Community Brag Posts

2x4 and Cedar Planked Bench

Submitted by vendo on Wed, 07/27/2022 - 11:26

I needed some extra shoe storage just outside our sliding glass door on our deck. I used Ana's easiest 2x4 bench plan with drawers, just left the drawers out and did some extra 2x4 framing. Once the 2x4 frame was built, I wrapped it with cedar fence pickets. This thing is sturdy and pretty much weather proof!

Built from Plan(s)

My Farmhouse/homework table

Submitted by ajcajj on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 10:47

I saw the plans for the narrow farmhouse table and had.to.have.it! I showed my husband and he liked it but wanted turned legs. This was the compromise. I'm so happy with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$28.00
Finish Used
I used a minwax stain with poly on the top and white on the legs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X End Tables

Submitted by pbookman on Thu, 08/29/2013 - 19:57

We altered the width of the tables to make them fit in our living room, but kept everything else the same. They turned out great!

Finish Used
Minwax Gel Stain in Red Elm
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A Different Take on the Cedar Shed

Submitted by afbutters on Sun, 10/18/2015 - 12:26

Loosely based on the small cedar fence picket storage shed plan, this was my first attempt at making a storage unit with a roof. There was only one unplanned trip to the store (to replace two 2x4's that I cut to the wrong length). Pro tip: "measure twice, cut once" doesn't work if you measure the wrong length twice. Also almost lost two fingertips because I'm an idiot and forgot the most basic of safety rules for power tools, namely the "don't put your fingers near the blade of a circular saw when it's in use" rule. Very lucky to only come out of it with a good scare and some wounds that will heal without permanent damage. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500 (Canadian)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Queen Farmhouse bed

Submitted by Awequilter on Sat, 11/10/2018 - 09:03

Queen Farmhouse Bedframe made from Poplar and stained with Carbon. Don't remember brand name of stain. Finish is by General Finishes Flat sheen.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sanded to 180. Pre-conditioned before stain with denatured alcohol
Stain - Carbon (Professional grade, but don't remember brand name)
General Finishes - Flat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Refinished Dining Room Set

I know this website is more about building furniture, but I spent the last year refinishing this dining room set in my spare time (between working full time and going to school part time). I bought it at a garage sale for $100, and with a lot of love, time, and energy, it is finally ready for family dinners!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used white primer, white glossy Behr paint, Minwax Dark Walnut Stain, and Minwax Glossy Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sgilly

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 15:06

That is a beautiful finish! I know you'll enjoy many wonderful meals at that table.

hiddenhalo360

Fri, 08/12/2011 - 17:47

My husband just left for Thailand for a month, and we had a nice family dinner on his behalf before he left. I was really happy I was able to finish the set before the dinner.

MODERN SLAT TOP OUTDOOR WOOD BENCH

This was my first project. I am pretty excited how it turned out. If I did it again, I would recommend sanding and painting prior to building.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Spray Paint - Oasis
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vintage simple bench nightstand

I followed the plan but added a drawer.  I had a drawer that I had previously built but it didn't fit that project. It just happened to be the right width for this, I had to cut off some on the length, and that turned out to be easier than I thought it would be.  I used wooden slides.

Estimated Cost
Less than 20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red oak and golden oak mixed. Wax finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X leg Dining Table

Submitted by Usmcmills on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 06:56

Used ideas from multiple builds on here. Turned out great for Thanksgiving. Only thing ill add is a beam between legs for added stability but its pretty strong now.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse kitchen island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2022 - 19:19

The kitchen island I built from your plans for my wife. I used hickory and for the top I used rustic cherry.

Comments

Modified Brookstone Desk

Submitted by DTeague on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 15:01

I had to change the plan to better fit my son's room. I changed the depth to 22 and the width to 34 to fit in the corner. Big lesson learned don't use the worst wood possible where the drawer slides go, yikes the rigging I had to do was awful. Atleast no one can see it is all under the desk. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogony and Minwax Wipeon Satin finish poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss Coffee Table Not quite finished

Submitted by wetsuit1 on Tue, 09/03/2013 - 09:47

I made the Restoration Hardware couch and deck chair. I got really nice Sunbrella material cushions for $60 each at HD. I wanted to make a matching coffee table. I just threw it together. It's a little "jacked up".

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Children's Adirondack Chair

I needed a birthday gift for one of our sweet neighbor friends, so I dug through my scrap wood stash and decided a small adirondack chair would be the perfect little project!

Thanks to Ana for the plans!

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I used scrap wood so this project was a freebie!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ipex Bookcase

Submitted by SylBill on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 20:01

This is the Ipex bookcase (plans on this site). My husband built it for our almost 11 year old's room. He modified it to be 36 inches wide rather than 48. Painting scheme done by me - she is into black and white/zebra.
We are pleased!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with white and black enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Toy Workbench

Submitted by TeriA on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 10:57

My Husband and I built this for our son's 2nd Birthday. This is our first finished project!
We drilled 1/2" holes for play nails and screws in the legs and top. We also modified the bottom to have a shelf for added storage, just measured the inside dimensions and cut to fit. We also opted for a peg board on the back to eventually hang tools and some baskets for the nails and screws. The peg board is attached to the base and trim with glue and staples. We taped off a section on the back before using the polyshade to allow the glue to adhere.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
under $50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Poly Shades in Dark Walnut, 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Thu, 09/05/2013 - 16:48

What a fabulous toy workbench! And those toy tools are just too cute for words! The finish is beautiful. You did such a great job on this, love it! :)

Unfinished tables

Submitted by depsher on Thu, 10/29/2015 - 17:30

I built these three tables for my aunt.  She had specific dimensions that I had to alter the plans to fit.  All in all it was a pretty easy project.

Estimated Cost
62 for all 3 tables.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Idaho History Halltree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/27/2018 - 15:48

A piece of Palouse/Moscow/North Idaho History!

 

Hand-crafted by father and son from reclaimed materials native to the region, this is a one-of-kind piece of furniture of both substance and significance.  The stock was sourced from the railroad depot that stood on the University of Idaho campus in Moscow for well over 100 years.  The crops, forest products, and people of the Palouse passed through its doors and across its floors from the early days of westward expansion and settlement.  Marked for demolition in 2017, the depot yielded lumber that had been harvested from old growth forests native to our region since time immemorial.  The trees that produced the lumber-turned-dept-turned-halltree stood tall, proud, and mature at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 

The halltree’s back panel and trim are crafted from the depot’s tongue and groove flooring, and still bear the marks of their original milling.  The remainder of the piece is constructed from the ceiling planks.  Twice painted during the course of the depot’s sentinel watch over the commerce and culture of our region, the cream surface coat is yielding to the forest green base layer, giving the finish a depth and patina that testify to its age.  The history of the Palouse literally passed over, under, and between every square inch of wood in this halltree!  It now stands ready to serve a family for generations to come while reminding them of our pioneer past.

 

Dimensions:  39” x 15-1/2” x 78-1/2”

Estimated Cost
$40 for screws, finish nails, glue, hinges, and coat hooks. I sourced the lumber for free.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The back panel and trim were red fir tongue and groove flooring that was heavily scarred from a century of foot traffic in a railroad depot. It had to be surface planed to allow the color of the wood beneath to show through, but not so deep as to completely remove the milling marks and oxidation. The rest of the boards were pulled from the ceiling and show layers of white and green paint in varying states of disrepair. I applied Danish oil to fresh cut bare edges, then sprayed satin finish water-based polyurethane over the entire piece.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Beam table

Submitted by dlachance on Sun, 09/04/2022 - 10:08

I went a little more high end for the table top, but really like the design for the frame

Built from Plan(s)

Comments