Community Brag Posts

Kids art center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/31/2016 - 08:41

This kids art center went together very well! The kids haven't stopped playing on it.  

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None but will be adding a finish to the play surface for easier cleanup
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

I Built the Dumpster Dresser

Submitted by nekeroom58 on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 18:26

I had fun building this dresser I'm building a second one. I built the second one already

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax One Coat Polyurethane, Gloss, Clear, 1 Quart
Current Price$13.94
Minwax Wood Finish, Natural, 1/2 Pint
Current Price$9.85
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Perfect End Table

Submitted by TBENNE on Fri, 11/30/2012 - 11:24

It took me longer than it would a normal because it was my first completed project. I couldn't decide if I wanted to build the top or use plywood or a project panel. I ended up building it using Aspen 1x3 for the apron and whitewood boards for the rest. I probably wouldn't buy the Aspen again. I would use whitewood for all or maybe pine. I do prefer the wider apron that the 1x3 provided.

Also, Jen from House of Wood suggested painting prior to putting the top on which was a great tip!! I stained my top after I put it on though, because I didn't want to accidentally scratch it trying to move it into place.

I glued everything and attached with pocket hole screws just for safety. One thing I learned is that wood glue does not stain, so I had to sand it down completely and sand off the glue that seeped for the final result I got.

Also, having paintable caulk is a good tip. I got a board for my lower shelf that was slightly bowed and the caulk was great to hide my beginner imperfections.

It was really easy build (keeping things square was the hardest part, but the carpet hides the small wobble I had on the cement). It looks great in our living room.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30-40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Top: Minwax Provencial and 3 coats Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protective Finish in “Clear Gloss”
Base: Valspar Swiss Coffee with 1 coat of Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Asian inspired outdoor bench (no screws!)

Submitted by jennibee on Sat, 09/13/2014 - 14:47

This is made by using treated lumber and concrete deck piers. The genius of this bench is that there are no screws. It fits together like a puzzle and sits on concrete deck piers. I left it untreated for a bit and decided to let the piers stay gray. The original plans called for the piers to be stained black and a stain to be applied to the wood. I wanted to post this as inspiration but will add the link to the template for the wood pieces at a later time. 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I have future plans to use simple decking stain in a cherry color for the wood part and black concrete stain for the concrete deck piers.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Whitewashed Farmhouse Table

I used these plans to build our lovely new dining table. For more details, please see my post: http://thetarragonahouse.com/2016/12/31/our-new-whitewashed-farmhouse-t… .

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Play Table Stool

Submitted by clareg on Sun, 09/13/2020 - 18:15

Used the plans of the play stool, then used the kreg jig to attach three 2x6 boards to make a thicker stool top. Jig sawed around the edges after tracing a design and used a Dremel to create the animal design border Turned out super cute and goddaughter loved it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Fruitwood and Polyurethane gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

crown ledge

crown ledge shelf in poplar scraps - i used a scrap 1x6 for the backside to hang my hooks off of.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
one dark charcoal grey coat, then two coats of a light grey - then distressed to match mirror
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rolling Cart - Home Depot Project - Modified

I built this at the Home Depot "Do it Herself" class last month.  I have been trying to figure out something for a large ironing board (for yardage of fabric for quilting) for quite some time now.  I decided this was PERFECT!  I removed the top tray, and added a 2' X 4' craft board on top, covered it with insulbright and canvas and it's a perfect Ironging station!!  I keep the ironing supplies underneath, and I have tons of extra storage space, it's WONDERFUL!

 

Estimated Cost
$35 (since I won the project from the free class, no cost on that material) spent $15 for the craft board, $20 on the Insulbright and I had the canvas material for the cover!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
First, i removed the top tray (it would have been useless with the board on top). Then i screwed in the craft board to the side poles. (2 screws in each post) Then, I glued down the Insulbright (special batting for ironing on) and stapled that to the bottom. then put the canvas down on top and stapled that nice and tight.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wife's Farmhouse Table

Submitted by DrOriginal on Thu, 01/05/2017 - 16:50

Built my wife a farmhouse table. We kind of took 3 different plans and made 1 table. We used the table top from one set of plans, the legs from another, and the X design from a 3rd. We built it on our week off for Christmas. Building wise it took 10-20 hours, but there was a lot of drying time with all the stain and poly. Two coats of Early American stain and 3 coats of poly on the table top. It's about 7' long, and the only problem now is we don't have enough chairs. 

Estimated Cost
$150 in lumber and screws. Quart of stain, poly and paint. Which we had on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garage Shelves - Freestanding (Modified)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 20:45

First project ever! I have been planning to build this for at least a year, and I finally did it! I had to modify the plan to fit my space, but it worked out well. They cut the wood for me at the store, so I did not make any cuts myself, just assembled all of the pieces together. I used all 2x4s, 8' and 10', cut down to my measurements. I did not finish the shelves since it is just for the garage, but I did sand rough board edges and some of the faces. I just used an palm sander and coarse sandpaper (80 grit). Please double check all measurements and lists because I forgot to add my shorter shelf supports to the list and had to go back to the store. I also forgot to add the width of the top shelf to those two shorter supports, so the shelf boards are resting on the top instead of nestled into the supports. It turned out not to be a functional problem, but a good lesson to learn. I also learned to make sure my driver battery is charged fully before starting - that took a large chunk out of my first day building and I had to finish the next day. My husband helped with some lifting and holding, but I mostly did this on my own in one weekend, so you CAN do it! Don't wait like I did - it is soooooooo useful and it looks great! All of my friends are really impressed and it feels so good to have made something like this! Thank you Ana!!

Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
N/A
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Family Mudroom Storage System

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/03/2024 - 07:55

Took this plan as inspiration for our garage remodel. This is the back wall of our 2-car garage. Each kid ended up with their own section complete with hooks for coats and backpacks, baskets for hats and mittens, the bench storage for sports gear, and their own shoe cubby off to the left. This bench was a game changer for school nights! - Lindsey M

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Custom Playhouse

A year ago I built my daughter a custom dollhouse for a Christmas present. She asked if I could make her one in her size. Initially, I laughed and said that I didn't think I could pull something like that off. Over the next Spring Break, I decided to give it a try. After pricing out custom playhouse kits online, I figured I could do it myself. I watched some youtube videos and looked at pictures online and came up with a project plan. The detailed step-by-step instructions along with pics are available on my blog: www.momthebuilder.net. Good luck with your playhouse project!!!

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tinted stain/sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 12/07/2012 - 02:43

This came out beautiful. Great job! Love all the attention to detail and the rug is awesome, too!

Farmhouse play kitchen

Submitted by Brittmason on Sat, 01/07/2017 - 18:40

We wanted to make our daughter a play kitchen for her birthday. We have a farmhouse sink so we wanted her to have one just like ours. My husband built it out of wood. We wanted the cabinets to look like Shaker cabinets so we added trim to them & the Fridge. We bought the handles from Home Depot.  If you have any questions I will be happy to answer them. 

Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used Behr paint in a custom color I would call Dusty Pink. We sprayed painted the handles, knobs & burners.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Garage Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/12/2024 - 09:44

This is a combination of the Ultimate Garage Shelving Plans (https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/ultimate-garage-shelving…) and the Best DIY Garage Shelves (https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/best-diy-garage-shelves-…). We mostly followed the Ultimate plans but didn't add the metal supports. Instead, we had shorter spans and were able to attach the shelves to the upper part of our metal storage shed. Simple plans, easy to understand, took a weekend for two adults to complete.

Seasonal And Holiday

Farmhouse Doll Bed

Submitted by TeamR-K on Tue, 12/11/2012 - 13:04

My handy husband whipped this little bed up from the leftover wood of the rustic "X" end table! I love it so much, a great toy / newborn prop!! I wanted to finish it with the steel wool/vinegar method, but it was too late, he already painted it. I love it just the way it is! Thank you for the awesome plan!!

Estimated Cost
$15 - or free if you use leftover pieces of wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint-Beautitone Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 12/12/2012 - 05:26

Nice build, but the baby steals the show. What an absolutely precious baby and picture! The stuffed lamb is adorable, too, lol!

5 tator tots (not verified)

Tue, 12/18/2012 - 11:37

Our baby is due in a few weeks...makes me want my husband to build this just for pictures! Adorable baby!

Rustic Dresser

Submitted by kmh380 on Sun, 09/21/2014 - 20:20

9 drawer dresser made out of African mahogany wood. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Matte poly
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

X - Farm House Table

I modified this plan just a little on the ends, and I can not tell you how pleased I am with it! I did run into some issues with lining the boards up properly due to imperfections (and not laying the boards out ahead of time in the store because I was rushing at closing time), but in the end, I decided to add a wood filler in between the boards and everyone just raves over it. I could not imagine it having come out better. I would not do it any other way. 

Thank you Ana!! 

PS... I have a wonderful idea for a loft bed, but the plans are not provided. I know you would do it justice.. how do I submit the photo????

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin, Custom mixed stain, stainable wood filler, sander.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jeffross

Sun, 01/07/2018 - 07:22

My appologies if I'm missing it but are there build plans for this table.  I would really like to build this for a friend but I'm not sure my skills will enable me to free style this. Thanks in Advance.  Jeff

cjtrunk21

Fri, 05/29/2020 - 11:50

Did plans over get posted for this table? Love the design. Thanks.