Community Brag Posts

Bed for teen boy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 21:54

Went shopping Saturday, worked a few hours, then worked most of the day Sunday. Our boy is in heaven and everyone else wants one now.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150-$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered look, the same brand as recommended.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Table for 12!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/06/2024 - 09:07

My wife wanted a table to seat 12 and she liked the looks of the 4x4 Truss Beam Table from Ana White.

So we modified the plans, our table is 54 inches wide (not 37) and 98 inches long (instead of 87). The legs are 4x6 not 4x4. The lower center beam is 4x6. The plans call for 2x4 aprons ending at the legs, we used 4x4 aprons and extended them beyond the legs to within 3 inches of the end of the table. Finally, we laid the tabletop across the table with a combination of 2x8, 2x10, and 2x12 boards.
We built this all with cedar. The cost is a little over $1,100 for materials.

Dan Clark

Built from Plan(s)

Outdoor Patio Table

Submitted by stephanief on Wed, 07/18/2012 - 18:29

I built this outdoor patio table in about a weeks time working on and off. There are mistakes, it's uneven in places and it is not perfect! That being said, the plans for this are very forgiving and nobody would ever know without looking for these things.

You can get the breakdown on the build, the finish I used, chair solutions and other suggestions here:

http://legosecretagent.blogspot.com/2012/07/outdoor-patio-table.html

This beautiful table only cost around $60 total to build!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax, specifics at http://legosecretagent.blogspot.com/2012/07/outdoor-patio-table.html
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kentwood side table (Restoration Hardware Kenwood nightstand)

I DO NOT have a Kreg Jig. If you don't have a Kreg Jig, I recommend purchasing small mending plates. I got mine at Walmart, they were $1.77 a 4 pack. I do not recommend using 3 inch nail screws and trying to get them in super straight. While it worked for 3 face frames, the last frame I just could not get to work (maybe I was getting tired). Speaking of tired, I mostly build in the middle of the night while my family is sleeping. If you look closely, I put the 1x2 26 1/2 inch pieces on the front and back frame. Wah wah.... I had to add an extra 1x2 across the top and re-size the 3/4 inch plywood on the bottom.

I'm pretty sure everything went wrong for me with this build but I wasn't going to let a nightstand beat me!

In case you are wondering, the cabinet pull is from Anthropologie. I haven't decided whether or not it's too fabulous for this piece.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ha. I stained it with Minwax Gel Stain in Aged Oak and then my husband wanted dark dark dark so I did 2 parts Minwax Wood Finish in Dark Walnut to 1 part Minwax Polyshade in Bombay Mahogany. Then somewhere along the lines I sanded it all down, put mineral spirits on it and stained it with Rustoleum Dark Walnut. I touched it up using Minwax Gel Stain in Dark Walnut. Then finished with Minwax Polyurethane in Satin.

TLDR: I could never reproduce this color again. Ever. That is all.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/10/2016 - 07:59

I created a different top out various size select pine boards joined by biscuits and glue and then added utensil hooks on both ends and a bottle opener

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gunstock stain and satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tall Planters

Submitted by np78s on Mon, 05/25/2020 - 20:01

I love the way these planters look and knew I wanted to make them. My freehand circular skills aren't great, so I attached the pickets together with a furring strip and used a template (second picture) to make the cuts. I used screws to attach the furring strips so that once the trim pieces are attached, the furring strips can be removed - or not. This method takes a little longer but it allowed me to make uniform parts. It's also easier to align the sides of the planters since the pickets are already attached to one another - i.e. one unit. I've made two, have a third, shorter one in progress and plan to make more!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish used. these are for vegetables and I didn't want to use a finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic Sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:29

This was one of your online plans, with a slight change to the front of the doors. Great project, made from pine, stained, and varathane applied.

