Community Brag Posts

Rustic X Bench

Took a day to build a bench to match my table! I am in love with this bench.

Take a little extra time on your angles to make sure you get them right or you will end up with a gap!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Satin Black Paint, Minwax English Chestnut, Poly Semi-Gloss on seat top only
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Extra long, no middle shelf Rustic X Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 08:34

We have a huge sectional and loved this table, so we modified it a little to fit our needs. Took out the center shelf, made it 10 feet long, and added breadboard ends to the top. Came out perfect! Couldn't be happier.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$115
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
One coat of Rustoleum Sunbleach, allow to dry completely. Really, like one or two days. If the base coat isn't completely dry the following step will lift the first coat right off. Then one coat of Rustoleum Kona with some Sunbleach mixed in to lighten it a little, about a 5 parts Kona to 1 part Sunbleach blend. Lightly wiped Kona mixture back immediately, wipe with the grain, and only once (product is more like a paint than a stain in many ways and will get sticky and splotchy if you fiddle with it too much). I had to move fast on a table this long and I still got some splotches! I wanted it a little rough looking, so to me that was fine.

Finished with three coats of wipe on satin poly (gentle knockdown with very fine steel wool between coats), and finally a coat of clear wax. Buff until arms give out.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Upgraded Luggage Rack or Suitcase Stand Benches

Submitted by Pkoldman on Sun, 12/08/2019 - 12:32

Made from
Upgraded Luggage Rack or Suitcase Stand Benches 

just added the seat cushions 

Estimated Cost
$15 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Toned water based varnish
And distressed paint and varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Privacy Planter and Under Deck Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 11:27

In the middle of a much needed makeover on our back deck! We did not have skirting around the deck and decided that we would like to close it in for extra storage(ladders,compost bin...) and we came up with this little something as a bonus. We are always hosting backyard get togethers and seating is a challenge. Setting up and putting away chairs,ugh. This has been the perfect solution. This was completely an "as we went" plan but the biggest need to know is, heavy duty hinges! (As I said,the deck is getting a makeover so go easy on the appearance:)

Jodi and Matt B.

Built from Plan(s)

scraps come to life!!

Submitted by sueslager on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 06:15

Thank you ana ... and all of you "braggers" ... I have a huge list of projects now, but this is the first one from your ideas. I had an old piece of 3/4 plywood left over from something else so that became the top .. and other sizes were adjusted as needed. I realize now that i should have taken pictures along the way ... it was pretty ugly before finish :) The top is brown paper bagged ... the best instructions out there are at http://lovelycraftyhome.com/2011/11/09/the-ultimate-brown-paper-floorin… ... it is truly almost magic how beautiful such simple ingredients and technique become (and cheap) Thanks again!

Estimated Cost
free - from leftovers and scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
satin black oil enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bunnie1978

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 07:20

I love the texture. I have never heard of paper bagging. LOL. It is very unique, and I'm sure it can be just as durable as anything else with the right finishing. Nice job! I am very impressed.

sueslager

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 10:20

my finished dimensions ended up being 13 (W) x 48 (L) x 18 (H) ... found Ana's dimensions were very adjustable though ... the only trick was the cross braces ... and those i ended up having to hold in place and draw the cut lines .. my geometry failed me :)

from what i hear the "paper bagging" is quite durable .. there are reports all over the web of people who have had it in place on their floors for years with only occasional touchups with poly ... definitely time consuming with needing so many poly coats .. but they go quickly. i'm putting it on my stairs next ... have tile below, will be wood above .. and i'm too cheap to pay for hard wood stair tread!!

kaytrishjr

Wed, 03/28/2012 - 13:25

You did a wonderful job!!!! Mine is holding up just fine, my son practically does cartwheels on it everyday, no problem! Now, I'm about to start on my floors this week, cant' wait to see how it turns out!

sueslager

Wed, 03/28/2012 - 17:52

i already tore out the carpet on my steps ... if we still like it the bedroom will be next ... hope your project goes smoothly!

Table

Submitted by Burge12 on Tue, 01/14/2014 - 09:35

This is my first table. I used the Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table plans, but modified it to fit our kitchen.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 01/14/2014 - 16:35

Great job on this table! I like how you placed the pedestals, you can push the chairs all the way in on the ends. Your finish looks beautiful!

Masculine upholstered bench

Submitted by spstokes on Wed, 04/06/2016 - 07:33

This is the second bench made from these plans. For this bench, I altered the plans, decreasing the length from 55" to 36". I'm a little uneasy about using the jigsaw so I did not taper the legs. I love this bench it fits very nicely into our  warehouse loft apartment.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Bedroom bench
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wifes desk

Submitted by billr76502 on Sun, 12/15/2019 - 08:35

Wife loves her desk. She works from home and loves the simple look

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60.00
Finish Used
Oil stain and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Scrap Wood Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 10:22

This was definitely a project, but totally doable for anyone.
We had a bunch of scrap wood so we decided to do a different style for the headboard, everything else is to the plans.
Absolutely in love with it! Thanks to Ana for the plans!

Different style headboard

Built from Plan(s)

So Chic Dream Dollhouse

Submitted by navinifiji on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 19:50

My first attempt at a woodworking project. I LOVED IT!! But I'm not sure which I loved more...the building or the decorating. I can't wait to build more!

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax natural cherry.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Liz B. (not verified)

Mon, 09/24/2012 - 20:31

I'm curious about the scrapbook paper, do you know which paper she used? Thanks!

Liz B. (not verified)

Mon, 09/24/2012 - 20:30

Hi! can you tell me about your decorating supplies? Did you use scrap book paper for the walls? I am really interested in the wall with letters and children playing! Also, what furniture did you use?
Thanks!!

Tropical Wood Cooler Built From Ana & Birds & Soap Plans

Submitted by nprcowboy on Fri, 01/17/2014 - 07:49

My wife and I saw the wood cooler plans here and decided that would be a great project and great addition to our outdoor tiki patio area. The build wasn't that bad. I could not find the exact cooler as listed so I got a different one and the dimensions were different, but I accommodated for it. We went with a tropical rustic look and decorated like a live blue crab crate. Really came out amazing.We had slated to paint it yellow with blue trim, but yellow was too bright so then started painting lid blue over the yellow to see what it looked like and decided to sand it down and do something different. That's when the magic happened. When I started sanding, blue and yellow came out and look faded and rustic, and it looked amazing. So we went with that as our scheme. Sanded up areas to look distressed!!! We put the shelf and spout on the opposite side to fit our area better. All in all was a great project and love the results. Going to break it in for the superbowl in 2 weeks!!!! My wife was a great help doing the painting and my 11 yr old daughter pitched in on the wood work. Thanks girls!! Contact me with any questions. So what you think of it?????

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
gray primer, exterior paint, clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Knot Good with Wood

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 18:16

You nailed it bro! Very nicely done, and it looks very well built. I've had this on my to-do list, but haven't tackled it yet.

-Brian

Simple White Outdoor End Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/09/2016 - 13:57

Great plan, taught me a few things about glue and stain! Corrected by sanding again and re-staining the spots.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax prestain, Minwax gun stock stain and three coats of Minwax Helmsman, Behr exterior paint and primer on legs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Vertical Herb Garden

Submitted by rsk9rsa on Tue, 04/03/2012 - 11:05

Decided to build a vertical herb garden after seeing a brag post. I used 3 six foot cedar fence pickets cut to 22 inches to fit between our garage doors. I used 2 inch nails and wood glue to keep everything together.

The best part was ripping th left over pieces of cedar at a 45 degree angle to use as hangers. I have not seen this described yet on this site yet. After you rip the boards you attach the one side to the back of the box so that the short side is flush. The other portion you attach to the wall so that the pieces will slide together to form a full board again. Its a great way to get the boxes flush against the wall and avoid expensive hanging accessories. It also allows you to do all your gardeining at your potting bench and then hang them when you are done.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
7.50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Gymgirl (not verified)

Thu, 11/01/2012 - 10:24

That technique you used is called a French Cleat system. I had three parallel rails installed on the walls in my garage, and, so far, have built two cabinets that hang on the walls (I have many more to go!).

Anything to which you can attach a cleat on the backside can be hung on a corresponding cleat on the wall! Pencil boxes, pegboard sheets (I have pegboard hanging on cleats), swivel lights, paper towel holders, an old bookcase (makes for instant shelving), etc.

Hugs!

Oliver Couldn't Wait!

Submitted by mtrotman on Sun, 01/19/2014 - 04:17

This was a fun, easy project. The main modification I made was to use 1 x 6 boards for the bench tops.

I also used my Kreg Jig extensively for this project. There are no visible screws on the tabletop or bench tops.

My grandson Oliver couldn't wait for me to put a finish on it. He had to try it out while snacking on his great-grandmother's pumpkin bread.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 but I already had screws and glue.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
TBD
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mary's sewing table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/23/2019 - 20:52

Built using your sewing table as the base idea. Pine cabinet, drawers and drawer fronts. The top is Hickory, poplar and red oak. base top dimension is 30x30 and folds out to 30x90. Mary will get this as a surprise on Christmas day. Cabinet and to is Varathane 3x. Casters are from Woodcraft and drawer slides are Hickory Hardware.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane 3x
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Porch Planter Steps

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:23

I love how sturdy and beautiful these planter steps turned out! They were easy to build and work perfectly with the new deck/front porch I built this summer. I only needed one step and I used the same 1x material for the top of the step as I did the deck. I just added a couple more supports for the 1x material, as it isn't as sturdy as 2x6's. Thank you so much for the wonderful plan!

My take on the toy box

Submitted by Patrick on Sat, 04/07/2012 - 13:30

I chose to go with regular plywood, and I used thin pieces of wood to cover the screw holes in the corners. I just rounded the edges of the corner pieces to make them meet up with the molding better. Then I routered the top to smooth it out. I stained and clear coated it instead of painting it. For the lettering I chose to router it out instead of drawing it on.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax gunstock and spray on clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Storage Bench

Submitted by Celsius86 on Tue, 01/21/2014 - 13:13

I have a small mud room and this bench was perfect for keeping shoes organized on the bottom shelf, as well as storing hats and gloves inside. The storage area isn't very deep but it holds a decent number of hats and gloves.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of Minwax Early American stain with a satin sheen polyurethane over the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry closet turned bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 10:25

The coat closet in our entry was always cluttered with too many coats, oddly placed mittens and hats, and shoes were piled on the floor. This was our solution. After this picture was taken I attached several hooks I found at a local antique store along the rail for the coats or sweaters we wear daily, and shoe bins were added below for each of our three daughters.

Estimated Cost
$20 plus accessories
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sample paint jar purchased from large chain grocery market
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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