Community Brag Posts

Outdoor Sectional Set

Submitted by suzyq7811 on Mon, 05/12/2014 - 17:33

Not as easy as everyone else said online. I had never used a kreg jig and it takes a bit more practice than I had patience for. one thing to note is the instructions screw lengths are for if you are NOT using a kreg. If you use a kreg, use the screw lengths they suggest. I used a deck stain and purchased the cushions on sale at Ikea ($22.50 per cushion)

Estimated Cost
$200-600
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck stain with water repellent included. Cheapest cushions I could find were at Ikea by far.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Alden's Bed with drawer

Submitted by veiglcc on Sun, 08/14/2016 - 11:20

I built this bed to replace one of the kids twin bed.  I wanted a solid wooden bed that would be around for a while and I did not wanted to pay Thousands of dollars.

Estimated Cost
$250 - $300 depending on your material preferences
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
rustic mahogany wood stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Benchright Table and Farmhouse Bench

Great plans and a great build. I used 4x4’s for the legs and decided to go with the Farmhouse Bench instead. The color I went with is Weathered Grey. I applied it with a brush and immediately wipes it off with a clean rag, then 2 coats of poly to finish it off.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Grey Oil Based Stain with Semi-gloss Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy Herringbone Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/17/2024 - 10:01

Your beautiful Fancy X farmhouse table. We wanted to seat 8. Used your plan with the top idea from Hint of Home. We used cedar tongue and groove for the top. We are so pleased with it! Now for chairs!

Built from Plan(s)

Rustic Planked Wood King Headboard

This was a very nice and easy project. I probably could have finished in one day if it had not been 105 degrees outside! I recommend these plans to anybody who knows how to use a saw. I also used all screws instead of nails. Wood- Grade II Pine, purchased from Lowe's FInish- One coat Minwax Dark Walnut oil based stain One Coat Minwax Polyshades Mission Oak After the Polyshades dried, I went over the whole piece with steel wool to smooth it out.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish:

One coat Minwax dark walnut stain
One Coat Minwax Polyshades Mission Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmstyle Queen Bed

Love the way this came out. My husband and I made it for my son and daughter-in-law to be for their upcoming wedding. The only issue we encountered was the box for the mattress was not large enough for the boxspring. But the kids decided they wanted the platform on the floor so we flipped it over and set up that way. I will be getting a nice bedskirt to hide that siderail. The kids really love it.

This took probably 20 hours all in. I figure a weekend would have done it if we had the time. Head and footboards were built in one day, sanding, finish work took longer as I worked on it after work during the week, and to allow for paint drying time. We ordered a pretty brass plaque to dedicate the bed, and fixed it to the lower back of the headboard. An heirloom in the making!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
259.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white paint, distressed, i used strong tea to "stain" the exposed wood after distressing. Finished with Johnsons paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Beam Table & Bench

Submitted by Shane03 on Wed, 08/17/2016 - 12:26

When my wife and I moved we sold our old table and was in need of a new one. We've shopped around and didn't like anything we were seeing. She insisted that I build one but I never had any time due to my job. In the past it would've been easy because that's what I did was woodworking. So she researched and came across ana's plan and she loved it. Keeping the wife happy I made time. I made my material list & cutlist but was concerned with using construction grade lumber for the tabletop due to over time it likes to cup and warp in the right conditions. Instead I went with 8/4 Poplar which will make a solid tabletop and last forever. I was only able to work weekends on the project so it was finished in a month which I added the total hours & it equaled 1 week.  She loves her new table and is now shopping for 5 canvas chairs to go with it. With her posting on social media I now have requests to build more. Where will I find the time?

Estimated Cost
$375.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I started with Minwax Espresso wood stain on the base of the table & Bench. I then applied 2 coats of Old Fashioned Milk Paint Snow White. Next I used 320 grit sandpaper to knocked any loose paint chips off & distress areas I wanted to antique. Finally I applied 3 coats of Minwax Polycrylic Matte, sanding with a 320 grit sanding block in between coats. The top I started with wood conditioner because poplar doesn't take stain well it is very blotchy. Next I used Minwax Espresso wood stain. Finally I applied 4 coats of General Finishes High Performance Flat while sanding in between coats using 320 grit sanding block.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

AP - Play Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/31/2020 - 19:20

Loved the plans from the site Ana! I got inspired seeing all the lovely play kitchens that everyone had created! Thought I'd share the one I've made for my little one as well, she loves it!

6 cubby bookshelf

Submitted by vic b on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 18:23

Quick and easy to build, the bit that took the longest was the stain, I used a maple satain and varnish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
maple stain and varnish combo.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sliding Door TV Stand

Submitted by milleall on Mon, 05/19/2014 - 11:46

The original (project from That's My Letter) was longer, deeper, and had two doors. I needed something smaller and narrower to fit the space and hold a tv. By cutting down the size, I was also able to make this using 1 sheet of 3/4 inch plywood instead of 2. After painting the aluminum hardware and pulley wheels, I learned that I probably could have had them powder coated by a family member. Unless you don't mind some of the paint coming off where the wheels rub, I would suggest trying powder coating or some more durable finish. Since it's a rustic look, I guess it doesn't matter all that much if some paint comes off. I used an off-brand pocket hole jig to construct the stand.

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum ultimate stain in wheat, bright white paint distressed a bit, dark brown glaze over it all, and Varathane water-based poly in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Hokulani1

Tue, 05/20/2014 - 08:15

Love it! It looks great! What did you use for the sliding track, rollers etc. or did you buy a kit?

Hokulani1

Tue, 05/20/2014 - 08:15

Love it! It looks great! What did you use for the sliding track, rollers etc. or did you buy a kit?

DIY Longboard

I decided to make longboards as birthday gifts for some of my other nephews.  I had made a regular skateboard prior, but I decided to try longboards this time and I'll probably make one for myself down the road since I'm a bit of a child myself :)

 

More details and photos on my blog:

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/diy-longboard

 

Cheers,

Ian

Estimated Cost
Around $40 just for the board (not including hardware - trucks, wheels etc..)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse coffee table and large side tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 06:17

I needed a new hobby and missed going out on date nights with my husband. So we decided to take on a new hobby that we could do together while filling in our new home. (We moved from Florida to Illinois a year ago) I came across the farmhouse coffee table plans and just loved how it looked. With it being a beginner project I was pretty optimistic about how it would come out. I watched videos on how to stain and use polyurethane on YouTube to complete the project. I love that my husband and I built these together and that we can finish furnishing our new house with things we built.
Our cost was higher cause I added in everything it took to get to the end result.

Estimated Cost
$200
Finish Used
Minwax Pre-stain
Minwax Stain in Early American
Minwax Fast drying Polyurethane

Mimi Storage Bench Revised

Submitted by Nataland on Fri, 07/27/2012 - 15:02

I needed a way to turn my large, open, many-windowed Foyer into a functioning entry way. I Loved Mimi's Storage Bench, but i needed the dimensions to be very different, so I used her bench as a concept guide.
The bench under the window is 76 inches, and the bench on the right that backs into the corner is 58 inches. I used a four inch foam pad. I think the pad might have been excessive- it cost a lot more money than I had intended to spend.
This is my third building project. Previously I built some bookshelves and a set of shed doors.
I would consider this an entry level project. The hinges on my fold down drawers were the most aggravating part. The whole project would have been much easier if I had been able to use Mimi's exact plans. As it was, I had to make my own cut list and purchase list.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white satin behr paint- untinted. I purchased the base paint with no color mixed in.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

CONICA (not verified)

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 06:46

I love this! It is exactly what I need in my kitchen. Do you happen to have the cut and purchase list you made?? Or other instructions? Thanks!!

Modified Gaby Kitchen Island

So I was searching for a sturdy table to build for outdoors next to my grill. I came across your plans for the Gaby kitchen Island and decided to give it a shot. Off to the lumber yard and as I am new to this I accidentally bought 4X6 's for the legs which threw me off just a little. No harm no foul just had to adjust and just made it that much more sturdy. I also wanted something I could use to throw some "beverages" into and decided on a basic stainless steel kitchen sink. Put in some plumbing and added a piece of 3/4" plywood to the top cut a hole with a router and routed the edges. Now I just need to close in the sides at the top and I am toying with the idea of making a butcher block as a lid for the sink. Then a little paint and it will be ready for summer.

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

Comments

wadekelly007

Sun, 05/25/2014 - 21:40

I did end up staining it over the weekend I attached a few more pictures and the stain is behr semi transparent cedar natural tone

Rustic "X" Console Table Converted to a Media Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/23/2016 - 10:26

My Father and I worked on this table together and had a blast! I was searching for something that I could customize for a long wall in our Family Room and these plans and resulting table were perfect. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Stain in Weathered Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden Enclosure

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 17:29

My chickens took over my garden area and being the voracious raptors they are, I needed to build a garden enclosure to keep my veggies safe. I modified a little, making my beds deeper. I also had to stretch chicken wire over the top to keep the great flyers out. I also used it as a way to organize my garden tools (which is possible because I live in Southern California with moderate temperatures and little rain. Thanks for the plans! Yvonne

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck on the outside. Clear coat on the inside. I also added chalkboard paint on the inside so I could fill in what I’m growing and erase it after.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Large Entertainment Center

This design is a modification from another entertainment center I built earlier this year. I had a neighbor come over and fall in love with mine and asked if I could build another. I think it cam out pretty well, but tell me what you think....

Estimated Cost
$140.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Bombay Mahoganay
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corner Cabinet (reclaimed bi-fold version)

Submitted by brennan on Mon, 05/26/2014 - 06:19

With a newly finished bathroom we were looking for some stylish storage that fit the space.

During the demo a number of pieces of cabinetry came down and a salvage most of that wood. I also had a couple bi-fold closet doors in my garage that i decided to put to use.

We're totally satisfied with the end product and will be continuing to try our hand at custom pieces.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used some left over chocolate paint primer as a base. Then we tried our hand at getting a crackle finish the cheap way. (White glue).

By applying good gobs of white glue in many places and waiting till it was tacky to touch. We then applied our homemade 'chalk paint' which was created by mixing our desired paint colour with a small amount of matching unsanded grout.

Once dry we distressed and sealed with a dark tinted wax paste to give it that aged look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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