Community Brag Posts

This was our first real project. We are pretty happy with how it turned out.

Things we learned:
1. Always trim the ends of the stock from the store. We missed one. Twas a bummer.
2. Clamp, Clamp, Clamp. Always clamp before you drill.
3. Sand and Finish all of the cut stock before you assemble it.
4. Drill the sides to the top basket first. That way, if your side is bowed, it will leave a space at the bottom.
5. We ended up using a hand screwdriver to assemble it. If your pilot holes are deep enough, this should be easy and more predictable.

countersink bit is a must have

This plan from Ana's site fit the bill perfectly for the vanity in our guest bathroom. Only a short four years after building our home, our guest bath finally has a functioning sink vanity! We also added a Kraus brand faucet and vessel sink, as well as tiling the back wall and installing faux board and batten. The estimated cost is for the entire bathroom project.

When we resurfaced our deck last year we had to remove the built-in benches due to code regulations, so I knew I would get to make new benches this year. We wanted them to be a flexible size so we could rearrange the deck easily for eating, entertaining, enjoying the sun and the shade. Based on the size and shape of our deck, a square table for 6-8 people was going to be the best option.

After looking at a couple design plans, I decided to combine a few plans to get exactly what we wanted. To get a mid-sized square table I used the leg structure of the Fancy X Table with the construction method and the stability from 2x6s of the Square Pedestal Table. The top is joined from seven 45.5" lengths of 2x6 and two lengths of 2x4s. It ends up being 52.5" square. It is snug for eight people, but comfortable for six. We didn't end up using the skirt boards so there would be more knee room. The base is mounted on the diagonal for the same reason.

For the benches, I used the supports from the Fancy X Benches, with the bordered top from the Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Bench, since it would match the table top better. The benches are 48" long, and only two supports were used for each, inset 5" from the end of each bench. Likewise, I used a single stretch of 2x4s for the seats rather than seam them in two parts like the 106" long original plans. I did add an extra 2x2 support board under the seat platform to keep the 2x4s even over time. Overall, I made five benches - four for around the table and one for next to the BBQ. They are blue so they provide some color against the brown deck and green tree tops that surround the deck.

For both the table and the benches, I pre-stained the surfaces that make up the inside of the Xs. It made it easier to get good coverage there.

I also made a quick flip-down BBQ prep station, on similar lines to the Flip-down Wall Art Desk out of two 5/4x6 and two 5/4x4 cedar boards. The shelves are on adjustable pegs.

The costs broke down - with all hardware, screws, putty, sandpaper, stain, etc. - as: $90 for BBQ station (lots of hardware), $200 for 5 benches, and $155 for the table. I did a lot of sanding and filling to get the rough 2x4s smooth. In the end, there was about 50 hours in the benches, and 20 in the table. The BBQ station was less than a day, including mounting.

My wife and I made this based, after being inspired by Ana's plan. Very pleased with the result.

It didn't take me long at all to make these. I enjoyed making them and all my neighbors love them. They have a nice amount of space. I actually had to make mine smaller than the instructions. I had most of the wood on hand.

With the remodel budget for my powder room only being $300, I needed to get creative with the vanity. The room is tiny, so the vanity needed to fit well in the space and allow us to still move around. I had rescued this board from the dumpster at church when it was being remodeled and kept it in my garage until inspiration struck.
I'm not a carpenter, I try and I'm learning as I go, but the vanity turned out great for me. I made it to fit the $15 Craigslist vessel sink and the little nook in the bathroom. The towel bar was $1 at my local restore. It's nice and sturdy attached to the studs with "L" brackets.

For the tutorial on how I built it using one board, visit my blog.

We have a limited amount of counter space in our kitchen, while also having a large open space that is unused. We've always planned on including an island once we renovate, but we didn't want to wait. We decided to build a butcher block-style island with open shelving underneath - a simple design that would give us all the counter space we needed and some additional storage space.

We bought a premade bamboo tabletop, as well as 4x4 cedar posts for the legs, 2x4s for the framework, and 1x2 slats for the shelf.

You can see all of the details of how we built it in the blog post, but here are a few of the features:

- an interior framework that connects to the tabletop and outer framework so that no screws are visible on the outside

- countersunk GRK structural screws used to attach the legs htat look like carriage bolts

-feet are angle cut so that floor is less likely to be scratched if the island is moved

We're really proud of this build and are enjoying having so much extra counter space. It's amazing what you can get done in a weekend!

This was a doozy! Being only our second project ever (the farm table being our first) it took us about 3 weeks of hard work on the weekends and light work on the weekdays to complete this project. We extended the guardrails in both height (using 3ea 1x4s) and length to span the entire backside and all the way to the ladder on the front on top bunk. We wanted to be able to have a regular height mattress on each, so that if we take them apart to use as two separate beds they'd have a decent mattress on both. We also made two regular length, but extended height guardrails for the bottom to accommodate a toddler. We used the mortise bed rail fasteners from Rockler (due to the design the non-mortised kind were not an option). That took a good chunk of time. We also did 1x2 slats,13 per bed,to act as the mattress support. As with most projects, the lumber was around $200! The other was made up of sanding supplies, prep, stain, finish, safety supplies (mask, gloves) screws and so forth. I bet we spent about $40 on screws alone as we wanted to be really sure it's solid for two monkeys. It's a really beautiful piece that would cost well over $1000 if purchased mainstream.

My first wood working mallet!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0njs9X5Nyg

Built this loft bed for my tween girl who needed/wanted a hangout area and has always dreamed of having a loft. It may look daunting but it's actually quite simple.  2x8"s built to size in the shape of the bed, screwed into the studs in the wall with lag bolts.  A 4x4" holds the frame up where it is not supported by the wall. I considered a pole or chain or other suspension method from the ceiling but decided that a nicely trimmed 4x4" would look nicer and it really doesn't get in the way since the ladder is there anyways.  I built the bed frame bigger than I needed for the twin mattress to accommodate free space for clutter, e.g. books, pillows, etc. Once the frame is up I added supports for the mattress, with 2x2"s spanning length and width, then plywood.  2x4"s are screwed in vertically and then topped with a flat 1x3" and spanned with a 1x2" to protect her from falling.  Since she's older I didn't feel that I needed to add as much support around both open sides.  It has not been an issue at all and I am fully comfortable with it.  I installed small LED color changing lights in the underside of the bed.  The headboard was made from standard 5" t&g boards and has a small shelf to hold "stuff."  A custom in-wall shelf holds more of her "stuff."  The wood color is just a dark walnut Danish oil that I love working with.

Finally, I built the base for the couch with 1x3". The couch itself is two separate futon style chairs that open up into single beds, perfect for sleepovers!  They are meant to just lay on the floor but I wanted to make it look more like a couch. We bought those from Walmart. I recommend!  Hope you like. Let me know if you have any questions. I don't have formal plans but can try an answer all questions best I can! Cheers!

Hello, I was looking for a unique gift for a baptism baby.I started this chair with great enthusiasm. Gradually after my job, I made ​​one mois.Du cutting the pallet until making coussins.J 'I used paint 0% solvent. I am very happy for the first time. I will now make a model adult.Conseil: Paint before because after the assembly is much more diffcile.Faire just after retouching at the screws. Start you! Thank you Ana. PS: Excus me for my English , Im french