Wade MacMillan

Built from Plan(s)

Night Tables

Submitted by Aisha on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 09:40

I used the plans for the Reclaimed Wood bedside tables but I didn't want to make all those drawers (being a beginner) so I settled on one. It took me fairly long to complete but really it should have been only a weekend project. I love the way they turned out.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
One coat each of Varathane's Early American followed by Red Mahogony. Two coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debi_G (not verified)

Fri, 07/20/2012 - 20:16

I too fear drawers.
Your bedside tables have turned out beautifully!

Simple Entryway Bench

Submitted by eulysses on Sun, 05/11/2014 - 19:46

This is my second project. I based it on the "simple easy storage bench". I made this for my wife, she requested an entryway bench as you enter the house from the garage. I'm glad I was able to finish it just in time for Mother's Day :).

I learned a lot by doing this project (e.g. hiding nails, wood fillers, warped wood, sanding, to name a few). There's still a lot of things to learn, I'm hoping to be able to practice more.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear Gloss Polyurethane (minwax)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Alden's Computer desk

Submitted by veiglcc on Sun, 08/14/2016 - 08:20

Small computer desk built for mom. Was not built from a plan.

Estimated Cost
Estimated cost $60.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Bombay Mahogany stain (gloss).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Balustrade Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/15/2024 - 10:27

I just completed this table. It is 5’ square and very heavy. The table is a combination of paint/stain and poly. It took me almost a month to complete and the help of friends and family to flip it back in forth front and back so I could work on it. I am very happy with the finished project ♥️

Cindy Lunn

Built from Plan(s)

$2.00 Scrap Lap Desk

This was a really quick and easy build. I built it with two bucks and two hours with some scrap wood I had laying around. The only thing I bought was a package of 2 standard hinges ($2). Also, I deviated from the plan a little by not including the lower storage compartments (didn't want it to get too heavy), making the legs 4" shorter (so it's more comfortable to use in bed), and not building the storage dividers under the flip-top lid. Check out more info by clicking my blog link!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
A quick sanding and a coat of Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

This was my first woodworking project. Thank you Ana for providing the plan and making it easier for me.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax oak and fast drying poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Double Desk

Submitted by mtroutman on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 09:28

This was our first project! We built it exactly like the plans. We finished it with a clear satin poly and we are thrilled with the results. Next we plan to paint the room.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Husky Farmhouse Dining Table

I love building my own wood furniture so that I can have beautiful pieces of furniture in my home while saving money! And while this project definitely cost more than the others I have done, I am so glad I splurged on the table legs. They ran me about $260 after tax and shipping costs, but I really think they give the table that extra OOMF! So a total of about $300 is nothing compared to a price tag at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware!

I chose this stain because I really wanted something to contrast with our dark leather couch and white dining chairs and this stain was even more perfect than what I expected it to be.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Early American with Helmsman protective coating
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet outdoor sectional!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 17:49

I made the sectional from pallet wood

Needed extra wood for legs to be stable. I made these under the house, and unfortunately had to take apart to get out! luckily  i used screws.

I made to measure after getting the outdoor cushions first.

Taught me heaps

Estimated Cost
Cost of cushions $60nzd and paint $25nzd
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Oversized Outdoor Chair

Submitted by zpbrown84 on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 10:41

I made one of these chairs the the back hit me to low and was uncomfortable so this one I the legs 5 1/2” longer. This is my second project and took half a day but I am very happy with the outcome and started a second chair to match.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Transparent Redwood and I used a 1/4 Roman Ogee router bit on the arms and legs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Saw Horse Work Bench

Submitted by jsquires3 on Thu, 07/26/2012 - 23:34

This was my first project off of Ana's site. I followed her simple sawhorse table plans verbatim. The only thing different I did was use a self-made chalkboard paint for the top (instructions under the finish section) and added screws to the left side to mount my power strip with (easy on and off for everything on the bench). I made the top a chalkboard top so that I could write notes on the table and mark measurements for various projects. Costs were $30 for wood (some leftover), $8 for paint, $2 for screws, and $5 for surge protected power strip. If you have any other questions please let me know.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso stain for legs and a self-made dark blue chalkboard paint for top (mix about 1 cup of paint with 2 tablespoons of non sanded tile grout).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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