Community Brag Posts

Midcentury Inspired Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/16/2023 - 09:38

My Midcentury Farmhouse  Bed. Finished at last. Managed to convert your imperial measurements to metric. 

Brian

 

Johannesburg,  RSA

Comments

Modern Kid's Picnic Table and is two X Benches

Submitted by AlexE on Thu, 05/10/2012 - 04:46

My first project on my own!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Parkerdd

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 00:46

For the end pieces at either end of the top of the bench and table, how did you secure them to the legs? It doesn't look like you cut the extra pieces to fill in the legs so that they are level with each other to make the base. I like how this version looks but it seems like half the 2x2 is barely attached to the legs. I'd love to hear how you did that so I can copy, thanks!

Impossible Triangle

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 02/23/2014 - 16:26

This is a modified version of the Penrose “Impossible” Triangle which is an interesting example of how the brain can be fooled. The main difference in this version is the use of hardware to simulate the triangle side connections. Watching the video is the easiest way to see how it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B2D5h74mMA

Please check out my other woodworking videos as well. Each video has a PDF drawing of the plans in the description.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcLIJdluqiyiI7J9qp5VAXrALMOftr0RT

Estimated Cost
Free - pallet wood and recycled hardware
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

American Girl Doll Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/23/2016 - 12:16

My daughter and I built it together. We had great fun. She is totally into the Kreg Jig and the brad nailer now. I'm sure we'll find something else to build. What a great father daughter activity. Thanks for the plans!

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

Modified Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 14:28

I loved the idea of roll away cabinets that could double as more tabletops for larger projects but then be able to hide them and save space. I usually have 2 cars parked in the garage and space us at a premium. Instead of a mitersaw I placed my scrollsaw in the middle added peg board, lights, and a shelf. Thanks for the plans and the idea.

Estimated Cost
$325.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood working workbenches.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

First Project Ever

This was the first thing me and the hubby ever built. We had lots of fun and even got the kids involved. Pretty sure we got the building bug now! Thanks Ana for inspiring families to build better lifestyles one board at a time. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
American Accents Colonial Red
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X TV Console Table

First project attempt. Instructions were really easy to follow. The X's were quite challenging at first, because I only had a Miter Saw. After many trials and errors, I found that building and attaching a 90 degree fence on the saw and then cut the 60 degree angles at the 30, gave beautiful 60 degree cuts. I used Min Wax Special Walnut Stain. I didn't do a lot of sanding because I wanted a gritty rustic feel to it. I used common pine boards. For the hardware, I bought zinc plated L brackets and Large bolts. I used a blow torch to melt the zinc to give it a great look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 in wood, $10 in hardware, $12 in screws,
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double Bed Headboard

Submitted by RobA on Fri, 05/27/2016 - 20:18

so I tweaked this plan and made it a double bed for our spare bedroom.

Estimated Cost
$100 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax gel walnut stain
3 coats Polycyclic clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified farmhouse California king

Submitted by bechokoy on Tue, 05/15/2012 - 23:10

Sorry the the photos were taken from my phone so the lighting is making it look darker than it really is.
Basically I followed the plans to a T other than the poplar trim and crown molding.
For the head board I Used 3/4" red birch ply and made some stiles with excess from the sheet and then just trimmed it with poplar molding. instead of stacking 2 2x4 for the sides i just used a solid 4x4 and cut the spot out to old the rails on. I was afraid how the stain would react or how it would look since 2x4 have rounded edges. Thats pretty much it. The finish was a tricky process. since I used red birch and white poplar I had to find a way to get everything to stain evenly. So basically I
Dyed all the wood then sealed then stained then toner then glaze then a little more toner then when i got the color i wanted i put 2 layers of top coat.

Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ml campbell stain and dye
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

gugsisreal (not verified)

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 03:41

That is one of the most beautiful finishes I have ever seen on this site.

jdlemmons

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 11:38

I'm doing a bed very similar to this... but i'm only doing 2 larger panels rather than 4 like you have. How do you the insides of the panels? Quarter round and then crown molding? I was thinking I would attach the trim on top of the plywood and then just attach some quarter round on the inside to round it and make it stand out a little more.

