Community Brag Posts

Bar Height Patio Table

Submitted by VincentP on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 12:24

Built this from a couple of the plans on here and ideas I have seen around the web. This is the very first project I did and with plans from Ana White I found it pretty easy to get through the whole thing. I built this to be bar height and now that it is done I might cut it down to be regular table height just because I didn't realize how big it would actually be. But first I will build a couple chairs and a bench to go along with it.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Sikkens Cetol 123 system, 3 coats and the colour is dark oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Washer and Dryer Pedestal

Found these awesome plans from Ana's site here and thought I could definitley make that!  My mother needed a new laundry room makeover so it was the perfect opportunity.  I made my stand only 56" long to fit perfectly into the spot.  Which still allowed enough room for washer and dryer to be on there and enough room if they shook a little.  I had to adjust my plans as I wanted it to fit snug against the wall but needed to allow for the dryer hose to connect to wall so I cut out a 4.5"x 5" spot on both the bottom and top platforms to allow for hose and cord to plug in.  I put in extra supports going vertically and horizontally to replace the strength for the holes being cut.  The result was perfect!

 

I got creative and added a floating rustic tabletop to the washer and dryer to make the space useful and also added a floating shelf above that.  Both stained in a dark walnut.

 

Happy builder right here!!!

www.facebook.com/RW.Creations.Blackfoot.AB

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted a dark chocolate brown and sealed with
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chair

Submitted by Ulrike on Sun, 06/21/2020 - 09:24

Followed Ana’s plans and turned out great. Stained it after it was assembled but would recommend doing that before assembly. Very comfy.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

Truss Shelves: Cheap Garage Storage

Made of old fence rail (the dark pieces) and cheap 2x4s and 1x12s .

This is not as stable as I hoped, but for an afternoon's project that got all those tools off the workshop floor, it's not bad. I will add a diagonal brace at the back later. Much later.

NOTE: My engineer friend notes that 2 braces at the rear, below the bottom shelf and below the top shelf, would minimize side-to-side wobbling, and 2 braces front to back, both under the bottom shelf, would minimize the front-to-back wobbling, They could be a scrap of plywood, a 1x6 or wider scrap. Just nail them in two or more places on each of the ladders and they make the structure more rigid. Screw them in if you want a shelf unit you can disassemble.

TIPS:
If you are using pockethole screws, start the screws in all the holes before you put the crosspieces on. Stop when you see the tip of the screw come through the first piece.

Clamp scrap 2x4 to the uprights to hold the crosspieces in place as you drill.

To get the shelves in place, lean the ladders against each other and attach the bottom and top boards on one side. Than pull the other ladder out as far as it needs to go and screw that side of the shelves in place.

Don't try this without clamps.

It could have been cheaper if I had used all reclaimed fence 2x4s, and if my errand runner had bought cheaper 1x12s. He bought top-grade when #2 would have worked for half the price,

Estimated Cost
$ 30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Stone Bird House

Submitted by sawdust on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 16:59

I've been collecting small flat rocks off the road every time I take the dog for a walk. Unfortunately my grout cracked, I probably used the wrong type. Anyone who can tell me what I should have used instead? Suggestions very welcome, as I might try this again.

Estimated Cost
$5.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Tiled road rocks. No finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Lady Goats

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 14:28

I love this idea! What kind of grout did you use? I would imagine that for such large gaps between the rocks, you'd have to use a sanded grout (most state whether they're for indoor/outdoor use, but I've only seen ones that say both). But it could have cracked because the wood underneath expanded or contracted or the grout wasn't the right consistency.. Love, love, love!

In reply to by Lady Goats

sawdust

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 09:30

Thank you for your comment on my birdhouse! I talked to a contractor who suggested that my grout was too watery when I started. I also used Polyblend non-sanded grout. I may use sanded next time. Trying to decide if I should give it another go, I kind of want to!

Ryobi Nation Bathroom Ladder

This leaning bathroom ladder was the perfect final touch to our budget bathroom re-do.

I used all reclaimed wood - old barn wood, pallet, and scraps - and had the nails/screws on hand. The only cost will be for stain, which the jury is still out on. Likely I will use the Danish oil in medium walnut.  Loved doing this project and the result!

Estimated Cost
$10 (reclaimed wood and hardware was on hand)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I rounded off the edges of the shelves like the "tip" recommended so they weren't so sharp. I don't have a nail gun, so I pre drilled very small holes and hammered in the nails after the glue set for a bit. I also cut a 10degree angle off the bottoms of the sides (to match the leaning angle at the top) so they would sit flat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Idahofischer

Fri, 09/09/2016 - 11:01

I posted this brag post before registering with a user ID. I'm not sure how to "claim" my (first ever!) brag post. Anyone know if this can be done?

Farmhouse Dog Bed

Submitted by KWhitt92 on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 14:23

Followed the Farmhouse Doll Bed build! It worked out great! It’s the perfect size for my tiny pup. Cost and time to finish includes everything you see here. The bed frame, the sheets, pillow, and mini quilt all made by hand.

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Landon's Mischief Step Stool

Submitted by elh130 on Mon, 08/20/2012 - 13:50

Very sturdy and stylish step stool built for my son in a style to match the kitchen and bathroom in our house.

This entire project was built using scrap plywood from a previous project and reclaimed oak boards that we demoed from our house while remodeling.

The sides were simply cut using a table saw to the rough dimension and then I added the details using a bandsaw. The stairs and rails were rough cut on the tablesaw and then milled using a jointer and planer to the specifications in the plan. Once cut I used a pocket screw jig to drill all the necessary holes before finishing assembly on the base. Each section was finished separately and then I used pocket screws to attach the steps last.

Very easy project that I made slightly more complicated by using reclaimed wood and a 2 tone design. Would recommend pocket screws to ensure strength and durability...I can stand on this and it doesn’t even budge!

Thanks for the plans!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10ish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sides got an oil based primer followed by a high gloss trim latex paint applied using a HVLP Sprayer.

Steps were stained using Minwax Red Chestnut oil based stain.

The whole thing was finished using 2 coats of a clear Poly applied with a HVLP Sprayer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Boardwalk Shoe Bench

I love the legs on Crate&Barrel's Boardwalk Bench, but I was on a tight budget (under $10), so I needed to make many modifications so that I could use the random pieces of wood I had accumulated from my local deconstruction warehouse, including free wood louvers for the slatted shoe shelves. If you'd like to make your own, more photos of my process are on my little blog: http://sunnysideup-stairs.blogspot.com/2014/05/boardwalk-shoe-bench.html

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None applied, yet. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 06/10/2014 - 17:06

Great use of materials! The lines are elegant, it's a wonderful build! (Also, I love the floor!)
:)
Joanne

yurra-bazain

Tue, 06/10/2014 - 22:00

Thank you, Joanne. :) I really like the floor too. I expect lots of patterns will be appearing in our home this year or next. :)

Mud room Lockers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/10/2016 - 22:06

This is 10 feet long and 5 1/2 feet tall. Made using a Kreg Jig.

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

Comments

Hailey Wall Magazine Rack

Submitted by dave_83 on Sat, 06/14/2014 - 23:03

This was my first ever project. I initially intended to use it for office storage but it ended up taking its place in the kitchen - and proving most useful for storage there too!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Colron wood dye - American Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

CaitCouch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/13/2016 - 09:31

We altered our plans as my dining room could only accomodate a 7 ft table! This was out first DIY that was this large of an undertaking and we love the way it came out. If we can do this as woodworking novices you can definately do it! 

Estimated Cost
$150 in the philadelphia area including wood, screws, stain, and finish another $75 if you need to rent a mitre saw.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sanded down the table starting with 150 grit, followed by 220, then 320. Next, MinWax English Chestnut (1 coat- painted on and sat for 5 mins and then wiped off with rags- we didnt time it just about 5 mins - did the top first- then sides- then the legs one at a time to make it more manageable) followed by MinWax Satin Matte polyurethane (2 coats- 5 hours between coats and then sit for 48 hours untouched)

It was suggested to us that before attaching we should sand, stain and seal the legs. We didn't follow this advice from a friend and we should have!! being down on the ground with the table is all together was very hard on our backs and bottoms (and were in our 20s!). that is the only thing i would have done differently.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bed porch swing

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/28/2020 - 09:45

Utilized your plans for this porch bed swing! Looks great on the porch. Couldn’t find anything solid in the ceiling to hang it from so I installed my own joists with rafter hangers attached to the walls. Should hold long term.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80 in Wood and $20 in stain and polyurethane
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar Urethane
Mocha stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Reclaimed Wood Outdoor Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/15/2024 - 10:47

I had leftover lumber from building the full size table so I built this outdoor coffee table using the same design just a little smaller.

Connie Breck

Farmhouse dining table with straight legs

Submitted by isti799 on Wed, 06/18/2014 - 22:12

I'm homemade woodworker. This is my first job!

Estimated Cost
100 $
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coat waterbased stain ( trilak vekonylazur)
3 coat+1 coat tabletop waterbased furniture varnish (Trilak vizes butorlakk)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

West Elm Wall Cubby Knock Off

Submitted by Mike F on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 06:15

My wife found this post on Pinterest and asked if i could build it.  The hardest part was cuting the angles wit the jig saw because i can never get it to cut square and i have a little OCD about that sometimes.  I ended up using my table saw a little.  I would not recommened that though.  If i had acess to a band saw stand that would have ben perfect.

Estimated Cost
Around twenty dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used two different stains, provincial and special walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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