Community Brag Posts

Clip Art

Submitted by red98dawg on Fri, 08/03/2012 - 07:45

This is such a great way to show off art from school. I used scrap wood and regular and small clothes pins. I thought I could put photos in the small clips on top and the artwork on the bottom larger ones.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Jacobean, 1 coat
Minwax - Fast-Drying Polyurethane, 2 coats
Various art paint we had from other projects
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/29/2016 - 13:24

This was a fun project.  Used just the standard cheapest wood from home depot.  Seems like no matter how hard I work on trying to get good pieces, there is always something off with them.  While the main parts of the project didn't take that much time, the sanding took a good deal of time.  Maybe ill buy some better wood next time!  Used a 60 grit, then a 150, then a 220.  Used a minwax stain with a minwax poly in satin.  sanded the poly with a 220 not to just get it smooth but to give it a less shiny look.  Very happy with the finished product, but every project I learn a few things to bring to the project and improve.  This table is very heavy.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax stain and minwax poly sanded with 220 grit
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Water/Sand Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/10/2020 - 10:18

A coworker asked me to make this for his daughters. He supplied the lumber and I got it done in less than an afternoon. I didn’t have all of the required dimensional lumber so I improvised using only 2x4s for the lower shelf. I also extended the length by about 6” in order to make a small center shelf. That provides enough room to be able to lock the lids on the containers and for the kids to put some toys. I used 1x3 scraps to make the center shelf. They didn’t want stain so I just sealed it with Valspar deck sealant.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar clear deck sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

http://ana-white.com/2011/06/large-modern-porch-swing-or-bench

I wanted a place to sit and watch the koi in my pond. I have a bi-level home and the bottom of my deck is about 5' from the ground; the support posts are 6'3" apart. The joist layout made hanging a 4' swing absolutely perfect. So, I took the simple design and modified it to be shorter to fit my space. This swing could hold a small car - I just hope the chain and connectors I bought will! I used treated wood and plan to use an opaque stain for lower maintenance when it has dried out (3 weeks). Now, to pick the color! Love this plan! Thank you!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75 using treated wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Plan to use an opaque stain for vibrant color and low maintenance once the wood has dried
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

John Deere Themed Boys' Closet

Submitted by Veronica P on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 16:14

With a new baby boy on the way, my big boys (1 & 3) are moving into a big boy room. They requested a tractor room so here's the first project, the closet.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 including baskets and John Deere green paint for the walls (half a gallon of which ended up on my carpet thanks to my little helpers. Oops)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MDF was pre finished, John Deere green walls, marigold yellow on accessories.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

my first project :) a workbench for all my other projects!

Submitted by lucywilson on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 08:23

* I have tred EVERYTHING to get this picture right side up!!! So sorry it is upside down! This was my first every woodworking project and I am very pleased with the result. I have used it many time since for other projects now too. The plans were easy to follow and although it took me some time it was easy to make. Very sturdy and a great size to work on. I made it out of wood from orange and stained it with weathered oak stain.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
weathered oak
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kentwood Bed

Submitted by aclayton on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 08:23

I built this bed for my two year old son and it is super sturdy! I used some Rockler bed rail hardware to attach the rails to the headboard/footboard for easier disassembly later. I attempted the tea/vinegar/steel wool staining technique with fairly good results. The plywood turned a little more gray than I wanted though. I spent around $100 for all of the supplies (wood + pocket hole screws), but a huge chunk of that was the 3/4" Maple plywood, and I only used half of the sheet. So, I guess the actual cost of the bed was closer to $75. Luckily, I'll be able to use the rest of the plywood for some beds for my daughters. This bed was super easy to build and my son loves it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Tea/ Vinegar/ Steel Wool mixture
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/04/2016 - 19:52

My first completed project. Simple shelves on three sides. The headboard has a shelf with a three spot outlet in it. 

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

Easy Farm Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 17:08

Used watco danish oil. Table will be used outside not sure how the danish oil will hold up by itself. May add polyurethane or if it falls apart I’ll build new next years. Also added diagonal supports at the bottom because it swayed a bit

Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco danish oil light walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall Pallet Entryway Table

Combination of the Farmhouse table (http://ana-white.com/2009/12/plans-farmhouse-table-knock-off-of.html) and the simple, cheap, easy console table (http://ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-simple-cheap-and-easy-console.html).

I wanted it taller so that I could make rolling crates to push underneath and might add a shelf later on to maximize storage potential. I kept the lengths of the pallets except for the side supports which I just cut in half, I wish I had cut a little more off the side supports making it so that I didn't waste as much pallet wood cutting the wood for the table top but I love it nonetheless and I have bonfire wood for our next get together. Right now I'm enjoying it since it's my first Ana-White project.

I used two free pallets I scored on a yard sale group on Facebook, lots of sanding, and I had the paint (one coat to keep it rustic) and screws on hand so it was a free project. I only received one splinter (should of been wearing gloves) and added an embellishment with chalk board paint (stating the year that my husband and I met since he just left on deployment). It took me 5 hours (I told you it was a lot of sanding) over the weekend. Fun project, can't wait to get started on the next one :)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a combination of latex paints, colors: sunflower yellow and brownie brown, with a little paint thinner and brushed it on.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Flat Book Shelf How-to

Our home is small, about 1600 sq/ft, so I am on a mission to create as much out of the way storage as possible. It feels like a loosing battle, but I suppose with 2 young children most mothers feel like this with or without more square footage. You might wonder why I don't buy furniture to solve my problems? My answer to that question is that most of the furniture out there is too expensive, it doesn't fit the space available, and just doesn't suit all of our needs. Most importantly, I know that I can make it myself, build it better, and use quality materials. No particle board here, thank you.

So, my storage solution for my boys books was inspired by the Ana Whites Flat Wall Book Shelves (http://ana-white.com/2010/04/plans-wall-book-racks-easy-and-inexpensive…). I wanted to maximize my storage and make a good use of space in our already cramped home.

Please visit my blog for a complete DIY on my version if you are interested.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Reddish oops paint from Lowes and 2 clear coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Art Desk for Playroom

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/05/2016 - 17:09

Built from the Art Desk plans. I added an additional tray and a second paper roll. Also made mine from 1 sheet of plywood. Used paint samples we had from previous painting projects, added glitter to make it sparkle. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 for plywood & words on top, everything else was from previous projects
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint samples with paint glitter added
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Patrick’s Router Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 14:44

As a beginner woodworker I was searching for a router table project and came across this one. I constructed it entirely out of birch plywood. I will admit is was a challenge for me as I had never done drawers before. The biggest challenge was the small drawer for bit storage. I used a Rockler table top and it worked perfect. Overall I’m pleased with the way it turned out and have already used it in several projects

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Linseed Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by diychica on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 16:40

I used 2x12 instead of 2x4 for the base and four 2x6 instead of six for the seating area. So this modified version is higher and narrower compare to the original plan.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Redwood transparent stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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