Community Brag Posts

Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 10:44

Great beginner project. I needed minimal help from my husband. Everyone in the family now wants a bench like mine. Thanks a bunch for the easy to follow plans. Love your website! 

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planked Sideboards

I used the Planked Wood Sideboard plans, but I only did the sides. I mirrored the top of the desk using a project panel.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Both 120
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint- Pure White Semi Gloss Kelly Moore
Stain - Weathered Teak Sherman Williams
Poly - Varathane Clear Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Bed - Modification

Submitted by Michael B on Wed, 01/16/2013 - 10:01

I followed the bed design posted for the Farmhouse Storage Bed, with some modifications to the base support. I have a queen waterbed and needed to reinforce the structure substantially. So I added more center support by building a simple 2X4 Header frame down the middle with 4 legs and beefing up the rails along the drawer boxes. I also included additional slat supports. I also placed the drawer boxes directly on the floor so that I would not have to buildup any additional legs. For the headboard and footboard, I did not have any beadboard so I ripped some 1/4" Birch-Ply into 6 1/4" strips, beveled the edges and nailed them with brads onto the 3/4" ply. I placed 1/16" spacers to create gaps between each and then just painted it. This gave me the look I wanted. It was a little more work, but well worth it in the end. I live in Manhattan so I actually had to construct this in my living room. Luckily I was undergoing a renovation at the time so the additional mess and dust was not too much of an obstruction. But now I'm hooked and want to build a lot more.

Estimated Cost
Built mostly from scraps - Less than $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore - White Dove (PM-19)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

How to get kids interested in woodwork...

Submitted by AndyH on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:19

This isn't really woodwork but was something made to get my step daughter interested in the art of making things from wood (and other materials)

Made from scraps of wood after an idea we saw on Pinterest.  She helped paint them and make the eyes and scarves for them.

It's the smallest project ever done but hopefully will embed the "bug" into her that making things with your hands is fun.

She has another 5 to decorate ready for Christmas.

Maybe she will be the next Ana, you never know!! :-)

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White water based paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ana White Admin

Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:24

Thanks for sharing a cute and fun project, it's never to early to get the kiddos involved!

Toddler bed & Compactum

Submitted by Isabellev on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 00:51

My little one refused to sleep in a cot so i sold it and made him a toddler bed with matching compactum. 

I used an old broken piano chairs legs on the bed.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Nesting Grill Station

I was tired of seeing my propane bottle on the porch and this project was a perfect blending of camouflaged storage with lots of potential countertop workspace. My grill station is smaller and shorter than the original plans to better fit our family size and the porch space we have available. My husband has a bandsaw mill. When he was milling boards this fall, I asked for some 1/2" thick planks just for this project. I also had the knobs and wheels leftover from past salvaging work. I have been trying my best to use up "stock on hand" during this pandemic. Though I spent some time sanding the rough cut lumber, it still absorbed lots of stain. I wanted two tones of color, so that's good, but I still had to mix two stains together to have enough for the lighter parts.

Now we are looking forward to some cold weather BBQ meals!

Estimated Cost
$10 for screws, all else salvaged.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained the wood before joining it together so the two shades of stain wouldn't run together. For the darker parts I used Minwax Red Mahogany. On the lighter parts I mixed Minwax Early American with Natural (because I was running out). After staining I put the table together and finished it with Minwax Polycrylic, until that ran out, then Bona Mega satin floor finish. I put three coats of finish, sanding between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mamasue72

Tue, 07/04/2023 - 08:38

Love this size. My deck is small so this is perfect. Thank you for posting the brag😊👌

Pottery Barn Benchwright Coffee Table Build

Submitted by brittanyj on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 12:09

Wanting to finally get rid of our hideous fake wood coffee table, I found these plans to make the Pottery Barn Benchwright Coffee Table. I am so pleased with the result! It's really heavy and sturdy. Took about 4 days total, and around $100. First time making drawers. Overall the plan was very doable. Looking forward to making a pub table and chairs, and built in bookshelves next!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Kona Stain and Poly, then matte urethane on top and legs for extra protection.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Firewood Shed

When I decided to build a woodshed I was freaked out because I've never done anything even remotely like this.  I struggle with precision and patience, which made this project seem overwhelming as I knew I had to do a lot of prep work to properly level the ground, measure the wood, learn how to operate a saw, calculate angles to cut, etc...  I did a lot of research online and found this simple blueprint a great starting point.   I made some adjustments since i needed a much bigger shed, it's 11.5' x 7' x 7'.  Also, I already had the wood resting on pallets so I just build this shed around the wood with no built in floor.  Overall, I'm thrilled with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic x table

Submitted by V_garcia on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 19:37

Love my entry way table, plans details really easy to follow! Thanks you so much for this helpful website.

Estimated Cost
95
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut minwax stain and semi gloss minwax water basse sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Coffee Table

Submitted by highwayk9 on Fri, 11/27/2020 - 19:42

I made the farmhouse coffee table using 4/4 300 year old pine that was on a local home for 150 years. The frame, I used recycled pallet boards. Very simple to build, everyone love this table.

Finish Used
Clear Gloss polyurethane

Comments

Wine Rack

This is my first attempt at making a wine rack. It holds 18 bottles and 9-12 glasses. I made it from 1/2" red oak plywood and 1x3s. I used a drill press with a 3" hole bit and 1 1/2 bit for the neck supports. The one pic shows how I kreg jig the supports to a scrap piece of plywood so I could stain all sides of the pieces at once! Plus it allowed for a quicker drying time. I kreg jig all the supports from the back side with 1" PH screws and glue. I used my router and a straight edge to dado the top and bottom shelves to the side walls. This rack measures 5'Hx 15 1/4"w x 17" deep. The wine bottles do not stick out past the front at all. I stained it in a dark walnut to give it a country feel.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Restoration Hardware Dining Table

Submitted by Rounders7 on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 07:08

Restoration Hardware Inspired Dining Table.  Got these plans from Shanty 2 Chic. 

Estimated Cost
$150 for the table and bench.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

13 ft Community Farm Table with extended Trestle base

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/21/2017 - 18:43

Began with supplied DIY plans from the www.ana-white.com and slightly modified them based on the length and width of the table. Table now resides in Haddon Twp, NJ as a community farm table for a small local business. The plans provide the foundation and cut list and depending on your experience, comfort level, and tools it is fairly simply to elaborate, expand, and modify.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Base cost $250 - materials, hardware, paint, finish, sandpaper
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
gloss black and clear poly seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/05/2020 - 11:13

I built this console table modeled from other diy plans on the Ana White website. The construction took 1 afternoon, but the project start to finish was 3 days to allow time for finishing. The overall dimensions are 49”W x 16 1/2” D x 30” H.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Pre Stain Conditioner
Verathane Brairsmoke Stain
Mini wax Satin Polyurethane
Behr Farmhouse White Chalk Paint
Behr Clear Finishing Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by MrsTalbott on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 07:50

I was so inspired by this site, I just had to try something out for my self! Being a beginner it was a little difficult trying to get the notches perfect without the correct tools! A table saw is neccessary but me and the fiance kept at it! After all assembled we banged up the table with some heavy duty chains, Gave it two coats of Minwax Dark Walnut, and finished with 2 coats of Minwax Poly Satin finish. We left out center support so we could get it in the house and installed once it was in, this is one heavy sturdy piece of furniture!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Minwax Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Octagon Table

Submitted by Avi8tor727 on Thu, 11/20/2014 - 07:28

Octagon table with metal chairs

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with a vinegar/steel wool oxidizing mixture-then with common tea. I then used rustoleum matte finish polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Two-Tone Adult Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 09:30

I wanted to make a black and brown picnic table, this one turned out really nice and it gets a lot of compliments.

 

I, also, reinforced the 2x6s used for the seats by boxing in 2x4s underneath.  I just cut 4 53" (probably could have been 54" honestly) and mounted them to the bottom of the seats and screwed them into the seat cross members.  This should keep them from flexing.

Estimated Cost
9 2x6 - 8' - $40,
9 2x4 - 8' - $30,
Screws - $25 (headlok and kreg),
8 cans of paint - $35,
(already had sand paper),

Total $130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
8x valspar project perfect paint + primer Gloss Black (1 coat)
8x valspar color radiance paint + primer Dark Gloss Toast (1 coat)

I will probably also put a clear coat on it to help protect it some
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

First Build EVER!

Submitted by arowe10 on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 06:42

This was a great “gateway” build! This is easy to do and gave me the space to dig deeper into my newfound woodworking hobby! It’s not perfect but I love it!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

"X" Coffee Table - Walnut

Submitted by avanti on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 10:10

My daughter and I chose this design for a table for her new apartment. I happened to have some walnut lumber available, so we decided to use that, and it turned out a little less rustic than some of the tables, but it is exactly what she wanted. It was a great project to do with her and we both had a good time, plus she has a piece of furniture she is proud of.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
clear polyurethane wiped on - three coats sanded lightly between coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Cmontagna on Sun, 11/23/2014 - 18:31

Used the Rustic X Coffee Table plans for this project. I altered it slightly to add the bread boards on the end. I also used my jointer to create a more flush joint between boards. When I went to cut the "x"'s out of 2x2's the boards ended up being too short. I'm working on a similar piece for a family member and I am waiting to cut these pieces until I'm almost finished to save stock. I also used a chain, hammer, nails, and metal clamp to beat the table top to "age" the wood a bit. 

 

This project doesn't take long to build. Finishing takes about a week. 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 - $150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish:

- 1 coat of black tea

- used the oxidized solution on certain parts of the boards to create definition.

- Sanded these spots to lighten them up.

- 2 coats of Minwax Red Chestnut stain.

- 2 coats of finishing wax

- 2 coats of polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Whiskey Barrel Coffee Table/Ice Chest Beer Cooler

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2017 - 10:55

Took an old whiskey barrel, secured the staves before cutting in half. Built a frame around the top. Built the lid out of old cedar picket fencing and cut the legs out of old Barnwood. Sprayed the inside with Flex Seal to make it waterproof. And used an old used Horse Shoe for the handle. Stained in 4 different shades and clear coated the whole table. 

Estimated Cost
Whiskey barrel $80 plus misc supplies. Approximate cost to build less than $100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax wood finish stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate