Community Brag Posts

Grandy Sliding Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/23/2017 - 07:27

I built this 7 months pregnant and couldn't be happier with it. The plans were excellent and easy to follow. I was intimidated by the hard ware at first but that was also very simple. Overall very happy with this project build.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained top Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

simple bench

Thanks for the plans on the simple bench

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
custom stain gloss laq. top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Birthday Bed Surprise!

heartyesMy FIRST carpentry project! Good thing my husband was willing to help as it was a little heavy and I was googling terms like "counter-sink."  It would have been so much easier if we hadn't made it a birthday surprise for my daughter. She LOVES it! 

I purchased choice 2x4s and was so sad to see how much sanding the planks still required, even with an electric rotary sander. That added a few hours-perhaps because I am such a beginner! 

We used a white nylon rope which matched her room better, but again, increased the cost a bit.

I am really proud of the results! 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ben Moore Cherry Tomato paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Thu, 11/20/2014 - 17:44

You should be VERY proud of the great job you did on your first building project, it looks awesome!  Love the color, and that smiling face says it all!  Well done!!

Handmade by MARS

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 11:13

Followed the plan until we decided on a bottom shelf.  Where there's a will there's a way. Made it a little bit harder but well worth it 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $100.00
Finish Used
Oil based stain fir top and water based stain fir button for deeper color. Used a wipe on poly on everything and waxed and buffed the top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Bench

Submitted by Eddie A on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 16:25

This was my first bench build and I’m happy with the way it turned out! I adjusted the plans to account for wood movement of the table top using mortise and tenon joinery and draw board pins on the bread board ends. Also edge glued the table top boards and used z-clips to attach the bench top.

Built from Plan(s)

Storage Chaise Lounge

Submitted by kristine on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 12:59

It took the husband and I a good 3 days to finish this project. You can read more of my experience with this chaise on our blog:
http://tonyandkristine.blogspot.com/

For the plans, I found them at Lazy Liz on Less blog:
http://lazylizonless.blogspot.com/2012/05/it-took-me-while-to-decide-wh…

Estimated Cost
Appx $220
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Waverly print fabric, Varathane Stain + Poly in Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Washer Dryer pedestal

Submitted by glap on Mon, 11/24/2014 - 05:59

Thank you so much to Sausha and this site for the instructions, shopping list and measurements! I finally have my pedestal! No more back aches! I modified the height to 15" by making the posts to 6" and added center posts using 2x4.

 

 

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr paint (1 coat) and white paint for the design
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Kids table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2017 - 14:59

This is a twist on the Rustic X console.  I made it wider, shorter and only did one shelf which is indented so the benches can both slide under for easy storage. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The stain is a combination of Dark Walnut and Weathered Grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified desk into makeup vanity

Submitted by jlfreck23 on Mon, 12/14/2020 - 19:22

I built this for my adult daughter’s Christmas present. I modified the plan to have three drawers instead of the cubby. I also tapered the bottom of the legs. I added a back piece to hold a mirror. I also added door knobs to the back for necklaces.

The top and the back board are both 4 boards glued and clamped together. I finished the edges of the top, drawer fronts, and the back board with an ogee router bit.

Estimated Cost
$140 (lumber is expensive right now)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mahogany stain on the top and drawer faces. It is a golden oak stain for the base. Finished with a satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

White Tail Deer Head Mount Plaque

Submitted by jere7782 on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 01:39

I did this project for my father's birthday this February. Any ideas to improve it let me know. I hand drew the plaque on the back. I used some old brass when I went hunting in the past.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the natural wood stain on the head and a darker stain on the plaque. It took me about 6 hours to do whole project. I had to cut out each peice on a scroll saw.

Have fun and be careful.

I do have plans if people want them.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Hillary's Locker Cabinet With Charging Cubbies First Project Thanks

Submitted by pondrider on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 11:06

This is my Thank You Project.  I made this as was presented with the plans from my daughter and asked to make it.  Thanks to Ana White for posting great plans to follow.   This unit has been through five moves with teenagers doing the lifting.  There are no issues except I did repaint it.  http://ana-white.com/2011/12/plans/hillary039s-locker-cabinet-charging-cubbies This is my first project so I followed the plans exactly. 

Estimated Cost
A little over a $100 with some beginner mistakes and redos.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sand and Paint as requested.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Guitar Stand

Submitted by Eddie K on Thu, 03/02/2017 - 13:49

Built this guitar stand basically by using on-hand materials left over from another project.  Used 1x12's; 18" tall fir for sides and back braces (cut at 5 degrees on each side).  Added felt strips to protect the instrument.

Estimated Cost
Probably around $20-25. Need about 4' of 1x12 fir and Minwax Polyshades in Classic Oak. All materials were on hand except the roll felt, so hard to pinpoint.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades in Classic Oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

6 drawer dresser

Made this dresser for my newest Grand daughter. Turned out pretty nice. A few mistakes for sure!!! But I am proud and its functional. Worked on it off and on for a month.

Estimated Cost
About 400$
Finish Used
Polyshades grey (pain in the butt to use)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse table with metal accents

Submitted by Blutskus on Wed, 01/30/2013 - 06:46

We followed the plan exactly as instructed, but instead of cutting the arch accents out of wood, we simply attached decorative shelving brackets to the legs.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We painted the table with black tea and steel wool, vinegar solution; for the stain and finished it with wipe on polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Joni

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 07:31

Your table looks awesome, particularly with your L-brackets. Would you mind sharing where you got the L-brackets?

Farmhouse coffee table

Submitted by hgmcghee on Sun, 11/30/2014 - 05:31

This coffee table was my first build. Its a blend of mulitple coffee table designs by Ana White.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Oak stain and sealed with a satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Loft bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/06/2017 - 07:09

Pretty easy to make.  Lots of sanding time since you are working with 2x4s. Assembly was easy.

Estimated Cost
About $175.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White washed
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The Adirondack "mini"

Submitted by prelude on Thu, 12/24/2020 - 10:40

I've made numerous modern Adirondack Chairs using Ana White's design. The most often asked question is "does it come in different sizes." So I scaled the chair by 80%. The "mini" is perfect for children up to the age of 10 or as lawn decoration. Email me at [email protected] for a copy of the "mini" step-by-step plans.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Variety of stains and paints
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Plant Stand

I made this plant stand using the adirondack stool plans. I did not leave spaces between the boards on the top, and I added breadboard ends.

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

Family Tree Nesting Birds

Submitted by sjonathan on Tue, 12/02/2014 - 18:29

I made this one huge! It is 6 feet by 6 feet. I handpainted the birds, and I used Ana's technique for painting on the letters.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Industrial coffee table

Submitted by mandi10uga on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 05:43

I used 2x2s for the base and stained them ebony. The top is made of 2x6s stained weathered oak & dark walnut. Caution: no matter how perfectly square your base is, if your top is even remotely warped/twisted, it will pull the whole thing out of whack. The base is not strong enough to fight the 2x6s. 

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner