Community Brag Posts

It was time for my son to move to a big bed. So he got his sister's bed and she got a new loft bed. From the pictures on your website, she just loved this bed. I was able to throw it together and get it painted in a weekend and she was sleeping in it by Monday night. I added the rails because we weren't able to set it in a corner, and now that it is Xmas time we strung lights on them. We painted it white. For the mattress support I used 3/4" slats of MDF and used left over paint from her walls to paint the exposed side. Over all it was a pretty simple project, gives her more room and my daughter loves it.

First of all, thank you to the site for this plan. The headboard specs were spot on. I was interested in making a footboard as well, and you actually will end up with a few scrap pieces that will help you build the footboard (the 1x3's and 1x2's). My footboard ended up being about 23 1/4" high. For reference, the mattress in the photo is 10". I included a picture of the total boards you will need to buy to do the headboard, footboard, and side rails (I used 8 inch boards for the side rails, not 10 inch, but those could be interchanged). One thing to note is the plan calls for pocket hole screws but these are not necessary. I used 2" brad nails, 1 1/4" brad nails, and 2" screws (for the slats and the support rails on the slats. You could use 2 1/2 inch for the slats but the support rails need 2".). Not included in the picture I included is another 2x4x8 that I bought that I placed three scrap 4x4 posts that I had under the middle of the slats for extra support. I also bought steel bed rail fasteners ($11.30 from Amazon) to attach the side rails to the headboard and footboard. They worked great and the bed is extremely sturdy. Can't budge it at all. I used the common whitewood boards from Home Depot, which are all the correct width - the fur boards are cheaper but are not the correct width, you would need to adjust the plans if you were to use those. Overall I am very pleased with the bed. Please ignore the half dozen water bottles in the photo.

This is the first time I've ever taken on a project of this scale. The pergola is 12 x 11, and I was able to get it all done for $235 by having Lowe's price match a lumber yard in the next town over. I skipped out on the fancy base covers because I'll eventually make those pretty with limestone stacking rock - and because the lumber for those alone would cost about $121.
Once the treated lumber seasons, I'll stain it a darker color.

I love this workbench! I added casters so I can move it around the garage, outside, wherever it's needed. I just took 4 inches off the bottom of the legs. My hubby is admiring my handy work and planning on making one for himself.

We had 2 empty closets in our 100 year old home. The custom shelves took a day to build and have worked amazingly for our organization.

This daybed was modified from the Farmhouse bed plans. I am still finishing the drawers, sanding, putty and paint.

This was my first ever DIY project as I wouldnt consider myself a handy man, but I had alot of fun making this table and bench. I modified the design as I wasn't confident in making the necessary cuts for the X but I added a long support underneath the table top so that the top wouldn't sag (hopefully!).  Since completing the table, I've grown more comfortable with my carpentry "skills" and all I want to do on the weekends is build things! I'm sure I'm driving my wife insane!

It took me a lot longer as I had a couple weekends where I could only work on the table and bench for an hour or two but you can definitely do it in a weekend.

Thanks Ana! 

What goes here?

Anything is possible when you put your mind to it. This is my 4th DIY furniture project. First time working on cabinet/doors. Installing them straight was the biggest challenge. The side of the pantry is actually four 2x4's. I measured the frame so tightly that I had to use a hammer to bang in the fourth 2x4 on each wall, also adding a distressed look in the process. The pantry is very large, 48in wide and about 17 inches deep. Our kitchen lacks storage space and we could use a little more space for food and also pots, pans etc. The staircase to our basement is off our kitchen, so I placed the pantry right at the bottom of the staircase for easy access. I am thrilled with how this came out considering the time and effort it took. Very gratifying. Build on!

This is a solid, quartersawn white oak 5-legged dining table. It was originally built in the late 19th or early 20th century. The table was in need of a refinish. The massive turned and fluted legs were full of cracks, chips, and splits.

I took the table completely apart and began stripping and sanding. The legs were re-glued where needed and clamped. I filled the cracks, splits, and and chips with wood filler, sanded, and repeated until I was happy with the results. I replaced some bracing and replaced the screws where needed. Heavy duty casters were added. They have brakes/stops that can be locked to keep the table from rolling on a hardwood or tile floor.

Once the final sanding was completed, I applied 2 coats of Minwax Dark Walnut stain with a foam brush. I wiped down after each coat after waiting 10-15 minutes or so. After drying I began applying Minwax Fast Drying (oil based) polyurethane. The table received 3 coats and the top received 6 coats. I hand sanded with 220 grit sandpaper between coats.

After applying the final coat of poly to the top, I allowed it to cure 48 hours. I then hand sanded the top very lightly using 400 grit paper. I did the same using 0000 steel wool. I then added a few drops of dish soap to a cup of water and wet sanded with the 0000 steel wool. I used a circular motion to remove any scratches. I then wiped down the table and buffed out two coats of Johnson Past Wax with an orbital buffer. It resulted in a super smooth finish.

I am very happy with the results. By the way the table if for sale ($600) and is located in Evansville, Indiana.