Community Brag Posts

Just built your Adirondak Chair

Submitted by Harleyhank on Thu, 08/13/2020 - 16:33

Great plans and cut list, I found the total cost to be closer to $60. per chair just for wood, glue and screws. Very sturdy and comfortable chairs, easy to follow instructions.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60. each
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer andOil Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple and Elegant Side Tablel

Submitted by Jake on Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:58

This small but elegant side table was made based upon a plan from The Design Confidential. A friend of mine gave me a lot of 3/4" solid oak flooring that her deceased husband (11 years ago) had stored in a shed. It is beautiful. So I made this little table using the wood for the top. I made the top by putting Tightbond III glue in the flooring grooves and then clamping the pieces together. Then after the glue dried I used my flooring saw to rip the tongues and grooves so I have one solid piece of flooring/top. I also did not glue the top to the base but just used pocket hole screws from the underside to hold it on the base. The reason was in case the top or base became damaged it would be easily removable for repair.

Estimated Cost
Wood free so screws and glue maybe $5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
For the top I used two coats of Minwax Golden Oak. The base of the table is three coats of Rustoleum Satin White Enamel.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kentwood Nightstands

My wife and I made his and hers nightstands based on the Kentwood Nightstand plans. Pretty easy. This was our first project and all I can say is that we've learned alot from the builds. The kreg jig, which we purchased at Lowes, is amazing. We live in Southern California and wood seems to be pretty pricey here. Still with wood being expensive I find piece of mind knowing that the furniture is solid and custom. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Weathered Grey stain with 3 coats of Rustoleum Polyurethane Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cabin Daybed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/28/2016 - 10:59

I'd never done hinges before, and decided to go with surface-mounted hinges because I was pretty sure I could get those right. I wanted to leave the wood its natural color, both because I thought it would look good in this room, and because I think it makes the hardware pop. Accordingly, I used iron-on edge banding on the plywood so the edges don't show.

 

I used a simple, homemade finish of mineral oil and beeswax, and the hardware is just from Home Depot. I'm not positive how much time it took -- I did it in bits and pieces over several weeks. In any case, I'm really happy with how it turned out! The new owner of the bed likes it immensely, too.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Homemade mineral oil and beeswax melted together, using this recipe: http://www.instructables.com/id/Simply-Gorgeous-and-Food-Safe-Beeswax-Wood-Finish/
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Comfort Sofa and Chairs - Modified Design

Submitted by BRK on Sun, 08/16/2020 - 16:51

I spent a lot more time on this than I was planning, but wanted to make a couple of enhancements and one thing led to another. I added curves to many of the pieces and there are some mortise and tenons here and there. Note the perpendicular arrangement between the front and the back legs. The front supports the wide arms, while the backs have let ins to support the main weight. All the 2x wood from Lowes was planed down a tad to clean up the faces and sharpen up the corners. We are thrilled with the result!

Estimated Cost
$160 for Wood and Screws—-$$$$ For The Sunbrella Cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
WATCO Danish Oil - Minwax Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

BRK

Mon, 08/17/2020 - 06:46

Thank you for the kind words.

I actually did my own design using Solidworks. In the shop, I read the measurements I need directly off the model using the e-drawings viewer, so I don't really have "plans" in the traditional sense.

sampatpatil@ho…

Mon, 09/14/2020 - 10:33

Great Job with the outcome. We are first timers and have built just 1 chair based on Ana White’s original plan. Lot of decisions with cushions & stain type etc but fun & satisfying though.

Fancy Doll Crib, Modified

Submitted by Linda7 on Mon, 10/29/2012 - 12:46

This doll crib is for another grandniece who loves both her baby boy and girl dolls, hence the Jack and Jill decal. This bed is modified from the Fancy Doll Crib plans using 1 x 2 for the side rails instead of dowels, and also a flat top. It is also larger than the plans: 21" long and 20" legs. My sister found a vintage J & J fabric piece which we plan to use as the mattress cover.

I said this is a day project but it takes me several days in between other activities, and I am very slow and methodical. (I also make sure to fill in all of the pocket holes with wood filler, usually two "coats" to get them perfectly level with the surrounding wood. After painting, it's very hard to tell where the fasteners are unless you know where to look.) It would take most people much less time than I. This is my 5th doll bed, and I have at least one more to go.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $25.00 including the paint
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar glossy white spray paint over Kilz primer; protected the decal with several thin coats of Modge Podge.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Industrial Adjustable Work Stand

$120 for 2 bases, one top ... less if you have scrap lumber and pipe

The hard part of some woodworking is what to do with the stuff BEFORE and AFTER it goes through the tools.

We need an infeed and outfeed table for routers, drill press, and saws but have no room to install a permanent workbench with an adjustable tool lifter.

We saw the coffee table to desk height adjustment mechanism and lightbulbs went off! This adjusts! We can take the top off! It stores!

The first photo shows it adjusted to align with the miter saw's cutting area.

As built, there are a couple of changes:

1 - It's taller. Lowest table height is about 30" ... add 8 inches to each leg.

2 - We only used 1 leg brace, about half way down the leg. Cut it to fit after you get the legs screwed to the top.

3 - the wobble of the adjustable bar on the threaded rod is not good for precision woodworking ... the second picture shows the guide pipe that keeps the threaded rod straight up and down.

4 - No pocketholes (sorry Anna) because this is a workbench, not fine furniture.

5 - The tops are cut from one sheet of 4x8 3/4 in melamine coated MDF ... 2 are 2x6 and one is 2x4.

This could also make an adjustable craft table. Raise or lower it to handle fabric for your sewing machine.

Estimated Cost
$120 for 2 bases, one top ... less if you have scrap lumber and pipe
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

GreatBookshelfPlans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/02/2016 - 12:53

Thanks for the great free plans, this is a solid bookshelf with nice deep shelves. Used two coats of pickling white. Can't wait to build more from this site!!

Estimated Cost
$70 Cdn
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Pickling White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Child’s desk

Submitted by luxonagel on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 09:28

Built this desk/hutch for my 4yr old granddaughter. Combined and adjusted 2 plans to fit a $5 large shelf that I found in the IKEA as-is section. I have the cubby divider cut and painted if they decide to use it. A cork board panel was added to the large hutch space for displaying projects. The best part, the desk can easily be made longer when needed. The bookshelf legs detach from the desktop by removing a few screws. The hutch can also be adjusted with a little more lumber and some creativity.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Duration satin in Snowbound (7004)

Loft bed for american girl or 18" doll

My niece wanted the purple AG loft bed for her doll. Since, the one online is $225 and back ordered until December...I came up with this one for free! I used scrap wood and fabric that I had left over from other projects. The bed has a built in desk top, shelves, cubbies, ladder, bulletin board, and coat hooks. It took me a couple of hours to build the bed and the chair and about an hour to sew the comforter and pillows. The painting took a little longer because I was out of purple spray paint! grrrrrrr!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz primer first and then, I mixed a dark purple gloss with some white to get the lavender colored paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 11/02/2012 - 18:49

This is amazing! What a great idea and build! You must share the plans....please?

spiceylg

Fri, 11/02/2012 - 18:49

This is amazing! What a great idea and build! You must share the plans....please?

Handy Man (not verified)

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 17:50

Do you have a time frame when you plan to post your plans? My daughter wants one of these for Christmas and was going to get started trying to reverse engineer based on photos. Then decided to check internet and found this! Would love to get plans do not care if scanned pieces of paper. Thank you!

Modified Rustic pottery barn inspired Mason bedside table

I had made this bedside table before, but this time the bottom two drawers just wouldn't work out. I fiddled with them and cut out and made 6 box drawers before I finally just decided on shelves. I used 1/4 inch plywood and 18 gauge brad nails to secure it. Once all this was done ,I found 2 basket "drawers."

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
primer, antique white acrylic latex from sherman williams, sanded, glazed with burnt umber acrylic paint added to Martha Stewart glaze and wiped off, Matte finsih Rustolem
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x end table or night atand

Submitted by project101 on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 15:31

One of the first woodworking project. Borrowed most of my power tools from my neighbor and even the space.

Used walnut stain and then mine as paste.for the frame chalk grey color.

Cost 40 dollars

Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entryway Cubby from Book

Submitted by DMax2010 on Sun, 11/04/2012 - 15:34

I have been wanting to build an entryway cubby for some time now and was excited to see these plans in the book! (Awesome job, by the way!). I modified the plans to fit my entryway space and also used all wood left over from other projects. I added the wood top too. Now I just have to figure out how to hang it!

I'm actually in the process of finishing the Apothecary media console so I used this project to test out the finish I was thinking about using.

Paint: Behr Premium Plus in Beluga, Flat finish
Wood stain: Minwax Dark Walnut, 2-3 coats (I did pre-condition the wood before staining)
Poly: Rustoleum Ultimate Soft Touch Matte

I love the Rustoleum soft touch poly-it dries so beautifully.
I did glaze the edges, too.

I'm planning to build the bench next and finally my entryway will be organized (hard with a 2 1/2 year old!)

Estimated Cost
Nothing, I used left over wood from other projects
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint: Behr in Beluga, flat
Stain: Minwax Dark Walnut
Poly: Rustoleum Soft Touch Ultimate in Matte
Used a glaze over the edges
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

See-Saw

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/10/2016 - 15:27

The see-saw was the hit of my nephew's two year old birthday party. Multiple kids played on it at once.

Estimated Cost
$75 in California
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Plant stand

I made 3 of these for a friend. 2 @ 16", 1 @ 20".

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40.00 for 3
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Shui sugi ban. Just burned and brushed off.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk

Submitted by Mdcary on Tue, 11/06/2012 - 11:57

easy project especially since I asked the guys at the hardware store to cut my pieces to length and I cut the angles with my new sliding compound miter saw. Since I reduced the length of the desk to 5 feet, the angles and length of the cross supports in the back changed drastically and had to be played with to get it right. I also added a hidden shelf between the 2 support 2X4's to hide all the cable for the computer. I just used scraps for the hidden shelf. Nothing more unattractive than a bunch a cords and cables hanging behind. Worked great and I should have taken pictures as the build was happening.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Callie_Grace

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 06:07

The desk looks wonderful! I am curious what color of paint and stain you used? I am wanting to build a coffee table and that is the combination of paint and stain I like!

Rustic X End Table

Submitted by MCAAP on Wed, 08/27/2014 - 16:59

This was my first shot at something more technically challenging than a simple desk. it was a fun project and I will probably going to make a few other pieces that have the metal accent hardware. We love the look of the dark stain (Rust-oleum, Kona) along with the blackened brackets. turns out the Kreg Jig drill bit was the perfect size for the 3/8" bolt I threaded into the lower legs

Estimated Cost
I'm unsure of the cost because I used a supply of wood I purchased months beforehand for a different project that I never started. The brackets for the corners cost about $12 at Lowes. I remember them being pricier than I expected... Sorry, folks =(
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum, Kona flavored and a poly sealer to protect it from the kid's drinks =/
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2 for Christmas

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 16:52

Adk chairs for my nephews 

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

Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/26/2020 - 12:02

Built the farmhouse bed for standard king bed. Painted bed frame and stained the top boards.

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain
Night view paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dresser Makeover

Submitted by kyalamode on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 07:33

I bought an unfinished dresser from a local furniture refinisher - on clearance. It was intended as a changing table as I was preparing the nursery for our first child (about 5 1/2 year ago). Finally, 5 years and another baby (who is now 3) later, I finally decided to do something with it. So, please note that I did NOT build this piece from scratch. Rather, it was more a finishing project. It was unfinished pine. I failed to capture the "before" photo. Inspired by the Farmhouse Console and the Antique White project, I decided to tackle a distressed look.

I sanded between each coat, and focused on areas that would naturally be worn. The end result was essentially some areas of bare wood showing through, and other areas where the base color shows through.

I don't remember where the baskets came from, but they fit perfectly and the red-checkered pattern matched nicely. It turned out to be such a cute addition to my daughter's room, and I think it will be a piece that will grow with her.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Materials:
Sandpaper in 60, 120 and 320
Behr enamal paint (in Buttercup and Antique Red)
Behr Glaze (not necessary)
Minwax Finishing Wax paste
small paint roller
small paint brush
cotton rags (which I made from old 100% cotton t-shirts)


I sanded... and sanded... and sanded. I have a little handheld Porter Cable sander that works brilliantly, except that it doesn't get into the little cracks and crevices, so I did that by hand. I started with 60 grain, then 120.

I painted 2 coats of Behr interior flat enamel in Buttercup, sanding with 120 in between coats, sanding through to bare wood where it would naturally be worn. Here is where it got interesting and frustrating. When I originally purchased paint, the very nice gentleman at the paint counter asked me what I was doing. I explained that I was doing a faux distressed finish on a dresser. I ordered a pint of the red paint, and he then explained to me that I should go with the Behr glaze. So, he gave me the glaze and that little sample of the red to mix into the glaze.

Glaze fail. I actually liked the look, but it was so not the look I was going for. Nevermind the fact that the glaze dries very quickly and soon became a sticky mess.

So, I left the project for about a week to ensure that the glaze was completely dry.

Then, I sanded with 60 and 120 again. The intention wasn't to get the glaze off, but rather treat it like a base coat. I then painted the entire piece with the red (no glaze). Then sanded with 120 in areas that would naturally be worn. The end result was essentially some areas of bare wood showing through, and other areas where the buttercup color shows through.

I sanded one final time with the 320 grain. I then used 2 coats of Minwax wax, resulting in a very silky, shiny finish. (It seriously is SO soft to the touch!)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Linda7

Mon, 11/12/2012 - 11:06

I'm very impressed with your recycled changing table--beautiful finish on a piece that will indeed grow with your daughter. The piece itself reminded me of the recycling console (pp. 86-91) in Ana's new book. Your finish would look awesome on that plan, too.

camp loftbed playhouse conversion

Submitted by ladydi on Sat, 08/30/2014 - 02:02

We loved the playhouse loft bed, but not the complexity or cost of materials. Then we found the camp loft bed with stairs. It was mostly 2x4 and 2x6 construction. We then cut out holes in plywood for door and windows then screwed it to the bed frame. The other deviation from the plan was making the stairs steeper we needed them to take less space. We just used 2x6 for the stringer and treads. the stairs are at a 30 degree angle instead of a 45. We also attached the rails using brackets from Rockler. This bed is super sturdy. Beware - it took us about 3 days from buying wood to painted completion. For the paint, we just used semi gloss latex, but my paint person recommended a paint additive called Floetrol to make the paint self leveling and prevent brush marks - it really does work well. Materials including wood, brackets, mattress and paint cost us around $500.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex wall paint - semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

krissy2696

Wed, 07/06/2016 - 10:16

Did you leave it in a few pieces and then put it together fully in the bedroom? How big is the bedroom? We are adding a slide and using a ladder instead of stairs. Thanks! Yours looks great!