Community Brag Posts

Cedar Benches

Submitted by SaraLodise on Sun, 07/13/2014 - 20:13

Made two 48" long cedar benches that could be carried down to the firepit in our yard. They're also nice for sitting on the deck and watching the dogs play. I had to use 3 - 2x6s for the seat instead of 2 - 2x8s since 2x6 was the largest I could get in cedar. Made it a little bit wider.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
?
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Distressed Bottom/Stained Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/20/2016 - 10:25

built this table off these plans! I did a distressed bottom with chalk paint as well! Love the way it turned out! 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

8 foot picnic table

Submitted by Abby721 on Sat, 07/18/2020 - 08:40

This picnic table was a quick build and turned out amazing. I modified the center base support by adding an extra table top support and seat support board to the opposite side of the center legs to give the table symmetry to accommodate an umbrella hole. I also shortened both cross supports by an inch to make sure the base wouldn’t be longer than the top boards. The space between the center table support boards and seat support boards is the perfect size to fit a standard umbrella. I used a 1 3/4” hole saw to make the umbrella hole. The build and stain/paint took me about 5 hours but additional time is needed to properly seal the table. I used untreated pine. Treated pine may give the table longevity but it would also add a lot of weight to an already heavy table. This was a relatively easy and quick build and is a great size to fit my whole family plus a couple guests! I’m happy with how it turned out and would recommend this build to anyone looking for a budget friendly and simple patio table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke for the top and Rustoleum Canyon Black Satin for the base. Sealed with 2 coats of Varathane Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Dream Dollhouse

Submitted by mercocet on Tue, 09/18/2012 - 15:44

We enlisted help from my brother-in-law to build the dollhouse for our daughter last Christmas. He also painted the floors, stairs, and roof. I spent many nights after the kids were in bed "wallpapering" the walls with various scrapbook paper.

I love this house and it's something that will last for many years. Even better, both of our daughters love it and so do their friends.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood wax and paint and modge podge
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting Bench for Father's Day

Submitted by GretchenM on Wed, 07/16/2014 - 09:49

I started with the potting bench by Between Naps. I made it longer and taller (for my dad). There is a tool holder along one side and I added a sink, for washing the veggies newly harvested from our garden. We ran the water from our house faucet and will blow out water for winter. All that's left is running a pipe from the drain to leach out across the perimeter of the garden. Most of the lumber was given to me (pressure treated even). And I bought the sink from a junk guy for $50. My dad was so impressed and I think it may be my best present project ever. I can't believe I made that! Oh yeah, the end caps have solar lights, nighttime gardening! Ya never know!

Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None. Get this where you want it before screwing shelf and counter boards or putting in sink; it's really heavy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jvos

Thu, 07/17/2014 - 12:05

That is awesome! I want a sink for my garden (and a cooktop for outdoor canning) so I am very jealous. :)

Slatted 4 post bed - modified posts

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/23/2016 - 14:54

We wanted this beautiful bed for a guest room, but the room was a little small to have the large four posts so I modified it to make all 4 posts shorter - but otherwise the plans are the same. I used miniwax dark walnut stain and 2 coats spray polyurethane, followed by light 220 sanding and then 1 coat paint on semi-gloss polyurethane. I also lightly distressed the wood prior to staining with chisels, screws, hammering etc. 

Estimated Cost
$350 - covered the cost of new pine from lumber store with them cutting pieces to size + all staining and other materials (this is in CAD so roughly $225 USD)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax dark walnut + minimax semi-gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Farmhouse Dining Table

Had to make modifications for size, errors, and personal preference, but we love this table! Still deciding on all white paint or a 2-tone finish. Also- first time using a Kreg jig. What an amazing tool.

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

Rough Cut Lumber Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/08/2024 - 08:47

Easy build headboard built with rough cut white oak. This project ended up being a lot heavier than I expected but my daughter absolutely loved it. Thank you.

Jeff Jenkins

My Tryde table

Submitted by mpgrote on Thu, 09/20/2012 - 06:48

My first carpentry effort; thanks Ana for the great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified Barnwood Frames

I modified Ana's plans to fit the triptych art I created. I used a combination of this plan and her Wall Frames plan from her book. She wan't kidding when she said these frames were versatile. I plan on applying the same concept to a leaning wall mirror.
For a step by step tutorial on the modifications to this plan as well as how to create the triptych art, visit the blog http://thepursuitofhandyness.com/diy-triptych-art-custom-frames/

Estimated Cost
$5 per frame
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Paint & Oil Based Primer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toilet paper holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 11:08

Toil paper holder

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around 2$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak varnishes
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy box for grandson

Submitted by conjewel on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 10:58

My grandson needed a toy box and we really liked this plan. We changed the dimensions a little, made it taller and a bit wider. My husband built the box and did the basic painting. I made the cushion for the top. When the cushion is removed (it Velcros to the top) there is a hand painted matchbox car town and roads. I painted places my grandson knows, like his house, grandparents houses, mom's and dad's work, McDonalds, wal-mart and general places like airport, gas station, fire house, etc. We used stay tension support hinges to make sure it was safe for our little one, yes they are expensive, but they are my grandson's fingers. Everyone loves it. The vehicle in the center(black) matches their car. I put pictures of my son-in-law, daughter, Broxton, and their dog, Briggs in the windows. And decorated it with my son-in-law's favorite team "the bears".

Estimated Cost
With special hinges $150-$175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ash tv stand

I took plans from the Rhyan console table and just added a couple extra cabinets. This was a tough project but it came out great. I bought the wood at a local mill and all the hardware is from Home Depot

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain which was then sanded down. Sealed with 2 coats spar eurythane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Square Modern Farm Table

I really loved the modern farm table, but we wanted something to fit our square-ish dining room space and still fit 8-12 people to fit our famiy of 8+ company.  What we ended up with was a unique statement piece that we absolutely adore.  We made some minor changes to the plans to accomodate the changes in size, primarily by using 4x4 posts for the legs and attaching them differently.  The table is very sturdy with no wobble.  It is very heavy, though!  Please see our blog post for details on size, cut list and our building modifications!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Dark Walnut Stain,
General Finishes Java Gel Stain,
Polyurethane - gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Storage Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/15/2024 - 13:44

King size farm bed with storage, modified from queen bed plans. Used 1x10’s instead of a solid sheet of plywood and routed the slates to add some nice depth. Used reclaimed barn wood 1/4” for the border of the drawers.

Michael Gallatin

Eclectic (Not Really) Bookshelf

Submitted by reyncloud on Thu, 09/27/2012 - 01:37

I was looking for a neat bookshelf for my craft room. I found this plan and loved it! I like that I can always add smaller shelves for more eclectic-ness when I'm ready. I'll readily admit that this is pretty basic in comparison to the author's creation, but it works in the room and it works with the other furniture that I already have.

I really like that this is a huge bookcase..that's exactly what I was looking for to house fabric (I'm a quilter) and all my books. Looking forward to filling it!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a clear Satin Varathane Water-Based Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Locker

Submitted by carongirls on Tue, 07/22/2014 - 17:11

I made hits for my daughters classroom. Very easy build. The pictures aren't the best, they are cell phone pictures. We were in a hurry to get it done for open house.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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