Community Brag Posts

Hall Tree

Submitted by tbonia on Wed, 03/19/2014 - 13:50

This was my first attempt at building actual furniture. It went pretty well I think. I followed the plan pretty much. I made the bench longer and taller. I also added a few inches to the height if the hutch.
A couple other changes I made that I thought it needed was 2x2 bracing on the bottom if the bench for stability. I also added a band of 1x2 to the bottom of the hutch so I could screw the hutch to the bench without having to go inside of the bench and try to line it up .
I then added another board to the top band of the hutch, because with the one small board there it want wide enough to mount a decent size hook to.
That's pretty much it. If you have any questions, let me know.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

King size Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/19/2020 - 15:59

This is a plan that My 16 year old son chose to do for a project to fulfill a goal to learn some woodworking skills during our unexpected downtime from School.
Mom is thrilled with the new space.
He adjusted different sizes based on what lumber we already had. He used 1x7’s and routed a 45deg on the edges to give the tongue and groove look. Posts are 4x5 and top railing is 2x7.

Estimated Cost
$40 in paint and supplies. Wood was free from a friend.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Furniture Enamel.
Color - Web Grey
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Small X End Table

This was a fun project spread out over 3 weeks to enjoy working on while quarantined at home. It was the first project I worked on featuring mitered corners. It took some practice and many "polishing" cuts to get everything to line up right, but in the end they looked great! I went with a Birch interior plywood instead of you typical (pine?) plywood because it looked a lot more furniture esque. I trick when using a circular saw to cut the plywood is to keep the desired side up when cutting in the direction with the grain and the desired side down when cutting across the grain. When cutting across the grain, the blade can fray the edge of the top ply. I also added braces attached to all 4 legs flush with the top of the legs using 1x2's. This allowed me to glue and screw (1" screws) the table top to the base from underneath so it was hidden rather than nail from the top. I didn't want to have nail holes on the table top because, even with wood filler, they would stand out from the rest of the wood.

I chose to go with the cheap pine that home depot sells instead of the Select Pine because the cheap pine has a lot more character and offers a more rustic look. The pine can be pretty beat up so it takes a while of digging to find the straight boards without any major defects or cracks. I just figure it's part of the experience. Once I have my straight boards I sand everything down so the boards are completely smooth and have softened edges. Clamps are a must and a HUGE help with getting everything lined up during the assembly. I neglected clamps in some of my first builds because I didn't have them and didn't want to invest. I had a real hard time getting things level and straight. Never again.

Other pieces I've build from Ana's plan include (in order of build):
Ana's Adirondack Chair (4x)
Reclaimed-Wood Look Headboard, King Size
Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s (2x)
Simple White Outdoor End Table
Rustic X End Table

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One application of Varathane Early American Premium Wood Stain
Three applications of Varathane Crystal Clear Matte Water Based Ultimate Polyurethane

Patio Table

Submitted by Rennie82 on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 17:42

Project took a lot more time and patience than the last few little ones that I have done. I like the simple outdoor table but wanted a little bit more. I used the basic concept and mixed it with a patio table from PB that I really enjoyed but didnt want to pay $800 for. The table looks fantastic and am still debating on what type of finish, if any, to use. Hoping to make the matching bench soon for one of the sides of the table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $120 including the carriage bolts so I can take off the legs.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None as of yet, leaning towards Thompsons clear waterproofer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

We Built a Greenhouse!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 15:28

When the Covid quarantine hit we decided to build a greenhouse - it's been on our To Do list for 9 years. The DIY Greenhouse was the first design I found via Google search and it looked so easy and has all the materials listed so we just had the materials delivered and dived right in! It took us 5 days, about 4 hours per day. The smartest thing we did was borrow a mitre chop-saw. There's a lot of 22 degree angles to cut. Other than that it was easy peasy as long as you follow directions. Also got a skill saw blade that cut both the plastic and the tin. It cost us about a grand Canadian, but the closest kit I found online was smaller and was $1500 US. I'm already growing stuff in it and the temperature here in Northern BC gets below freezing at night (around -1C) but everything is ok. The current temp outside is 15, but it's 30 in the greenhouse. We cut a few vents in the back wall panel to allow for airflow and I'm going to purchase a solar muffin fan to move the air a bit. Highly recommend this unit!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1000 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Holiday Fence Picket Planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/03/2024 - 07:36

