Community Brag Posts

How to get kids interested in woodwork...

Submitted by AndyH on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:19

This isn't really woodwork but was something made to get my step daughter interested in the art of making things from wood (and other materials)

Made from scraps of wood after an idea we saw on Pinterest.  She helped paint them and make the eyes and scarves for them.

It's the smallest project ever done but hopefully will embed the "bug" into her that making things with your hands is fun.

She has another 5 to decorate ready for Christmas.

Maybe she will be the next Ana, you never know!! :-)

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White water based paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ana White Admin

Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:24

Thanks for sharing a cute and fun project, it's never to early to get the kiddos involved!

Toddler bed & Compactum

Submitted by Isabellev on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 00:51

My little one refused to sleep in a cot so i sold it and made him a toddler bed with matching compactum. 

I used an old broken piano chairs legs on the bed.

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

Virtual learning desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/22/2020 - 13:20

Modified from the hutch and desk plans. Made for a friend’s daughter who needed a larger desk to accommodate all of her virtual learning needs.
https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desk-hutch-file-cubby-ba…
https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desk-drawers-and-file-cu…

Finish Used
Varathane Smoke Gray stain
Ultra white semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Planked Wood Sideboard

Planked wood sideboard without drawers, used as a media console table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner, pre-stain
Minwax Pearl Gray Wood Stain
White paint for "antique" look
another coat of Pearl Gray Wood Stain
Minwax Polyurethane coat over finished project
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DianeHibbs

Sat, 01/26/2013 - 13:47

I'm thinking of making this for a media console as well. How big is the TV in the photo? Did you change any of the dimensions?

Rustic x table

Submitted by V_garcia on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 19:37

Love my entry way table, plans details really easy to follow! Thanks you so much for this helpful website.

Estimated Cost
95
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut minwax stain and semi gloss minwax water basse sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed and Nightstand

Submitted by highwayk9 on Fri, 11/27/2020 - 19:53

I made the farmhouse bed and nightstand using 300 year old pine that was on a local home for 150 years. The bed rails I used 6/4 white oak and recycled pallet boards for the vertical boards. The bed posts I used two 2x4's laminated together and I wrapped them in the pine. The nightstand I used the same pine and pallet boards for the case. I then used 4/4 whit oak for the table tops.

Finish Used
Clear Gloss Polyurethane

Mantel Headboard with a Twist

Submitted by Linz on Tue, 01/22/2013 - 18:44

We followed the instructions for the most part. However, we did add 6 inches in height and the center of the headboard was larger. We completed a tufted upholstered insert that we added. It only took us about three days and we are very please with the results.

Only recommendation: After you sand, fill holes and other dents/dings in the wood use wood putty. Sand again. Prime. After priming, more "flaws" can appear. Take the time do fill again with wood putty and a light sanding. It is hard to do when all you want to do is paint...but the time will be worth it in the long run.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Semi-Gloss Paint in Glidden Dove White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

13 ft Community Farm Table with extended Trestle base

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/21/2017 - 18:43

Began with supplied DIY plans from the www.ana-white.com and slightly modified them based on the length and width of the table. Table now resides in Haddon Twp, NJ as a community farm table for a small local business. The plans provide the foundation and cut list and depending on your experience, comfort level, and tools it is fairly simply to elaborate, expand, and modify.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Base cost $250 - materials, hardware, paint, finish, sandpaper
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
gloss black and clear poly seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sofa table

Submitted by adecesare4 on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 06:19

While browsing Pinterest I stumbled across this design and liked it. One of the links led me here, so I will contribute the photo to this site.

I used pine ands birch plywood instead of mdf to construct this. This was a pretty simple design, but I really like the way it turned out. I was looking for something that I can store some sad keys in to hide some kids toys that are in the living room from time to time and this will aid imaging it an easy cleanup at the end of the night.

This will take some time to build because see of multiple pieces, but is not a hard build. It is important to select better quality pine for the outside legs and edging so that it fits together easier (and looks nicer too)

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

Octagon Table

Submitted by Avi8tor727 on Thu, 11/20/2014 - 07:28

Octagon table with metal chairs

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with a vinegar/steel wool oxidizing mixture-then with common tea. I then used rustoleum matte finish polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Two-Tone Adult Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 09:30

I wanted to make a black and brown picnic table, this one turned out really nice and it gets a lot of compliments.

 

I, also, reinforced the 2x6s used for the seats by boxing in 2x4s underneath.  I just cut 4 53" (probably could have been 54" honestly) and mounted them to the bottom of the seats and screwed them into the seat cross members.  This should keep them from flexing.

Estimated Cost
9 2x6 - 8' - $40,
9 2x4 - 8' - $30,
Screws - $25 (headlok and kreg),
8 cans of paint - $35,
(already had sand paper),

Total $130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
8x valspar project perfect paint + primer Gloss Black (1 coat)
8x valspar color radiance paint + primer Dark Gloss Toast (1 coat)

I will probably also put a clear coat on it to help protect it some
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entryway bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 06:58

Thanks Ana for all you do to help us find our inner wood worker. I took one of your designs and modified it slightly to build this entryway bench for my daughter as a Christmas gift and hopefully future keepsake for the grandkids.

Estimated Cost
>$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint and Espresso stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bathroom Storage Tower

Submitted by Quintin79 on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 08:53

I loved the look of the Craft room Storage tower but modified to suit my wife's bathroom theme/decor. The inside back (MDF beadboard) is painted a milk coffee color to lighten it up. The door inserts are plexiglass, which was more expensive than glass but with 2 boys 6 and 2 it is well spent, and the MDF beadboard. Covered the plexiglass with self-adhesive film for glass on both sides to hide the towels inside. This project took me about 12 hours to complete but over a 3 month period, mostly spent on finishing the project with my boys underfoot or at 12-2am. YIKES!!! If i keep this up she will want to buy instead of letting me build.
Price List:
wood: $100
Stain/Paint: left over from house reno. would have been $15 stain $20 Varnish 30$ quart of paint
Handle: $7
Hinges: $4 basic style
I wanted to use Eurostyle hinges but opted to buy the Kreg system instead of Forstner drill bits.

Will be building another just different dimensions for laundry room makeover.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100$ CDN for lumber everything is more expensive in Canada
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Saman's waterbased stain Chocolate Varnish applied
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Quintin79

Sat, 01/26/2013 - 12:18

Thanks! It was my first furniture building project! I did a huge reno that i did on my house but that is construction and 1/8th in isnt as big of an issue as in furniture.

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Cmontagna on Sun, 11/23/2014 - 18:31

Used the Rustic X Coffee Table plans for this project. I altered it slightly to add the bread boards on the end. I also used my jointer to create a more flush joint between boards. When I went to cut the "x"'s out of 2x2's the boards ended up being too short. I'm working on a similar piece for a family member and I am waiting to cut these pieces until I'm almost finished to save stock. I also used a chain, hammer, nails, and metal clamp to beat the table top to "age" the wood a bit. 

 

This project doesn't take long to build. Finishing takes about a week. 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 - $150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish:

- 1 coat of black tea

- used the oxidized solution on certain parts of the boards to create definition.

- Sanded these spots to lighten them up.

- 2 coats of Minwax Red Chestnut stain.

- 2 coats of finishing wax

- 2 coats of polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Whiskey Barrel Coffee Table/Ice Chest Beer Cooler

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2017 - 10:55

Took an old whiskey barrel, secured the staves before cutting in half. Built a frame around the top. Built the lid out of old cedar picket fencing and cut the legs out of old Barnwood. Sprayed the inside with Flex Seal to make it waterproof. And used an old used Horse Shoe for the handle. Stained in 4 different shades and clear coated the whole table. 

Estimated Cost
Whiskey barrel $80 plus misc supplies. Approximate cost to build less than $100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax wood finish stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My first Build

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/14/2020 - 13:48

My first build. Toddler chair. Had to cut the legs from the original plans since my 2 year old nephew’s legs dangled and it was hard for him to climb on to. Loved it. Thanks Ana for the plans.

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

we built this table for our new home when we couldn't find an existing table that we wanted for under $1000. we were hesitant to attempt building it ourselves since we haven't attempted anything similar before, but knew we could do it with a plan. there were a couple bumps in the road as we learned how to read the plan and understand the different techniques, but we LOVE the end result. Especially because it didn't cost us anything out of pocket! {we had a lowes giftcard:)} the total came to about $130 for all the supplies; including the paint and poly for the finishing.

read more about the process on my blog: http://www.carissamiss.com/2012/11/house-projects-completed.html

Estimated Cost
$30 {we had a gift card} but without one it was around $130 for both
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax stain in dark walnut
olympic pure white; {used 50/50 water and paint mixture for whitewash}
poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tracie's Ladder Shelf

Submitted by pondrider on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 10:32

I used all distressed or reused wood. While I followed plans from Ana’s posting I used reused or distressed wood, cutting the wood to the plans specifications.   Cutting the wood I also considered the nominal size of lumber and the size requested in the plans.  Even with the unit sanded and pained the I like the character that has come through.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Used my own materials
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanding and paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by jhprice1 on Wed, 03/01/2017 - 13:50

Big thanks to Ana for the plans and the rest of the community for ideas! This was my first major project, and I'm very happy with the way it turned out. This bed was based on the King Farmhouse plan. I wanted a look that was a little less rustic than the classic farmhouse style, so I substituted the boards for oak plywood and framed it out with some pine boards and cove molding.  The pine boards are 1x3s.  I topped the headboard and footboard with a 2x4 and then a 2x6 overhanging the 2x4 evenly on three sides (it's flush in the back).

The posts are 4x4 cedar.  I used lag bolts and glue to attach the posts and concealed the large holes with wood plugs cut from scrap sections of the 4x4.  

I wanted to be able to break the bed down, so I used Rockler no-mortise bed fittings to connect the side rails to the headboard and foot board.  I highly recommend these fasteners.  They are easy to use and seem very solid. I framed out the bed with 2x4s that I connected directly to the side rails with pocket hole joinery.  (First time using the Kreg jig - love it!!).

Thanks again!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded everything down to 150 grit, applied one coat of Minwax Hickory Gel Stain and then one coat of Minwax Sedona Red Wood Finish stain.  I didn't use wood conditioner because I couldn't get the color dark enough.  I don't think the final product was too "blotchy" without the conditioner, but your mileage may vary depending on materials.

I used shellac for the finish, and I'm happy I did.  There was definitely a learning curve (don't go back and try to fix blemishes and missing spots, as it dries too quickly-just add another coat), but it's a forgiving and beautiful finish.  I did three "sessions" with 2-3 coats per session, sanding by hand with 220 grit paper after the first and second session. I switched back and forth between brushing the shellac and applying it with a rag. I didn't come away with a strong preference either way.  I was happy with the final result without rubbing it out or polishing.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Island

Submitted by Kaunti on Sun, 12/20/2020 - 08:20

Built with Red oak had to glue to get 2 by 4, then minwax stain with red mahogany, top is maple center with mahogany and walnut strips around.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mimwax red mahogany and high gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments