Crown MarkTyler 4-Piece Counter Height Table Set

TRANSIT: I ordered direct from Amazon, not one of the 3rd party sellers, the distance it traveled was over 1700 miles by UPS. I don't think it matters who you order from, it's not double-boxed just because you order direct from Amazon or fulfilled by Amazon. The box arrived in good condition considering it went over 1700 miles.UN-BOXING: The box itself measures around 2.5 feet x 4.5 feet and weighs 86 lbs. This is heavy, so it's not something you want to return if you absolutely don't have to! The bench and stools are in separate boxes inside the same box and arrived in 100% perfect condition. The table top was also in 100% great shape, but the table legs were loose during transit, and due to rattling around with little protection, there were a few nicks but nothing a little black paint didn't fix. Amazon gave me a discount for my trouble when I emailed them.CONSTRUCTION: This is wood -- not laminate, not MDF. It's REAL wood from a Malaysian rubber tree. It's about the same strength as maple. Unless you pay a LOT of money for genuine oak, this is probably the same type of wood you'd find in furniture from manufacturers such as Ashley when you get real wood from them. The table top and stool/bench tops are absolutely gorgeous and have a slight gloss. The stain color is what I'd say is a medium shade of oak, very similar to my 1986 kitchen cabinets. The legs are also wood but painted jet black. This set is made in Malaysia.ASSEMBLY: I'm female and even though I've assembled many pieces of furniture, gas grills, etc., this assembly was a PITA. It took me 60 minutes for the table alone. I took my time. I'm not sure if I received the right set of wood screws or not after reading other reviews, mine were ALL hex head 2" in size. I especially had a hard time with the crossbar on the table, those holes weren't made for the 1/4" diameter 2" wood screws which were the only ones I received. I checked thoroughly and the screws I received were ALL the same. So for the table I used a few wood screws I had on hand to finish that one. The stools and bench are another matter. They NEED those large screws that are shipped with the table. I also used Gorilla glue in the dowel rod holes on the bench and stool legs for extra strength  Gorilla Wood Glue, 4 oz. . One key thing to remember is don't fully tighten the legs until you have the dowels in the holes, it's almost impossible otherwise. Also, speaking of the dowel rods, I didn't have a rubber mallet so I used a hammer and padded the legs with a folded up wash cloth to prevent damage to the wood. You can hit the wood pretty hard and you need to since the dowel rods are quite large in diameter.FINAL THOUGHTS: There's no reason this set shouldn't last you a good number of years. I may invest in a couple of metal 24" chairs or stools to accommodate guests who are a little on the hefty side. Black chairs would coordinate perfectly with this set. I don't think I'd trust anyone over 225 lbs. sitting on either the bench or stools. This set is a bargain being genuine wood; if you don't believe me, visit a local furniture store before ordering this and price their dining sets. I don't think you'll find any genuine wood dining set in this price range anywhere but here.

The media could not be loaded. This table is sturdy wood. All wood. No particle board. Assembly took about an hour. Instructions are easy to follow. Even the screw plugs are wood. ( I used a piece of the Styrofoam packing to cover them as I tapped them in to prevent any damage.) If you have a small kitchen dining area, or need something for a breakfast nook, this is the table to get. The quality is exceptional. The table and bench tops are heavy solid wood. The benches and stools are comfortable for an average size person, though without a back they may not be ideal for extended dining. Height is comfortable when seated. As I have this in a corner, and only use it for myself, I put the stools under the table where they fit perfectly. Should it be needed for extra company it is easy to pull out and seat four people.

This table is HEAVY. It feels very sturdy and the seats hold a lot of weight. It's all wood, not made cheaply. Its gorgeous. Very compact and perfect for small spaces. Make sure to measure out your space. 2 large plates fit across from each other very snug.It came in damaged. It seems that the carrier dropped it on its side and chipped the table and legs that were on one side. That really sucked.It's really simple to put together. The main table itself requires that you reinforce it with four 4" screws that were not included with it. They're mentioned in the instructions but not included. I would recommend you find some with a 1/4" head so that they will go into the slot that is notched out for you without popping out.Truly my only complaint is that it's not packaged well and exposes the pieces to any exterior damage if not handled with care.

This item was so easy to assemble. All you need is the tools supplied.I also used a power drill, orbital sander, impact driver, two quick clamps, a ratchet cargo strap, some wood glue, better screws (I recommend Spax construction screws), my bachelors degree in engineering, my second bachelors in science, my masters in science, some blood, sweat, swearing and a patient wife.Also is able to support 6 microscopes in comfort.