Community Brag Posts

Pallet Scraps Table

Submitted by BERobinson on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 07:28

Had a bunch of scrap wood laying around from deconstructed and unused pallets. Great idea for a table top. NOTE: Table top will be uneven because of different widths and thicknesses of pallet scraps. Use a planer if you have access.

Estimated Cost
FREE
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
deep redwood stain on the top with a poly finish. Same stain on legs, then painted with white chalk paint, sanded down, and waxed with a dirty black paint rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm house table based on "Rustic Table" plans

Submitted by timmoore2 on Fri, 11/29/2013 - 20:47

This was my first big project, so I opted to use these simple plans. I ended up making some changes on the fly at the lumber yard by switching the 2x4 legs out with 4x4s and the 1x10 top slats with 2x10s for added solidity. I also had to adjust the length of the table from 8' to 6' in order to fit into our dining nook. We painted the legs and skirts with Behr Anonymous Gray and the table top with Minwax Mission Oak Polyshades. We decided to use the 2 in 1 stain in the interest of time (needed to be done by Thanksgiving). The 2 in 1 didn't come out as well as I would've liked, but all in all it adds to the rustic feel of the table.... not to mention the process was an absolute breeze. The simplicity of the plans allowed me to make numerous easy adjustments to customize the table to our needs/wants.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$105
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats Behr Anonymous Grey paint on legs and skirts. One coat Minwax Mission Oak PolyShades 2 in 1 stain on tabletop.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Shoe storage bench and coat rack

Submitted by SeanLC on Mon, 02/22/2016 - 10:07

Very easy project, just have to put stain and coat hangers on and all done. 

Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse coffe table

Submitted by vmederos on Fri, 10/04/2019 - 14:22

This was great easy project I could do for my wife while she was at work and surprise her before she came home. I use the same color recommended stain but added the valspar white glaze to makenit more gray and weathered look. Sealed with a matte finish.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern Farm Table

Submitted by wade.k on Sat, 12/28/2013 - 15:36

First project! Modern Farm Table using a mix of the original and the updated pocket hole plans. Stained with vintage gray/brown on pine. Used Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane in satin to finish. Table - 33" X 69"

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Vintage Gray/Brown
-Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
-Minwax® Weathered Oak
-Minwax® Special Walnut
-Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane

One* coat of each.

*Be careful of air bubbles when applying polyurethane. Had to redo the top of the table! (Use less/thinner coat with long even strokes)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jystadtler

Tue, 06/30/2015 - 19:07

I've been looking for a DIY table plan like this for a while! My only question is I have a long kitchen and was thinking of makig the table a little longer, so I can seat one more person on each side. With the extra length, will I need any additional support towards the middle?

Display/Picture Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/21/2019 - 07:41

These were made from 50+ year old pine that we had from my husband’s late father’s shed. We used one coat of the dead flat poly. In total we made 6 shelves. 3 are 48” long and 3 are 32” long. This was a fun project and a great way to use my photos.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dead flat poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Laundry basket dresser

Submitted by ana8178 on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 06:54

I love this for the laundry room! We actually had a pretty blue paint left over from a different project, so it was perfect. Thanks for the wonderful plans :)

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small Dresser (cabin collection) turned changing table

Saw this on Ana's site just in time to make it for a changing table for baby number 4. This was our most difficult plan to take on so far, but it turned out to be pretty straight forward. The details on the plan were a great help - using the spacers to make the drawer openings perfectly spaced, and attaching the drawer fronts on after attaching the rails were great tips. We also used dowel drawer slides for the top 2 drawers, which we really ended up liking.

Estimated Cost
165
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white spray paint - Krylon primer, rustoleum paint in semi-gloss, krylon clear coat in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kathy B. (not verified)

Sat, 03/17/2012 - 01:15

Did you just use a router for the channels in the top drawers? If yes, what bit? If no, how did you do them?

Beautiful work! Your baby is very lucky! :)

claydowling

Sat, 03/17/2012 - 03:04

Those grooves are probably made with a dado stack on a table saw, but your could easily do it with a router and a guide. Table saw is easier though.

If you don't own a dado set already, don't buy the cheapest one you can find. I made that mistake, and wasn't overly happy with the results of the cut. When I bought a better dado blade set, I was a lot happier with the quality of my cuts.

That turns out to be generally true: I'm always more happy with the result of a better blade. I also needed to tune up my saw to make sure the blade was properly aligned with the guide slots, and that my fence was parallel to the blade. If you don't do that then the best blade in the world won't help. Also, buy full-kerf blades, not the thin kerf blades they sell at the home improvement store. The full kerf blades wobble less and give you cleaner cuts.

In reply to by rob (not verified)

brookifer86

Sat, 03/17/2012 - 06:33

This is a community, there's no need to be rude. Sometimes the authors don't know there are comments, and it's nice to hear more than one solution to a problem. So let's please just appreciate the contribution from all the members, yes?

