Community Brag Posts

Play Workbench

My son loves to be in the shop with me. For Christmas I thought he would really like his own workbench with some tools that he sees me use. He really gravitates toward the clamps and my drill. I lucked out and found a fun drill that he really enjoys... "just like Daddy's!" I hope it serves him well for years to come.

The frame is joined with glue and screws. The screw holes are filled with contrasting dowels and cut flush. The top is 2 pieces of 3/4" birch laminated together. I rounded over all the edges with 1/4" roundover bit in the laminate router. The top is attached with pocket screws.

Estimated Cost
Scrap wood and free pegboard
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Scott Kershaw

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 01:41

I put a 1/4" roundover on all the edges. I need to sneak it out to the garage to round over the top shelf but the kid hasn't stopped playing "wood shop. More power. Ogh, ogh, ogh!"

Pedestal Table Herringbone Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/22/2017 - 10:38

Herringbone Table

Thanks for the wonderful plans! This is my 2nd Ana White build (traditional turned leg, pottery barn desk). I used the legs from this build and then leveraged some tips from another blog for the herringbone top using 2 sheets of MDF as a base (http://www.southernrevivals.com/2014/06/tile-top-herringbone-table-make…). My herringbone table took some planning, as it is over 13' long. Now all of my family can eat together when we get together!

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Provincial Stain (4 coats) and Semi Gloss Poly, both by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tilt-Out Kitchen Trash Can Cabinet

Submitted by Fritz Lane on Sat, 10/10/2020 - 11:32

Here's my take on Ana's 'Wood Tilt-Out Trash or Recycling Cabinet.' It's made from lumber salvaged from pallets found locally. Two changes made from the original plans:

- Raised panel on the door
- Used two stop blocks inside the cabinet to limit motion on the door (instead of chains)

The only items that were purchased were the trash can, hinges, door pull and Kreg screws.

Links for techniques and finishes used in this project:

Raised panels:
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2006/03/01/making-raised-panel-doors-o…

Milk paint finish:
http://toolmakingart.com/2008/06/16/two-layer-milk-paint/

Topcoat on cabinet:
https://sawsonskates.com/bobs-miracle-finish/

Estimated Cost
Approximately $30
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For the cabinet, a two-layer milk paint formulation. The red tint was obtained using Sakrete powdered cement color, a product made for adding color to concrete. A link is shown in the Summary section (above).

Topcoat on the cabinet is a mix of spar varnish, paint thinner and boiled linseed oil. A formulation for the finish can be found in a link in the Summary section (above).

Finish on the top was a product called "Maxithane" from Sico. It's a combination of stain and polyurethane. The color is Cedar. I happened to find a can of this product at a dollar store that specializes in closeout deals and haven't seen it in any stores since.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Gift-Chalkboard

This project was a Christmas gift for the niece and nephew. It turned out better than expected and was easy to do. I followed the plan, just made it shorter and narrow for a 3 and 6 year old to use. Mom and dad liked it a lot. I took off 8 inches from the height and width. Luckily someone else had the chalkboard paint leftover. That helped to keep the cost down. I had left over plywood from another project. I just bought the hinges and 1x2 and 1x3's. That's why the cost is fairly low for this project. Its worth saving those scrape pieces. Thanks Ana.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalkboard paint, 2 layers of Red Oak stain, with 2 layers of polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tilt Out Trash Bin

This was my first project using an Ana White plan....Modified it a bit...quite happy with how it came out...it was very low cost to make and a lot of fun.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Stain....Spring Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mega Buffet!

Measuring 8' long, 36" tall, 20" deep, and weighing nearly 400lbs, this is truly a MEGA BUFFET!

Cabinet Materials: 3/4" cabinet-grade birch plywood sub-frame. 1/4" V-groove rear paneling. American Poplar face-frame

Top: 2-1/2" thick American Spalted Ambrosia Maple flitch

Hardware: Custom

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

Comments

Farmhouse X Desk

Submitted by Jeremysj on Thu, 10/15/2020 - 10:59

I built the Farmhouse X Desk with full extension drawers instead of shelves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White cabinet & furniture paint and dark walnut stain for the top. Finished the top with several coats of Minwax polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Countertop Pie Box Safe

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/21/2024 - 08:37

Sorry for the messy background. I made this out of scrap pine I had on my lumber rack. It turned out pretty poorly in my humble estimation, but it'll serve the purpose next week! I still need to finish it off with a magnetic latch for the door, and a satin clear coat. It's #3 lumber, so certainly not good lumber, but it was fun building it, and it's flaws will serve to make it a bit eclectic. The next one will be made out of hardwood! Thanks for the plan! It's really neat, and I hope to be able to market them as well. - Mike in beautiful northeastern Tennessee!

Built from Plan(s)

Rolling grill cart table

Submitted by kmatt55 on Sat, 10/18/2014 - 19:13

I made the countertop with 2 plywood boards screwed together and topped the stainless steel with heavy duty adhesive.  I adjusted the plans a little to accommodate my space.  Thanks for the plans!  It was a fun build!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Glossy black exterior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Sectional - Love It !

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/18/2020 - 06:11

Great experience building this sectional, although would recommend pre-drilling the holes where practical to avoid splitting. It only happened to me a few times on #2 douglas fir, but I would have preferred to avoid it. As you can see from the picture, I didn't account for the siding taking up the space, and was expecting a perfect fit. Easily fixed with a bit of saw work, and now it's really custom fit for the space. :-)

I've added the details of the finish we used, and really happy with how it turned out, with the exception of my garage workshop lighting not revealing the spots I need to touch up now that it is in the natural light.

And of course, this is a terrific time to purchase couch cushions at the end of the season. Lots of great sales, and we found these at Target for $47 per top/bottom set.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Rock Solid Deck Start Wood Primer followed by Behr Premium Porch and Patio Floor Paint. This gave a really matte finish that looks a lot like the metal patio furniture we will have next to it, and Home Depot was able to tint this for us. We also added a mildew and moss inhibitor to the paint at the store for a couple extra bucks since we live in the PNW. The extra time needed to get multiple coats on for full coverage was totally worth it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cabin Bunk for my 5yo son

Submitted by SDPerkins on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 12:27

My first Ana-White plan project. We are pleased with the plans and result. only made a few minor changes.

Estimated Cost
375
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kona stain/sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Labine37

Tue, 03/31/2015 - 09:01

I'm making the top bunk right now, I was wondering which plan you used for the ladder?

Thanks

Our version of this awesome little greenhouse

I found your plans last summer and loved the design so I decided to build one for my wife for her birthday last August. I didn't get started until the weekend of her birthday in late August so there was little expectation to have it finished before winter. It is now 14 months later and I only have a few trim pieces left to install. We live in a harsh climate and I wanted to be able to use it through the winter so I made a few changes. I built a 2 x 12 base and insulated it with R40 and the bottom walls are 2 x 6 instead of 2 x 4 and are insulated with R20. I used twin wall polycarbonate instead of the corrugated lexan because of the superior R factor. The insulated walls are of course vapor barriered and I covered them with tongue & grove cedar. I also made raised benches out of cedar for growing potted plants on. The floor has ceramic tile on it and the exterior is colored metal. I also ran underground power to the building and installed a fluorescent grow light. Surprisingly a small 110 volt heater keeps the temperature above freezing even during our awesome -40 winter temperatures. If the daytime temperature is anywhere near or above freezing we have to keep the screen open in the door or it overheats inside. I have attached links to a few pictures of the almost finished product, ready for another winter full of flowers and veggies. I initially used clear vapor barrier until the twin wall polycarbonate showed up. This worked rather well. 

I have posted this in the comments section as well, but I think it belongs here.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Material costs were just over $5,000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
exposed cedar was stained
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JB

Sat, 03/21/2020 - 09:42

Love your ideas! I have a few questions if you don't mind. Where did you buy the polycarbonate sheets, and what sizes were available? Did you end up changing the plan a bit to accommodate the vertical sheets? Did you seal top and bottom with foil tape and dust tape respectively or poly flashing?

Any help or advice would be appreciated very much.

JB

Flat Wall Book Shelf

This is a shorter and wider (and simplified) version of the Flat Wall Book Shelf.  (Approx 48" wide and 40" tall). Trying to maximize wasted space under sloped ceilings.  I did jig-saw out a notch for the baseboard so it would be secured flat to the wall.  My only regret is that I didn't put this baby up sooner.  I've been kicking books around this room for years!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Off the Shelf red paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hidden Catbox

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/22/2020 - 07:26

Wife and I decided we needed something to contain the smell of our two litter boxes. Found the Ana White plans and modified them to fit my needs. Used a grow house filter attached to an inline extractor fan to keep a slight negative pressure inside the box. With the extractor fan on low there is zero litter box smell.
Project turned out really well. Although this one turned out great, I would spend the extra money and buy the better wood for the frame next time.

Estimated Cost
$350.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax water based prestain, old leather stain, and polycrylic finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

4-Foot Crown and Hooks Wall Shelf

The decorative 4-foot crown and hooks wall shelf makes a beautiful place to display photos and other decorations and also provides a practice application to hang backpacks, coats, hats and even Christmas stockings. It is fairly simply to build with basic tools such as a table saw and a miter saw.

The project costs about $57 to make with about half of the cost in the hooks. The overall dimensions of the project are 48 inches wide by 12 inches tall. It takes about 2-3 hours to build.

Download the plans at my woodworking blog at:
http://www.jrlwoodworking.com/

Estimated Cost
$57
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We painted the wall shelf with a high-quality Rust-Oleum 32 oz. Painter's Touch (two coats) and then mounted Everbilt Decorative Coat and Hat Hook from Home Depot. We chose a semi-gloss paint to give it some sheen. Depending on the color, we used the Everbilt Oil-Rubbed Bronze hooks for white shelves and the Everbilt Antique hooks for dark shelves.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kristenlotz

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 12:30

We actually have this shelf in a bright white color in our foyer to hang coats for visitors. We also put our Christmas stockings on it (one hook for each member of the family).

Toddler bed

Submitted by Mommaoven on Fri, 10/24/2014 - 21:38

 

Pottery Barn inspired toddler bed, made with reclaimed lumber from our home reno. The wainscoting is real (not mdf), $2 from the HD cull lumber rack. It had a damaged piece, but the remaining part of the board sufficed for this small project. Screws are countersunk. 

The curve is elliptical (drawn with loop of string and two nails for foci, transferred to board and cut with jigsaw)

The construction is lighter than the original plan, using what was at hand and for a young toddler. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2 lumber
$3 stain
$1 screws/sandpaper wear/saw wear/etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax "golden pecan", clear poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY BARN DOOR STYLE SHUTTERS IN THE MAN CAVE!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/02/2017 - 08:39

Ever since we've moved into our new home, My Husband Matt has put his room (Or "Man Cave" as we know it) on the back burner so that other things could be done first. He has been so sweet about letting me use it for home decor, event decor, clothes, and misc. storage. 

Well, since the hectic first couple of months as new homeowners is starting to die down, I had made my mind up that I would help him get started on his Man Cave as an early Birthday present! He deserves it!!

In passing, he made a comment to me the other day that he would love to have some kind of rustic window treatments in his room. I pulled up Pinterest and nonchalantly pointed out a couple of ideas to see which one he liked the most. We went in the room together and he started to describe what he wanted them to look like. (Again, he was saying this in general. I doubt he thought I was crazy enough to attempt it. Welllll…)

The next day I worked on my usual “project prep” routine:

  • Find the best design that will fit the space.
  • Take measurements
  • Draw up a plan of what it should look like and include measurement points
  • Take measurements, AGAIN, just to be safe
  • Look for Lowes or Home depot coupons
  • Head to the store and get this bad boy rolling!

I first measured the window casing. (My window casing doesn’t have crown molding around it on the sides or at the top, which was a plus! This will make them easier to attach!)

My window measures 35″ wide and 58″ tall. So, here’s how I figured the math:

  • If the window is 35″ wide, and we need two shutters, we will need to divide 35″ by 2, giving us 17.5.
  • I would like to get a little room for clearance, so lets round both sides to 17 even, giving us a 1 inch clearance. (Room for the doors to open and close properly without worrying about rubbing.)
  • You will want the shutters the same height as the window of course, so each of my shutters will need to measure 17″ wide and 58″ tall.  There are tons of different styles for these shutters so all you need to know is that each shutter needs to be half of the window width (minus 1/2 inch from each shutter for clearance.)And then you can just decide what design and boards you want to use.
  • I used (4) 1×10’s for my shutters. (And if you are familiar with wood, you know that the real measurement for a 1×10 = 9.25, so I had 37 inches of wood to work with.) I trimmed 1 1/2 inches from each of the inner 1×10’s to get them where I wanted them to be. Leaving them as 7.75″.
  • You will need 1×4’s for both sides on the window to attach your shutters to. They will need to measure the length of your window as well. (1×4’s are really 1×3.5)
  • For the boards that lay across the shutters, I purchased (4)  3×24 thin boards.
  • Cut these boards to the same length as each shutter. Which in my case, would be 17″. DON’T FORGET you will need to also cut (4) pieces to go on each of your 1×4’s that are on the sides. The latches will sit on these pieces and make them even with the pieces that are on the shutters.

So, after my cutting was all said and done, I had:

(2) 9.25×58 

(2) 7.75×58

(2) 3.5×58

(4)3×17

(4)3×3.5

Estimated Cost
This entire project cost somewhere around $100 to make! Including the hardware!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain in Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Thankful FAUX the Fireplace!!

This Christmas I was determined to have a fireplace for the stockings to hang from! I played with the design a little to add depth and height.... and tiled a little.

Loved the results for only my second project from here!! Not perfect, but mine!lol Thanks for sharing Ana!!

~Dina

Estimated Cost
140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
American walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Not So Rustic Table

Submitted by Oawad79 on Mon, 10/27/2014 - 06:44

I have built this table following the plan from the woodwhisperer website under the name "Not So Rustic Outdoor Table", Used white pine

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
PolyShade
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate