Building a Birch Kitchen Island

1. Cut three sheets of 4x8, 3/4-inch birch plywood using a table saw into 73-inch by 64-inch width for breaking it up into the cubby exterior (figure A). The cubby interior is 30-inches high and there will be a 4-inch open compartment at the top to accept the sliding butcher block.

2. Cross-cut the birch plywood using a chop saw into 18 cubby holes that are 10x8x12-inches, and follow the measurements appropriately as above (figure B). Attach using wood glue and a nail gun.

3. Cut a 73-1/4 inch by 25-5/8 inch beech butcher block into an 11-inch width and 3-foot length to act as a sliding cutting board within the top compartment. It will add 20 inches of counter space.

5. With a table saw, cut some 3/4-inch oak planks into 1/4-inch strips to fit, as edges of the cubby holes. Glue and nail them into place.

6. Using a jigsaw, cut a circle in the final 73-1/4 by 25-5/8 inch beech butcher block that is about 1/2-inch less than the diameter of the stainless steel measuring bowl, and is 9 inches from one side of the top. Use the router to carve a 1/2-inch lip within the hole to accept the bowl. Sanding is required.

7. To create the cover for the hole, rub a pencil on a piece of paper across the hole to get an accurate diameter. Use that paper circle as a template to trace to butcher block. Cut out the circle, and use a stand-up sander to fit. For a tighter fit, router a 1/2-inch lip into the circle so it fits snugly in the inner hole.

8. Cut two cherry 3-3/4 by 35-1/4 inch English country legs with double-square ends to fit between 3/4-inch below the bottom of the island and the very top of the island using a chop saw.

9. To create leg supports, use a chop saw and table saw to cut oak planks that are 4-1/2 inches wide and 23-inches long. They will stick out from the bottom on either end of the island. Pre-drill supports and set screws in preparation for the legs. Screw the legs into the supports.

10. Cut braces from plywood that are about 4x4-inches under the butcher block to accept screws for countertop. Drill into the sides rather than straight through.

12. Using a table saw, begin cutting the birch plywood into three 4 by 8-foot, 1/2-inch planks to make 18 bins that are 6-inches high, 10-inches wide and 13-inches long. The sides should be set at an angle, glued and nailed, and sanding is recommended. A curved 1-inch indentation can be worked into two of the sides to act as handles using a band saw.

14. Using leftover 1/2-inch square steel, cut out 24 hooks for the rack. Each vertical steel piece hanging from the top contains two hooks, one on each side. Weld them appropriately.

15. Paint the pot rack using black, high-heat spray paint. When dry, attach to the island using the screw plates (figure F).

16. Apply polyurethane to the bottom portion of the island, the legs and the drawers for a finish (figure G).