Matthew Betts (not verified)

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 17:00

I didn't use any round(but that is the idea to hide the ugly plywood layers that are exposed when cut). Its just 2 3/4 x3/4" whitewood/poplar casing that I had left over from a project i was working on. the frame of the squares was 3/4" birch ply so the casing laid nice and flush with it so it looked nice. the trick is to get the stiles(the frame of the squares to lay flat against the plywood backing other wise the casing won't lay even all the way around.
heres a link to the casing i used
http://www.lowes.com/pd_105664-81562-OML14-7FTWHW_4294801993_4294937087…

heres the link to the crown that i used on the top
http://www.lowes.com/pd_105626-81562-1069-8FTWHW_4294801991_4294937087_…

the trim stuff at the box places are considered paint grade and don't take stain very well. its easiest to paint if you don't have the right setup to finish things. and if you are going to stain I recommend a product called timbermate its stainable wood filler its hard to get but its amazing stuff it blows the minwax stuff out of the water.

Ladder Shelf

Submitted by 3G on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 09:31

Pottery barn Ladder Shelf

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Shine
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Grandy TV Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/31/2016 - 07:34

Love this tv table! It was my husband's first project from Ana's plans, and it turned out really well. The most difficult part was deciding how to make the sliding barn door hardware, since paying $70 for hardware when the wood cost about that much seemed crazy. My husband built it and I stained it, Sunbleached by Varathane. A nice blue-grey.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 (or less) for wood. Up to $80 for sliding hardware unless you DIY it.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sunbleached stain by Varathane, followed by 2 coats of a matte polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Collapsible Christmas Tree Collar with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 07:45

All from pallet wood! Hides and protects gifts from toddlers, puppies, & curious adults!

It is a collapsible build to go around a plastic fold up table. 4 sides come apart for easy storage in attic. Great for parties on the go for catering! 

Molly Preato

Seasonal And Holiday

Potting Bench for a Friend

Submitted by Jake on Sun, 05/20/2012 - 17:07

A friend of mine said she needed a potting table (aka bench) so I offered to make her one. Got the plan for the simple potting bench and went to work. The friend wanted a lip on the left and right sides of the top self and she wanted the top shelf to be solid. So adding the lip was no problem and I added the same but smaller on the bottom shelf. I built the solid top from three pieces of wood held together with pocket joints and glue. Worked great. With just a little sanding it is a beautiful flat solid piece of wood. Much better and cheaper than plywood. Since I do not like to rip lumber the final top self was about an inch or so deeper than the plans but that was easily adapted to. It is a good lesson to cut as you go along rather than cutting everything at the onset of a project. You make changes and it effects other aspects of the build. I added a Shaker peg on each end to hang a bar towel or a trowel whatever suits your fancy.

Most important is to continually check for square joints. Especially if you don't have the fancy tools and jigs. I got lucky and my final bench was square and level in all directions.
The build takes about 8 hours (plus a couple of days for priming and painting) using mostly hand tools. If I do another one I am going to substitute lighter and thinner wood. The 2x4 shelves and supports are over kill. I think it will give you a better and nicer looking final product. Keep Ana on The Web,,,,

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 - $35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I made the potting bench on the agreement that she would finish it. So with the table went instructions on sanding, priming, and painting. Maybe I will have a picture later of the finished product. My cost above does not include the cost of finishing,
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jake

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 17:10

I also added a face to the exposed lumber ends in the front and for the top and bottom shelves. The bottom face is actually a piece of old cedar fence I found in the garage. Sorry I forgot to mention in my first Brag ...about the potting bench.

Cassidy king bed

Submitted by Krigsvolds on Tue, 03/04/2014 - 13:05

My wife and I loved the look of this bed and decided to try to do it together. I built the frame and she tackled the headboard. In my haste at the hardware store I picked up the smaller packets of shims, a happy accident in my opinion! I decided to put the supports together with joist hangers to make it easier to take apart ,if need be.
We used a nail gun to attach the shims to the head board , and changed to
the pattern a little. Being that we were putting it in a smaller room I made some floating bed side tables as well. What a gratifying project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rust oleum ebony and weathers grey stains (1 coat)

Minwax polycrylic semi gloss (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Reclaimed Chilton Bed

This rustic farm bed is handcrafted from reclaimed weathered barn wood. The plank design and mixture of tones and textures give it a distinct rustic feel. Each piece celebrates the unadorned beauty of salvaged wood. Our reclaimed barn farmhouse bed is truly transitional. And now the best part, it can be made in any size needed -- King, Queen, Full or Twin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Nativity Centrepiece

My wife asked for a table top Nativity Centrepiece as we were hosting Christmas. Was fun and quick to make it small!

Estimated Cost
Free if it's scrap!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly & stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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