Community Brag Posts

My Garden box

Submitted by Kabarie on Thu, 05/30/2013 - 13:29

Built this with the help of my Dad! Learned about threads as I've never used them before. Because of all the controversy surrounding having pressure treated wood touch the veggies and because I could not afford or find cedar 4x4's I decided to use the left over cedar to build a little cover around the 4x4's so my soil and veggies will never come into contact with it. Love it and the veggies are growing great!

Estimated Cost
$50/60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I forget the stain I used on the outside of cedar...something natural looking.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Janettx

Fri, 05/31/2013 - 04:22

I'm glad you were able to follow my plans. I'm not a plan writer so I wasn't sure if I gave good enough instruction. It is a shame you can not get all cedar. Sealing the legs will definitly help them last longer and with all that work you certainly want them to last! Just a hint...you can make 3 for not much more than you spent making one....Great job and thanks for the brag post LOVE LOVE LOVE

a few face grain "catering "boards i made

Submitted by shawns1ton on Mon, 04/27/2015 - 19:10

a few face grain "catering/presentation" boards i made.  16x28

 

2 for my culinary graduation and 2 for a freinds business

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Watco butcher block oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Crib

Built for my daughters 2nd birthday. 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint, and white spray paint sprayed over lace. Distressed and dry brushed the blue chalk paint back over for a worn look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse dining table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 14:44

We could not find a table that we liked within our price range so we decided to take matters into our own hands. Thanks to Anna White we were inspired to create this piece, our first wood building project ever!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

My First Project

Submitted by mamiweber on Tue, 03/15/2011 - 19:08

Farmhouse coffee table. My 1st project! Took me a year to finally get the finish just right. We love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1st stained with Ebony and then sanded some off and restained with a mahogony. Sealed with a high shine polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Used 2X2s to support the wings.

I essentially stuck to the main plan - except to support the wings I used 2X2 boards and standard hinges.

I was worried that there may not be enough space for my Ryobi 10" sliding miter saw because of the slide however, it fits nicely and there is plenty of space.

Thank you for the wonderful plan. This was my first project of this size and I am very happy with the results!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
More than I expected. $39 for the plywood (sanded), $16 for the 4 hinges, $17 for the 4 caster wheels. The boards I already had.
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jennibee

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 08:10

This is great. I am currently getting my Dad's help to turn an old kitchen cabinet into a miter saw cabinet with wings like this. (it was a 1940's solid wood kitchen cabinet we took out of the house when we remodeled). I really like your 2x2 support struts. Have you considered putting a shelf in the middle of your box? It would add extra support and also more room to store stuff.

richsessums

Sat, 05/02/2015 - 09:09

Good idea. I did consider adding a shelf however I have now decided to use the lower area to store my small router table. I discovered that it would fit in the spot however it leaves not enough room for a shelf.

Top Bunk Organizer

Submitted by Bradnag on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 05:52

Built this to go along with my son's new Chelsea loft bed so he'd have a place to set a glass of water and some books. I was able to use almost entirely scrap wood, except for the 1x4. Cutting and assembly took less than an hour, and the thing is rock solid. Sealed it with polycrylic, because it will probably get spilled on many, many times. Probably the easiest project I've done, and I think it would make a great starter project for anyone looking to try out using pocket holes for the first time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
PPG Speedhide paint, Minwax Polycrylic finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Reclaimed-wood bed

Submitted by natsmom on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 09:49

My friend asked me to build a "forever bed" for her son.  So I pulled up some plans, and she LOVED this headboard.  But wanted a footboard to hold the comforter on.  So, I built the headboard, realized how easy it was, and invited her over to help build the footboard.  She was so excited that she helped build her son's bed!

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax mahogany stain - 3 coats, topped with 2 coats of Minwax high gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Farmhouse Table

We were able to finish this table after work one afternoon and stain it the next day. (we have a 16 month old also, so you can do it! :) ) I wanted a similar style I had found at World Market that retailed for $700 we were able to complete this entire table for $100 including all hardware and stain. LOVE it so much and get SO many compliments on it. Thanks so much!

Shelby
The Dandy Lion

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
A satin poly with espresso stain in one
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pallet Bench

Submitted by eralben on Mon, 05/04/2015 - 06:30

A friend gave me a pallet that I wanted to make into an outdoor bench.  I found Ana’s plans for a simple outdoor loveseat and they inspired the frame for the bench.  To make the bench I cut the pallet in half and then I adjusted Ana’s plans to make the frame to fit around the pallet. 

The pallet was free and I used scrap wood to build the frame so my only cost for this project was paint.  

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Thanks for helping me build this shed!

Submitted by cnllusher on Sun, 09/17/2017 - 16:33

Using your shed plans, modified to use the 2x4s I already had on hand, I designed this 4'x8'x7' shed to match my house.  I replaced the ceder fence boards with a hardiboard, but the construction was pretty much the same.  My husband and I are so happy with this shed,which looks very similar to the $4000+ sheds we have seen, and it cost us less than $400 to make and matches our house perfectly.  Your instructions were great, and I know you saved me a lot of time and trouble.  Can't wait to load it up with our snow and gardening equipment!  Thank you!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table & Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/10/2021 - 17:48

Absolutely love how this table & matching bench turned out! We made them rustic looking before staining with Jocabean stain. Our customers went crazy over it ❤️

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Low Activity Table

With three little kids we needed some place to put the loads of toys that we have.  The first time I saw this - I knew I had to build it!

This project was quite the task.  For me building is a breeze - it's the painting that is the process!!!

 

I started working on this on Sunday last week - it was built in about 3-4 hours.  Painting took forever, and three colors!

 

Love for you to check out my blog post with all the details, even my painting flub up.

Estimated Cost
$108...$70 in wood, $30 in Wheels, $8 in paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded...primed...sanded...random painting experience...ended with Rustolium Kola - Semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Castle Bed

A big thanks to FSMumford for drawing this in Sketchup. I had to re-draw it to take into account metric wood dimensions and bed sizes here in NZ, and also to remove a foot or so from the length.

We just gave it to my daughter today, and already I need to make some modifications. I immediately put some vertical grab rails at the top of the steps and slide. The steps are too big for a toddler (she's 3 today) and I didn't take into account how thick a pillow top mattress is! I really needed to make the end guards higher. In fact, were I to make it again, I'd probably make the towers taller and lower the height of the bed by 8-12 inches. While this would lower interior room, it might make the steps a more reasonable height for a littlie. If you're building for a 5 or 6 year old, this may not be an issue. Also, it would make the angle of the slide shallower (it's a bit steep, I reckon). I used 7 sheets of 16mm MDF but if I'd laid them out like FSMumford did in her plans I would have used less. Our (one car) garage is too small and the whole build process, including painting, was a royal pain in the bum. Fun, but a pain. Speaking of painting, next time (riiiiight) I'd try to paint as much as possible before assembling. I built mine in modules but even so it's hard to get a nice coat of paint on the insides of things. Edges of MDF need to be painted and sanded at least twice to look nice. Don't underestimate the time needed to get a good finish - I spent a third of my build time finishing (mostly, again, due to limited space). A narrow foam roller is great for cutting in but doesn't seem to get enough paint on to cover well on larger areas. In places I have three coats and can still see my pencil marks. I used Dulux Aquanamel.

Estimated Cost
Don't get me started....
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dulux Aquanamel.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Chineselyons

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 10:47

This is gorgeous! I know there are modifications to take into account but it's stunning none-the-less.

Treehouse Adventure Bed (Alternate Beach Hut Bed)

I was looking for something to build for a fundraiser this year and found the Beach Hut Bed plans. I liked the idea of a little house inside a kids room but I wanted to do something a little more rustic. here's what I came up with!!!

The shopping list and cut list is pretty much the same. However, I only used one 1x3 and needed to buy 4 extra 1x4s. I lowered the bed deck about a foot and left half of the walls open for easy parent access. I sorta just winged it as I went. Turened out pretty neat!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Roof: Valspar Exterior latex paint+primer. Main structure: burned with torch, wipe on poly, high gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Woven Back Bench - A little longer

We made our bench 17-1/2 inches longer, just enough for a third panel on the back.  We also added 2 braces under the seat slats to give it additional strength.  A lot of fun to make!  Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Farmhouse Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 09:43

I made the coffee table, an end table and I modified the console table to add another shelf because I have too much stuff lol! These are my first wood projects and I am happy how they turned out 🥰

Comments

My Kids Clara Table

Submitted by redhead_61 on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 08:52

This is actually my second build.  I made my dad some Hyde end tables for his deck at the cabin and they went up in the fall before I could get pictures. 

For this, I sold an Ikea kids table to pay for it.  Most of the wood I had from my dad's basement and went ahead and bought an MDF table top for $8.  I want to save up for the big kreg jig kit.  I could have actually gotten two table tops out of one sheet if I had altered some dimensions.  But build the base first before I bought the top. 

Project itself wouldn't take too long if I had more clamps, and no kids! :)  And next time I will be spraying!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
leftover white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Just Couldn't Reach

My son is a little short for his age and we have been searching for a stool that he could use to wash his hands by himself. I came across these simple and quick plans for an amazingly, functional stool. I spent about 4 total hours on it, made it from scraps that I already had, it looks great and it hold me too... all 230 lbs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-Gloss Paint (left over from painting my ceiling)
Minwax stain and poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Benchright Coffee Table

This was one of my first projects. I made it for my daughter who was moving to a new apartment and wanted to replace her college coffee table. It was fairly easy other than keeping everything square so the drawers worked correctly. I finished it with Rust-Oleum Ebony stain and Minwax Satin Poly (3 coats). All the hardware and lumber came from the Orange big box store

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust Oleum Ebony Stain
Minwax Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate