Community Brag Posts

58" Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by halsy on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 16:29

This was my first ever DIY project and I have to say I even impressed myself!

I modified the plans slightly as I wanted a longer version of this table.  Despite lengthening the table, I found a way to use less wood.  Instead of the 5 - 2x6 studs suggested, I bought 3 - 2x6x10s.  To accomodate the longer tabletop, I needed to extend the side trim and 1x12, but at 58" top length, these cuts were 47", meaning no extra wood was required (just a little less room for error).

I also used 3/4" cedar strips to mount the 1x12 since I do not have a pocket hole tool (see last photo).

For the finish, I applied Minwax wood conditioner, Dark Walnut for 14 minutes, then Classic Grey on top of the still wet walnut stain for another 10 minutes, followed by two coats of the Fast-Drying Satin Poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60-70 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Conditioner
Minwax Dark Walnut
Minwax Classic Grey
Minwax Fast-Drying Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planter Boxes

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:53

I made the boxes from plans, but added bench and trellis from my own design.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Smurf Blue Farmhouse Bed with Guardrails

Submitted by community-cont… on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 10:25

Just finished the Twin-sized Farmhouse bed, I love the easy to do plans. The only power tools I used were a jigsay & drill.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Eco Desk

Submitted by stacynabby on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 08:39

I've been meaning to build my own desk for my office and I wanted to stay true to the Eco Modular design. But, then I was offered a huge promotion with a larger office in a city 3 hours away. The space already had the "executive style" desk made by prison industries, so I thought I would replace it with with the "executive style" based off the Eco Modular design. I used Purebond plywood, cut all of the pieces at my house, put them in my car, drove them 3 hours to the new office, and crossed my fingers that it would all fit...and it did! The drawer faces were a bit more of a challenge, getting everything sized properly, but it's all come together. I like having the shelf on the one side to get my printer off the desktop. More room to spread out.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot's Fruitwood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dresser Set Makeover

We were using a 1970's dresser set which was constructed of mdf wood with a laminate teak exterior .  I decided to do a makeover that would match our bed.  Instead of simply painting, I decided to use solid wood (pine) and get rid of the poor laminate drawer fronts.

More photos and tips on my blog about this project:

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/dresser-set-makeover

 

Cheers,

Ian

 

Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Water based polyurethane, Minwax wood conditioner, dark walnut stain and white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Hall tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/01/2017 - 09:11

Great Plans! Thank you so much. My first go at a piece of "fine" furniture and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $150-175 I used poplar and a slightly more expensive stain though
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General finishes Gel stain (the best) new pine color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Daughter in law wanted a new bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:14

Used single V-Groove on the head and footboard.
Modified the bed slats to be easily removed
Modified the sideboards for easy removal.

Comments

Shoes? What Shoes? (Ana's shoe cabinet)

We have two young kids who don't want to take their shoes and put them away (as well as two adults who are the same way) so I asked my hubby to make Ana's shoe dresser. He did a great job and we were so excited with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We primed it and then painted it gray.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My take on the Becca Truck

Submitted by jeverett1 on Sat, 05/11/2013 - 10:33

My wife and I have a 2 year old, 85lb, golden retriever named Lily. She has a tough time jumping up on our bed and has hurt herself on a few occasions. I was inspired to build her a step, but also wanted some storage. When I saw the Becca Trunk I knew I had to build it!

I used oak ply and solid oak for the trim, including some decorative leaf inscribed trim for the top and bottom. My wife and I picked out some outdoor furniture fabric that was stylish and would hold up to a big dog jumping on it. She used some firm padding and staple gunned the fabric to create a really neat and clean look (I am lost when it comes to that stuff, but she is a genius with scissors).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades Antique Walnut Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Martha Jones DW

Sun, 06/16/2013 - 18:43

As soon as I saw Lily, I just knew you built it for her. Love that you added a a cushion top on the trunk. It's amazing how we take care of our fur Babies.

Built It!

Submitted by Sherice on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 19:06

I followed the plans exactly and made this sand box for my friend and her children. Simple! Thank you so much!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Using all treated pine, I paid $65 for the lumber and the four handles. I already had the hinges and finishing materials on hand. I spent approximately 10 hours on this project.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Thompson water sealer for the inside of the sandbox where the sand will go and Behr deck protector for the rest.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 Chair to match outdoor sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/04/2017 - 06:54

We modified the plans from the outdoor sectional to fit a single 22x24 pillow.  We also made it a little longer and added back slats to provide some additional support.  I guess it looks a bit like a hybrid between the outdoor sectional and an adirondack chair.  Really easy build.  I think it took about 3 hours to cut, sand, and build, and then a few coats of stain and spar urathane and we were ready to go!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

3 sided square picnic table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:08

We built 2 of these tables for the McDonald’s in our area for the front of their building. With a few modifications to fit the space. We made the top of the table a foot smaller so it’s 3 x 4 feet. We also put extra bracing on the legs so the table would not tip over if one person was to sit on it. I love this table and will be making one for myself

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple console table with added shelves

I added the bottom shelf by using (4) 1x3's. I also swapped out the 1x4 back for a 1x6 to give the top shelf more height. Lots more details on my blog.

Estimated Cost
$45 without finishing supplies, $70 with.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sealed the boards with conditioner, then used Minwax red oak stain, followed by 2 coats of wipe on poly. If you do the shelves, be sure to sand and stain the edges of the boards first. Otherwise, you'll never get the stain in between the cracks!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

MY second Build!!! yay !!!!!!

Submitted by fkowalec on Mon, 05/13/2013 - 11:54

This one took a while in between taken care of the baby and working full time this one took me prolly 2 weekends or longer to do if I didn't have to do all that stuff lol. I had this horrible wiring rack if you can see that went top to bottom and these stupid sliding doors that I really hate bc with the dresser there it's like I can't get in so I just took them off I really want to put in a bifold dorr there but can't so I prolly will hang bead's instead. Kadence really enjoyed picking out the colors and helping me paint. I started off on debating for awhile what I was going to paint what color. I was gonna paint it all pink and do a design of something in green but I think this turned out pretty nicley and really compliment's there purple room. Yay I saved my office from going to the basement!!! Kadence is really happy to get to share her bedroom and I am really happy to be able to get into the closet and actually want to use it so hopefully the room will stay clean and I can get ride of some furniture and get rid of the piles of clothes in my living room lol. I also am glad she can put her own clothes away bc it's just her size. I don't think I am done yet with it tho. I want to put some things on to hang her day hat's on and some ledges towards the out side I think to hold her books. This one cost a little bit more for everything almost about 200 prolly with all the extra's we got for it and the expensive pine. It also took longer bc I had to tear out the old rack and mudd the hole's and tear out the carpet in the closet so I could see the old wood floor and place this in correctly needed to get rid of the carpet eventually any ways. The painting took awhile also of course because I had to prime then paint if I would have used one color it prolly wouldn't have taken that long.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

fkowalec

Mon, 05/13/2013 - 13:03

I finally figured out how to do the blog!! So this is my very first blog!!!! I was so excited to be able to publish my great work!

Mushroom outdoor chair

Top is using old scrap 4 x 10 sanded down to 220 grit and the 2 x 6 is cut at 10 degree so it support the top using pocket hole jig, I used 4 3.5 inch deck screw

Estimated Cost
20 bucks
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pool equipment fence refresh

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/06/2017 - 21:00

We love this fence refresh from the previous owner's solution to enclosing the pool equipment and a/c unit! It was the first time we fastened something to our house - drilling through stucco in the process. That was a big deal for us diy-ers! We made the frame out of 4x4's (which ended up being the most challenging part to the whole thing), applied the horizontal fencing boards and then used one of those $15 fence hardware kits - it was a great project that has made a huge difference in our backyard. Yay!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen project from your plans.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 14:21

We decided to finally update our 35 year old kitchen. We rent so our landlord agreed to foot the bill for all the material. Ended up costing $6500 including Soapstone counters ($40 per slab remnant on OfferUp) hardwood floor ($60 leftover materials on Craigslist) and new Convection/air fryer range. Not too bad and I owe you a huge debt of gratitude for help making it all possible with your plans.

Comments

An Unexciting Step Stool

So, here is my unexciting step stool. It became a hodge podge of material because I didn’t have practically ANYTHING on the cut list in my shop! So the sides are made of 2 1×4′s a 1×3 and a 1×2 pocket holed together! The bottom kick is two 1×3′s and the top is a piece of 5/8″ plywood. The back is plywood too, and the treads are two pieces (each) of 1×4! Talk about a weird way to build Ana’s simple plan!

I decided not to do the storage step since I really didn’t need it, and I was tired of scrounging for wood too! It still needs a touch-up of putty (especially the opposite side because I forgot to mirror the pieces and all the pocket holes are on the outside! whoops!) and then some sort of easy to clean paint.

Took me a couple hours to put together on a cold Christmas afternoon while my son was sleeping and my mother-in-law and guy were watching Shrek on tv.

Very unexciting. Not nearly as exciting as the lockers I’ve been coveting…

Except…. when you see just how happy my lil guy was when he got up from his nap….

… and then it becomes a WHOLE LOT more exciting!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Made from Scrap Pine and a bit of plywood plus some Kreg Screws
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Eventually painted it with a melamine paint and some non-skid silica sand sprinkled in the paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp Loft Bed with Stair, Junior Height

This was my husband's first project, to build our son a new big boy bed. For being his first project, it went pretty smoothly. He worked on it off and on for about a week, but didn't take longer than 12-14 hours or so. We painted it with a semi-gloss white paint, and I'm currently working on curtains (made to look like a barn) to hang on the bed. Noah loves his new bed!

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint - semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

I love it!!

Submitted by equarto on Sun, 04/05/2015 - 19:49

I found the plans for this table after googling "rustic coffee table". I had planned on purchasing a table until I saw this photo and LOVED it.  It took a little time to convince my husband to take this on with me since neither one of us has experience building furniture.  We decided to purchase the wood from a higher end lumber yard since the big box stores didn't carry much kiln dried lumber.  We wanted to start on our project without having to wait for the lumber to dry out in the sun first.

This is definitely a two "man" job.  The only issue we had was figuring out the "x's" since our saw didn't go past 45 degrees.  We decided to just eye ball it and made the cuts.  The cuts came out perfect.  We also had some issue trying to figure out how to secure the "x's".  After a few strategically placed screws and some wood glue, they stayed put and look great!  We also took a lot of time sanding and picking out the perfect stain.  We decided not to do the oxodizing treatment (husband vetoed that) and instead mixed two shades of minwax satin stain.  I am so happy with the end result!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/12/2017 - 09:04

These were a fun build and pretty easy to put together.  Certainly need to pre-drill pilot holes or risk splitting your boards.

I contemplated putting a back rest on the chairs but didn't end up needing them due to close proximity to the walls.  Having the cut-list on hand was super handy as I just set a stop on my miter saw and was able to cruise through the cuts quickly.  

Estimated Cost
60 dollars for materials, not counting cushions and pillows.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Deck Stain (709 in color) semi-transparent. Likely will seal with a clear coat later.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner