Community Brag Posts

I was so inspired by Ana's plans I made two tables, that can be put side by side, alongside each other or used as two separate tables with benches. I also made a bar with granite top...... It was lots of sanding as I did not have a planer at the time, but I love the finished project and get compliments by all that see it. Thank you Ana White.

Cathy B

This was our first build, so it was definitely a learning process! We followed the plans pretty closely, with a few minor modifications to suit our needs. The finish was inspired by CreativePineapple's stain/white paint combo - we loved it so much that we had to do our own version!

The center console section was built out of 3/4" MDF - we knew we were going to paint, as opposed to stain, and it was quite a bit cheaper. We primed and painted this section as we went, as we knew that getting our hands/brushes into the cubbies after assembly would be difficult. This added to the time to finish, but it did make for an easier (and probably more even) paint job.

The side panels and back (not shown - we still need to do cutouts for cords before we attach) are 1/4" plywood. The legs are untreated SPF 4x4s, and were definitely where we ran into the most problems. Finidng untreated 4x4's was difficult enough, and when we finally found one that didn't have a ton of chunks and dings in it, we had problems with wood cracking when we got it home. We waited until the wood had acclimatized to our home and stopped cracking, wood-filled the cracks where we could and tried to position the legs so the cracks were facing the console, and hidden. Luckily, this approach was successful, and you can't tell that cracking was an issue. In retrospect, I probably should have just gone with cedar, particularly since we weren't staining it and it wouldn't have mattered that it was different from our other pine boards.

The only placed where we really differed from the plans was adding additional trim to the front section, as opposed to edge binding. The trim was simple 1x2s, similar to the bottom trim.

We primed and painted the entire white bottom section before attaching the top, which was made of stud-grade spruce 2x4's. We used a wood conditioner on the spruce before staining, as it is such a soft wood. The stain was left on for 15-20 minutes before wiping, as we knew we wanted a darker, richer colour. Two coats were required to get the shade we wanted (3 on one board which wasn't soaking up the stain as well). We then finished with 3 coats of Varathane Diamond Wood Finish, to get an especially glossy finish.

We were blessed with a LARGE TV for Christmas. Totally unexpected. So I needed to build a table for it to sit on. I previously made a narrow farmhouse table and liked the look of it. So I decided to make a smaller version with two shelves underneath. To reduce clutter, I built a couple of "towers" for the x-box, dvd, and wii to sit on (2 half boxes with 1x4 sides with 1x4's nailed across the top.) Dimensions of table are 48 inches long x 22 inches wide x 32 inches tall. (TV is a 60 inch and I think it fits great!) I used pocket holes and 1.25 inch pocket hole screws to attach everything-except I nailed the shelves down to the supports using 1 1/4 inch finishing nails and used 1.25 wood screws to attach legs to apron and supports to legs. I ripped the 1x4's down to 3 inches on the leg front and 2.75 on the sides to make them uniform. Also the aprons I ripped down to 3 inches wide. The shelf supports are about 1.5 inches wide and the shelves themselves are about 18.5 inches wide.

Hubby followed the plans exactly, using cheap whiteboard from Lowe's. I stained using Minwax dark walnut and a water-based Minwax poly with a matte finish. I would only use this kind of wood again if I were painting the project. It is hard to stain and my options were limited, because the wood doesn't take stain well. Love how "pottery barn" it ended up coming out, though!

I modified the tapered planter plans to create a decorative open-bottom well cover. I used cedar picket planks and a 2x4 and 2x2 frame.

My wood scraps were definitely getting out of control, and I needed something to store the wood vertically. I had some spare wood (free from Craigslist), so I put together a wood storage bin. All in all, the project cost me the price of some Kreg screws.

In an effort to cure our current lack of organization downstairs I decided to build a wall coat rack in hopes that it will help keep our coats, diaper bags, uniforms, purses, baby carriers, bags, and who knows what else off the counter, couch and floor.

Going into this project the only thing I knew I wanted to use in some way was some ripped 2x4's we used as floor spacers during our floor installation. Really happy with the end result :-)

For more pictures and a brief tutorial check out the blog post :http://thehuth.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-herringbone-wall-coat-rack-usin…

I made my console a little shorter (71 in). I used reclaimed wood for the exterior and sanded/stained wood for the shelving and doors. I used screw eyes and galvanized pipe for the sliding door hardware. A lot of fun!

I built the same bed as for my son for the master bedroom. A queen size bed with storage with paneled footboard and headboard. I love that style and I made board and batten too.
I am very happy and the bed is very sturdy. I didnt make drawers because it's too difficult for me. I am not ready to build drawers! Maybe next time!

Well to make a long story short I started out just replacing an old tub in the bathroom which turned into a whole remodel!! I’m talking new toilet, floor, lighting and heck while I was at it lets knock down a wall and make some room for a double vanity. After all in a few years three teenage girls  will be fighting for sink space!!! Honestly I just didn’t want to spend $800 - $1,000 on a double vanity so I decided to take matters into my own hands. This was my first time building any type of functional furniture. I made a ton of mistakes but I also learned many valuable lessons. I really took my time....about 3 weeks...ok, maybe 4. Building this vanity was like cutting 101 for me. #1 lesson I learned, MAKE SURE YOUR CUTS ARE STRAIGHT!!! I also learned the value in test cuts and having a lot of patience and extra wood on hand. Anyone can do this, just be willing to put the time and effort in…and do lots of research.

Address signs!

I took the advice from another user who commented that the depth of the changing table was not suitable for a standard changing pad (16" x 32"). Turns out he was correct, so I modified the design to have a depth of 16 1/4" (as opposed to 15.5" in the original plan). Really not sure how someone could have made this and a standard pad worked as is. If I did it over again, I probably would have made it just a touch deeper for a perfect fit because the pad slightly flares out and is not 100% square. My wife also wanted a larger space beside the changing pad, so I increased the width of the table by 5" and it worked nicely as you can see in the picture with the lamp and other items.

This was my first project and love how it turned out. I have gotten compliments on it, but I unfortunately continue to look at the flaws in it and want to build another one. It was a great project though and I am in the middle of building the coffee table and end table as well. Here it is before we added all the odds and ends on to shelves and top

I built a desk each for my son and daughter. They got to choose the type of base. I used old bed slats 90x45mm (4x2) salvaged from verge ripped in half for the bases. I used 12mm plywood for the tops. 7mm ply for the shelves on the sawhorse leg version. Unfortunately, despite getting the straightest and flattest plywood available and subjecting it to all sorts of manipulation, a couple of the flip-top sections are warped to there are slight gaps on one side.

I modified the plan so that the middle section could lift up as well. The back 1x3 of the storage section extended the full width.