Planter Box
Made these to fit Dollarstore pots. These plans were so easy to follow and adjust for pot size. I used scrap wood and sealed them with a stain sealant. I love your plans!
Denise
New Brunswick, Canada
Made these to fit Dollarstore pots. These plans were so easy to follow and adjust for pot size. I used scrap wood and sealed them with a stain sealant. I love your plans!
Denise
New Brunswick, Canada
This is a gentleman's valet that I build for my sister in law's boyfriend as a Christmas present. It was also a good opportunity to try out my hand tool skills, since I cut all of the joinery by hand.
Sun, 02/05/2012 - 09:20
Wow, this is gorgeous! Love the rich finish and the dove tail details, and the sliding top tray is so neat. Everyone in the family is going to want one! :) Joanne
Sun, 02/05/2012 - 12:25
This would make a great gift for my husband and all the men in my family...
Sun, 02/05/2012 - 19:12
Kristen you should try it yourself. You'd need to buy a joinery saw, but I just picked up a decent dovetail saw for $13, and a set of good chisels, but for $26 you can get a good set of 4.
My joinery isn't brilliant, but it's functional and doesn't look terrible. I'm pretty sure you could start knocking out some strong joints pretty quickly.
The upside is that it's faster than setting up power tools to make these joints. Hand cut dovetails will always be faster than machine cut, unless you're building a dozen boxes.
In reply to Hand Tool Joinery by claydowling
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 10:48
From here, your dovetail joints look great! I've always just skimmed past instructions for dovetails thinking I'd never put the time into constructing them. Perhaps I will investigate for future projects. The glue and nail option just goes quicker right now, with the list that looks like it just might take forever in this house!
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 07:29
You may not think your joinery is brilliant, but those are some tight joints. Looks beautiful. I love the top!
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 08:35
Those are very tight joints. Slightly too tight in fact. There was a small amount of hairline splitting on the side I didn't show, that I had to fill with glue and sawdust to keep from spreading.
My dovetails aren't bad, just slow for me to cut right now, especially cleaning out the waste. I bought parts for a small bow saw that should make that easier, once I get the thing built.
Tue, 02/07/2012 - 07:49
This Gentlemen's Valet looks amazing! How did you do it? This would be a great Valentine's present for my husband!
Tue, 02/07/2012 - 08:35
The short answer is that I built a box, then built another box to go inside of it. A plan with dimensions wouldn't be a very good idea, because I sized this to match the $7 board I'd found at the hardwood dealer. Your lumber dealer almost certainly carries differently sized boards.
I'll think about a tutorial or video though. Box making is fun, rewarding, and can be profitable. Especially since most cabinets are just different variations on the box.
Tue, 02/07/2012 - 09:21
Alright, I will give it a try this weekend. Will let you know how it went! Thank you so much
Thu, 02/09/2012 - 19:17
Your work is gorgeous! I'm definitely stealing this idea for my husband's birthday as well as all the men in my family, who all have birthdays this spring. :) Only thing is, I'm using tools, my hand tool skills are no where near as good as yours.
Also, I appreciate the tips you've posted on other project plans, they really help clarify some of the smaller details overlooked by the designers for beginners like me.
Hope to see some more projects from you soon!
Thu, 02/09/2012 - 20:06
Hand tool skills actually develop pretty quickly, and one of the reasons it's gaining popularity. You can use scrap wood to learn how to make joints. The first ones will be rough but with even a little bit of practice they'll improve.
The tools are also getting cheaper. I just bought a decent dovetail saw for $13 from Tools For Working Wood, and $26 will buy you a decent set of chisels from Narex.
Christopher Schwarz and Logan Cabinet Shoppe are two good sources for hand tools articles, including videos. There are also good books on the subject. My first text was Hand Tool Essentials, but I'm told there are others worth looking into for first books.
In reply to Hand Tool Skills by claydowling
Fri, 02/10/2012 - 07:30
The Essential Woodworker is the alternate starting text I was thinking of. I haven't read it yet, but heard it recommended by a few sources as a good place to learn about hand tool woodworking. I just ordered a copy for myself. Amazon sells it too, but for considerably more, and I've heard unpleasant things about the binding on the copies available on Amazon.
If the book turns out to be any good I'll post a review on my blog.
