Community Brag Posts

Work bench made from old junk

I built this work table from some old junk that was going to be thrown away - a church pew, a wooden box light fixture and some plywood that was in my parents' garage. I didn't follow any specific plan, I just had an idea of what it needed to look like from some work bench plans I saw on Ana-White.com. It cost me nothing to build it. I even re-used the old steel screws from the church pew. It's not very pretty to look at, but it is sturdy and it will be a great space for me to store my tools and work on future projects. Thanks Ana White for your awesome website and for inspiring me! I never would have thought I could take some old junk and figure out how to built something like this. It's an awesome feeling!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Secretary/Storage cabinet

Submitted by Kirch3333 on Mon, 11/02/2015 - 05:39

Inspired by the Tall Secretary with mail slots but with my own twist/needs incorporated in it. Finished with pure white satin paint.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pure white Behr satin enamel paint, finished with Varathane Matte Soft Touch Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mirror Jewelry Armoire

My bedroom was missing a mirror so I decided to make this jewelry armoire with a mirror front.

I followed the plans very closely, but had to adjust the measurements to accommodate my mirror. I used a piece of screen for the earring holder and rolled up pieces of felt that I covered with fabric on the ring holder. I decided against using a handle since the cabinet is so long.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Indoor firwood console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/25/2022 - 07:23

This was fun and easy to make. I made a few changes: it's only 4 ft wide and logs are 15 inches. Separate section for kindling and paper. Vinyl plank, matching our floor, for bottom and back. Added some hooks left and right for woodstove tools. I used the Kreg tool (new to me, love it). It was great to attach the top. I guess I didn't need to use it for the other parts, because the 1 by 4s would have covered the screws, but ... it was good practice with a new tool and the logs cover up the holes. Thanks Ana for all your great plans. I'm feeling encouraged to create some more stuff. Stay tuned.

Built from Plan(s)

Corner cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/24/2019 - 13:58

Went to a local farmer, who had a barn falling down and asked if I could get some wood. He allowed me to take a few pieces and turned it into a corner cabinet for my wifeWent to a local farmer, who had a barn falling down and asked if I could get some wood. He allowed me to take a few pieces and turned it into a corner cabinet for my wife

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

How to Build a Raised Balance Beam for $60

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 14:49

From watching Olympic gymnast Simone Biles on the television to running, flipping and twirling all around our living room — my girls LOVE everything gymnastics. Both girls began competing with a local gymnastics club. Now that my oldest has moved up and is pretty serious about practicing her beam handstands and dismounts, she begged me to build a raised balance beam with suede covering so it would have a similar feel to her beam at the gym.

If you can relate to this, or even if you have a new gymnast (like my youngest in the pic above) wanting to improve their skills at home, then this comprehensive tutorial on how to build a raised balance beam is for you.

Full plans available on my blog The Creative 'Carr'penter. You can also find and pin this tutorial on Pinterest here.

Estimated Cost
Cost of materials were about $60. Could vary depending on materials used.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used an outdoor flat paint to finish the exposed pieces of wood. The remainder was covered in padding and suede fabric.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Captains bed with Drawers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/07/2019 - 09:01

Since you’ve been posting a lot of beds, I wanted to share my recent project. A captains bed with 6 full extension drawers beneath. I joke that it took a month to build and 8 months for my wife to chose a color...which is homemade mix of antique white and dark walnut stains.

Comments

Ana White

Wed, 08/07/2019 - 10:46

Wow this is awesome! Exceptional craftsmanship.  The full extension drawer slides are a huge bonus.  The stain color looks great, worth the wait!

Outdoor chairs w/ accent table

Submitted by bnakka on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 18:18

I have bookmarked these plans for my front porch a year ago. Finally last Saturday I decided to finish. 

I had to change the chair dimensions to fit 24" x 24" cushion, and the accent table leg height from 13 1/2" to 20". 

I also forgot sanding the surface too fine makes staining so hard and fine sawdust is not good to be around. 

Estimated Cost
80 for the furniture (100 for cushions and carpet)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium (Russet). Finish the wood before you assemble. If you want the cushions to be snug take off half inch more than the recommended specs.

Found the cushions on wayfair for around 30 a piece and the carpet for 40. I am using old pillows I already have in storage.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double laudry table

I combined the features I liked from both of these. I was able to snag some wood table tops at auction ($5.00 ea) that I painted to look like stone.

Comments

Barn Door Console

Submitted by frmoody on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 14:55

This is the second one of these I have built from Ana's plans. This one was smaller than the previous. Second time around made the build easier. I wanted an "X" on the doors which was a little more work but I like the look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 which included the barn door hardware ($90 CAD)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Kona wood stain, Varathane semi-gloss finish and white furniture paint (with some black streaked in).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mud Room Bench

This plan started with Ana's "Mudroom Bench with Easy Drawers" project as a base. I painted 1/4" strips of plywood to give the look of distressed wood on the wall. The shelves above was a simple box with dividers. I made extra deep drawers for ALL my kids' shoes and it is so nice to just grab all the errant shoes and toss them in there out of sight! I also outfitted it with motion-detection lighting so no more fumbling for the light switch in this dark passageway.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white enamel, black is chalk paint with wax finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Small End Table from 2X4's

Submitted by jbknakal on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 11:55

I made a smaller version of the Tryde End Table with Shelf. I made 2 of them from 6 2X4's

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Dining Table

Fish made the tabletop from white oak and the base is pine. We still need to build a bench for one side and purchase new chairs, but we are IN LOVE with this table...and it somehow has allowed us to dine as a family more.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, two coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

X console

I built these tables for a friend in need. I enjoyed building these. Need these for my house now.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Single picket recycle friendly bird feeder

Submitted by sxewhodey on Fri, 03/13/2020 - 06:45

I deviated unknowingly from the plan, lol. The top is wrong. I trimmed a half inch off one side to make the two lengs even, but you aren't supposed to use the lengths to go all the way down, but rather the lengths going accross as an overhang. Our project still came out nice, and my little girl will put hers together tomorrow.

I am getting ready to do a privacy fence project and I was debating between pine and cedar....this project actually seems to have confirmed I am allergic to cedar, so it was very useful in plans for a bigger project and saved years of sneezing.

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