****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This arrived packed very well, not a single damaged part. Every part has a label on it that matches a part in the instructions. If you pay close attention, assembly is actually fun. I did not have a single connection that did not line up exactly, I am VERY impressed by that. Some parts have an arrow that shows the direction in which to orient it, pay attention to that in the instructions. I used a ratcheting Phillips screwdriver that I got at Lowes several years ago, it makes putting the drawer screws in easier. Use a drill and the straight hex bit supplied to put in the bolts, and make sure to set your drill clutch so that it won't strip the bolt threads. My instructions said to build the frame first, then turn it over and put the casters on, then turn the entire assembly back over. You don't need to do that, this is a heavy piece of furniture. Put the casters on the base, then build the cabinet onto the base. I had absolutely no trouble at all doing it that way. As for the casters, those little wood screws are not adequate to support the weight of this heavy furniture, especially when it is being rolled around. I went over to Ace hardware after this arrived, took one of the casters with me for size, and spent $13 on (16) 1/4" stainless lag bolts 1" long; (16) stainless lock washers; and (16) stainless 1/4" nuts. I carefully re-drilled the screw holes in the base using a 1/4" wood drill bit, then attached the casters using this new hardware. They WILL NOT tear out of the base like a couple of the reviews talked about. After all was built, I didn't want to trust my 68 year old female frame to get that 75 lb. granite top in place, so I did get assistance from the young man next door for that task. I gave this a 4 review only because the underneath side of the granite top is not drilled for attachment to the supports, no way at all to secure that top to the cabinet. If I push the cart by grasping the edge of the top, which is a pretty natural thing to do, the top slides on the base. I called Home Styles, and they are going to send me a new top, hopefully one with drilled holes. Overall, this is a very lovely piece of solid wood furniture. It is carefully crafted, the finish is very pretty, and the top is beautiful with the cherry color. The drawers are smooth and nicely built, and the 2 cabinets are big enough for my rice cooker, some pans, crockpot, and other goodies. I didn't attach the paper towel holder or rack to this because of space constraints, but I did mount both of them to a wall nearby, and they look really nice.An update after calling about the lack of attachment holes on granite top: Customer service rep, without any hassle, put in an immediate order for a new granite top to be sent out to me. It was here in 2 days! She did not require that I return the 75 lb. top with no holes. My neighbor once again helped me lift it onto the cabinet. All 4 of the attachment holes lined up perfectly. I've now changed my review to 5 stars.