I built these picket fence planters with my husband. They were very easy to build. I can use them all year around. I’ll add flowers in the spring and summer and mums in the fall and Christmas trees in the Winter. I’m definitely building more for my back porch. Happy building! - Celines

Seasonal And Holiday

Kitchen Island

We had an area in our kitchen where the washer and dryer use to be, and we wanted to build a cabinet that would fit in that spot. We took these plans and adjusted the sizes to fit the space we needed. We made the depth deeper and we cut off one of the side drawers and doors. We found a pre-made 1 1/2 inch butcher block counter top at a local wood supply warehouse that fit our needs perfectly. The countertop was about a quarter of the price of the whole cabinet, but it was worth it. In the drawers we used wrapping paper that we found at Cost Plus which fits us to a "T". We painted it with General Finish Milk Paint in Bayberry Green and used a clear coat with a satin finish. My biggest advice to someone making this cabinet is to take your time and make sure everything is square.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General Finish Milk Paint Bayberry Green, Satin Clear Coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

vabvive

Mon, 07/02/2012 - 10:10

You've done a beautiful job! What did you find was key to getting everything square?

This is lovely & has inspired me to make my own. I need a piece for my master bedroom that I can use as a TV stand and also to conceal my laundry baskets. Originally I'd planned on adapting a sideboard and using a tip-out door like Ana's trash bin for the laundry -- but this piece is so beautiful I may just ensure that my laundry basket will fit inside and build as-is so that I can easily have the option to use it differently if I want to.

Schweizerfamily

Wed, 07/04/2012 - 06:59

Thank you so much. We purchased a couple of Clamp it Assemby Sqares from rockler.com. These helped a lot for getting everything square. We also took our time and did not rush.

Dustin (not verified)

Wed, 07/11/2012 - 19:42

Love your modified sideboard! The color is gorgeous and the butcher block is a great addition!

I was wondering what kind of hinges you used. I looked for flush mount hinges at Lowes today and they are not going to work. I want it to look like yours where you can barely see the hinge.

Do you remember the name of it? Where you got it? Pic? Any help would be appreciated!!

Dustin Roberts
[email protected]

Schweizerfamily

Wed, 07/11/2012 - 20:15

Thank you very much. We had a really hard time finding hinges also. We tried Home Depot and Lowes and came up empty. We finally went on to Hillary Louise's blog and follow the links to the website where she bought her hinges. http://www.cabinetparts.com

Here are the links that she posted.

http://www.cabinetparts.com/p/amerock-traditional-cabinet-hinges-AMCM31…

http://www.cabinetparts.com/p/amerock-traditional-cabinet-hinges-AMCM31…

We just bought ours in a different color.

Becka (not verified)

Sat, 09/08/2012 - 13:14

My husband & I are looking to build our own too but the dimensions of the original plan would make it too big for our dining area. Yours would be a perfect size though - would you mind posting the size adjustment for yours? Or could you email it to me? I would be forever grateful :)

Love the color you painted it too....very nice choice!

Becka Krikorian (not verified)

Sat, 09/08/2012 - 13:18

My husband & I are looking to build our own too but the dimensions of the original plan would make it too big for our dining area. Yours would be a perfect size though - would you mind posting the size adjustment for yours? Or could you email it to me? I would be forever grateful :)

Love the color you painted it too....very nice choice!

rhettar

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 11:37

This is exactly the size down I had in mind and was wondering how it would look with one door off by itself, it looks great! I even thought about incorporating one door to actually be a tilt or pull out for trash. You guys did a wonderful job and it looks like it was built in where you ended up putting it in your kitchen... Are you going to do a little something now to match on the other side of the stove?

Schweizerfamily

Fri, 01/25/2013 - 09:12

Thats a great idea. We were thinking one our next projects would be a mix between this and Ana's recycling center with the tilt out for dog food.

Folding Workbench with Storage

Submitted by lookitsash on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 13:15

Digging through my scrap wood collection, I came across some pieces of pegboard from our previous home that I had forgotten about. I had just relocated a lot of garden tools to the shed, and there was an empty wall in the garage that would now be perfect for the pegboard. After mounting the pegboard and hanging up some tools, the wall still looked a little empty. I had a vision of mounting a heavy duty folding workbench to the wall. This was the perfect location, and if the workbench folded, we could still fit the car in the garage.  You can read all the details about my folding workbench on my blog at:

 

http://www.justmeasuringup.com/blog/building-a-folding-workbench-with-french-cleats

 

The workbench is a perfect addition to my garage, and its used every day.  Best of all, I just fold it down when I need to park the car!

Estimated Cost
Around $150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No paint or stain, but I did route the edges of the table with a roundover bit to give it a professional finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

LOVE MY SHED!!!

Submitted by Storm on Wed, 05/21/2014 - 20:41

I saw this storage shed plan and loved it. I did make a few changes because I needed a 4' x 8'. I also built a shed floor to secure it too so I built the shed frame using 2x4's.
I also put the lower ends of the side walls in the rear to assist with water runoff.
Because I wanted the option to add shelves on the left side I decided to put one larger door on the right front only and added some contrast by vertically placing the pickets on the opposite side. I'm presently waiting for my shingles to arrive. After that I'll stain it. I really enjoyed putting this together, learned a lot.

My next project will be the outdoor sectional. I'll be making 5 pieces, 1 corner and 5 armless pieces. Can't wait to start.
Happy building,
Keep Safe

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jakeaharper

Wed, 08/03/2016 - 06:03

I absolutely love this shed and the way you altered the design with one door. Can you please send me the measurements you used for this project? I would love to build this for my yard!

Sideboard/Game Console

Submitted by jakegarner on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 14:19

Used the plan for a double-entry console to make a triple cabinet to go behind the couch and serve as a board game console and sideboard for the dining room.

Lowered the total height to 34 in to fit behind the couch. The total length is 8 feet.
For the plywood top I edged them then pine boards to make the top look more like a solid piece of wood and stained it.

Estimated Cost
$300-400
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cluckingham Cottage

Cluckingham Cottage wasn’t built in a day, but it WAS built by a DAME!
A-frame instructions were pretty helpful considering the builder knows nothing about construction. I made a few modifications to accommodate my 5 chooks + 2 bantams . Sturdy and tight structure.

Estimated Cost
Under $400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)

Mobile Workbench with Drawers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/22/2024 - 08:08

I recently had a workshop built and I have been trying to now work on the furniture for it. My first project was this workbench inspired by the plans "garage workshop workbench". I added drawers on each side and will probably end up adding a shelf in the open area as well after letting my kids finish decorating the top. It's already a nice addition and I may build a smaller version for my garage. I added casters and have the option to roll the table around or have it stationary.

Tonie

Raised Garden Beds

Submitted by Deekra on Sat, 06/07/2014 - 16:31

I used the basic Raised cedar garden bed plans with a few alterations. I made them different sizes, stacked one on top of the other for some dimension in my garden and secured them together from in inside.

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

Comments

Boat Shaped Planter

Submitted by Saf37y on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 07:39

boat planter

A fleet of 3 wooden boat planters built in the traditional style of a clinker creel boat (Orkney Longliner).

Alex

Reclaimed Fence = Free Benches

These are made from the 4x4 posts, 2x4 rails, and slats from an old wooden fence that weren't good enough to re-use when we repaired the fence.

It's close to the Simple outdoor bench, but I simplified the plan even more to take advantage of the pile of free lumber. Or maybe it's the Simple Outdoor Dining Table ... but a lot shorter.

CAUTION: Be careful to remove ALL nails, screws and bolts from the lumber you are reusing. If you can't get the metal out, mark that area and figure out a cut that won't hit it.

TIPS FOR RECLAIMED LUMBER:
* Trim the ends of the lumber square before you measure.
* Don't try to salvage split or rotted wood. Trim it off and see what you can do with the good bits.
* Plan your cuts so you have the least waste.

TOOLS:
10" Miter saw
Wood glue
Nail gun, with 2 1/2 and 1 1/4 inch 16gauge nails for gun (You could use deck screws if you have them)
Surform Pocket plane (wood rasp from Stanley tools)

CUT LIST:
For one bench, 21x36

NOTE: To cut a 4x4 cleanly with the 10" miter saw, put a thin shim behind each side of the 4x4

4 4x4 post scraps, 18 inches long (legs)
2 2x4 18 inches long (sides)
2 2x4 36 inches long (front and back rail)
10 fence slat pieces, 21 inches long (cut to fit the top after it is assembled)

ASSEMBLY:
See the picture of the underside of the bench:
1 - Square up the legs with the end pieces, glue and nail.
2 - Square the sides with the legs, so the legs are inside the 2x4 apron, glue and nail.
3 - Align the 2 end slats with the edges of the bench and nail through them into the 2x4 apron
4 - Space the rest of the slats on the top, leaving 1/8 inch or so etween the boards for drainage. Nail them to the 2x4 apron.

FINISH: Use the wood rasp to round the cut ends of the slats and 2x4s. Rasp with the grain to avoid raising splinters. Lightly rasp the tops of the slats to smooth any really rough spots.

A table or maybe a buffet is planned, with the same construction method, but a bit taller. Tables are 26-29 inches, most buffets are 36". It depends on what will make best use of the remaining bits.

Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler Picnic Table

Submitted by boneill on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 05:02

My son loves this table . Great size and super lightweight

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin white paint , top/benches custom color - special walnut stained then dry brush over with white paint for barnwood style type look
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cute DIY Pallet Potting Bench

Submitted by shampbel on Wed, 09/12/2012 - 20:33

Made from 2 pallets, 2 x 6 x 8, leftover trim from my house, wood branch from my backyard. Attached shelf with pocket holes.

Accents:
-Handpainted lettering; painted prior to glazing entire piece
-Finials made from 4.25 inch spray painted and glazed clay pots and saucers coated with Valspar clear finish and attached together with epoxy; buttons attached to pots with E6000 adhesive
-Buttons attached mostly with small screws; a few with holes too small for screws were attached with epoxy
-Plastic flowers made from mayo and water bottles and lids; sanded, primed, spray painted, coated with Valspar clear coating; attached with screws
-Faucet knobs sanded, spray painted, glazed and attached with screws
-Plumbing pipe filled with plumber epoxy puttty; insert screw into putty before it hardened, then screwed into wood
-Gardening tool hooks made from pant wire hangers with a few beads attached; wire simply wrapped around tree branch

Not sure that I will use pallet wood again since difficult to pull apart pallets, uneven and some split boards could not be used, and required tons of sanding for those boards that could be used. I think I paid more for orbital sanding pads than the cost of buying new wood. Will use pallet wood for other non-furniture projects not requiring a perfect finish.

Estimated Cost
$40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kids distressed with hammers, sanded with 80 grit, Kilz Primer (1 coat), Sherwin Williams Exterior White Latex Paint (1 coat), Behr Glaze tinted with Brown Latex, Spar Urethane (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss end table

Submitted by carolq on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 22:49

This 2 X 4 truss end table is a fun build. I'm going to make a pair and finish them with a farmhouse finish to use as night tables at the cottage!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
pickled finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Family Picnic Table

Submitted by B.W.Martin on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 18:24

The 8' picnic table plans are great for a family of 8 or less, therefor the only changes that I made to the original plans was to use 10' boards for the table top. I centered the the table boards on top to allow for an extra chair on each end for more seating spaces.

Another alternative with the 10' table top boards would be to slide all of the excess footage to one end of the picnic table to make room for someone in a wheelchair. The original plans are great and turn out just like you would like but don't be afraid to modify your work!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Desert Brown Thompson Water Seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Bird Feeder

Submitted by mtairymd on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 12:58

This is a simple project for the beginning woodworker. There are a variety of bird feeder designs available on the web but I wanted to try something a little different. Anyway, this is my try at a simple bird feeder.

Build Instructions:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Bird-Feeder-1/

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint for pillars and perch
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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