Community Brag Posts

Playhouse loft bed with stairs and slide

Submitted by alminter on Wed, 07/08/2015 - 21:29

This is by far the biggest project I've completed yet. It actually surprised me how easy it was to complete. It did take me about 4 days to build the project and an additional week to sand and paint the project.

I followed the playhouse loft plans and the storage stairs plans, adjusting only the back to allow for the additional length of the slide. I didn't add the windows to the sides (I didn't see any point in having them there). I also used the castle loft plans for the slide. When I first started this project I was planning on making the slide completely separate. I changed my mind mid project after I had the side wall cut to length at Lowe's, so I just added that small piece to the left of the slide to make up for the gap. I also made this project in 4 separate pieces (stairs, slide, front wall, back) so I could put it together in her room in one evening and not have to kick her out. Once we moved it to her room all I had to do was screw the four corners in and attach the back wall and bed slats.

I definitely recommend not using particle board. I had no idea what the difference was between particle board, mdf and plywood when I started this project. Particle board was less then half the cost of plywood, but looking back I would pay the extra for the plywood. I don't feel like the screws hold well in the particle board and it also chipped on the bottom some. I actually had a chunk come off in the corner where I must of screwed to closely to the edge. I'm sure this is basic knowledge for most, but for those newbies (like me) just a little tip.

I had a lot of fun building this bed (not so much sanding and painting) and learned a lot. Now off to browse for my next project :)

Estimated Cost
400-500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Distressed Bed Side Tables

Submitted by Ryan in NH on Mon, 01/29/2018 - 07:38

This was a really fun project. I altered the dimensions slighly to fit my space. I also used a piece of 1/4" ply for the bottom shelf instead of thicker common board. You can keep the cost way down if you rip 2x6's into 2x2's. A single 2x2 is about $10 whereas a 2x6 is $6. You get three 2x2's out of the 2x6, so you're basically getting triple for half the cost. Pick REALLY straight 2x6's though! 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ipswitch pine on distressed top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wood Push Car & Truck

Submitted by Sue Hill on Wed, 01/26/2022 - 07:15

These are fabulous little vehicles that I made for my 18 month grandson when he visits. After making the car and truck, I decided to add a simple bus with round windows.
I used scrap wood, cut out the truck wheels with a hole saw but purchased a package of wheels for the others. My little cars aren't perfect but that adds to the charm.

Comments

Clip strip art

This was a great way to keep my five year old daughter busy on a rainy afternoon. I had a scrap piece of 1x4 and bought some clothes pins and 10 cents clearance wooden figures at Joann. We also used some left over acrylic paint and some glitter nail polish. Thanks for a other great idea Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tall Corner Media Console

Submitted by sully777 on Mon, 07/13/2015 - 10:17

Easy excellent project for That odd room you may have that needs a corner tv stand.

I use pre made 16" wide 3/4" MDF shelving from Home Depot for the Shelves, Used 1" x 3" for the top, and sprayed it all with Rustoleum Industrial flat black which dries in 15min, was the large size cans for $5.40 and and only useds 3.25 cans to paint the whole thing. 

 

TV is a 55" Class so it actually works perfect, because the tv stand is two legs and not the typical center mounted ones. so  put the tv toward the front of the console and the console is as far as you can go into the corner.

I have two power strips screwed to the back of the console, along with a cable amplifier, my wireless router for the house sits right behind the TV and you can see the blue status lights under the bottom of the TV.

Have  my speaker bar in the added shelf #1 below the tv, comcast cable modem in the right side square, TIVO in the center top, DVD Player in the center bottom, and loads of extra shelf space for whatever else I can think of....

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Barn door cabinet

7.5' long cabinet, made with pine boards. Hardware purchased on Amazon.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
This was made to sit under our new wall mounted 75" tv!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Slightly modified corner cupboard

My wife worked with a lady that wanted an extra tall corner hutch. She couldn't find one that would fit her requirements that was also within her budget. Naturally I got volunteered to make it since I'm pretty handy. It stands 7 feet tall. The shelving is made from birch plywood. She wanted a drawer in the middle and glass doors on top with lighting. Personally I would have chosen a lighter color but she wanted all black.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Outdoor Daybed with Canopy turned indoor bed with custom trundle...

The daughter was whining (since that's what teenagers do) for a new bed(room) and a daybed was a requirement. After searching for the perfect one, we couldn't find one that worked with MY budget! When I came across these plans, I was thrilled (especially after I took a few minutes to calculate the cost)! Needless to say, I made some alterations to 1) the mattress height to accommodate the 2) trundle unit I designed. A custom ordered bedskirt (not shown) provided the perfect camouflage for the trundle and the chandelier (not shown) suspended between the center of the top rails added the perfect French touch for my daughter's dream "Paris themed" room! Thanks for the great site, can't believe I have never thought to make one myself, lol!

Estimated Cost
Around $300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
After ample sanding, filling, and more sanding, the bed was stained with "Ebony" by Min-wax with 2 solid clear coats on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

"Ameri-shelf"

Submitted by omarNY on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 18:19

My 8-year-old and I built a shelf for his room, based on the Rolling Cubby Bench plans. (The paint job is all him. He originally suggested trying to paint a picture of an eagle on it, we ultimately settled on a partial flag.)

I'm fairly new to woodworking, and this was my second of four projects I've built using plans from this site so far. Cutting and assembly was just a couple of hours, but finishing stretched this out into a several-night project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Benchright Farmhouse Table

Submitted by dhoop31 on Mon, 02/05/2018 - 13:08

I built this table for my wife as a surprise 50th birthday present.  She had been wanting me to build her a farmhouse table and I loved this design.  I allowed her to pick out the colors of stain/paint that she wanted for the finish after she unwrapped it.  I actually went into sketchup and designed my own table, based on these plans, to fit into our smaller dining space. By designing it, I was also able to modify it to fit our chairs.  The top is Oak with a red mohagany stain.  The legs and aprons are pine and chalk painted in drop cloth...her favorite paint and color.  

Great table.  I already have people asking me to build them one.  

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain (minwax red mahogany) on top and paint on the bottom. We used Dixie Bell chalk paint. My wife is a distributor.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Shoe Organizer Castle

My son needed some encouragement to keep his shoes in one place.
I made him a castle shaped shoe holder with a drawbridge door,
including an air venting back so his shoes will dry.

See link below for my youtube video of the construction...

Comments

Modified Ten Dollar Ledges/Story-time Corner

I loved these little ledges, especially since I had the perfect scraps for them. I needed a little extra storage in our story-time corner, and these were perfect. Took me one nap time to get them cut, assembled and painted! SWEET!!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free (all from scraps, wood & paint)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
white interior spray paint (2 coats), poly spray finish (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

20 Second Office

I am in the process of remodeling/redecorating my tiny house. I started with the kitchen and am now moving into the living room. The two rooms are connected so I needed something that would match the "beachy feel without being obvious" style I am trying to accomplish. I also needed a place for my files, printer, etc since I don't have an office. My house is very small so I have to consider function in every piece of furniture I own. This table was the PERFECT solution! It hides my seldom used but definitely necessary office supplies while looking super cute and brightening up the room.

As you can see I made a few slight changes to the look of the trundle. I made it look like three "drawers" instead of the two in the plans, and used manila rope instead of handles or cutting out the shape in Ana's design. I also lined the inside of the trundle with felt to protect my computer, etc. from the hard surface of the wood. I couldn't help pick my favorite color, since you can't see it while the trundle is closed. Though not pictured here, I added a bracket for files as well (they didn't photograph well). I picked it up from a woodworking specialty store for $15.

All in all it was an easy second project for me, I had it built and nearly finished in a weekend.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used 3 coats of Minwax's Polyshades Classic Oak, sanding with 220 grit VERY lightly in between. This was my first time using a combo product and didn't find it to be as great as I thought it would be. It was easy to apply but was very runny so I had to triple check every nook and cranny for drips and pile ups after and even then still missed a few. I could have achieved a similar look in half the time using traditional methods. I'll finish the can but probably won't buy it again.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Camp Grandma

Wed, 08/13/2014 - 07:29

for our house at the beach. Thank you so much for sharing your design and your experience. We are just finishing up a 7 piece outdoor set for the deck. Your table is next, going right to the top of our "To Build List".

My first build - for my 7 year old

Submitted by jeriehuxel on Mon, 07/20/2015 - 18:51

I needed to adjust the width of the dresser to fit  - and it was may first build by myself... Already have a second one ready to paint!
 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White Latex paint, pink lace from Walmart, and Modge Podge
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Iron Board Holder

Submitted by Sunny4 on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 14:58

I had all that was need in my scraps:) Great project for this rainy day!!

Thanks Ana!

 

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Briarsmoke
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Dining Set

Wyldwood 42-square-inch pine table is finished with red mahogany stain and matte varnish, with black painted legs. It's paired with four of our custom dining chairs.

Comments

Cube Bookshelves

When we moved into our home we had minimal furniture pieces. On a tight budget and not wanting to buy something that was made of veneer, I stumbled upon the attractive and functional plans for the cube shelves. I love that I can "add on" to the set with additional pieces if I want to in the future. But for now, one set of cube shelving is just right for us.

This was the first project that I used the table saw by myself, and while it went just fine I do think it would have been helpful to have another set of hands around. Piecing together the first two joints was a bit challenging with only one set of hands holding the wood and putting in nails. But once I got a few done, the piece really came together quickly. It literally took me just a few hours to cut the pieces and put it together. It's the sanding painting and priming that can take some time and patience!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I use this cute cubby to hold books and gadgets that I like to keep out of sight in our family room area. If I had kids I think this would be an amazing storage unit for toys. Its so cute and functional. The canvas cube totes I picked up from Target for $12 for a set of 3.

I did add an additional top from a solid piece of wood that overhung on the edges slightly to give it a more finished look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

WIDE CABIN DRESSER METAL SLIDES

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:03

This was my third or fourth project and it was pretty tough. I started out with the basic build which was pretty simple and then I got to the end where everything was built except for the drawer slides and boy was it rough. I think that i spend half of the time on this project doing the drawer slides and half the time doing the build and the finish. I don't want to discourage anyone from doing this project but make sure you don't get in over your head. Check out my profile I am willing to do builds for people for an inexpensive price.

http://ana-white.com/users/daddydrew

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax jacobean oil based stain
minwax polycrylic clear coat finish
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments