Community Brag Posts

Modified table to desk. Built the original table plan for a friend and it was too big, so I had the frame in my shed for a year. Repurposed it to office desk. 

This is the daybed option. The plan and cut list worked great.

A few months ago we decided to build ourselves a new table based on the Farmhouse Table plans. We knew we wanted to make the table out of some red oak that I had gotten for free, so we would deviate from the plans a bit. Long story short, I deviated from the plans _quite_ a bit. We had planned to make the table essentially with free materials, but that changed when I spent several days squaring up the rough stock I had been given. I also joined a crowned plank in the center of the table-top...big mistake. After glueing, screwing, and sanding, I realized there would be no way to get the crown out of the top. So...the first table-top became the bench cover and the other half is going to be used for a computer desk in another room. After a trip to the local lumber yard, I had about $220 worth of red oak: 4 1x4x14ft planks for the legs and 7 1x6x6ft planks for the table top.

I began by cutting the 14 ft. 1x4's to length and then joining them with lots of glue and clamps to form the legs. Next I set up the table saw to notch out the tops of the legs to receive the box. I prefer this method over using a circular saw or jig-saw. Picked up my wood-chisel to clean things up and then sanded, scraped using a card scraper (I would highly recommend a scraper for the smooth finish and handcrafted feel the tool provides), applied two coats of stain, and finished with two coats of wipe on poly.

I followed Ana's plans to construct the 2x4 base, modifying it to fit the size of my table and the specific overhang I sought. I also simply used 2x4 scraps to span the width of the box, and then Kreg jigged them to the box and table-top for support.

I joined the table-top planks using a Kreg Jig and glue. Lots of sanding and scraping again, and then I flipped the top, attached the box, and attached the legs. I used more of the 1x4's for the skirts to hide the 2x4 box.

We decided that we wanted to build a built-in bench for storage instead of a free standing one to accompany the table. I followed the plan at the following site, modifying it as necessary to match the length of our table. I also only built the bench and not the wall unit (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20301255,00.html). My mistake with the first table-top ended up being a blessing of sorts when we were looking for a sturdy bench-top.

All in all, we love it! It took a good deal of time to finish the table—in part because I'm a horrible perfectionist. The bench, on the other hand, was finished in a day's work.

The table is constructed entirely out of red oak. The bench-top is also red oak. The bench is birch plywood and pine.

Total cost for table: $220 for wood; we already had all other supplies
Bench: $25; again, we already had most of the materials needed.

We revised the design a bit to make it fit in our space. We also made room for our dog food bin at the bottom

Thank you for allowing us to use your plan this is a great gift.

This bed has been a true labour of love over the last few months!

I made all cuts with a hand saw, and mainly used a kreg jig to assemble the bed.

The 'insert' in the headboard is made from macrocarpa window trim and tongue-and-groove panelling, which was leftover from when my parents built their house. The rest I bought from a local supplier as rough sawn timber, which I got dressed by a woodworking guy who lives nearby. Had I bought all the timber I used, the cost would have been closer to $400.

I didn't add the moulding that is included in the plan - it's just my preference.

It took a bit of work to convert Ana's plans into metric measurements, but I got there in the end! I love my bed

A friend wanted a small box for her cosmetics. She gave me the dimensions of her present container but my mind and my saws envisioned a different end. My only promise was that she would get three drawers. To keep cost low I used only scrap lumber I found around the garage. I added oak dowels for strength and decoration.

My daughter bought a condo this past summer in St. Louis, MO. It's in an old factory that was rehabbed into condos. It's very industrial looking. Her condo has a lot of open space in the kitchen. She asked me to build her an island. I've previously used several of your plans to build various pieces of very functional pieces of furniture for my daughter, my son, and my wife and me. But this one is one I am especially proud of. I based it off your plan, "Michaela's Kitchen Island" modifying it to meet my daughter's unique needs. The majority of it is oak barnwood reclaimed from my wife's grandparents barns that were torn down to make way for an interstate highway. It is very attractive and user friendly. My daugher couldn't be more pleased. Thanks for all your great building ideas and plans. You've made this dad and daughter very happy.

I decided to do some modifications to the original plans to make it more like the Pottery Barn original. I made the legs 4x4s like the original, as well as the horizontal bases of the legs. The major change that this entailed was in the bottom shelf. I notched the edges of the 1x12 so that it would fit flush, then connected it to the legs with pocket screws. The lowered ledge on the table top is two 2x4s on the bottom, a 2x4 on the front and back, and a 2x6 cut to size for the ends. I then attached it using pocket screws on the front, and just 2.5 inch screws from the back. The rest is pretty much the same as the plans. For the back of the hutch, I used 1x4 carsiding to give it a more finished look. It only cost a couple cents more for each 8 foot piece.

Thanks to our daughter who gave me plans from Pintrest for the popular locker. This is my first project in a long time. It has been followed by a few projects which have been inspired by plans or skills from the site.

Thanks

This table was very easy to build. A little bigger than I expected. You can fit storage cubes in it perfectly. 

My niece is here for the summer! We needed a guest bed fast, that didn't take up an entire room! She chose this day bed!

Her bed is in the computer room, so there isn't enough room for a twin size bed. I modified the plans to fit a standard crib mattress. Now, when she isn't using the day bed, it doubles as a lounging spot to read. It is soooo cute!

For the storage baskets, I cut shipping boxes to size and mod podged fabric to them, and added some cute little knobs.

The Basic Process - Triple Bunk Bed Plans

More info on these Triple Bunk Bed Plans on my blog: http://myhomedonemyway.blogspot.com/2013/03/triple-bunk-bed-finished.ht…)

1. Build the Bed Frames: (I will explain the process for one bed...do it three times if you want three beds)

2. Add Side Supports: ( Also do this step three times for three beds. We did it later but would be easier to do now)

3. Add Roll Guard: (do twice...once for each top bunk. We did this later but can be done now)

4. Build Ladder:

5. Paint desired color (you don't have to paint the sides that will be screwed into the wall).

6. Install into the wall in desired bedroom

7. Add Supports (do three times for three beds)

8. Add Plywood (do three times for three beds) 9. Finish

Decided to use mortise and tenon on the chairs to make for a clean look since I was staining and not painting.  I did use a lot of pocket holes on the table.