Community Brag Posts

My $30 Closet Makeover!

Submitted by scokenour on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 12:57

This project is closest to the Simple Closet Organizer, but I wanted to be able to re-use the existing components of the closet. The only purchased materials were one sheet of cabinet grade plywood and dowel rod holders (since I already had paint and screws).

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
sand, prime, sand, paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My first project - metric mitre saw stand

Submitted by EmH-C on Sun, 09/13/2015 - 03:30

Adaptation to fit my little mitre saw, small workshop and the metric timber available in B&Q. My first build, this should let me build more while staying comfortable and safe. I'm ridiculously pleased with myself!

It took longer to build than expected because my little boy thinks naps are for wimps.

In case anyone in the UK wants to build similar, here's my adapted sizes.

18mm plywood cutting list:

2   85cm x 50cm (sides)

3    50cm x 50cm (shelves)

2    50cm x 60cm (leaves)

2    45cm x 30cm (leaf supports - replaced fancy brackets that were too expensive over here)

Timber cuts:

6  34mm x 34mm @ 50cm (cleats)

6  18mm x 70mm @ 52cm (supports)

2  18mm x 70mm @ 42cm (spacers) 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
£40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Help me use my mitre saw safely and comfortably.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Deck Chairs

Submitted by mgb11184 on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 19:54

I made a couple of additions/modifications

I also made a couple of side tables and foot stools for the chairs. A total of four chairs, two tables and two foot stools for the deck set.

Comments

Sliding Pet/Baby Gate

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2023 - 20:13

We desperately needed a gate to keep our pets from accessing the rooms, with carpet, in our new home. We originally thought about building a full barn door but, the security system was in the way and it wouldn’t have allowed the light to pass through to our dark entryway anyway. We definitely wanted to steer away from the “barn door looking” gate we did at our last home and wanted to try something more timeless with the sprayed, black caning. We have a very eclectic style. Very vintage industrial, MCM, with pops of RH glam and a touch of BOHO. Sounds confusing but, I needed this gate to take the pressure off of trends we didn’t quite fit in and be easy to use for my teenager. The gate leads to her bed/bath and the guest rooms. The mechanism is not my design but, it’s brilliant, especially for the industrial element to our home. Took me close to 4 days from start to finish. Lost my Kreg jig in our move and was so thankful to a stranger-neighbor that willingly let me borrow his on the curiosity of what exactly I was building. NGL, it felt pretty good when he said how impressed he was with the build. 💞

Comments

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!

Doggie Daybed

Submitted by MurdaRae on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:16

I've thought for a while about building a bed for our dogs, but wasn't sure where to start. We had an extra crib mattress so I set out to find a toddler bed that would work. I decided the Lydia Toddler Bed plan would work best. It doesn't look anything like it, but it was a great starting point.

First, I got rid of the canopy and the decorative side pannels. I also raised the bed 12 inches. (The hope is to add a rug on the floor underneath as sort of a "bottom bunk") The lumber store didn't have 2x2s so I used 2x3s for the legs. I also only used two 1x6s at the head and foot of the bed. They are seperated by 1" because when I got home, I realized they were actually 1x5 (RUDE).

All in all, it turned out exactly as I had hoped and the dogs love it! GOODBYE stinky dogbeds!

**Photo 1: Just finished building--the slats weren't screwed down yet.
**Photo 2: Deacon is testing out his new digs! See the stinky dogbed underneath?YUK!
**Photo 3: Dog Bed Completed! Mac & Deacon love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$38
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cedar Ladder Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/13/2016 - 10:51

I followed the plan directions to a "T" and it worked out so well! This projects gives me joy everytime I walk up my front steps. Thanks!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Custom Adirondack Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/11/2024 - 13:17

A modified version of one of Ana’s chairs. I widened it by a few inches and used the staves from a retired whiskey barrel for the seat and back. I then added a Sho Sugi Ban effect to the frame and then stained it using Unicorn Spit.

mcglashanpatrick

Wood Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/06/2024 - 08:19

I made this in the evening over the course of a week. It’s exactly what I was wanting. The instructions are easy to follow. It is heavy and very sturdy. I added bed rail hardware from Amazon to make it easier to take it apart if we ever move and I added a couple inches to the legs so that we had a little more storage underneath. I stained it with briarsmoke from Varathane and topped with Varathane triple thick water based poly. We’ve used this finish a few times including a desk and our dining room table and it seems to hold up pretty well for us.

Shelby

Comments

Garden shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/28/2020 - 13:19

Our take on the small garden shed. Ours is 4 1/2 by 7 feet. We used cedar fence pickets and 2x4 construction. Left over shingles from when our house was built. We are definitely not roofers or framers, also chasing around a 3 year old didn't make things easier. Turned out beautiful for what we want it for. Just rustic enough. Great intermediate project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's clear water seal will be applied this summer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

DIY Murphy Wall Bed

Submitted by Dstor22 on Sun, 03/15/2015 - 07:05

Just finished up my Murphy Bed project. Hope you like.

Estimated Cost
280.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple Outdoor Table

Submitted by Kingsamui on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 17:24

Modifications to the simple outdoor table plan thanks to Finn’s dad. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 -Found a place that had Cedar shorts “B quality”, but very few knots for an unbelievably cheap price. I ran all to boards through a planer to start and saved a bundle.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
3coats Spar Urethane. I’ve heard the Spar doesn’t hold up well, so would have used something rlse if I knew that at the beginning.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Patio Chairs/Love Sear

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/25/2022 - 15:57

Super easy and fun project! We altered the original plans to build a loveseat and had zero issues. We did add some extra support below.
I did not find 25”x25” cushions within our price range so I settled for 25”x22.5” and they work but ultimately 25x25 works best.

Loft bed with bookcase and desk

Submitted by abc1234 on Mon, 12/26/2022 - 08:01

I built this for my daughter and more or less followed the plan without changes. I wasn't able to get hold of 1x3 so had to rip 1x4s which was a little time consuming. In hindsight I would probably increase the depth of the desk as it's a little shallow but not a huge problem.
I primed with two coats of BIN Primer as there were a lot if knots in the wood and I heard this is the best to cover then. It was a lot more expensive but hopefully worth it. Finished with latex semigloss.

Comments

I used the corrugated polycarbonate to cover the greenhouse I made from a chalet style Sun Country Greenhouse Plans. Thanks for the idea.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 06:34

I saw the barn shaped greenhouse plan but preferred a regular roof pitch. I did however incorporate the corrugated polycarbionate as a covering. I find it odd that you guys installed the polycarbonate horizonitally instead of vertically.

Anyway thanks for the info on polycarbonate.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Using cedar framing... 9 x 16' @ $3000 +/-
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

hauxy

Tue, 09/01/2020 - 17:47

Love this! I really prefer the roofline on your greenhouse. Did you modify Ana's design, or did you get plans from another site? Would love to replicate your design if possible-very elegant.

Seasonal And Holiday

My wife and I built an outdoor bench!

Submitted by AKMan279 on Sun, 06/02/2019 - 20:42

Ana sent us the plans for this bench and it worked out great!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Gable Roof Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:42

I love my new Ana White designed greenhouse! It was amazingly easy to build and the material shopping list ensured there was very little waste or materials leftover after the build. I can’t wait to get started using it.

Bill Crabtree

Built from Plan(s)

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