawer slides are fiberboard (particle board).However, once the unit is assembled, it resembles 100% hardwood.

The wheels are sturdy and spin easily, making it easy to push the cart about.It has two lock wheels in front where they are easily accessible if you are facing the cart. However, they will work easily well if they are placed on right or left side of cart.

Negative:It's a pain in the neck to assemble and the finished unit looks too small, especially the doors.
Over the years, I've assembled numerous Saunder and O'Sullivan units (bookcases, desks, microwave cart, and bedroom furniture) with very clear instructions and easy assembly.This unit was not easy to put together.

My pet peeve was with the tiny recesses that house the nuts that hold the twelve bolts to the mainframe.I couldn't get a good hold with a small wrench or the needle nose pliers.My neighbor happened to arrive as I was struggling with one of those nuts.To no avail, he tried holding the nuts with his fingers (something I had already attempted).He couldn't get his finger in the hole.Delicate thin fingers would have worked fine, but we don't fit that profile.Another remedy is to assemble the unit on its side, but if you are a big person or have limited mobility it will be difficult to assemble the second side in that manner because the cart is very narrow.We finally resorted to using a small flat screwdriver at the proper angle, and, to our chagrin, the nuts slipped off numerous times before we could get them to mate with each bolt.

The drawer's two bastion posts, and the doors' four pins were also a pain in the neck.In the instructions, it doesn't say how far the four pins should be hammered into the predrilled holes.I hammered them in too far, leaving about ¼ inch protruding from each slot, and we had to struggle to get them out another ¼ inch each.The extra length was needed in order to prevent the doors from falling out of the mainframe.

Where to place the drawer's cabinet side glides was another guessing game because each side gets two screws and there are four predrilled holes.One schematic shows the glides' placement close to the front edge and the other displays them further in.The location of the door magnet was the final guessing game; there were no predrilled holes for it or the matching plate.

You don't need to flip the heavy cabinet twice, as instructed.I purposely assembled the unit upside down, permitting me to do a single flip after it was completely assembled.

In addition to the suggested tools, hammer, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, and pliers, you will need thin fingers or a very narrow ¼ inch wrench, a rubber mallet and a lot of patience handling those nuts.I've learned that it would be nice to see the assembly specs before purchasing any unit, especially when you're buying on-line.

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Product Description:
Catskill Craftsmen has become the nation's leading manufacturer of ready-to-assemble domestic hardwood kitchen islands, carts, and work-centers. Catskill Craftsmen manufactured items are made from naturally self-sustaining, non-endangered North American hardwoods, primarily Northern Yellow Birch. Lumber is purchased from area sawmills, then dried, manufactured, and packaged on site. All sawdust, shavings and waste materials generated during the manufacturing process is converted into wood pellet fuel, and used to heat homes. A functional and versatile cart featuring open and enclosed storage space. Additional features include two drop leaves, a convenient drawer and locking caster wheels. The butcher block top is safe for food preparation. The top, legs, braces and drawer are all made from Northeastern Hardwood. The side panels are warp-resistant veneer, which allows for easier assembly.

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