Big Kids Picnic Table
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I made this last summer for my neice and nephew. I don't know why, but it did take me a long time. It's all done and cute now though.
![](/sites/default/files/DSC01165%20Medium%20Web%20view.jpg)
I made this last summer for my neice and nephew. I don't know why, but it did take me a long time. It's all done and cute now though.
After doing my first build, pallet media center, I was hooked. My family and I desperately needed a dining room table. We wanted a rustic looking table and I was thankful I found the benchright table plan. Thanks Ana!! This build was fairly easy. I did mess up a couple times with the angle/bevel cuts. Totally ruining a couple boards. Which I had to run back to Lowes and purchase a couple more boards. I used 3/8 hardware bolts/washers/nuts in galvanized for the sides (3") and breadboards (6"). The stain basically painted them, which we love. I still need to add the hardware for the bottom (threaded rods, turnbuckle, nuts/bolts/washers, etc). The pics above really dont show the detail with the stain. The pics make the table look black. But you can actually see the wood grain on the table top. The table looks amazing in person, we love it!!! Thanks again Ana!!
My first attempt at a real furniture project, I would have never tried this without all the plans and support here at Ana-White! These are 7' for the kitchen/breakfast area. Since the table is only 7', it has 2 pedestals. I modified these a bit from the triple pedestal farmhouse bench and table plans by using a runner along the floor instead of a stringer board on the table and adding triple feet on the outside pedestals. I also added 1x3 trim under the arches to add some detail and hide the grooves between the three 2x4 leg supports. The top has mitered 2x4s around the outside with 1x6s on the inside. One issue I ran into was that the 2x4s shrank a lot as they dried, while the kiln-dried 1x6s did not. To make an easier to clean surface I planed the top smooth, and then added minimal texture by hand scraping. My plan is to build a big 12' version of this table for the dining room.
I wanted a sliding barn door concept but as a built-in piece. I had a drywall niche that the builders had made that I've always hated so I ripped that out, and used those measurements to create my version of the sliding door console from Nikki and Ana. This was a big project but so worth it! I ordered the door hardware from Amazon but had to drill my own holes because they did not line up where I needed them to be.
I have added hundreds of plans on my to do list, and some of them may have been a little easier, but I really wanted this table. Badly.
So, my husband and I, decided one weekend to build the Modern Farmhouse Table. Even though we have a saw, we decided since this was our first project, we would have Lowes cut our wood. Big mistake.
When we got home, we organized the wood as to what is what, and measured. It was while we were measuring, when we noticed that a lot of the wood was cut wrong :(
So let that be a lesson...ALWAYS CUT YOUR OWN WOOD!
We went ahead and put the table together, and even though there are some gaps, which I'm planning on filling, I am proud with it.
It's been 3 weeks since we've built the table, and I still have A LOT of sanding to do, and I still need to finish it, but I am proud of what my hubby and I built together so I have to brag!
Next on our list is to build the benches...
Built this with the help of my Dad! Learned about threads as I've never used them before. Because of all the controversy surrounding having pressure treated wood touch the veggies and because I could not afford or find cedar 4x4's I decided to use the left over cedar to build a little cover around the 4x4's so my soil and veggies will never come into contact with it. Love it and the veggies are growing great!
Fri, 05/31/2013 - 04:22
I'm glad you were able to follow my plans. I'm not a plan writer so I wasn't sure if I gave good enough instruction. It is a shame you can not get all cedar. Sealing the legs will definitly help them last longer and with all that work you certainly want them to last! Just a hint...you can make 3 for not much more than you spent making one....Great job and thanks for the brag post LOVE LOVE LOVE
Built for my daughters 2nd birthday.
This project was a blast to make. And, it really is doable and a lot less time then you would think. And finishing it with milk-based paint is even more enjoyable. I used screws and a drill (pre-drill!) and it was wonderful.
Here's some advice for the plan:
- Mount the back of the headboard with a piece of wood and use a metal support as shown here. Just make sure the board is wide enough to be level with your back trim, or else the metal support won't be even when you screw it down. And when you pre-drill this board, make sure you don't go all the way through, or else you will have holes through the front! It stunk to have to putty them all in, but thank heavens for putty.
- Although the instructions say to make your top 1 x 3" trim to fit in line with the top of the headboard, I made mine one inch longer on both sides, and then the 2 x 4" one inch longer to go on top of that 1 x 3" on both sides. That was just the look I wanted. Although you can get your wood pre-cut, I would recommend cutting it all yourself, especially since you will need these cut afterward once the rest of your headboard is put together.
- Ana's 'get started' tips are very helpful. Be sure to check them out first!
- Make sure, make sure, make sure you dry thoroughly between coats. Patience is a virtue.
Built this to go along with my son's new Chelsea loft bed so he'd have a place to set a glass of water and some books. I was able to use almost entirely scrap wood, except for the 1x4. Cutting and assembly took less than an hour, and the thing is rock solid. Sealed it with polycrylic, because it will probably get spilled on many, many times. Probably the easiest project I've done, and I think it would make a great starter project for anyone looking to try out using pocket holes for the first time.
Ana did an awesome job explaining everything in the plans. Make sure you buy your cushions first and build your sectional around your cushion size. I added more 2X4's on the back seat and back rest so the cushions would not slide through the opening and to minimize the feeling of the one 2x4 going across your back. I get so many compliments from this beautiful sectional. Thanks Anna!
Fri, 10/08/2021 - 10:42
Such a perfect addition to a peaceful place, thank you for sharing!
This table was built out of an old 5 panel door and some scrap would that we had lying around. old hinges and knob came from a local antique store. To finish the door my wife crackled the top and clear coated it.
We were able to finish this table after work one afternoon and stain it the next day. (we have a 16 month old also, so you can do it! :) ) I wanted a similar style I had found at World Market that retailed for $700 we were able to complete this entire table for $100 including all hardware and stain. LOVE it so much and get SO many compliments on it. Thanks so much!
Shelby
The Dandy Lion
A friend gave me a pallet that I wanted to make into an outdoor bench. I found Ana’s plans for a simple outdoor loveseat and they inspired the frame for the bench. To make the bench I cut the pallet in half and then I adjusted Ana’s plans to make the frame to fit around the pallet.
The pallet was free and I used scrap wood to build the frame so my only cost for this project was paint.
My husband and I made this for our son and daughter-in-law. They absolutely love it! The project took about two days to build, and about three days for the finish (stained and weathered). The photos do not show the slats that support the mattress. The only thing we would have done differently, would have been to use 6 “tongue & groove” on the headboard instead of 5. Otherwise it is a solid bed for certain. And they love it!
This was a very fun project to work on. One of my first ones, I chose this to replace the store bought cubby book shelf in my daughters room with something she can sit on as well as use for storage.
A big thanks to FSMumford for drawing this in Sketchup. I had to re-draw it to take into account metric wood dimensions and bed sizes here in NZ, and also to remove a foot or so from the length.
We just gave it to my daughter today, and already I need to make some modifications. I immediately put some vertical grab rails at the top of the steps and slide. The steps are too big for a toddler (she's 3 today) and I didn't take into account how thick a pillow top mattress is! I really needed to make the end guards higher. In fact, were I to make it again, I'd probably make the towers taller and lower the height of the bed by 8-12 inches. While this would lower interior room, it might make the steps a more reasonable height for a littlie. If you're building for a 5 or 6 year old, this may not be an issue. Also, it would make the angle of the slide shallower (it's a bit steep, I reckon). I used 7 sheets of 16mm MDF but if I'd laid them out like FSMumford did in her plans I would have used less. Our (one car) garage is too small and the whole build process, including painting, was a royal pain in the bum. Fun, but a pain. Speaking of painting, next time (riiiiight) I'd try to paint as much as possible before assembling. I built mine in modules but even so it's hard to get a nice coat of paint on the insides of things. Edges of MDF need to be painted and sanded at least twice to look nice. Don't underestimate the time needed to get a good finish - I spent a third of my build time finishing (mostly, again, due to limited space). A narrow foam roller is great for cutting in but doesn't seem to get enough paint on to cover well on larger areas. In places I have three coats and can still see my pencil marks. I used Dulux Aquanamel.
We made our bench 17-1/2 inches longer, just enough for a third panel on the back. We also added 2 braces under the seat slats to give it additional strength. A lot of fun to make! Thanks, Ana!
We just bought our first home a few months ago. It is taking me a long time to decorate, because I am more picky about what goes on my walls. I saw this shelf and I knew I had to build it. It was really simple to do. I even did it without my husband, and that is huge for me. I have step by step pictures on how to make this shelf on my blog.
supersaturdayldscrafts.blogspot.com
Ana's Barn Beam Ledges are very simular, but I turned them and added molding to the front.
My son is a little short for his age and we have been searching for a stool that he could use to wash his hands by himself. I came across these simple and quick plans for an amazingly, functional stool. I spent about 4 total hours on it, made it from scraps that I already had, it looks great and it hold me too... all 230 lbs.