Community Brag Posts

Fancy Doll Bed

Submitted by hortonec on Thu, 06/28/2012 - 04:59

This was my first project! WIth some guidance from my husband, we were able to complete this during naptime (minus paint, of course). It was a fun project and I can't wait to try a different one! (Not sure why it looks so crooked in this picture! It looks nice and even in person.)

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Standup Desk built from Modified Farmhouse Potting Bench Plans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 08:31

Hello! I used the plans for the Farmhouse Potting Bench and modified them to make a standup desk. This has been awesome for making a simple but effective desk during the quarantine.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden Oak by Varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

CreativeNest

Tue, 07/14/2020 - 07:10

This is great! I was thinking of modifying the potting bench plans as well, to build a kitchen unit. My stove recently bit the dust, and seeing as I never use the oven anyway, I'm hoping to build a convection plate cooking unit to put in the old stove's place. I'll probably pop some doors onto it and have closed storage underneath.

Under Sink Organizer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/03/2024 - 07:53

I wanted to get my nasty pot scrubbers out from behind the kitchen faucet, so I thought this was an ideal solution. I substituted the paper towel rack for a length of vinyl rain gutter. I cut a piece of a baking cooling rack for the bottom of the rain gutter, so the wet pot scrubbers would not sit in dampness. I also made the rain gutter removable, because I knew it would get nasty and need to be washed occasionally.

kuyaLars

 

Swing Bed - Time to Relax!

A few years ago our family vacationed in Watercolor, on the northwest Florida coast. We loved the house we stayed in so much when we returned home we put our house up for sale so we could build a home similar to the one we stayed in. One of the features we loved so much was the large covered front porch and most of all the swing bed it showcased. My wife spent every morning and night that week relaxing in that swing. I promised my wife then that I would make sure got her own swing. Thanks to Ana White, she was back in her (new) swing last night.

I began with the "Large Modern Porch Swing" plan and made some changes. I wanted to use a twin size mattress so I increased the size of the swing's base. Also, because the mattress was 6" I lifted the arms and back. The arms are the biggest and best change I think. I had seen someone else do similar arms, but I they used an 1x12 I think. I wanted a heavier look, so I used a 2x10.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Paint - Monterrey Cliffs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

brookifer86

Mon, 07/02/2012 - 14:55

So...when should I stop by with margaritas?? This swing is awesome! So impressive. I'm going to have to keep it in mind for the home we're building. Great work

Kids Easy Bike Rack

A few weekends ago, I went into our tool house to get my bike out so I could ride to work, and I had to remove so many obstacles, that I was too late to ride to work, and as a result, boiling mad. Several of the objects I had to move out of my way were my kids bikes that don't have kick stands, which my kids just haphazardly dump on their sides on the floor of the shed.

I had had the idea to build a bike rack out of spare 2x4s for the kids' bikes for a while, but this incident cemented my resolve to finish it quickly.

I had some scrap 2x4s and 2x6 wood left over from another project, which I used to compose my bike rack. It has 4 slots for 4 bikes.

I did some light sanding to prevent splinters, but I did not apply any finish because of the way it was going to be used and it would not be exposed to the elements.

It took very little time to put together. If I had more claps, I could have done it more quickly.

If you are interested in making something that looks just like mine, stop by my blog to get the details.

Estimated Cost
$10 - $15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hanna Canopy Bed

This was a fun and relatively easy weekend project. Shaping the legs and getting the rounded header and footer were the only challenging parts. A good stretch project for the novice DIYer. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint/ primer combo. Three coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Table

This table is very nice and so simple and inexpensive. Just choose your lumber selectively. I used prime 2x4's for higher quality.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Screen porch table.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Home Fireplace

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/08/2024 - 09:16

We built this fireplace where nothing existed before. The instructional video was very helpful. We are so proud of how it turned out.

Jim and Susie Jacob 

Comments

hmillgarv

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 19:20

Hello! I’m wondering if you think this could be built as a temporary piece that could be moved? I live in apartment and wouldn’t want to leave something like this behind after spending time and money to build it. Maybe if I built in some removable access panels (a few of the slats?) to be able to attach it to studs (and later remove it) after building the entire piece. Thoughts? TIA!

Modified Outside Table

Submitted by NRFitzJr on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 06:14

I'm just starting out. I built this from scrap wood I had laying around. I followed the plan except for the table top. Here I used a 2x6 that I cut on the miter saw, and used bowties to help give the middle more strength.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish, Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bathroom Step Stool

My daughter needed a step stool to reach the sink in our bathroom. I simplified the jigsaw cuts for this design to accommodate my learning curve. :) I used leftover plywood for the sides and 1x6s for both steps because it was what I had on hand in my garage. It was fun to make and is something we use every day!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free for me, made of scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Semi-Gloss Latex in Victorian Pewter
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bailey console table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 13:05

Bailey Console table from the #igbuilderschallenge

built by Instagram: @sawdustandperfume 

built to be used in an buisness office that a former cattle rancher conducts buisness. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Lumber was about $50 but I used scraps I already had as well.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I painted layers of different colors on the top and then sanded down to the wood again in most spots to get the barn look. I then used a dark stain called Jacob bean.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

2x4 sectional outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 08:10

My first Ana White project. My friend Shelley and I are RN's, and she got me hooked on woodworking. I started with cushions from Lowes ( in the sizes that you recommended)to see if I loved the sectional for a few years. I loved it so much I decided to have custom Sunbrella fabric ones made. Even though the custom ones were more expensive, it has been worth it. They go perfect with my California Mission style home. Now I want to add the armless one and make it a U-shape. I did add a piece at the bottom back of each sofa to hold the cushions in. The seat cushions would slide out the back when sitting on the sofa. I made the coffee table to match. Our family loves it!

Estimated Cost
building materials for sofa $250. Custom Sunbrella Fabric cushiosn $2000
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with Carrington Minwax and sealed with spray Shellac
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

8' Entertainment Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/09/2024 - 08:51

We have been looking for a TV console for the last couple of years, but couldn't find anything we liked. My husband said, "Why don't we build it ourselves?" We found the Simplified 8' Barn Door Console plans! The rest is history! We LOVE this console. And we loved making it together!

Janet Pulleyn

Built-in Bookshelves

Submitted by keribeth on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 14:55

These built-in bookshelves were my first project, and were loosely based on the Willy bookshelf plans, although I changed the dimensions, set them on a 2x4 base, and added trim to the sides and molding on top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$120 in lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore white dove in advance
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

smoser

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 05:58

hello,

Just wondering how the sides and middle part are built. They look like thicker than 1/2 in.Is it a trim or a 1x2? or did you use some 2x4 too?
I am looking at building a bookcase too but i wanted something more massive than 1/2 in. like yours.
Thanks

Great job!! looks awesome

keribeth

Tue, 08/21/2012 - 05:31

I made the two bookshelves separately so I could move them in my house easier. Each has 1x12 sides (so 3/4" thick), and and that's 1x2 trim over the side and middle.

Thanks!

Spa Bench turned End Table

I was wanting long, skinny end tables for my couch and when I came upon the spa bench plan I knew it was perfect length and size for what I wanted. I only altered the plans by making it taller to fit my couch. This was my second build and I learned a lot through the process so these are not perfect but I love the imperfections. I also didn't like the first stain that I put on the tables and when I tried taking it off my sander made weird marks but it gave it a more rustic look which I ended up loving. (Which I could never recreate on purpose)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshade Antique Walnut sanded down and then 3 coats of Minwax Ebony which 2 coats of Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bed Bridge Bookcase

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/23/2016 - 19:06

I hacked three IKEA bookcases into this beautiful bed for my princess of a daughter who was getting her first apartment in Orlando, FL, because she got a full-time dream job with Disney. Full details at http://handydad.tv/ikea-hack-bed-bridge-bookcase/.

Estimated Cost
$390
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Raised Small Dog Bowl Holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/14/2020 - 16:24

This was one of my first wood working projects. It taught me so much and it also helped me to realize that I really do love wood working! I think in the future I'd probably paint the bottom more of a light grey color to cut down on the contrast between the stained top and the painted bottom. Overall, I love it and my Sadie pup will be happy to have some new bowls to eat out of!

Built from Plan(s)

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by solomonson on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 20:41

I saw Gina's post and this moved straight to the top of the to-build list. It's gotten my saw off the floor of my garage and provided a ton of storage for my other tools and bits. I also added another shelf after taking this picture. I modified this slightly: I made the wings 24" only, added a short back to provide more stability and reinforcement to the top shelf, added a diagonal support to the wings, and reinforced the top shelf from the sides with 3" dowels. I got my wood from a local lumberyard and the wheels from Blue.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded the heck out of everything. Other than that, nothing.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Boost stool

Submitted by jandmhough on Thu, 04/24/2014 - 18:22

We built a toybox for our son and discovered that he isn't quite tall enough yet to really get into it. So, to remedy the problem I put together a stool for him. I modified the "simplest stool" plan to make it short and wide. Perfect as a little boost to get into the toybox. We also use it in the bathroom as a little step stool for the sink.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
used scraps from the toybox (one 1x4 and one 2x2 if buying new) under $7
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted it with leftover chalkboard paint and covered with a clear coat to give it a finish like a regular paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Miter Saw Modification

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/25/2016 - 20:55

I followed the plans as listed pretty closely. I added a 2x4 under the main shelf for extra support, and used 2x4s instead of 2x2s at the bottom, so I could have something to attach the casters to. I also opted for 1x3 braces, rather than the hinges to hold up the sides. I need to add the fence and paint it white.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80-100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint (forthcoming)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Back