Front full view
How can I make a hutch into 2 pieces safely?
by
Pam Gaither
I purchased this hutch recently and am interested in making it two pieces for ease of transport at vendor events. It measures 67" tall x 44" wide x 14" deep on the bottom/11" deep on top shelves. Is there a way to cut off the top, add a board across the bottom to secure it? Or other suggestions? I'd like to keep it the height it is however I know taking a layer out may be a good idea. I will be enclosing the back side as well with possibly corregated tin. This will be a standalone unit as a wall will not always be available and it is sturdy and stands by itself currently. Disregard all of the nick nacks on it from the antique shop. I think a distressed paint job will make it look really nice! So leave it as one piece or do you have ideas to make it two safely?
Front where the bottom cabinet begins
Back view where the cabinet begins
Look at it close, there may be screws holding the pieces together already, that would solve the problem right there and all you would have to do is deal with the screws to take it apart and put it together.
Thats a mid-century piece, and probably won't seperate. There won't be any stability to the hutch part if you remove it. You are better off selling as is, will fetch a good price as a original mid-century modern.
Hard to tell but if this is made of particle board it will not do well with modifications and won't hold together if it is moved a lot. That said, if you cut the top off of the base and put a 1 x 12 across the bottom of the top piece, rabbeting the ends to give strength to the joints, it should function separately. Drill 4 holes through your 1 x 12 down through the top of the base and use 1/4" bolts with washers and wing nuts to hold the two pieces together and you should be set. Replace the back with thin plywood because it provides structural strength that you would not get from tin. Not only will it stabilize the shelves to minimize bowing it will keep the shelf from racking, which it will with no back.