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 03/17/2012 - 14:56

Brookifer86,

I can appreciate where you are coming from, and I appreciate your kind suggestions.

I can also identify with Rob's comment directed at Clay. Which I did not find rude.

Clay tends to comment on nearly almost every post on Ana's site with a dismissive and know-it-all attitude, giving outdated advice and rude corrections. It has gotten pretty old. Obviously I am not the only one who sees this.

Remember, one person's authoritarian advice on how to do things isn't the only way or even the best way to approach a project. It is simply their experience and their own personal way of doing things.

birdsandsoap

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 12:16

I'm grateful for all the help on this blog! When it comes to woodworking, there always seems to be more than one way to do things, and I want to hear EVERYBODY'S ideas; it makes me a more knowledgeable woodworker and helps me overcome planning obstacles I would otherwise not get passed.
Clay, I've read many of you posts and appreciate the wisdom you share. And to the complainers: sometimes our thoughts are not always conveyed on Internet discussions. Some personalities can come across as abrasive/arrogant unbeknownst to the author simply because of their writing style. I've seen it time and again on blogs and forums. I know what I want to say, but it doesn't always come across *quite right* when I'm typing it out.
Either way, I want to hear more about these drawer glides! Clay, you posted a great link on the original plan that suggest always using hardwood for drawer glides or at least a hard/softwood combo. Makes sense, any other want to chime in?

rob (not verified)

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 12:39

Just because I asked him to let Mollie answer the question doesn't mean I was calling him rude. I just think it's common courtesy to let someone who is asked a question to speak first. I definitely appreciate Clay's wisdom and I agree that there are many ways to do something.

What if it were in person though? What if someone kept asking you a question but someone standing off to the side kept answering it before you? Sure they answer correctly every time and give credible insight but after getting cut off over and over, don't you think it might get annoying?

Don't you think the teacher gets a little piffed when that one kid in the back raises his hand and belts out the answer every time and doesn't let any of the other kids answer the question? Sorry for the rant...

anyway the issue isn't about good or bad insight. The issue is just manners. I'm sorry if that comes off brash, but let the person who actually built it answer first.

birdsandsoap

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 13:18

Lucky for us, we're not in person and we can just "scroll down," lol. I remember recently, one of the blogs I regularly read posted about just this. Her article was spot-on and amusing at the same time...partly because she describes these notorious commenters, and because I know I've been guilty of "thread dumping " myself. There are personalities that clash online and in the real world too. It's worth a glance for a little perspective-and a laugh. http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2012/02/how-deal-negative-comments.html

claydowling

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 16:30

I seem to have stepped on some toes, and for that I'm sorry. I'll certainly take your points in mind in the future. I'm afraid that's distracted from the main point: this is a really amazing piece of furniture. Molly, your house must be pretty amazing if you're building furniture like this. I'll bet your children grow up to be pretty amazing if they've got a mom who builds their furniture.

bhoppy

Mon, 03/19/2012 - 12:44

Beautiful changing table! I have only been building a little over a year and I always appreciate the advice on this site. Thanks for sharing so much Clay:-)

Mollie (not verified)

Sun, 07/29/2012 - 21:13

I just saw there were comments here on my brag post. So, Clay, thanks for answering for me.

We used our table saw - although we don't have a fancy blade. We should probably get one. My husband just ran it through the table saw several times to get it the exact right width. The blade was lowered so that it would only cut 1/4 inch into the wood. And the slides were hardwood - square dowels you get get at a home improvement store.

little stuf

Wed, 08/08/2012 - 08:08

I love the plans for this piece, to begin with. Great job on your build. I LOVE this in white! Especially for a baby room or a little girl's room. Thank you so much for sharing your pics and ideas!

Green Granny (not verified)

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 20:45

Fantastic job on this piece! I think this would be perfect in an adult's bedroom also, with the bottom shelf for a blanket or quilt. I would love to make this.

DoryEllen

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 16:01

Hi,
I was wanting to do the same thing...make this for using as a changing table. What are the dimensions of your dresser? Did you change the size of the drawers (did you use something different than a 1x8)? At what measurement did you place the lower shelf relative to the ground and how much space is there between the top of that lower shelf and the bottom of the 1x2 that frames the bottom drawer?

Any help / details that you can give would be so appreciated!

Thanks!

Whitney's Turned Leg Farmhouse Table

I worked up the plans in my head for about a year before my mother finally got around to having me build her 10 foot farmhouse table. That's right, this bad boy is TEN FEET LONG! And it was one of the simplest things to construct!. I used 8 foot 1x8's for the length of the table (used 4, making the table 29" wide) and 1x12's for the breadboard ends. We also splurged and purchased turned legs for $15 a piece at Blue. It really made the table extra special. Totally cost, with finishing supplies came in under $150.

Things I would change if/when I do a table of this size again:
1) I would never make a BB end so large again. I would stick to a 1x6 or smaller. With such a large size we worry about children putting too much pressure on the ends.
2) I will make the legs removable. It was a bear trying to get this table into the house. Thankfully the width was just narrow enough!
3) I won't tackle this in the winter months! Construction of the table took only a few hours but finishing in freezing temps took weeks waiting for warm-ish temperatures.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sand, sand, then sand some more! 2 coats of Minwax Mahogany Gel Stain. 2 coats of poly on legs/base. 4 coats of poly on table top with 0000 steel wool sanding between coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sweet Dreams

Submitted by Tbacks on Sun, 02/02/2020 - 11:44

A lady that my husband works with just got her forever home through Habitat for Humanity.  We wanted to do something special for her and her kids so we used Anna’s platform plans to build one queen and 3 full size bed frames.  The plans were easy to follow and assembly was a snap on delivery.  

To make the fulls we took the queen dimensions and modified the cuts for the full size mattress dimensions.  
 

Thank you Anna for helping us to make 4 beautiful additions to our friends home.

Estimated Cost
$200/bed
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Cognac
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse table!

Built this for a friend of mine and his fiancé. They just bought a house and thought I would help them fill it. This is my 2nd farmhouse table. I really like the thickness of the table. 

Estimated Cost
$125 with bench and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut on top and white paint for the frame
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Banquette Bench with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:16

I needed some extra storage space and have always wanted a storage bench in this corner of my dining room. It took me a week to build from start to finish. I’ve never done any woodworking before, so this plan was good for me, as it was easy to follow with the color coding. The only thing that was “off plan” were the X’s on the face of the bench. I had some leftover 1x1 trim, from a handyman project a few years back, that I was happy to use up. It fit perfectly and I had just enough for all X’s. My biggest challenge with this project were the lids. They have a very minor bow, so one of the corners isn’t flush. But, it’s not enough to bother me or need to re-do the lid. All-in-all, I’m super happy with this banquette and may have caught the woodworking bug!

Modified Farmhouse Storage Bed (California King, headboard with bookshelves)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/07/2016 - 19:51

Modified the Farmhouse Storage Bed with Storage Drawers. Changed the design to california king and added booshelves to the headboard. Will eventually turn a shelf into a nightstand for water/light. I LOVE IT!! Thanks for the Design, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax grey stain and light grey paint (I can't remember the color, but it's valspar prairie something)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Golf Bag Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/18/2023 - 12:11

Golf bag stand
Can’t remember if found this plan here or not but get most my plans here. Fun and easy build.

Comments

Wood King Size Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 11:29

We had to build a king-size headboard in our 2nd floor bedroom, because the stairway clearance was too small to fit a headboard up the stairs. We added a couple vertical stabilizer boards.

 

airbnb.com/h/cozycornercottage-millersburg

 

Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/03/2020 - 23:01

Love love love this sofa!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hollister Co. Inspired Farm Table

I wanted to contribute a plan but unfortunately I'm still learning how to use Google Sketchup. However, here's a brag post in the mean time! My husband were asked to replicate a display table from Hollister Co. and this is what we came up with. :)

Estimated Cost
$100-150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain by Rustoleum and Briwax Dark Wood sealant.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Frozen Loft Bed

Submitted by ndelanuez on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 10:09

Those angles on the ladder are challenging. This is our first time building any furniture. Thak you Ana W

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor sofa with table and matching chairs!

So, we decided after not finding any outdoor furniture, that why not make them! So this is the result, made a few changes to the size and measurements so the pillows from IKEA, would fit perfectly. Now we are waiting for them to be ready to oil/paint. We also made the chairs with the sofa plans, so happy we did that. Thank you so much for the plans! We are so happy! IKEA pillows name are: Sitting pillow - FRÖSÖN/DUVHOLMEN 62cm by 62 cm. Back pillows - FRÖSÖN/DUVHOLMEN 62cm by 44 cm.

Estimated Cost
$240
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

Reclaimed-Wood Headboard

Submitted by keribeth on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 14:49

Reclaimed-wood headboard from pine boards with minwax aged oak gel stain and stain finish wipe-on polyacrylic. I distressed some of the board with a screwdriver, a pipe, and whatever else I found in the garage, and etched my and my wife's initials in a heart on one side. Aww!

Estimated Cost
~$85 in lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax gel stain in aged oak
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

MichelleC

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 19:44

I was going to carve mine and my hubby's initials in a heart on our reclaimed headboard, too!!!!! I didn't end up doing it because I think we'll eventually sell it and build a headboard with padding on it since my husband likes something padded to lean against while watching tv at night.

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