Community Brag Posts

kitchen island

Submitted by jvos on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 16:40

This is my first project. I made a lot of mistakes but also learned a lot as well. I have very little counter top space and so wanted an island for additional work space. I had to downsize it due to my small kitchen but it seems to be about right. I got a kreg jig for this and it makes for a solid project. Next up, a platform bed!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethene & paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor Lounge Chair

Submitted by Goldy272 on Mon, 05/19/2014 - 09:44

Simple outdoor lounge chair for use on our deck. This is a good design though if I had to do it over again I would make a few alterations:

- It's a bit flimsy, so for the chair frame, I would use 2x4's instead of 1x's.
- We are going to use them for seating at our patio table so I will make the others a bit shorter. The depth is awfully big for a dining chair but would be good for lounging.
- Used a 1x4 on the inside of the back frame to make the chair back more upright (as it said in the modified plans) would definately recomend.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 23:09

My first building project ever. Love it and plan on putting it in my dining eventually 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Family Back Deck COVID19 Project Facelift

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 11:53

Thank-you so much Ana White! We took on our back deck as a family COVID19 “homeschool” two weekend project! Why just build a sectional sofa when you can build a sectional sofa, coffee table, farmhouse table with two benches, two Adirondack chairs and a side table that the 11 year old designed and built himself! Mission accomplished, he’s a builder for life.

Our deck was brutally neglected and the boys had had some exposure to power tools and small builds. We decided that the best way to remedy the situation was to set up a family build all at once so that the tools are out and then put back away after the build is complete!

The plans were easy to follow and incredible! Thanks again so very much!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained the sofas, chairs, coffee and end table with outdoor solid stain. Used the same solid stain on the bottom of the farmhouse table benches, and outdoor oil based spar varnish on the farmhouse table and bench tops. Finished the look by refinishing the deck with Behr Penetrating Oil finish in Chocolate and cushions from Lowes for the sofa. Adirondack chair cushions were sewn by myself with Sunderland fabric leftover from front porch, cushion inserts from IKEA.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

5 board bench with a twist.

5 board bench with a few extra boards.
I had some leftover hardwood flooring pieces that i cut for the seat of the bench. I love color so this was a lot of fun!!!
Thanks!

Estimated Cost
<$15
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used outdoor stain and paint and several coats of poly for a water resistant finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Florida Cypress Truss Beam Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Abesurfman on Thu, 05/22/2014 - 19:37

Here's my take on the Truss Beam Farmhouse Table using native Florida Cypress which was cut to size from raw logs at a local cypress mill. Thanks so much for the inspiration and plans. My wife loves it and it looks great in our first home.
I finished it with Odies Oil and a combination of Odies Oil and Odies Butter for the table top to preserve the natural beauty of the wood while protecting it from food and liquids.
I probably spent $600 in all but I got a killer deal on the wood which should have cost around $800-$900. I would guess that if I were to try to buy a table like this one out of the same wood, it would have easily cost over $3,000.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Odies Oil & Odies Wood Butter. Both are rub on applications.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 05/23/2014 - 11:07

This table is on my must have build list. This is a beautiful build and that wood is gorgeous!!!

Jake'n'Leelo

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 08:16

Hi! Your table looks amazing! Did you modify the size? If yes, what tabletop size did you end up going with? I am going to have to modify mine to fit my dining space but am concerned about how it will affect the truss beams.

In reply to by Jake'n'Leelo

Abesurfman

Wed, 01/07/2015 - 08:05

I modified both the tabletop and the base.
The final length of the top was about 69" (+ or - an inch or two). In the pics you'll notice the breadboard ends are half the original size. These pieces were pecky cypress and one of them was very pecky which would have made it difficult to join.
As for the base, because of how sturdy the table top joints are (pocket screws and wood glue) and the smaller breadboard ends, I decided it wouldn't matter if the table legs were directly bellow the breadboard end joints. I also preferred extra legroom clearance (tall people problems) so I made that the priority and adjusted the base for the desired legroom. Not sure the exact measurement but it looks like it was about 15" on each side. After almost a year of everyday use it seems that I was right, supper sturdy and going strong.

jefsocmw

Thu, 08/06/2015 - 10:19

Your table looks awesome. I am preparing to make this also and during my research I have found comments over the concern with attaching the breadboard ends. Instead of pocket holes, the true woodworking suggestions are to use mortise and tenon joints with gaps to allow for expansion and contraction a described here, http://goo.gl/Or5HJM. What method did you use and how is it holding up? My goal is to build a table that will last and that looks professionally made our as close to it as I can get. 

Keepsake doll crib and highchair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/22/2016 - 12:54

We were trying to figure out what to give our granddaughter for Christmas when the great grandparents arrived with our 2 kids old maple crib from the 80's. After much debate(well, not really, apparently the crib now breaks every law in the book!)  we decided to repurpose it into keepsakes. Enter Ana White!  We settled on a doll crib and doll highchair.  After many design changes trying to best utilize the old wood we came up with these. As you can see they were a hit and luckily very sturdy!  There are now 2 doll cribs, 2 high chairs and 4 granddaughters, each family has a set as a keepsake.  There are a few scraps left just in case a grandson happens along! Should be enough for a logging truck!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Original finish plus Danish oil and clearcoat on cut ends
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Picnic table

Got the plans on here had a little trouble with the angles on the seat but overall looks good and was easy to follow the plans

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free wood just time invested and $10


in screws
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Entryway bench and shelf

Submitted by susanuva on Mon, 07/30/2012 - 13:58

Here is my very first project.

Estimated Cost
$170.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with Red Elm Gel stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

OutDoor dining table

My wife and I were looking for a larger table for our deck and after searching and seeing that everything out there was 300 dollars and up for something decent I decided I would try building something. This table was perfect for our needs and looked easy enough for me to put together. The most time consuming part was staining all of the boards as I went but it was totally worth it in the end. I also deviated from using screws and used my nail gun along with some glue to put the top frame together and the slats on but I did use some 2inch deckmate screws to attach the legs. One problem I did run into was I was about half a board short on the slats which wasn't a big deal just ripped one on the table saw, not sure if I miss measured or what but either way. We love our table and will entertain around it for years to come.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around 80 Dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a Behr deck stain that was solid the color is called Russett and I did with a 3inch brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pine Farmhouse Table

Submitted by jaykruger on Fri, 08/26/2016 - 07:45

Simple pine farmhouse table, top is 2x6 Pine cut down to 5" wide strips top was joined with pocket screws and glue

Base is 4x4 pine joined with lag bolts

Longest part of the buld was sanding the top smooth, special care was needed in measurig the notches to fix the X-Brace legs

 

Tools: Drill, Table Saw, Circular Saw, 1/2 socket drive

Estimated Cost
$150 all in for wood, bolts, screws and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax espresso and poly clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor furniture

Submitted by td_tx on Sun, 06/07/2020 - 11:33

I used rough cedar to build the patio set. I pre-sanded all pieces to smooth them out and sanded again at the end to limit any remaining splinters. I could not find cedar 2x2, so I ripped all 2x2 from 2x6 using the table saw. The furniture is covered by our porch and we decided to leave it unfinished to let it weather naturally. The plans were modified slightly to accommodate IKEA outdoor cushions. I had some remaining wood, so I built a basic coffee table using some black iron hairpin legs from Amazon.

Estimated Cost
$600 with cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Left unfinished to let the cedar weather
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Guest Bathroom

I. LOVE. MY. BATHROOM.

This started with an EPIC FAIL. "Yes Dad I think I hit a pipe with a nail!!!"

Fast forward through plumbing & drywall fixes and life. I added the Board & Batten, made a mirror frame and installed a new mirror. I finally love my guest bathroom.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted Board & Batten with "Wedding Bells" from Lowes and stained mirror frame with Rustoleum in Carrington.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cubby Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/29/2016 - 07:56

I modified the plans so the top was 2 ft x 4 ft, more suitable for a college student like myself. I also used a full sheet of 3/4 MDF and used that for the top as well as all of the 3/4 plywood pieces. MDF was much cheaper but next time I would spend the extra money on plywood because the MDF cracked a bunch and was not as easy to work with. Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Shellac based primer and latex white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Playset Addition

Submitted by Derek S on Wed, 06/10/2020 - 08:27

Decided our old play set needed an addition, landed on these plans of Ana's. Sat on them and mulled them over for months. Once the wife said something about adding on to it I made the purchases needed. Connected the two platforms with a bridge. I used 4"x4"x10' for the runners, same boards as the decking for the platform of the bridge(5/4"x6"), 2x4's and 1x4's for the railing. If you look at the 3rd photo, I had to chisel out the 4x4 post to get the 2"x6"x12" support to fit correctly. This should measure 2"x6"x13". Another change I made was to cut the bottom and top trim pieces longer on the front and back sections so that the trim would cover the framing of the gable end walls (see last photo). my son wanted windows so I faked in some windows with scrap 2x2's. I used 2x6's as supports from the 4x4's to the 2x6 framing (see photo 3) I added the monkey bars about a month before deciding to do the platform/deck and playhouse. The ladder is based loosely off of a couple of plans I found online. I was able to do all of this work myself except for the roof. Need my dads help to lift the plywood, he then helped me with the rest of the roof.

Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used a dark wood stain fore the house, green exterior paint for the trim and white exterior paint for the interior of the house.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday
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