Community Brag Posts

Spare Bed Frame

I "doctored" the plans for the reclaimed wood look headboard to using 4x4's for legs and created a footboard of the same style. I then make the siderails for my bedframe by laminating a 2x8 to a 2x6 to completely encase the box frame. I was able to put my boxframe inside by screwing and gluing 2x2's along the inside of the frame. This is a STURDY bed frame!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony stain (2 coats) with polyacrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/28/2019 - 17:05

Although this sofa is designed for the outdoors I built 2 of them to use in an office space. The plans were spot on and made it so easy to build even as a beginner.

Estimated Cost
$30-$40 without cushions
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish is provincial stain with a coat of water based polyurethane. The lumber was untreated and would have accepted the stain better had I first sealed the wood. However, I still like the outcome.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Flat Wall Book Shelf

Submitted by Solomon on Wed, 01/01/2014 - 10:37

Given space limits, I modified the plans to feature wider (35") shelves. Height is about 45".

Used 1x3 on front of shelf instead of 1x2, for a cleaner look (no visable joint). Had to rip 1x6 down shelf down to 1x5 to do so. Didn't add the extra rail.

Raised bottom shelf up above top of existing baseboard so shelf wasn't in play when cutting out side rails to fit flush to wall. Used Kreg Jig for all joinery.

Behr White semi- gloss enamel to finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr white semi-gloss enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Industrial clean up cart pipe and wood

Submitted by jessieb on Sat, 03/19/2016 - 05:51

I'm calling this the "Clean Up Cart". You know how your kids toys always migrate into the living room? I wanted baskets I could toss them in and carry to their room at the end of the day. Then one day after walking back and forth across the house a million times cleaning toys up, I decided the baskets needed to live on a cart I could move around to the mess. So I envisioned this industrial pipe and wood cart. I used Ana and That's My Letter's Pipe and Wood bed to figure out how to make it happen. The key is using the splint ring pipe hanger to attach the wood. See that antique advertising sign? That design is from an antique soda bottle label from an old company that was down the street from where I grew up. I always loved the old soda bottling barn so when I found this label I had to come up with something to use it. This was the perfect chance. I followed picture to wood transfer instructions from the Graphics Fairy using the freezer paper method. The pipe comes from supply house dot com. I used: 2 – 1/2 “ by 14” black nipple 8 – 1/2” by 18” black nipple 8 – ½” black tee 2 – ½” black 90 degree elbow 6 – ½” black 90 degree street elbow 14 – 1/2 “ black split ring extension hanger Its a learning process figuring out how to screw it all together. Some things will unscrew as you screw others in. Basically, I started at one end and went around in a circle until I got back to my beginning. Install all of your split ring extension hangers before you try to attach your board. You wouldn't be able to get enough clearance between the pipes to attach an opposite side after you connect one. I cut the wood to size leaving about a 1/4" gap all around it clear the connectors. If your board isn't quite reaching a side, adjust your screw in your connector. The wood is scraps of pure bond plywood I had from another project. After the transfer was dried (about 24 hours) I sealed it with beeswax. I didn't use any stain. To do the antique ad transfer, I took a picture of the old soda bottle label laid flat. I reversed it in Microsoft paint. Then I printed it onto the waxy side of freezer paper. Then you just simply lay it ink side down onto your wood being careful not to move it at all once you place it (that would make it blurry). I used painters tape to hold it in place. Score the back of it to really get the ink in, I used a credit card. If you lightly wet the wood before it will take the ink better and make it darker. I was happy with the color without doing this in my test piece so I didn't. Wait a while for the ink to dry (I waited 24 hours) and then you could spray with poly or I used beeswax to seal it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Miss Mustard Seed Bees wax. I sanded the project before I applying the wood transfer, let the ink dry for 24 hours and then gently applied bees wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entertainment Center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/29/2019 - 18:00

I but this for an old high school friend. She needed somewhere to put her cd collection (yea I know, CDs?) And her record player and records. The drawers hold 400 compact discs. I used pine lumber, pocket holes, weathered oak stain and a lot of swear words.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Weather Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Dollbed

Submitted by Arfeiniel on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 18:58

I'm so glad I found Ana's website, especially the plans for the doll beds. I have been wanting to build some photo prop beds for my tiniest models and the Farmhouse doll bed got me hooked. I want to make one in every color

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 17:52

Comletely adorable! Cutest of cute! You are so talented with your building and photograpy!

Simple Bench for Mudroom Closet

This is my first build. Ever! I used the plans for the simple outdoor bench to create a bench for the closet in my back hall that I am trying to convert into more of a mudroom space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified 6 cube, we call it Console Doce

Submitted by tracysmith on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 06:50

I built this for a friend of mine - also a client - built it to her needs and come out with a really cool bookshelf/tv console!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We finished it with just three coats of Satin Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

ehansen25

Mon, 07/15/2013 - 08:16

This is exactly what I want to make with this plan, but are you worried about sagging in the middle. Did you put extra support underneath?

ehansen25

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 09:27

Sorry it's me again, my husband and I have decided to use your model for our cube shevles and I just want to verify to get the new dimensions you just doubled the legths for the top, the shelves and and the side shelf trim correct? We are new builders and just want to get everything as close to right as we can! Thanks!

tracysmith

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 14:04

Not a problem at all, I don't mind answering questions. Yes, I just doubled the length of the original plan. If you click on my picture, my user info should come up and you can email me and I'd be happy to talk to you in a more direct fashion about this project and if I still have it on my computer in the form of a sketch up file, I will share more details with you. Maybe even a cut list and shopping list. I build everything in sketch up first. :-)

If you have any troubles contacting me, let me know and I will just get you my email on here. :-)

Vmc107

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 07:13

This is exactly what ive been looking for toy storage in my living room! Is it possible to take off the tiny legs, and just keep the entire thing on the floor? I was looking to add some cushions on the top for seating as well. Will it be able to support the weight?

Vmc107

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 07:13

This is exactly what ive been looking for toy storage in my living room! Is it possible to take off the tiny legs, and just keep the entire thing on the floor? I was looking to add some cushions on the top for seating as well. Will it be able to support the weight?

Mimi's mantle, revised

I searched hundreds of faux mantles online for just the right one to build! I ended up coming back to the very first one that inspired me...Mimi's! I revised it to make it deeper by using 1x8's for the depth. I used 1x6's for the inside box depth so that I would have some space behind for extension cords, etc. I also decided to insert wood ledges above the box (on the inside) so that I could put Christmas lights in for a soft glow, which I love. After building the top trim as shown in the plan, I decided that I wanted to "beef up" the mantle portion so I screwed 1x3's along the front and sides of the mantle top. I love how it turned out! I even ended up building a duplicate one for a friend that saw it and loved it! I am pretty new to woodworking and have 4 kids, so it took me much longer than it should have, but it was well worth it!

Estimated Cost
$60, plus Annie Sloan paint and wax
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I beat up the mantle top to give it a well-loved look. Then I did Minwax Dark walnut over the entire piece, then sealed it with one coat of poly. I then used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White over the base. I distressed the edges and corners before sealing with Annie Sloan clear wax. I used 4 coats of poly on the mantle top (after 2 coats of stain), just to be cautious! In retrospect, I should have bought an actual wood sealer, perhaps, before painting over the stain? I had to use 2 1/2 coats of Annie Sloan and I'm told that it usually takes one coat, sometimes two. In the end, I am extremely happy with the outcome, though!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Console table

Submitted by tjhead on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 10:19

Built from the Balin Console Table plan.  I needed more storage for my entryway table, so I added the extra drawers.  First, I had it stained but found this chalk paint in the mistints at Lowe's.  Perfect color!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain underneath a custom dark green chalky finish paint by Valspar.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Table--for big family

Submitted by Rasalhague on Fri, 11/08/2019 - 16:58

This is the third time I've used Ana White's plans--and while each has been solid and doable, I think I'm getting better.  This project was based on Ana's amazing 4x4 Truss Table, and enlarged according to DIY Pete's 2x10 version.  The final tabletop dimension is 87"x46" using 5-wide 2x10s.  I added cross struts centered under the tabletop so that boards 2 and 4 are screwed to their neighbors as well as braced from beneath.  

