Community Brag Posts

Square Picnic Table Project

This was a great summer project. The table looks great and it was any easy build. Doesn’t get any better than this. I added a hole in the center of the table for my umbrella and used the longer screws for more frame stability.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used semi transparent cedar tone stain. Lightly sanded edges and surfaces. Applied stain with a brush before assembly.

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Bathroom Wall Storage

Here's the second project I tackled from The Handbuilt Home, the Bathroom Wall Storage unit. The first photo is according to the plan specs. I liked this project so much that I built a second one for the smaller bathroom using 1x6's instead of 1x10's, so it's not as deep. Drilling the shelf pin holes without a jig took forever on the first shelf! I bought a Kreg Shelf Pin Jig to try out on the second one, and had it done in minutes! It's so nice to have pretty storage in the bathrooms!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of primer followed by two coats of CIL Smart 3 Trim and Door paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Move over Restoration Hardware!

Submitted by gfranq on Tue, 03/10/2015 - 10:58

I actually emailed Restoration Hardware and although they no longer carry this chair , it was priced starting at 795$!!  Not even close to what it cost me to make it myself. I spent 88 $ on the cushions, 5$ on screws and approx 65$ on the wood so all together this chair cost me about 158$. Thanks Ana!

Finish Used
I used a oil primer and followed it with an outdoor semi gloss in white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sandbox with Seat

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/08/2017 - 06:16

I tried to make a similar sand box as yours but as space was limited I decided to only make a 1 seat version.  As a first attempt of making something proper I think it turned out well.  Base frame is made of 4 x2s and the lid and seat contruction it pallet wood planed to make it nice and smooth.  Granddaughter loves it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
£20 for bags of play sand, I already had the 4x2s and pallet wood is free.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
no finish as yet
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dresser

Liked this project. Make sure all the pieces are straight or you will have issues. And having an extra person to help with drawer slides made a huge difference.

Estimated Cost
140
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

My Shirley Console Table

Submitted by NewHome86 on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 09:08

I saw the Shirley table post and was inspired to build this for our entryway in our new home. Maybe not the best first project to pick in the new home, but man was it worth it! Turned out great. Used some leftover paint from an old painting project and it works really well with our new living room set. I listed it as a weekend project because if you're not super experienced or don't start this early in the morning you will probably need to take your time and finish this over two days.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Home interior paint from Sherwin Williams.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Harvest Basket

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 03/14/2015 - 10:49

Build Instructions:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Harvest-Basket-Garden-Trug/

Video of Build:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DlhZ6-gpak&feature=youtu.be

This is a simple design built from reclaimed wood and purchased ¼” wood slats.  It cost very little and only took a couple of hours to complete the build.  The goal was light weight, shallow and wide for collecting leafy vegetables, easy to handle and somewhat attractive. 

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural Stain - see link above
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/11/2017 - 19:33

First attempt at a project of this size. 7 middle, armless sections, and 4 corner/end sections. Increased the height of the backs and gave them a slight recline. Didn't have the effect that I wanted. Learned lots of lessons over the course of the month or so I was working on this. 1. Spring for the premium boards instead of the terrible ones you have to pick from for the common boards. 2. Use a stop block on your miter, and cut all your boards before starting assembly. Uniform cuts save lots of frustration. 3. They make outdoor use pocket screws. Who knew? We will see how long the first couple of sections hold up over time. 4. Stain REALLY doesn't stick to glue. Seriously, not even a little. Watch the over application and sand if it you have to. 5. Cushions are EXPENSIVE! 6. I HATE finishing. My wife stained the last 7 pieces.

 

Taking a break from building for a bit. It's summer, and I'd rather spend it at the pool than  sweating it out in my 100 degree garage. 

Estimated Cost
$1500+ by the time I bought the cushions. Possibly overspent on the premium pine, but well worth it to have a better selection of straight, square boards.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Thompsons waterseal and stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Coffee Table and End Table

Submitted by alsheats on Sun, 08/08/2021 - 02:46

Rustic X coffee table and end table. Used Minwax Special Walnut for the tops and shelves, and Rustoleum Heirloom White for the frames.

Comments

Farmhouse Table

I've been wanting a farmhouse table for the past year or so ever since we updated our kitchen cabinets. The thought of spending lots of money on a dining table was not something I wanted to do with two little boys who tend to get a little rambunctious at times! I found the plan for the farmhouse table, sent my husband a text with the link and asked if he thought we could build it. We've been on a roll recently building closet systems, and laundry organizers so I thought I would nab him while he was in building mode. He agreed to give it a try, and we built it this past weekend, with the help of a 2 and 4 year old.
The plans were very straight forward and easy to follow. We moved it inside to build after all the cuts were made (other than the bread board ends) as we knew it would be too large to carry in the house. We also cut 10 inches off the length as we did not have a big enough dining area for an 85" table.
Then we made the large rustic x bench for seating!

Estimated Cost
Lumber/supplies: $100 Finish: $15
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Table: Varathane weathered gray to start, the end result had a very strong blue tint which we did not like. We then put minwax dark walnut over the top, did not let it sit more than 1 minute and wiped. Finished with 3 coats of polyurethane. The end result turned out to be the look I was envisioning, talk about good luck!
Bench: Spray painted with Rustoleum Satin Lagoon, sanded, stained with dark walnut, and finished with polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Produce Stand

I really enjoyed this project!  It was very easy and inexpensive.  I used Weathered Oak stain to make the pine look aged.  I also countersunk all of the screws and used oak button dowels to give it a finished look.  I learned how to create the wording and images through YouTube.  Search: how to transfer an inkjet photo to wood.  Cool trick.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debbie742

Tue, 12/01/2015 - 04:50

My sister in law would like one of these and I'm wondering what angle cut you used for your support boards?  I like the idea of going corner to corner vs trying to get each one centered and not making a mistake. I'm also wondering about spacing and if you kept the measurements the same as "Over The Big Moon" ?  Thanks so much!!!

 

Debora Cadene

Fancy X

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 21:19

First large build I did by myself. Took a long time because I pre-drilled for every screw. Gave this table and bench to my brother. Made new table in hours- no need to predrill except for the 1x4 on the bottom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 because I bought a small Kreg jig
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
So many many layers of various stains, deck paints, paint, poly, etc p
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Picnic table sandbox

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/24/2021 - 16:43

Thanks for the plans. Added a little twist for the little one's.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Kids Pallet picnic table

Submitted by Blainesmom on Sun, 04/28/2013 - 14:23

There were no exact instructions so the project was just eyed. We used finishing nails to put it together so it would be easy to take apart if a mistake was made, then later we added the screws. Bought a can of rustoleum paint in navy blue. I get pallets for free from my mothers work, and we had screws laying around, so essentially the project was free.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X Kitchen Island

Submitted by tedgray86 on Wed, 03/18/2015 - 21:50

Ask for materials used

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse x coffe table without the x

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/17/2017 - 07:18

We loved the look of the farmhouse x table but my wife liked the slatted look of pallet furniture, so I replaced the 1x12 boards on the bottom with 1x4 cross pieces. I also changed the dimensions somewhat to fit in the space intended for the table so I got rid of the x frames on the ends because their angles changed with the dimensions of he table. Now our cabin looks even more rustic!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut with tung oil finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Slide out pot rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 11:07

Built my in-laws a new pantry closet. I wanted to give them as much pantry storage as possible so I followed Ana White’s slide out pot rack plans. My mother in-law loves the new space saver for her pots!

Built from Plan(s)

Toybox

Submitted by brianl on Mon, 04/29/2013 - 22:17

I loved this plan. Could not find anything else close. There is details on pocket screws from another user. I loved this. I did use plywood but edge the front and rear with a 1x2 (planed thickness to be flush with plywood). I also pocket screwed the 1x2 to the plywood. I loved this and it is way cleaner than exposed corner moulding.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General Finishes - Pre-condition, stained and 4 coats of poly!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

pam312

Wed, 05/22/2013 - 06:45

do you remember what color and brand of stain you used and what type of paint for the lettering?
thanks,pam

DIY Wooden Toy Truck

I built a wooden toy truck using a leftover 1x4 board in my garage.  For this build I used Ana White's plans for the wood wheelie cars.  This was a quick and easy project  and my first project using my scroll saw. Not too shabby for my first go at toy making.  However, I am not happy with the finished toy.  If I did it all over again, I would take my time with the finish.  Also, the driver was not perpendicular to the truck's body when I created the holes for the axles, so the truck leans slightly. My son does not seem to notice its flaws, so I will try to overlook them as well!  Check out the blog link for more project details!

Estimated Cost
I had most of the supplies on hand. I had to purchase a wood dowel and some wooden wheels, so no more than $5.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic Craft paint sealed with Mod Podge (Matte Finish)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Little Cottage Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 05:10

Pretty happy with how it turned out. Will take our 4 year year old a bit to get comfortable with the ladder. Wish our room was long enough to add the stairs. Good plans though and thank you Ana White for making them available online.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$225
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White flat paint we had leftover, took about 3/4 gallon for 2 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cassidy Bed with receding blocks pattern

Submitted by Kimiark on Mon, 09/13/2021 - 08:50

My son needed a bed for his new apartment and this is the design we chose. The cuts are 1x4 pine stained different colors. He loves the bed!

Comments