Community Brag Posts

my first reclaimed wood project

Submitted by aria_dia on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 20:12

I was going to make this project out of pallets, but all the pallets that I have access too were pretty beat up and falling apart, so my mom gave me some leftover cedar fencing that she had on hand.

This is my first build using reclaimed wood; the boards looked pretty straight when I got them, and even after they had set in my heated garage for a week, but when building time came I found that they are warped. The boards dont fit exact, but I think it gives it more character.

My husband and I are debating on if we should stain it, paint it or just seal it. We plan on using it for a silverware caddy, since the house we're currently in doesnt have a single drawer in the kitchen big enough for a silverware tray! We do plan on using rope for a handle on it, but I have yet to find a rope that I like the feel of in my hands (Im picky like that).

I made this using hand tools, and 16gage nails (what I had on hand). My brother is currently hoarding all the power tools at his house and isnt sharing so I must learn how to do everything old school again!

This is also my first build of anything since becoming a mommy for the first time (6 yrs ago!), since then I've generally stuck to reupholstering things. Now I want better, less expensive things than I could just buy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none, yet
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Spices!

We had these spices in a cabinet, which were impossible to see stuff in the back. This was a perfect solution.

Now, we also had more spices then we know what to do with, so we added a second rack at the bottom of the door as well. I just adapted the plans to be 30 inches tall to accommodate the size of the lower portion of the door. This was accomplished by removing the 1st and 3rd measurements for shelves, and using the remaining for an extra tall shelf.

I also only used a finish nailer (and wood glue),to assemble, in combination with a brad nailer to hold the back plywood on.

I also chose not to include the dowel buttons on the end, and did not cut the dowels to length; they were inserted all the way through and trimmed off with a Japanese pull saw (get one, you will LOVE it), then fastened through the front with the finish nailer, then sanded flush.

I also elected not to paint to finish the piece and leave the natural wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$33, including the extra shelves.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Work bench with added rack

Submitted by cveres03 on Wed, 07/29/2015 - 05:05

I took the workbench plans, less the casters. I also added the shelf on top. It was fun to take the plans and then sketch out new specs to adjust for the rack

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax pine, stain and sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Scrap Wood Cart

Submitted by Scrivman33 on Sun, 02/25/2018 - 13:45

Saw the other project and based everything off of that. I made some adjustments on the shelf side to ensure I could lay down 3 layers of 2x6's without it hanging off too far. At first I wasn't going to go with the rail shelf system, but I couldn't find anything that I liked at the store to make actually shelves. I did cut a 2* angle on the bottom and top of the shelf framing. I figured if I put enough weight on those shelves, I woudln't want it messing with the frame of the cart too much. On the bin side, I decided to just do different heights instead of angled because I know I'll have plenty of 3' plus. I chose to put a scrap bin on the end for anything smaller than a foot. Many of those joints were done with my Kreg setup, but not all of them. The last fix I did was add a 2x4 to the insde of the shelf frame. This was to move the shelf hangers in so that an 8' board wasn't just edge to edge (I found that to be a problem when I put some of the 1x4's on there...they would be on 2, but not always all 3). So moving each side in around 1.5" gives you about 3" to play with as far as 8' lumber goes. This enabled me to turn my old storage into bench and shelves and I'm ready to get moving on projects!

Estimated Cost
$200-$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Treehouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/11/2022 - 15:40

Great project. Simple enough to feel like you can do it, big enough to feel accomplished when it’s done. My son loves his new bed!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by jsle_bel on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 20:35

A *mini* Farmhouse Bedside Table

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

rassyberries

Tue, 07/05/2011 - 16:23

Yes! I would also love, love, love the modifications of this as a nightstand from anyone. This is my favorite nightstand. Pretty please?

Kristi Southerland (not verified)

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 14:16

I see theres a cut list but not a shpping list? I know...I'm needy! I'm a beginner!!!! :)

Carmenh

Mon, 04/14/2014 - 11:45

This mini farmhouse nightstand was my first building project. Of course Ana's easy to follow PDF's made it doable but check the tips above for cuts on your 2x2's. One rookie mistake I made was forgetting to double check my pieces. My 1x2's were actually thicker than 1" so they protrude from the side of my piece a bit. A sander could fix that. All in all so proud! Thanks to Ana and to everyone else for your brags. 

P.S. A mini keg jig kit is SO worth the investment. I used standard wood-cost of about $20 including $4 for my drawer handle hardware. Kreg jig kit plus pocket hole screws were an additional $30 but I have plenty left for my next project;)

Simple white outdoor sofa & chairs

Submitted by Kammfam04 on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 08:59

Simple white outdoor furniture. Easy to assemble. Ordered outdoor fabric online @ purchased bulk outdoor foam & cut it myself! Much cheaper than pre made cushions.

Estimated Cost
Wood, fabric, paint, & foam $750
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pirate Picnic Table

Submitted by coastiemom on Sun, 08/02/2015 - 18:03

I made easy picnic table for my son over the weekend. The plans are very straight forward and easy to follow. This table fits two toddlers on each side but it was smaller than I thought it was going to be. I think my son will grow out of this by the time he is 4.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
exterior paint for the boat and tobacco colored stain for the top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk, Or my Chunky Medieval Desk

Submitted by Labumy on Sun, 03/04/2018 - 14:27

We estimate that the cost of this project was right around $50, but we had a lot of tools and materials already.  This was a fun project and a great piece for the cost. I would suggest staining as much as you can before assembling those legs!  Staining and applying poly was a pain in the butt!  We used a dark mahogany Minwax stain and 2 coats of Minwax poly. It took us a while to do it because we have a 11 month old that keeps us on our toes. 

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Mahogany and Minwax quick dry poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dianne Kynaston

Fri, 11/04/2022 - 13:34

Looking for plans, but how far forward do the two slanted pieces come under desktop. Can you slide a drawer unit under there?

Entryway bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:09

Wife wanted a bench in the entryway of our house. But instead of your typical bench/coat rack I left the fronts open for either shoes or blankets. I also added a picture shelf at the top. Being a 96 year old Craftsman style house, this bench covers what used to be a second door to the front bedroom on the other side of this wall

Comments

Child Beach Chair

Submitted by jsle_bel on Thu, 06/09/2011 - 21:39

Will be making MANY more of these, so easy and a fun gift! This one was for my niece.

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Altered thumb chair

Submitted by Dottie4977 on Fri, 07/26/2013 - 07:27

I wanted to make chairs for a vanity that I made for my 5 and 3 year old girls. After I finished the chairs I decided not to attach the back and upholster the seats instead. They love them and so do I!! I measured each cut multiple times and took my time. I think that helped me tremendously because it all came together very easily!

Thank you Ana White!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
white gloss paint applied with a brush
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Cooler

My father gave us a whole mess of reclaimed barnwood that a neighbor had given to him, and I knew just what to do with it! My husband had an old cooler that would be the perfect size to create a rustic cooler case from. We built a frame out of 2x2's, faced it with the old wood (which looked like old cedar fence pickets) and popped the cooler inside. I've got a whole step-by-step on my blog. Love the way this turned out! We used an antler shed to make the lid handle, and bought some great rustic looking handles for the sides, as well as an old rustic bottle opener. Can't wait to see it in action!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None, keep it looking weathered!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sweetpea bed

I made this for my 2 young daughters. They love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$800?
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint from lowes. I suggest spraying as you cut. The longest part of the pro jest was painting after I built this.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

eliseaurban

Fri, 08/02/2013 - 10:38

HI! Great Job! i hope mine turns out just as nice! i have a question. how wide did you make the stairs on yours im looking to make my staircase narrower to fit in my spot but i wanna make sure i dont make them too narrow but yours looks perfect!

cmartinez

Sat, 10/03/2015 - 08:11

Hola Ana White, tu inspiras a hacer cosas increibles. Gracias por el tiempo que dedicas a inspirarnos!

DIY PLANTER BOXES WITH PALLET WOOD

We picked up a couple 14.9" square plastic garden planters from Home Depot and ended up creating some wood planter boxes from pallet wood for them to sit in. 

I didn't add up the cost of these boxes, because we had most of the wood and only needed a few pieces, but I'd say they were definitely less than $10 a box. 

We altered our dimensions to fit our HD planters so they would slip in for a snug fit and made the legs flush with the top of our sides. We build a simple frame for the top, which allowed the lip of our HD planters to sit firmly on top. 

Something I didn't do, but wish I did: fill in the cracks with wood filler.  There were a couple places that really could have used it, but I was in a rush and decided to skip it.  They turned out great, but could have been even better had I taken an extra 30 minutes.  On an off weekend, we are going to use wood filler in the seams, sand them down, and do a second coat of white paint. 

Can't wait to plant these with some mums for Fall! :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20 total for 2 boxes.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White Semi-Gloss outdoor paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X coffee table

X coffee table

Finish Used
Finish was a mixtures of Minwax weathered grey and a little of Minwax ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments