Community Brag Posts

My Chicken Tractor

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 16:33

I used your plan to create a breeding pen for my little brother's millie fleur d'Uccle. I am using it as a 4H project. Thank you so much for the plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console Table Build

Submitted by amandak778 on Wed, 05/13/2020 - 06:55

This was the first time I've ever set out to build something 100% on my own. I saw a photo of this table and fell in love and decided why not build it?! Made my material list, got all the supplies, and refused to let my husband help in any way shape or form :). I was able to finish the build and get paint on in a day and stained the 2nd day so one weekend later - I have my table!!!

The directions were great and now I'm working on my 2nd project and planning my third! Even started acquiring my own tools so I don't have to use the hubby's lol ;)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)

Rustic X console

Submitted by ussreddawg on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 11:54

A x console table made to fit in recessed area near dining table. This was made out of scrap and left over blue pine. Top, middle and bottom shelves were joined with biscuits and kreg screws. In order to get more dimension out of legs I made out of 1x that were ripped at 45 and then the 4 pieces were joined with biscuits. Was stained with white mini wax

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white wash mini wash
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sarahwilley2

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 10:04

So instead of using the 1x12 for the shelves, you make them with (looks like) 2x3 or 2x4? I'm trying to figure out how to make mine deeper than the 16 inches it's drawn up for.

ussreddawg

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 14:01

I ripped 1x12's down to 1x4 and then used biscuits to edge join. I used a 1x2 for the edges (face plate) to add strength. I ripped them down because I like the look of smaller width boards and also my 1x12 were a little warped. If you have autocad I can send you my plans.

sarahwilley2

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 15:51

I unfortunately don't have autocad. I did some sketching and drawings and came up with that I'm shortening the length of the table and making it deeper. It'll be 46 inches wide and 24 inches deep. I'm using 2x6 for the bottom shelves and 2x4 for the top. Where I want to put it is limited space. Thanks for the advice!

Tryde Counter Height Table

I took Ana's beautiful Tryde Coffee Table plan and readjusted it to fit my needs for a kitchen table. It measures approximately 32" x 32" x 48" and I followed the plans provided almost to the tee. I didn't include the 2x2 table supports since the table seemed sturdy enough, and drilled straight into the top of the table and just covered the screws with Elmers stainable wood filler. I kind of rushed the project due to lack of time, and only really did one coat of stain of the Dark Walnut. It actually turned out really well, and had some of the texture of the wood show through the stain.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut (Use foam brush)
Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish (Use foam brush)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Our Pacific Northwest Privy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/25/2016 - 11:25

We have a small rustic cabin that needed a clean, functional outhouse.  We followed Ana's plans, but with a few modifications to include a Solar gray polycarbonate roof to let in light.  We also decided on cedar board & batten for the siding.   We look forward to many years of use. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr - Cedar naturaltone Weatherproofing. All boards were cut to size and then stained with 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

White Farm Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/15/2024 - 18:20

I was recently divorced and decided to fully transform my bedroom. It's not quite done in this picture - but the bed is! This is Ana's King farmbed, and it's amazing.

Comments

Scooter

Submitted by tylerdr on Mon, 07/09/2012 - 00:04

Pretty simple to build. I would suggest when notching the main body and the front piece, to notch the main body only about 1/2 an inch and the front about 3 1/2 inches. The body is very thin, so having it notched all the way down can, and did, cause it to break. Just a suggestion though.

Also the plan does not include the braces for the body to attach to the rocking legs. I just measured the base of the scooter wheels and added about 1/2 inch. I cut that width off the end of the remaining wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red, blue, and black spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Simple Outdoor Dining Table

Submitted by DD5.1 on Sat, 04/26/2014 - 20:00

I didn't make any changes , his orginal design was great. Hope these pictures help others. I tried to link to the modified-simple-outdoor-dining-table but wasn't able too.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
make sure you stain as you go
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DD5.1

Sun, 04/27/2014 - 14:06

Found the plans "modified-simple-outdoor-dining-table" and I built it. Very nice table, I posted more pcitures to help others

DD5.1

Sun, 04/27/2014 - 14:06

Found the plans "modified-simple-outdoor-dining-table" and I built it. Very nice table, I posted more pcitures to help others

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/27/2016 - 13:07

First, this table came out amazing because I started with amazing plans.  I went off the plans for a few minor tweaks and also added some accents that are not part of the original plans.

 

Our table is 100" long due to the size of the room.  This allowed me to keep the three pedestals and still have the table look appeasing to the eye.  Kept it at 40" wide and 30" high give or take a 1/4".

 

The two tweaks from the plans I can remember at this point are my long rails at the sides of the table do not extend the length of the table.  The two end pieces are 40" instead.  This is because I didn't buy long enough 2x4s and only realized this once I got to those cuts.  Not a big deal, I'm actually happy with the result.  The second tweak is no inner rounded edges.  2x4 lumber is rounded on all four edges.  Within the interior of the table, I wanted flush contact with all pieces.  Since cutting one edge off of a standard 2x4 would bring it to about 3.25" wide thus effecting the overall width of the table, I decided to rip down and plane a 4x4 then route the out edges to get that round edge back, but on one side.  

 

As for the the add-ons that the plans didn't call for...  For one, I added accent lag bolts spray painted to a similar color of the table at the four corners of the top and two on each leg kicker.  These bolts are for esthetics only.  The six bolts going through the legs into the 2x6 lock the 2x6 and the legs into place so they can't slide apart.

 

Lastly, I created wide wire wheel using a lag bolt and 5 5" brass fine wire wheels to give the table a distressed weathered look.  This is difficult to see in photos but in person looks really nice.  My favorite feature of the table.

 

Lastly, I stained the table with White Wash Pickling.  As soon as I finished spraying and wiping, I went to the briarsmoke then vigorously wiped it away to bring out the white underneath, especially on the knotted areas.  

 

Overall, I couldn't be happier with the table.  I want to thank everyone who posted photos of their tables.  They were all an inspiration me and my build.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me any time!

 

Thank you,

Jerry

Estimated Cost
$200-250 not including tools and time
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Wash Pickling, Briarsmoke, Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Park Bench

I made the Modern Park Bench with a shou sugi ban treatment for my first wood working project. Love it & so does my pug Maximus! Thanks Ana for the easy to follow step by step instructions! Already looking forward to my next build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Shou sugi ban

Book or Magazine Ladder Shelf

I made a more narrow version of this bookshelf. I needed a place for the thicker books to go, so I left the top shelf open. This bookshelf has made it so simple for the boys to clean up after reading. Even my four year old knows to put his books back!!! YESSSSS!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our first build!

Submitted by Crabby85 on Mon, 04/28/2014 - 19:27

This was our first project yet, and we plan to do many more! We did the bulk of this project in one weekend, and took our time with the finishing touches. We added trim to frame the outsides, using solid 1x2 pieces, and added just 4 feet to the bottom so Roomba can fit under there and do his job! The stain we used was used in other projects by Ana, and we love the rustic feel!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax charcoal grey with satin finish poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage Room

This basement storage room was packed with 10 years of junk and smelled like funk! Divided into 3 piles, burn, donate and keep. Now with sealed and painted walls and epoxy'd floors we hope to use this as a storage/craft room. Next on the list is a craft/storage/wrapping station for the other corner. I also built a small stand that the artificial tree is sitting on. Due to condensation (humid Michigan summers) we don't want anything to sit on the concrete.

Estimated Cost
$90 for 22 10' 2x4's and a box of deck screws.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dog Food Storage Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:00

I've been searching for a pet food bin for a while now, and started looking for something cuter than an ugly plastic bin. I found a few things on Etsy but none were big enough and also cost a lot of $$$. I took the Modern Cedar Outdoor Storage Bench plans, and modified the size to fit large bags of dog and cat food from Costco, or pet food bins. I'm 55 years old and have fixed things around the house, but this was my first time building something.
I am so happy with how this turned out! I found the dog bone handle online and my daughter painted the paw prints. Way cuter than what I found online and I built it using reclaimed wood I had laying around - my only cost was the handle. Thanks Ana!

Heather Durand https://www.facebook.com/pinkprincesshc

Beginner Bar Stools

Submitted by pchireah on Sat, 07/14/2012 - 13:20

This was my first time building anything, since the tool box I made in wood-shop in highschool! I made the stools about 3" shorter than the plans to accommodate our low counter height. Otherwise, I really had no idea what I was doing, but learned a lot through the process. Also, I don't really have a great work space, other than the 10'x10' second bedroom in our NYC apartment. At least all the dust can stay in one place. Looking forward to my next project of an outdoor table for our terrace - I'm hooked!!! Thanks Ana for making this so accessible. Some of my friends now want to come over and build projects for their apartments too!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I have no idea. I had to purchase everything from saws to nails to wood glue and wood. Also I bought the wood in multiple stages. Wood in NYC is too expensive, but I probably spent around $100 on wood for all three stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
on the top, Antique Walnut gloss stain and poly in one, sanded down after the fact and Ultra Pure White, paint and primer in one - two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My first project turned out great!

Submitted by kaylynn119 on Fri, 05/02/2014 - 08:17

Didn't turn out identical to the plan. I changed some measurements to work with her porch and the space I had to hang it, but all in all I'm more then pleased with it! ;-)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain and fast dry polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Redwood 2x4 outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2016 - 09:16

This is my attempt at the 2x4 outdoor sofa.  The entire sofa is made out of 2x4 Redwood, so the cost was a little high at $150 for the wood.  I'm still waiting on cushions, but I went overboard and bought them custom made so the total for those came out to $520.  Overall, I could have easily bought a complete set online but hey, this is more fun!

 

My one concern is the back support.  I'm thinking of building something angled in, but haven't thought of the best approach yet, that will still look good.  

 

 

Estimated Cost
$670
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Redwood stain (still need to finish with a gloss sealer).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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