Fri, 04/20/2012 - 21:48
Please do!
Thank you for the tips and information, I'll definitely be starting on hand woodworking soon. I love the results of hand vs. machine woodworking, it's just sleeker and has more of a homemade quality.
In reply to The Book I was thinking of by claydowling
Sat, 04/21/2012 - 04:56
I did finally buy the book, and I've reviewed it at http://claydowling.com/articles/02242012-1350/getting-started-woodworki…
There's also a new video coming out (or maybe it is out), that I wrote about: http://claydowling.com/articles/04022012-0947/learning-use-hand-tools I've ordered my copy, but I won't have it in hand until next month. I grabbed is specifically for the information on block planes. I own them, but I've had the least consistent results from them of all my tools.
I built this bed for my 8 year old son's room "face lift." His only request was to have a place to hang out, but being his room was so small, that was a struggle! The loft bed allowed us to make a cozy little hangout - the poor guy can't get rid of his siblings now!
I added a few extra inches to the height of the Camp Loft plan, I also added the pipe hand rail for additional safety and give his room a little older boy vibe! It was a very easy build, the staining/sealing took the longest. The stairs make it much easier to change sheets and getting up and down for those of us who aren't 8 year olds :).
I found these amazing plans from Ana's website here. Couldn't be easier! I modified mine a bit to fit the space and used recycled pine wood for my project! The Scroll legs I used my jig saw to cut them out with the great stencil provided in these plans. I was really happy with the result, as I only had minor sanding to do to make them match up when I glued them together. Since I was painting this piece I used dry wall mud over the seams on the legs to hide the joints (a lot less expensive than wood filler). Since it was all recycled wood I had to do a lot of sanding but it saved me a lot of money! So very happy with this project! Thanks for again for the amazing plans!!!
Randi Wolf
RW Creations
Wed, 03/02/2016 - 17:12
this looks really beautiful! I love the distressed look!
This was one heck of a project LOL! But I am so pleased with the results!!
Wed, 02/29/2012 - 13:34
It looks awesome. I really like the built in look!!!
Mon, 07/23/2012 - 19:37
My husband just built us one of these for our laundry room, take a look!!
http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com/2012/07/making-most-of-your-space-la…
- Fotini
Mon, 07/23/2012 - 19:38
My husband just made us one of these!! Take a look :)
http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com/2012/07/making-most-of-your-space-la…
- Fotini
Mon, 09/03/2012 - 15:06
This excites me!! :) Such a great idea - practical, and yet pretty!
Sun, 09/23/2012 - 08:03
My washer will shake on the metal pedestals. Will it shake on this one?
Mon, 12/31/2012 - 19:01
My husband just finished one similar to this for me today-total cost about $65.....Thank you for the fabulous & frugal idea!!
Wed, 06/19/2013 - 11:33
Do you have the plans posted for the washer dryer pedestals?
Sat, 11/07/2015 - 07:47
Please help me find out where to get plan specifics, new here
Sat, 11/07/2015 - 10:54
So, we basically took the pans for the 2x4 outdoor sofa and extended it for one of the sofas because we wanted 4-across seating. We also finished up the look by adding vertical beams in the arms and a second 2x4 across the top (see photos). Because of the really long couch, I added extra bracing foot to make sure it won't sag.
Once complete, we determined the pillows across the back were a bit too tall, so we adjusted the plans by adding a couple beams and then lengthening it to attach to the back of the arms rather then between the arms. We pocket drilled the beams together and then braced it with 1x4 slats across the back. I also used a 1/4 router bit to soften all the edges. Anna we took your advice and pocket drilled all attachments except the seat slats for a real finished store-bought look. Cost of wood was under $100 because we went with pine. Pillows and seats from At Home put us at about $600 total for the project.
Love this coffee table. I built it for my daughter and she was very happy.
This was the second table I built - it was much improved on my first and was for my sister as a Christmas present. It has 4x4 legs that I notched out with a circular saw for the legs and a spruce top. I modified the length down to 6' for her house but added extensions on the end that make the table up to 9' long when fully extended.
Tue, 09/23/2014 - 13:42
How was the epoxy worked out in the cracks?
And separation or trouble?
I modified the tapered planter plans to create a decorative open-bottom well cover. I used cedar picket planks and a 2x4 and 2x2 frame.
Paul Tautges
I made my console a little shorter (71 in). I used reclaimed wood for the exterior and sanded/stained wood for the shelving and doors. I used screw eyes and galvanized pipe for the sliding door hardware. A lot of fun!
Mon, 06/25/2018 - 00:21
We had a small deck with many rotted boards. The contractor who demoed it, knowing my interest in diy projects, sorted out any usable boards. I loved the idea of an outdoor sofa, so altered your beautiful pattern to accommodate decking boards - I literally only had to purchase 2 boards for the entire project! I’m so thrilled with how it turned out! Thank you!!
Camey Brown
I built this table for my son to use as a "Lego building station" in his room. I made it narrower (18" deep) x 4' long to fit along three wall in his small room. I had some trouble chiseling out the piece for the "X" part to interlock and ended up just cutting the piece through like Anna does with her "$40 farmhouse coffee table", which worked well. I sanded and then stained using homemade vinegar and coffee stain and sealed with water based polyurethane in matte finish.
Thu, 07/09/2020 - 16:19
Hi what angel do I cut the wood to make the X shape on the 2 sides?
In my house, we have cell phones, music players, ebook readers that all need to be charged. Not a day goes by that either a device or a cord in misplaced. I was trying to figure out a solution, when I thought about the $10 ledge plan. I made a 24" shelf. The only modification I made was taking a 1 1/4" spade bit and cut out a hole in the bottom shelf so I could feed the cords up onto the ledge. I still have to paint it, but I am going to hang it right by our family calendar so we all know where they belong! Yeah for a cheap and easy solution!!!
I modified the size of the original plan to better fit the space. It is slightly deeper and taller than the plans. I also used a router to create a rabbet for the glass inserts in the doors.
The finish is a homemade chalk paint followed by multiple coats of furniture wax. The build itself was quick and straight forward, but the finish took the most time.
The console really pops in a room full of stained furniture. I love the look, shape, and versatility of it--thank you for sharing the plans!
Thu, 01/23/2014 - 08:36
This project looks really good. I love the glass inserts and the color you chose.
Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca
Picnic table with slight modifications. Assembled with the help of our five grandsons. A day to remember.
Kerry Still
This was really fun! Actually used Spruce from a tree on my property that I had cut down and taken to a Saw Mill 6 Years ago. Been in the barn drying. The rough sawn boards were only 1.25 thick after the planer I could only maintain 1.00”. Extended the length of the table to 10’. Decided to reverse the underneath support angled boards to add support to the center of the table due to the added length and only 1” thick boards. Used biscuit joints to add strength and alignment. We love it at the lake home!
Matt Menges
I couldn't find cedar shakes locally. For the front I used pine fence shakes from Lowes. They cost $1.56 each. For the sides I used Smartside 38 series primed engineered treated wood siding panel. They cost $32/panel. I had to buy two panels. On the back I used 1/2 plywood. I made the roof 76x46. All the materials were purchased from Lowes except the shingles. I used GAF Timberline HD Barkwood shingles.
My mother needed a bench in her small entryway. She had definite dimensions in mind and we looked everywhere. None fit the bill. Then I saw these plans and we went from there. She had leftover fabric from recovering her dining room chairs, and I had the plywood. She wanted the Queen Anne legs to go with her traditional furniture; we put felt floor protectors on the bottom of the feet of the legs, which helps keep the bench from moving so easily on the tile floor. The plans were easy to follow, including the tutorial on how to sew the slipcover. The bench worked out just like she had hoped. Thanks Ana, for the great plans.
Great little project from your site!
I put PVC to the ground vs the metal siding and added a heat sink in the middle with some old computer fans.
Sat, 05/23/2020 - 17:23
That PVC heat pipe intrigues me. Can you share a little more about it? I'm assuming it pulls hot air from the upper vent, and cools it down via the section of pipe below ground, sort of like a natural A/C. Keeps things from gettting too hot during the summer months?
Kinda looks like you'd frequently trip over it though. I'd probably have run the lower exhaust right up by the edge of the door frame, or a corner.
My 7 week old chicks love thier new home
Comments
Ana White Admin
Tue, 06/13/2023 - 08:51
LOVE THESE!!!
Brilliant, please send more photos to [email protected] if you get a chance. I'd love to see more angles after you get them in place!