Community Brag Posts

Modified Media Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2017 - 13:36

I modified this project to fit my space.  I'm pretty new at woodworking but everything was fun to do.  One of the hardest parts for me were the legs so I opted for cabinet feet from Ikea.  I've gotten so many compliments so far!

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
plywood birch
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Painted buffet and hutch

This is the largest piece I have built. I wanted a buffet and hutch to hold all my crockery. All the large pieces became the display pieces in the open shelves. Ana's plans makes it so easy to modify and build

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Loft bed with desk...

I just wanted to share the loft bed I built for my daughter based on the plans available here. I added a desk, painted an existing chair I had built to match and included pink LED lights around the inside of the bed. Thanks for everyone sharing their ideas, plans and pics..!

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

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Wed, 12/26/2012 - 18:08

Really awesome job! I'll bet your daughter loves it!

mosouza

Fri, 08/14/2015 - 21:39

Awesome! Do you have plans up for the desk area? I would like to incorporate that similar style. Thank you.

Turned leg farmhouse dining table

Submitted by joslwea on Mon, 10/06/2014 - 23:44

Great rustic farmhouse dining table

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$226
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miinwax special walnut, vinegar/steel wool oxidation, minwax satin polyurethane.
Pretreat pine with conditioner, apply one coat of stain, then a coat of vinegar/ steel wool mixture, and finally 2-3 coats poly. Sand between each step with 220 grit and remove all dust.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed - Queen Sized

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 07:44

Fun quick project for our new house. I finished this bed in 2 days, and my wife was very happy! I stained it in Jacobean (Minwax), and finished with a clear satin poly.

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

Entryway Mail Sort, Hutch, and Shoe Drawers

Made the hutch 1ft taller

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum weathered gray and bright white

Comments

Play Workbench

My son loves to be in the shop with me. For Christmas I thought he would really like his own workbench with some tools that he sees me use. He really gravitates toward the clamps and my drill. I lucked out and found a fun drill that he really enjoys... "just like Daddy's!" I hope it serves him well for years to come.

The frame is joined with glue and screws. The screw holes are filled with contrasting dowels and cut flush. The top is 2 pieces of 3/4" birch laminated together. I rounded over all the edges with 1/4" roundover bit in the laminate router. The top is attached with pocket screws.

Estimated Cost
Scrap wood and free pegboard
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Scott Kershaw

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 01:41

I put a 1/4" roundover on all the edges. I need to sneak it out to the garage to round over the top shelf but the kid hasn't stopped playing "wood shop. More power. Ogh, ogh, ogh!"

Tidy Up End Table

Fun little project, think I used too many pocket holes, they are really visible, all well, take what you learn.

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

Tilt-Out Kitchen Trash Can Cabinet

Submitted by Fritz Lane on Sat, 10/10/2020 - 11:32

Here's my take on Ana's 'Wood Tilt-Out Trash or Recycling Cabinet.' It's made from lumber salvaged from pallets found locally. Two changes made from the original plans:

- Raised panel on the door
- Used two stop blocks inside the cabinet to limit motion on the door (instead of chains)

The only items that were purchased were the trash can, hinges, door pull and Kreg screws.

Links for techniques and finishes used in this project:

Raised panels:
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2006/03/01/making-raised-panel-doors-o…

Milk paint finish:
http://toolmakingart.com/2008/06/16/two-layer-milk-paint/

Topcoat on cabinet:
https://sawsonskates.com/bobs-miracle-finish/

Estimated Cost
Approximately $30
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For the cabinet, a two-layer milk paint formulation. The red tint was obtained using Sakrete powdered cement color, a product made for adding color to concrete. A link is shown in the Summary section (above).

Topcoat on the cabinet is a mix of spar varnish, paint thinner and boiled linseed oil. A formulation for the finish can be found in a link in the Summary section (above).

Finish on the top was a product called "Maxithane" from Sico. It's a combination of stain and polyurethane. The color is Cedar. I happened to find a can of this product at a dollar store that specializes in closeout deals and haven't seen it in any stores since.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Gift-Chalkboard

This project was a Christmas gift for the niece and nephew. It turned out better than expected and was easy to do. I followed the plan, just made it shorter and narrow for a 3 and 6 year old to use. Mom and dad liked it a lot. I took off 8 inches from the height and width. Luckily someone else had the chalkboard paint leftover. That helped to keep the cost down. I had left over plywood from another project. I just bought the hinges and 1x2 and 1x3's. That's why the cost is fairly low for this project. Its worth saving those scrape pieces. Thanks Ana.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalkboard paint, 2 layers of Red Oak stain, with 2 layers of polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mega Buffet!

Measuring 8' long, 36" tall, 20" deep, and weighing nearly 400lbs, this is truly a MEGA BUFFET!

Cabinet Materials: 3/4" cabinet-grade birch plywood sub-frame. 1/4" V-groove rear paneling. American Poplar face-frame

Top: 2-1/2" thick American Spalted Ambrosia Maple flitch

Hardware: Custom

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

Comments

Farmhouse X Desk

Submitted by Jeremysj on Thu, 10/15/2020 - 10:59

I built the Farmhouse X Desk with full extension drawers instead of shelves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White cabinet & furniture paint and dark walnut stain for the top. Finished the top with several coats of Minwax polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rolling grill cart table

Submitted by kmatt55 on Sat, 10/18/2014 - 19:13

I made the countertop with 2 plywood boards screwed together and topped the stainless steel with heavy duty adhesive.  I adjusted the plans a little to accommodate my space.  Thanks for the plans!  It was a fun build!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Glossy black exterior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A More Traditional Modern Craft Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/26/2017 - 18:37

This is my more traditional take on the modern craft table (I guess that means it isn't technically "modern"!).  We call it the "Lego Table" at our house.  I doubled up the ends like others have so that my two daughters can have their own sides.  My wife asked that the there be backs on the side shelves so that items aren't pushed off.   I also added trim around the tabletop and molding to give it a bit more traditional appearance.  Finally, I made the shelves adjustable.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sectional - Love It !

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/18/2020 - 06:11

Great experience building this sectional, although would recommend pre-drilling the holes where practical to avoid splitting. It only happened to me a few times on #2 douglas fir, but I would have preferred to avoid it. As you can see from the picture, I didn't account for the siding taking up the space, and was expecting a perfect fit. Easily fixed with a bit of saw work, and now it's really custom fit for the space. :-)

I've added the details of the finish we used, and really happy with how it turned out, with the exception of my garage workshop lighting not revealing the spots I need to touch up now that it is in the natural light.

And of course, this is a terrific time to purchase couch cushions at the end of the season. Lots of great sales, and we found these at Target for $47 per top/bottom set.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Rock Solid Deck Start Wood Primer followed by Behr Premium Porch and Patio Floor Paint. This gave a really matte finish that looks a lot like the metal patio furniture we will have next to it, and Home Depot was able to tint this for us. We also added a mildew and moss inhibitor to the paint at the store for a couple extra bucks since we live in the PNW. The extra time needed to get multiple coats on for full coverage was totally worth it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cabin Bunk for my 5yo son

Submitted by SDPerkins on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 12:27

My first Ana-White plan project. We are pleased with the plans and result. only made a few minor changes.

Estimated Cost
375
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kona stain/sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Labine37

Tue, 03/31/2015 - 09:01

I'm making the top bunk right now, I was wondering which plan you used for the ladder?

Thanks

Our version of this awesome little greenhouse

I found your plans last summer and loved the design so I decided to build one for my wife for her birthday last August. I didn't get started until the weekend of her birthday in late August so there was little expectation to have it finished before winter. It is now 14 months later and I only have a few trim pieces left to install. We live in a harsh climate and I wanted to be able to use it through the winter so I made a few changes. I built a 2 x 12 base and insulated it with R40 and the bottom walls are 2 x 6 instead of 2 x 4 and are insulated with R20. I used twin wall polycarbonate instead of the corrugated lexan because of the superior R factor. The insulated walls are of course vapor barriered and I covered them with tongue & grove cedar. I also made raised benches out of cedar for growing potted plants on. The floor has ceramic tile on it and the exterior is colored metal. I also ran underground power to the building and installed a fluorescent grow light. Surprisingly a small 110 volt heater keeps the temperature above freezing even during our awesome -40 winter temperatures. If the daytime temperature is anywhere near or above freezing we have to keep the screen open in the door or it overheats inside. I have attached links to a few pictures of the almost finished product, ready for another winter full of flowers and veggies. I initially used clear vapor barrier until the twin wall polycarbonate showed up. This worked rather well. 

I have posted this in the comments section as well, but I think it belongs here.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Material costs were just over $5,000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
exposed cedar was stained
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JB

Sat, 03/21/2020 - 09:42

Love your ideas! I have a few questions if you don't mind. Where did you buy the polycarbonate sheets, and what sizes were available? Did you end up changing the plan a bit to accommodate the vertical sheets? Did you seal top and bottom with foil tape and dust tape respectively or poly flashing?

Any help or advice would be appreciated very much.

JB

Flat Wall Book Shelf

This is a shorter and wider (and simplified) version of the Flat Wall Book Shelf.  (Approx 48" wide and 40" tall). Trying to maximize wasted space under sloped ceilings.  I did jig-saw out a notch for the baseboard so it would be secured flat to the wall.  My only regret is that I didn't put this baby up sooner.  I've been kicking books around this room for years!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Off the Shelf red paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner