Community Brag Posts

Door Spice Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/03/2016 - 07:39

I found the plans for this spice rack several months ago but did not have the time to build it. The spice rack was very easy to build with the provided plans and with the use of the Kreg Pocket Hole jig. My wife loves it. Thankssmiley

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

tv stand and side tables (night tables)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/30/2023 - 12:45

I needed some furniture for a summer tv room ( cooler downstairs) I was making. These sidetables and tv stand are loosely based off Ana's work.

Comments

Simple Work Bench

Submitted by 1zach4 on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 20:09

Simple workbench using 2x4's and a 3/4" 24"x48" top and 2.5" screws.

Added an extra board to the bottom for more storage space. Actually built 2 of these to have a longer work station for the miter saw and to assist in ripping larger boards with my circular saw since I do not have space in my garage for a table saw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 per bench
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cayden Stool

Submitted by hechoenwi on Tue, 11/19/2013 - 15:06

This was my very first project. I wanted to jump right in and start with a Storage Farm House bed but my husband was convinced that I would start a project and just leave it hanging and insisted that I start with something smaller. He was sooo impressed with these stools! I originally had planned to upholster the top as in the plan but we preferred the look with out it! The plans were very easy to follow.

Estimated Cost
$80 for two chairs
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ipswich Pine - Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by upsidedown on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 07:21

This version of the Farmhouse Table was made with fir and finished with Varathane Early American stain. It is by far my favorite item in the house! Love it!

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained the table with Varathane Early American, and then finished it up with 3 coats of Minwax Polycrylic (gloss).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Shaunnyp

Sat, 02/06/2016 - 08:25

I absolutely love this table.  I have a small kitchen and would like to build it counter height (36 inches...including the casters) measuring 30x54 inches. This will allow me to move the table as needed to get it out of the way or move closer to my stove and use as additional prep space as needed. Any recommendations or suggestions to make a safe, sturdy, movable table would be greatly appreciated.  Also any warnings if you see any potential pitfalls I should be concerned with. Thanks in advance.

Barn door

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/15/2019 - 20:03

I used your plans for the painted barn doors using plywood but modified them and stained the door instead.

Built from Plan(s)

King Modern Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/05/2023 - 05:52

Made this with pallet 4x6 and 4x4 posts, and construction lumber.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Boy Kitchen

Submitted by brit1002 on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 03:10

My almost 3 year old son was getting really into playing pretend and would always bring me and my husband little toys and he would say "here's your pancakes I made you". So when I seen Grace's kitchen I knew I needed to make my boys one. I had limited time to work on it as I work full-time and it's winter here so the garage isnt the funnest place for them to hang out. It was so fun and easy (Thanks to your plans) to build and they love it! I made the burners out of wood with my jig saw as I couldn't find anything else I liked. The sink is just an old mixing bowl that fit perfectly. The faucet is from the Orange store and was only $10. I had the hardest time with hinges I initially went with the ones that Anna had done. I found that my littlest guy (1.5 years old) was having a hard time pulling the doors open though so I switched to regular hinges and a cheap magnetic closer. I saved the other hinges though so when he gets a bit older I can switch back. One of the best parts of my build is my husband bought me a ROUTER!

Estimated Cost
$100... It was about $70 for wood and then paint, handles, and hinges
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Just several coats of paint and magnetic paint for the fridge.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dewey Setlak (not verified)

Wed, 01/04/2012 - 05:49

That's cute! Not to mention, cool too! So your son can actually cook there? If you all play it right, he may just develop the aptitude and love for cooking, and grow up to be a chef someday!

terrillr (not verified)

Wed, 01/04/2012 - 08:48

I got my youngest son a kitchen set (purchased, never even thought about making one my self!) long ago because he played "cooking" too. He and his brother loved it, and the the youngest did become a chef!

Dinning room table

Submitted by Btpowell on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 09:19

Needed something I could put together between work in a few weeks to serve thanksgiving on. The base of the table is modified from Ana's build and the table top is a frame I built and filled with log slices and clear epoxy resin

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100 for lumber.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut then red oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kennonr79

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 10:14

Awesome idea for the top. Would love to see a pic of the finished product!

kennonr79

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 10:14

Awesome idea for the top. Would love to see a pic of the finished product!

spiceylg

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 12:15

Love it and I agree with kennonr79, would love to see a pic of the finished product! So unique!

Wood Blocks in a Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/02/2019 - 15:50

I modified the block dimensions so the smallest blocks are cubic. I also only made four levels of blocks so that the blocks could be stacked into two levels with just eight cubes' worth of empty space. This simplifies storage, and works with the lid I made out of 1x4s to complement the tray that's in Ana's plans. The tray and the lid fasten together with window sash hardware.

I spent forever on this project because it was my first and I was trying to make it perfect. Watching my little one play with it, I now appreciate how soft pine is and how fast kids distress it!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I love the food dye colors, but three thick coats of beeswax and coconut oil (applied over several months) are NOT enough to make these colorfast. Luckily at eighteen months my little one is now more interested in building and less in tasting.

I experimented with woodburning on the lid, otherwise it and the tray just have beeswax and coconut oil on them.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Helper Tower

Submitted by cfgenie on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 12:28

I saw a stand like this in a catalog for over $250 and knew I could build it instead for way less! I used the hinges so it collapses and both my daughter and I LOVE this stand :-) It is sturdy enough that my 4 yr old daughter and her 7 old brother can both be on it at the same time, wiggling and giggling.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Bright pink first rolled on and then sprayed additional coats through my HPLV sprayer. 2 coats of clear top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

8 Foot Standing work table for trade

Submitted by ksmith311 on Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:29

We built this 8 foot long standing work table in trade for a friend. It turned out great! We had some scrap 2'x2' pieces of white maple plywood that we used for the top and framed them out with 1x3's. Then we made a simple base of 4x4s and 2x4s. It is a super simple table but it's so pretty!

I've been eyeing Rustoleum's new wood stain called "Willow" so I decided to give it a try for this project. It is sooo pretty. It lightens the wood almost like a white wash but it has this pearlescent quality to it and I'm swooning for it! Then we put 2 coats of satin poly over the top and legs. I prefer to use wax but he is using the table as a work surface and needed something a little stronger.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum "Willow" and minwax satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Gray Grandy Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 11:43

The plan was cut down to 6ft.  This took a few weekends, in order for all the parts to come together (waiting for the hardware, waiting for someone to cut track, etc).  

 

Bought a double door hardware set on eBay for $120 (including spacers and bolts), without the track included.  If buying the hardware, consider the size of the hardware you are buying in the overall design! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Intellectual - Behr Paint (Home Depot)
Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Codding58

Tue, 02/09/2016 - 14:33

Very nice work!! I was eyeballing this project myself a week ago, yours came out very clean!

Entertainment Center

I started with the Triple Cubby Storage Base plan, built two 2x4 walls, and a floating shelf. The walls are 4x7 and were attached inside the house with hex bolts. The walls are attached to the cubby shelf with L brackets. The floating shelf is attached to the wall with 3.5 inch screws and a couple L brackets at the end. Barn wood covers the wall and is attached with brad nails and black sheet rock nails. There are six total 2" wheels under the cubby shelf. We put felt under the bottom part of the wall that touches the floor.

Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Weathered Wood Accelerator, Minwax Early American, Minwax Wipe on poly, Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Entertainment console

Submitted by pwstra01 on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 07:37

Modified by making 18" deep, right side is 20" wide (inside dimension) to accommodate cable box. I also trimmed out the side panels with 1x2 not just the front.

I used a rail and stile router set to make the doors. To do it again, I would have selected maple, as it routes better than the poplar. I would also consider overlay doors, made from 1x3. The inset doors leave little room for error - the frame must be square!!! You also have more hinge options with overlay hinges.

I also used 3x3 for the legs, I think their weight adds to the piece. The original base looked too small and fragile for the rustic upper half.

Some work still remains, staining as well as placing the veneer step on the shelf edges to give it a nice edge to stain, but I needed the space back for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Final finishing not yet applied, will eventually be a dark walnut stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Scrap Lap Desk

Submitted by Marcie89 on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 14:46

 

This lap desk was easy to build, it took me less than 2 hrs.  The painting and finishing...um, a bit longer.  I really hate painting, and filling nail holes is not my favorite thing to do, either.  But overall I am glad I built this little desk, as it will keep all of my beads and jewelry-making stuff handy for when I am sitting in front of the tv at night.  The side storage compartments were omitted to keep it on the lighter side, and the front handle serves no purpose whatsoever, it is purely decorative.  I added my initials on the top, they are just fancy gold stickers I found at the craft store.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black gloss enamel paint
General Finishes Gel Stain in Prairie Wheat
Semi-gloss polyurethane clear finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

High back porch swing

Submitted by wconway07 on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 17:47

it was an old swing on the family farm.  I saved it from the burn pile and remade it. Have made five so far.  All hav even 5ft wide, but one was 7ft.  Amazingly comfortable swing!

Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial 211
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple Twin Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/15/2016 - 14:38

I built the Simple Bed into bunk beds. The plans for this project are pretty straight forward. The only change I made in the plans, was use 2" x 4" angle plates to mount the side rails to the head and foot boards. This made it easy to assemble and disassemble if the beds needed to be separated or moved. I also had to use two 2"x4"'s mated together to make the bed posts since 4"x4"'s are only available pressure treated. The ladder is constructed of 2"x4" with the steps spaced 10" on center. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I stained the beds with Minwax "Puritan Pine 218". I prepped the wood with Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner. Pre-Stain Conditioner prevents the stain from looking blotchy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments