Community Brag Posts

Simple Bed Twin

Submitted by GMWW on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 19:22

Total cost was under $200. The wood was a combination of select pine, Douglas fir. I used Minwax clear finish. Instead of slats I used plywood. This is going into the spare bedroom. We are quite pleased.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner and Minwax clear Polyurethane fast drying.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

GMWW

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 20:45

Yes it comes apart. A total of four pieces. Headboard, footboard, and the two sides. Also a fith piece if you count the plywood base for the mattress. The sides are screwed in at each of the corners of the head and footboards.

PSUlion01

Mon, 05/12/2014 - 19:01

Thinking of building this for my son as we move from crib to bed. Just curious how sturdy and strong the bed is? From the pictures it doesn't look like there's much wood where the rails attach to the head and footboard. Did you use pocket holes and screws? Any comments on how it's held up, what you might do differently? Also any idea if it'll hold a kid and parent for nightly story time?

Thanks...nice work!

GMWW

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 15:22

It is in our guest room and does not get much use. However, it is screwed in at the corners not with pocket screws because the rails were too close to the edges. I chose to screw them in starting farther back and at a 45 degree angle to send the screw deeper towards the center of the four posts. It is very strong. Another suggestion would to purchase bed hardware. Hardware can be found online or in a hardware stores for attaching rails to bed posts. I've used such hardware for fixing commercial beds I've purchased.

Hope this helps.

ShaunSmith

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 08:26

You did a beautiful job of making that bed. Any chance you could tell me where you put all the screws?  We have a Kreg Jig but are completely stuck on where to put the screws in without seeing them (because we'd like to stain).

GMWW

Tue, 01/20/2015 - 15:25

Sorry it took so long to answer. Where I put the screws depended on how the bed was going to be placed in the room. In our case, the headboard was going to up against a wall. Therefore the screws were on the wall side of the headboard. The footboard of the bed had the screws on the mattress side. Kreg sells pocket hole plugs that work very well. Glue them in after you screw the head and foot boards together and sand them before finishing.

The sides of the bed that are attached to the head and foot boards and screwed in too. I had to screw them in at a sharper angle to get enough sideboard material but deep enough into the head and foot boards in. Use the longest screws possible for strength without going all the way through the four corner posts.

GMWW

Tue, 01/20/2015 - 15:37

Sorry I had to take a look again at the underside of the bed. I actually used the pocket hole screws on the sideboard to attached to the foot and headboards cross pieces if that helps.

GMWW

Tue, 01/20/2015 - 15:50

Either way described above will work. See added photos of plugged finished pocket holes and underside attachment to foot-board.

Corner beds

Submitted by CLDavis on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 12:52

Thanks for the plans! The beds turned out great. I just made everything about 6 inches higher for more storage space.

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

Sandbox for G

Submitted by Redboots on Tue, 06/14/2016 - 18:15

I made this for my 4-year old granddaughter and added it to the play area I built for her last summer. 

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

Comments

X Console

I built this X console for my kitchen, to replace an ugly cheap wardrobe that previously held my kitchen appliances. This made space for a kitchen organization space too- with calendars above, and bins for the kids' schoolwork etc.
The plan was easy to customize, and a great afternoon build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax gel stains in Rosewood and Black
Minwax Polyacrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Concealed Wall Desk for Computer

Submitted by Gabie on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:51

I built this fold-up desk, out of sheer necessity. It's rather unassuming when closed, yet fully functional when open, with built-in power outlets and light, a large screen, a nook for the laptop and the chargers, etc. It's tailored to my needs and specific size limitations, but I think you could make a great general plan of it for anyone needing a small-space hideaway desk.

Farmhouse table with bench

Submitted by gmirjah on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 08:38

This was my second project......it came out of necessity. We had a dining room with no furniture. I wanted a table that would stand the test of time. A place where we could eat, do homework and enjoy making memories. We have 4 little ones so a sturdy table was a must! All the tables I looked at were cheaply made or WAY over our budget. I found a wonderful couple in Ann Arbor where I purchased my wood. I had them assemble the top, (8 1x6's) since I do not have the equipment to plane and sand a top that large. The rest I did a little at a time.

I am very pleased with the result!

I modified the plans to fit our needs.......the changes are as follows: I did not make bread board ends, and my width is 44.5 in.

My next phase of this dining room is to build a buffet and hutch......I always juggle about three projects at a time so my realistic goal will be Thanksgiving!

Estimated Cost
$900.00 for both
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax 3 parts jacobean 1 part ebony Finished with 3 coats of satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Herb Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/20/2016 - 14:42

Modified the dimensions to make a good sized planter for patio herb garden :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$50 for lumber and supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades in classic black satin applied, then distressed with sander
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by charzilla on Sun, 04/19/2020 - 10:01

The current Covid-19 Pandemic has allowed me to re-explore hobbies that I have not had the time or resources to enjoy in the past several years. This coffee table is the first woodworking project I have made in nearly 15 years and it felt great to be back! Frame is painted white and finished with polycrilic. The top and shelf are finished with antique walnut and a polyurethane top coat for extra durability. Can't wait for the next challenge!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
85 CAD
Finish Used
White paint and Antique Walnut Polyshades
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Helper tower

Submitted by krismwc on Sun, 06/03/2012 - 20:29

Very quick and came together nicely! The only change I would make would be to raise the large bars on two of the sides because our daughter likes to stand on it and balance there (I see in some of the brags that some people did exactly that), but that wouldn't be an issue if she were bigger and the platform were lower (and I imagine that will happen soon enough!). You can see her just starting to try to stand on it in this photo. She is only 18 months old, so I'm looking forward to many years of use!

Estimated Cost
$25 + $40 for the jig saw that we were looking for an excuse to buy:)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
stain and top coat- this probably would have been an afternoon project had we gone the paint route- sanding and staining and top coating added up in time. I don't regret it, though, it looks great! We used a stain that matches our kitchen cabinents, but since they are different wood, the match isn't perfect- it came out a little darker on the pine. We also already had the stain. Cost would have gone up with purchase of top coat and stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Beach Cottage Dresser

Submitted by stacynabby on Mon, 03/24/2014 - 20:36

My friend, who is expecting a baby, asked me to build a changing table for her. She provided me with a couple of things on her wish-list. 1. to have a big enough top to change a baby (of course) 2. a cubby or cubbies for easy access to baby stuff 3. big enough drawers to house all those cute baby clothes. Well, she was given a couple of changing tables and the project just turned into a dresser. In any case, the Patrick Beach Cottage Dresser was a great design to work off of. This was my first build that I made for someone other than myself or my family. Every build becomes my favorite and this one is my newest favorite.

Estimated Cost
$300 (I used a better grade lumber)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats Rust-o-leum wood stain - willow (looks like a whitewash)
Four coats Minwax glossy polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mommyof2cuties

Wed, 03/26/2014 - 23:39

Wow! You did a gorgeous job & you're friend is very lucky to have received such a beautiful gift. Initially, when I saw you're photo, I thought it was a media dresser. The cubbies could also be used for TV components (DVD player, cable box, ect.) I can only hope to make such a great piece someday.

Little Kids picnic tables

Submitted by montero65 on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 09:42

After discovering these plans, I was excited to build one of these tables.  But my little one was not big enough yet, so I've been building them for friends.  When their kids hit 2, I give them a table for their birthday.  All the kids (and parents) have loved them.  Photos showing tables #1, #2, and #4.  Built #5 and #6 this week.  If I can go back and add in a photo afterwards, I'll post table #6 in blue.  Next up, table #7 for my little one.  I might tweak it a little so I can add an umbrella, too.  Thanks for the great plans Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $40-50 in materials, as I'm using the "select" pine from the store. Their non-select stuff is usually kind of junk, but it means the tables come out nicer.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Break down the table, sand all the pieces, then prime with Kilz, and finish with exterior high-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2 Seater Bench with Table in the Middle

Modified the bench from the plans I got from DIY Pete to curve the back like an Adirondack. Bench given to a Disabled Vet and his wife.

Rob L.

Comments

Adjustable Bookshelf

Submitted by Booooozle on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 20:13

This was the result of another weird space in our house. Our bedroom is actually the smallest bedroom of all four in the house, it's actually intended to be a nursery or a private office off of the Master Bedroom. When we moved in I just couldn't find a layout that I liked for our bedroom to be in the master bedroom, also there was only a single crank out window in that room & while the house's venting is set up for central air there is no unit attached, so there was no way we were going to be able to stay in that room. So we moved into the smallest bedroom of the house & turned the master into our enormous walk in closet, which I just love & the small bedroom is actually very cozy & easy to keep cool/warm. The only problem is there is an outcropping into the room from the old chimney. Well I filled the space under the window with our storage bench but didn't have shelf to fill the other one so I made one from left over wood from building our bed frame. I also had pegs from some shelves that were lost in a basement flood years before so I just measured out & drilled the holes for adustable shelving!

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

Cal King Farm Bed

My shopping list
5 1x8
2 2x6
13 2x4
2 2x10
8 1x4

I ended up not using the 1x3 like in the original plans and instead use an additional 1x8. I finished it with an ebony stain.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain Ebony Oil Wood Stain &

Minwax Oil-Modified Gloss Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Painted Tryde End Table with Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 01:00

A white spruce base painted with hessian chalk paint and waxed with furniture wax over the top. Topped off with a section of oak block kitchen counter waxed with dark oak wax

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust Oleum Hessian chalk paint with furniture wax over the top
Old Oak Kitchen counter top with Briwax dark oak wax
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Barn Door Bookcase/ Side Pantry

Submitted by BmoreITguy on Wed, 04/22/2020 - 05:57

This took a lot of time and money but I like the way it looks. We have 4 kitchen cabinets and one drawer and no room for more so storage is tight.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Same as Ana’s
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

BmoreITguy

Wed, 04/22/2020 - 06:00

Why is my picture sideways? Ana, one of the most frustrating things with this build was the mobile version of your site. Very laggy, typing lags, pages crash in the middle of typing or viewing and persistent ads are a nightmare

Fireplace Mantle with Milled Wood

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 11:16

Your plans were so helpful.  I used rough cut lumber from a white pine we harvested and milled ourselves, so had to do a bit of figuring, and also increased the height to 48”. I just love it and your plans made it so much easier.  

love.amandamarie on Instagram

 

Seasonal And Holiday

Dad Wins Again!

Scrap wood comes in handy when you need to build something quick. Our other end tables are in the garage because our little one likes to tip them over. So this was a quick fix, but we might use it as a writing/ coloring desk later.

Estimated Cost
free, scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

babysteps

Sun, 06/10/2012 - 17:27

making the shallow desk-like cubby in what is wasted space in most end tables.

patrickhosey

Mon, 06/11/2012 - 22:56

Glad you guys like it. I know my wife is happy with it. I don't know what steals the remotes more, the baby or the couch.