Community Brag Posts

Wine Buffet

Submitted by UTskier05 on Sat, 02/06/2016 - 17:24

Hopefully the picture is vertical this time.

My wife wanted the basic buffet style cabinet but shorter and with wine storage. Design was modified to suit. Top is select pine with min-wax stain and polyurethane finish. Had a blast making it and can't wait to start another project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min-wax deep oak stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Turned Leg Farmhouse Table

This projected started with a mishap. I bought table legs from Lowes that were 35" tall, and after trying to decide if I could somehow make our chairs taller...I returned them for the correct set. The set I used was from Waddell online (the manufacturer). 29" Country Pine legs. With shipping these were the most expensive part of the entire project. The rest went according to plan. Once the table was done I decided on a whim to make a matching bench. I bought the bench legs from Home Depot and a bit more pine for the seat. The bench legs were 15" country pine also. I guessed on the measurements for it, and it came out okay. The only hard part was that my drill didn't fit with the Kreg bit on it when I was trying to screw in the bench supports. I actually had to borrow a shorter drill and bit from a friend to complete it! The staining took me a long time because I don't have a heated garage and the temperatures dropped below comfortable to work on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130 for table and bench
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used oil based pre-stain by Minwax so the stain would cover evenly (mostly because I used such a soft wood). Then two coats of Minwax oil based stain in Special Walnut. I was planning on going darker, but this Special Walnut had that Pottery Barn rustic look I love. Lastly I did 3 coats of Minwax oil based Polyurethane in Satin finish. The first coat looked great, the second coat ended an ugly cloudy gray color. So...I didn't read the instructions and now I know. STIR STIR STIR. You have to stir this finish for a long time prior to each application. I thought stirring it was was enough. Don't make this mistake! Then I sanded forever and started over...3 coats.


UPDATE: I moved to a house with grey wood floors and the table didn't match at all. So I sanded the top coat of poly off and added Minwax Classic Grey Stain over the Special Walnut from last year. One more coat of poly and this table looks like it was made to match the floors!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My First Project - Inset-Bookshelf Doorway

Submitted by Conlonke on Fri, 12/13/2013 - 07:17

I bought a house in 2011, and I didn’t like the way the door looked in a dining room that leads to the crawl space and a little broom closet. So instead, I built a bookshelf on hinges and painted it white and so with the help of the plans from Inset Bookshelf Doorway plans I was able to create some more bookshelf space within my house for my Fiance, who is an avid reader and Librarian. I apologize for the lack of pictures as I had no idea it would turn out so well. It was actually relatively easy using a circular saw, a kreg jig, wood glue, wood filler, and a spray painter, I thought it turned out well. At first, I measured the doorway, and adjusted the plans to meet my needs taking into account that a 2x4 is actually a 1 3/4 by 3 3/4. This was the hardest thing for me to adjust to is the actual wood size. From there, I started building out the frame. Once that was complete, I added in the shelves with the Kreg Jig to make sure that it was all flush and hidden. Lastly, I added in 1/4 inch sheet wood for the back. Now it was time to prep. I took wood filler and filled in the sides, where the drill holes were, and since I could not get sheet wood long enough for the whole door frame to make sure everything was smooth so I used wood filler and puddy to fill in the space in between. Once everything was dry, I used my Ryobi paint sprayer and may have over-done it on the first pass, since this was my first time using it. After cleaning it up, I applied another coat and I am pretty happy. Finally, I finished it off with a magnetic pin to lock it in place so it appears to be shut and all you have to do is to push to open. Future updates, per the Fiance's request is to use a book with string through the back to unlock it in a gated fashion. I hope you guys enjoy, and I apologize for the lack of overall detail. This was done over a year ago and I have since cleaned out my notes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Paint (Behr Premium with primer) - Semi-Gloss finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

twin over full bunkbed

Submitted by sjknecht on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 14:38

This project was so much easier than I thought it would be when we started. If you follow ana's plans your bunkbed will be much stronger than anything you can buy for a fraction of the price. I would never do it but I honestly think I could park my truck on these beds. The finish is red mahogany stain with a couple coats of polyurethane over it. They say not to use dark stain over pine because of the uneven coat but i like the way it striped the grain. Not everyone's cup of tea but we love it.
We've all heard the saying "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. Thank You Ana for teaching me to fish. This was the first, but will not be the last project i do from your site.

Estimated Cost
about 200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax red mahogany stain, and 3 coats of minwax polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Main closet bench and shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 13:11

We have a 10 ft closet in our entry which offered plenty of space but had three closet sliding doors. Only one could be open at a time. Had two upper shelves and a rod. Wanted to get things more organized and have a place to get shoes on. Always give my 1 and 3 year old easier access to dress/undress themselves. First attempt at building anything. As I went along changed things based on materials and to get around issues with our closet or my skill level/available tools.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted areas are Olympus white sherwin Williams. Stain is classic oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Vintage Butcher Block Vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 10:40

Use the general idea of the kitchen island plans. I had an old butcher block work table top from June 1952. I wanted to cut it down and make a bathroom vanity. We used cedar legs for the posts and shelves.

Kristi

 

Built from Plan(s)

Chunky X Base Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 20:56

So my sister in-law kept sending me tables on craigslist that were for sale. I didn't like anything I was seeing and to buy what I wanted I was looking at roughly $1000 so I found these plans and was like... YES! When I told the family I was doing this they were all pretty much like... "yeah sure, good luck"
I knew that I could do I just needed the plans which were here.

I pretty much stuck to the plans with a few exceptions. I made the table longer to accommodate the entire family on Friday Family Night...! It's a little over 10' long. Instead of 3 – 1x12x8 I went with 3 - 2x12x10. One because as I said earlier I wanted the table longer and two because I just felt that the 1x12 was too flimsy and I wanted something real solid. Because of that I ended up putting pocket holes on each side of all the 2x12 boards and I also put a 2x6 in the middle for additional support.

Everything was pretty much right on except for the base posts, for some reason they were about 2" too short which forced me to cut the upper parts of the X on the base a bit shorter as well. I ended up putting an additional 2 2x6 on top of the base to raise the table to the height I felt was necessary. If I did it over I would have just made my base post 2" higher and only used one additional 2x6 for the additional height.

I ended up staining it with a semi-transparent beige stain to give it a grayish look.

I gotta say everyone was like "holy crap...!" and thought it was beautiful. I gotta say it feels really good to build it yourself and especially when it comes out the way you want it.

thanks so much for the plans!!!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of a semi-transparent beige stain from Olympic. Stain and Sealer in one
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

SESchild

Thu, 06/04/2020 - 12:15

Hi Ana. I'm a new member here. My wife and I really enjoy your projects! Quick question about the Chunky X Base Table... we're about to build it and we're going to do it 10 ft long like you did. I'm curious how rigid the center span is? I'm guessing the span is roughly 6'. Is it bouncy? I was thinking about running 2 or 3 2x4 "joists" under thre table attached to the bases to provide more support. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you!

Live Edge Custom Built Entryway Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 11:01

Entryway Bench. I customized the plan with a maple live edge top and a fourth bay that had to be modified to extend the right side of bench down to lower level floor. Worked out perfectly! I am a total amateur woodworker but impressed with how easy it was and how professional it looks.

web: floatingislandsstudio.com

Built from Plan(s)

Farmhouse coffee table

My first project from this websie! From the moment I saw this table I wanted to make it! Really loved it.

it was A little bit harder than I thought it will be, especially because the X’s, but also because the top plate, i had some trouble to figure that out, but After I figured that out it went well.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
A Semi Transparent paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Bunk Bed Triple Bunk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/20/2016 - 07:07

I loved the look and design of Ana's Simple Bunk Bed but due to limited space in our home, needed a triple bunk bed. I wasn't interested in the hassle of a trundle so I decided to modify the simple bunk bed plan and make it a triple. I have to say, I was a little worried about how sturdy it would be but this plan is so solid with the 4x4 posts that there is no need to even even think about that for another second!
I changed the ladder so that it was attached to the side rails of the bunk bed as someone had posted they did earlier and decided to add another little ladder for the middle bunk so my little one wouldn't have to leap from the ladder to get into her bed. ;D

In order to do a triple in our home (with 8 ft. ceilings), I needed to bring the height down so I made the bottom bunk sit on the floor with the legs only being as long as the height of the headboard. I also made all the headboards and footboards only as tall as the footboards in Ana's original Simple Bunk Bed plans.

This was my first build and there are definitely things I would do differently to make this work better if I had it to do all over again. I would make the legs a little shorter on the 2nd and 3rd bunk so that there is more head room for the person on the top bunk.

All in all though, I had a great time building this and can't wait to try some more of Ana's plans!!!

Estimated Cost
$450 including hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint, not sealed
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

wbmclaurin

Mon, 11/01/2021 - 21:30

Do you happen to have the exact plans for this triple bunk? I saw that you modified the simple double bunk to fit your space but I'm wondering if you drew up plans wih measurements to make it easier for beginner folks.

Loft bed with desk and book case

Submitted by puffin_81 on Thu, 01/16/2020 - 05:14

My daughter's bedroom was getting a bit cramped so wanted to make a loft bed for her but I also wanted to incorporate a desk and some shelves for her books and toys. I started with the base plans from Camp Loft Bed with Stair, Junior Height posted on this site and kind of incorporated my own touch with the stairs, desk, book case. I also added a removable tray for when my daughter is eating a snack in her bed. It hooks on the top rail of the bed. Another addition I made was the wall shelf I mounted above the bed for storing her books, I-pad, etc.

Sorry but I do not have any plans for these modifications. I just made some simple drawings and winged it. This is my first ever build so hope you enjoy it

Estimated Cost
600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax American Walnut for the dark finish and Natural for the light finish
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Girl Scout Troup Bird House Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/26/2023 - 08:19

Two Girl Scout troops combined to work on the Cadette Woodworking Badge and made this birdhouse (https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/diy-birdhouse-one-cedar-…). We used cedar decking, so some adjustments needed to be made to the plan. We looked up what types of birds in our area would use different size openings. The girls had a great time and worked together to make sure everyone finished in time. My troop has built a lot of projects, but this was our sister troop's first build. They did an excellent job! So proud of their hard work and I get the feeling we'll be building more in the future!

Sarah Eiseman

Comments

Reporposed Corner Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:32

DIY bourbon bar cabinet made from old corner entertainment center. Purchased for $40,

Dallas Garner

Michael Collection: Twin platform bed

Submitted by AlexE on Thu, 05/10/2012 - 16:40

We made for our two oldest. This is our first couple project
Or rather a family project.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sewing & Craft Table

Using Ana's plan for a simple sewing table, I modified it to meet the needs of my daughter.

I only used 1 wing instead of two and made a brace that folds away under the leaf. On second thought I added a safety leg and foot to keep the table from tipping when the sewing machine is on top of the leaf.

I trimmed out everything but the leaf with 1 x 2 pine.

The top (with leaf raised) is 31 x 46 inches of work space. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint ( 1 1/2 quarts) applied with a roller and a sprayer
Water based polyurethane on the top only, applied with a brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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