Pocket screws throughout, except the diagonal braces which are held together with 1/4"x6" countersunk wood screws.  

Solid, tasteful, and built to last--my family wants to spend time around the table in ways they did not before.  Ana's awesome!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MinWax Red Mahogany Stain throughout with two coats of MinWax Semi-Gloss polyurethane on the benches and tabletop. 
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wood Pull Out Drawers

Submitted by houquilter on Wed, 03/14/2012 - 17:56

I bought my home a few years ago. The only thing about my bathroom I didn't like was the lack of storage. The cabinet only had one drawer with a panel below covering a large empty wasted space. I was told by 2 cabinet makers that I would need to replace my bathroom cabinets, but when I saw Ana's success, I thought "I can do this".

My woodworking experience is pretty limited, so things took a little longer than I would have preferred. The first weekend was spent popping the panel and building the shelf out of plywood & luan for the drawer bottom (thank you Home Depot cull section). The second weekend was spent making the drawers using a pocket jig and installing them into the cabinet. You WILL need a 90 degree clamp to assemble drawers, trust me. Third weekend was spent making the drawer fronts and staining them. I had never used a router so I practiced on every piece of scrap I could lay hands on. Since the cabinets were older and not made of solid wood, I had to play with the stains to ge the formula right; remember the scrap wood? It's baaack. The fourth weekend was spent pulling everything together.

When I show my family what I did, they look at me in disbelief. I know they're just drawers, but this is proof that I can make real changes to my home that has long lasting benefits. The bathroom still has a long way to go, but I know now that I don't have to hire someone to do it all.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mixture of Golden Oak and Cherry by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Robinwood

Wed, 03/14/2012 - 19:02

We will never know what we are capable of unless we try - bravo for you; good job.

houquilter

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 10:59

This project was such a boost. I still happy dance when I see it sometimes.

bhoppy

Wed, 03/14/2012 - 19:14

Love the routed edges! It gives it a very polished finishing touch!

We must have had the same bathroom builder because I have that same single drawer with empty space underneath.

houquilter

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 10:50

Thanks! I had never used a router before so I must have gone through every piece of scrap wood I could find. I even cut down the scrap wood so I could get a new straight edge.

spiceylg

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 07:57

Don't you just love it when you prove the "experts" wrong? Good for you and great job!

houquilter

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 10:57

I took pictures and showed them to the men I bought the lumber from when I finally finished, to show them how the project turned out. It may have freaked them out a little to have a crazy woman run up with her cell phone, but they were happy for me.

When I showed one of the people who recommended the cabinet makers (the one's who told me what I wanted was impossible) what I had done, they just rolled their eyes at me. Pssh, experts. Deep down, he was impressed. Really deep down;)

Bunnie1978

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 09:51

Just a question. Did you consider/try to use the wood from the panel you removed for the drawer fronts instead of using something new and having to try and finish it?

houquilter

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 10:48

I thought about that, but it was basically luan with a "wood like" veneer attached to it, so it was about 1/4" thick, and the original drawer front was made from 1" stock.

Mission style entry table

Submitted by Brad Wills on Mon, 01/06/2014 - 16:21

Built for my sisters house. I pulled a pic of a mission style table from the internet and then matched the details to her existing hutch. Color match took some work!

Just a tip for Florida folks. If it is humid and raining...stop and wait for another day to stain and poly. Trust me.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Red Oak mixed with Colonial Maple. Topped with 3 or 4 coats of varathane poly in semi gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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