Community Brag Posts

New Bed for my 3 year old!

Submitted by red98dawg on Thu, 08/02/2012 - 13:49

I had been on a search for a while for new furniture for my son’s new big boy bed room but couldn’t justify the money for new furniture and couldn’t find anything remotely nice on craigslist. I ran across this plan on Ana’s site and just had to have it so it became my first large furniture project.
It was fun to build and very rewarding when my son told me he loved his new bed!

I did have some issues with using the kreg jig on the platform so I did use wood screws on the outside frame. I had better success with the kreg jig on the headboard, guess I just needed practice.

There were a few things I did to make it easier to move the bed if needed:
I did not attach the slats but I did lay them on a non skid grip (like you put under rugs on wood floors).
I attached the headboard to the platform using carriage bolts so it could be taken apart easily.

The plans were really easy to follow.

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Jacobean, 1 coat
Minwax - Fast-Drying Polyurethane, 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

Willy Bookcase Library

Submitted by JLW on Mon, 08/06/2012 - 18:50

My wife wanted matching bookcases for our library rather than the hodgepodge collection we had assembled over the years. We looked at several different options but the trick was getting them to our house in a cost and time effective manner. We came across the Willy Bookcase plans here and, after pricing the wood vs. pre-built options, decided to strike out to build our own bookcases.

The library took 5 McMansions, 1 Highrise, and 1 3-Bed/2Bath bookcase. We liked Ikea's Billy corner bookcase set, so we purchased a corner bookcase bracket from them to create the effect and stabilize the Highrise between two McMansions.

We decided to do the entire length of the bookcase sides with shelf holes to allow for maximum flexibility in spacing of the shelves. We fixed the middle shelves across all units to match the top of the short 3-Bed/2Bath.

The simple design made the project simple overall - a single bookcase is an easy weekend project. Since we decided to use stain with wipe on poly, finishing took the vast majority of the time (four hours to cut, sand, and build, 44 hours to finish...) Purchasing a good shelf pin jig and making consistent measurements is a necessity for mass producing shelves with consistent spacing on the shelves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Minwax Dark Walnut with two coats of Minwax satin wipe on poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Our twin elevated gardens

Here's our planters, and they're our first carpentry projects! We found that there were cost efficiencies when building 2 units. We also opted for nut and bolt attachments for the legs instead of making pocket holes…mainly because I don't have the guides for making pocket holes. Seems to work fine, although I do still need to get a saw that I can cut off the excess bolt length on the inside (see pics). Perhaps next time I should trust my measurements and buy the correct bolt length. Ended up costing about $250. Slightly more than the cost of ready-to-build planters at home depot, but those weren't elevated and not nearly as heavy duty or as large. Well worth the investment of both time and money, and a great starter project for beginners. Good luck to you all! -Don and Staci

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Only a light red stain on the exterior as we didn't want the chemicals to invade our vegetables. Ended up with a very nice orange hue when the red stain combined with the pine's natural yellow coloring.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/12/2020 - 18:21

Plans were excellent! Thank you. For my own personal preference I used 1x5 for the arm rests to make them a bit wider for your drink, and rounded the corners. Can’t wait to use them!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
used a blue outdoor paint to finish them. Two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Storage Daybed

Submitted by hilt_m on Thu, 08/09/2012 - 08:06

This is the 3 box storage daybed, as you can see I added an armrest on one end as it sits in a corner.

Tips for building this project: Buy a decent circular saw, I used a cheap one and really regretted it. Square your timber, I ended up squaring my timber using a sander, which wasn't as easy as it sounds. Check you measurements, the bottom of one of my boxes was a little short because I didn't double check the measurements and I ended up having to fix it with an extra piece of timber. 2 or 3 saw horses are a real help and lots of clamps.

I used the cutout outline from the link below but had to convert it all to metric since I live in Sweden, also a standard single mattress here isn't as wide but longer then the one used in the linked project. I didn't take this into account and ended up having to buy an extra piece of plywood.
http://ana-white.com/2009/12/plan-stratton-daybed-as-request-by-you.html

I got the single mattress and the pillows from IKEA.

This was a lot of fun and I look forward to spending many hours relaxing on my new daybed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rusty Cottage

Thu, 08/09/2012 - 10:48

Nice job on the daybed, I like that you got through all your "dilemmas".

Your saw's bevel function (hopefully it has it) might be nicer than mine but you can try to adjust it.

I have a $50 dollar skil saw and my only complaint is how difficult it is to set the base plate 90 degrees to the blade. I even take care to set the circular saw between two 2x4 when not in use so that setting it on the ground doesn't change the angle of the foot plate to blade. I can cut 90 degrees with a speed square as a guide, but I can't adjust the saw right.

I will be starting assembly of my first furniture project with the wood I cut two days ago. I will see how the pieces go together.

Best of luck on your next project!

hilt_m

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 06:27

Thanks, I'm pretty pleased with it. Yes that was one of my problems as well, trying to get the base plate set at 90, I found that if I leaned on it too much it flexed a bit which isn't good. Also by the end I had a pretty blunt blade or I was getting pinching or something thing because the plywood had some shocking edges with splintering. What I would really like is a proper saw table, but for now that's just a dream. Good luck on your project.

AmandaKay

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:50

Hi there! I was hoping that someone on here had added the armrest! Would you be willing to post a pic of the end of the bed so that I can see how you configured it? Im goint to be starting this project soon for my daughter, and need to strategize some armrest ideas for hers.

Thanks so much!!

AmandaKay

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:50

Hi there! I was hoping that someone on here had added the armrest! Would you be willing to post a pic of the end of the bed so that I can see how you configured it? Im goint to be starting this project soon for my daughter, and need to strategize some armrest ideas for hers.

Thanks so much!!

Pallet Nightstand

I used pallet wood to create a completely different look for this project. The frame and some of the trim pieces stayed the same, but there were a few edits made to support the pallet top, sides, and shelf. In addition, the drawer design changed a little bit to allow a false front instead of the inset one from the original plan.

More info in the link below!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Personalized vintage ammo crate

Submitted by OWJ3 on Sun, 09/04/2016 - 16:43

Created this as a gift for my uncle. I recycled an old pallet for the material. I used his birth date to create the ammunition shell specs and his name as the manufacturing company.  I found the vintage hardware on eBay and added a sliding shelf inside.  Lettering was created with stensils and spray paint. I distressed the lettering to match the vintage feel of the piece. 

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

Comments

Roger C

Sun, 01/12/2020 - 15:33

Hiw can i see instructions  or dimensions  for this crate . id like to try it

Farmhouse Potting Bench

This was my first woodworking project and I absolutely love it !!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Solid Maple Desk

Submitted by ccbuilder on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 14:29

This is a solid maple desk with two drawers finished with shellac and paste wax. I altered the plan by giving the desk and overhang, as well as changing the way the legs were built.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Shellac and paste wax. I sanded until the surface was incredibly smooth and then used a high quality brush to apply the shellac.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Helper

This project has been one that I've been putting off for a while now. My wife was threatening to just go out and buy one so I figured it was either now or never! Our little girl loves to help in the kitchen and standing in one of our old wobbly dining chairs just wasn't cutting it anymore.

I knew that I wanted to build something that would be more like an heirloom piece of furniture instead of one of the cheap knockdown types that you see in stores. I am sure that I could have possibly come up with my own design, but Marc already had already come up with a good design in the arts and crafts style, which is my favorite style of furniture. I saw no reason to come up with a "new" design just to say I did, plus I was lazy, and Marc already had plans hahaha. In all honesty, I think sometimes as woodworkers we get in our own way trying to be "original", when at this point, it's pretty much all been done before.

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

My First Ana Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 09:41

Had some leftover lumber from a friend's deck rebuild and decided to make a love seat for our deck. Modified the 2x4 Outdoor Sofa plans slightly to make it a little smaller but essentially built directly from your plans. My wife loves it! Only downside is we have to fight the dog for room. Thanks! I'll be using your plans again!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12 for screws, $90 for cushions, lumber was free.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by ValBryant on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 14:24

This was our first build alone. I've helped my dad build various things through out the years but was this first time me and my husband built something together.
The bed plans were great and it went together easily. We couldn't find untreated 4x4 posts so we went with two 2x4 sandwiched together, and then we bolted the headboard posts to the footboards. The side rails are plywood trimmed with 1x3's and topped with a 1x2. We also used L brackets to attach the side rails to the head and footboards and addition to bolts on the headboard and 2" screws on the footboard. We needed to assemble the bed in a way we could easily disassemble because we are moving soon.

Estimated Cost
160+
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I followed one of Ana's featured finishes, distressed turquoise with chocolate glaze.
I used dark walnut stain and Valspar's semi-gloss Sea Exposure, and Valspar's Glaze.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kentwood Twin Bed

Submitted by pcarroll on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 14:10

Two year old is being evicted from the baby room by the baby and we decided to build him a big boy bed using the Kentwood Twin Plan. Used only pine and the mattress is supported by slats. The bed looks great and is incredibly solid. Thank you for the plan, Ana.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 (bought some stain/poly that I'll use on other things)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Largely followed the copycat Restoration Hardware finish instructions on this site. Pre-Stain, Special Walnut, Weathered Oak, White Pickling, then Special Walnut. I applied one coat of poly with a brush, followed by a second coat of rubbed on poly, which I thought gave it more depth.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Work Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/06/2016 - 17:23

I needed more room, so I changed the dimensions to a 4 x 4 table.  Used the same amount of materials.  I made the side leg measurements 48" wide and the cross braces 45".  My top sheet of plywood is 48" x 48" and the bottom sheet is 48" x 41".  The rest of the leg measurements are the same. 

A little overkill on the screws, but made it extra sturdy. 

I saw this site, copied down the materials list, bought everything I needed and was finished before dinner.  I did it all myself, only had my husband cut the plywood, the rest was all me!  Woo hoo, so proud of myself!

I rough sanded the edges and corners to get rid of any splinters.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rough sanded the top, corners and edges.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner