Community Brag Posts

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

A little upgraded version!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/09/2016 - 17:00

A little upgraded version. Made it a little taller so little sister could sleep below! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Evergreen Tree Shelf

Submitted by Sue Hill on Tue, 12/17/2019 - 10:43

This has been such a popular post this season, so I had to give it a try. I was worried that the angles wouldn't match up but it turned out wonderful. I think a beginner woodworker could build this if they had a miter saw and good measuring skills.

Thanks for a terrific plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Varathane Red Oak Stain, then mixed some water with Evergreen paint to wash over the stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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

Versatile Wine Holder Gift

Submitted by calcowoods on Tue, 12/24/2019 - 11:39

Plans with accompanying video were just perfect and we built two holders in a few hours.  Stained with 2 coats of Minwax Cherry and applied Minwax Finishing Paste as topcoat.  My wife created a template for the 3 part circle wood section and used a scroll saw for the cuts.  We will be building more sets of the wine holders as gifts for family and friends.

Estimated Cost
Less than $7 dollars with $4 for pair of holders for each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Cherry and applied Minwax Finishing Paste as topcoat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Ghol on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 10:52

Fancy table for outside barbecues. I built this table out of 100% Cedar. In order to maintain the lighter cedar color, I just several coats polyurethane for outdoor protection.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~ $250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear outdoor polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

rustic farmhouse kitchen island

Submitted by shawnkirk on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 10:48

My wife wanted/needed a kitchen island for more storage and prep space. After seeing the prices online of nice kitchen islands, I decided to take the time to make her this one. I would mark this as advanced due to the numerous cuts, joinery techniques, and sheer prep time it took. The build was a success as on Christmas morning once she saw this she cried out of joy! It took the better part of a month because I Hand Hewed with an axe the legs, the whitewash finish is of my own design(a 6 step process), all pieces were sanded, finished, and distressed before assembly. For the butcher block, I used Anna's rustic-x coffee table top design- I only wish I had a jointer so I could have the slabs flush, but I did plane and sand all the way from 80 grit to 240 grit to create a smooth finish. Then all pieces were treated with multiple coats and buffings of citrus wood wax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400- lumber was around $300, stain and hardware added maybe another $60-70
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax antique American walnut gloss stain, Behr semi gloss white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Ultimate Play Barn

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 15:42

I built this play horse barn for my daughter. She loves to play with toy horses. It is 33 x 28 Has a removable hay loft, Stales with working doors and drop down hay loft doors. Hinged on both roof sections for easy play. Lots of love and effort went into making this. I hope you enjoy.

charliemugler@instagram

Reclaimed wood coffee table

I had a bunch of extra wood sitting around the garage, so I decided to build this. Reclaimed wood 41 1/2 long by 17 1/2 wide and 19 inches tall. I used natural stain so it could keep it's beat up charm.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free wood, money spent for stain $8.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural Stain with 2 coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Porch Swing

Submitted by KeCarnahan on Thu, 01/23/2014 - 07:44

My first project!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

A.Natasha

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 22:16

Congrats on your first project! Looks great. I will start my first project as well in the next few months. I am guessing that the edges were well sanded to avoid splinters?

Rustic X console

Submitted by Chriss_lee on Sun, 04/17/2016 - 19:51

Our very first DIY furniture piece my husband & I made. We absolutely love it & will definitely be doing more DIY projects together.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cherry dresser

Submitted by tnaudio on Thu, 01/02/2020 - 10:14

I built this dresser for my wife. When we moved in, we got new furniture for my 2 boys. But didnt have much for ourselves in our room. She deserves a nice peice like this to put her clothes in. Its built from 1" solid cherry boards. Finished is a simple boiled linseed oil with shellac. 

Vertical Garden

Submitted by imlewer on Wed, 04/11/2012 - 07:47

We don't have a ton of space in our back yard thats in direct sunlight. Also we have an ugly old chain-link fence. I saw a lot of vertical gardens and decided that would help two issues, maximize sun space and obscure part of that ugly fence. It's super easy to put together and was pretty cheap as well. I took some inspiration from the cedar raised beds on the site and built all the planter boxes out of cedar fence pickets. I added some extra supports so that the weight of the boxes wouldn't rip down the planters.

Estimated Cost
$120 (including material, posts, cement and hardware)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

greeneterp68

Sun, 07/08/2012 - 10:32

Thanks for this great idea and the photos of the details. What did you decide to plant? (Btw, all you need for that fence is a few cans of black spray paint!)

My work bench

I'm so excited. I have my very own work bench! Thank you Ana for the sturdy work bench plans. I've added drawers and some curtains to keep the dust out. My brother did most of the work on this but I did some of the build at the end and all of the painting. Even though this will be stored in the garage, I wanted it to look like a piece of furniture found inside the house. I love the distressed look and I think I've succeeded in making it look old. I've made a few of your projects which I will post later. Right now I'm enjoying my new (old looking) work bench and I think it's really cool that it looks like it belongs to a girl.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Color paint: A day at the jewelers from Lowes. Minwax Gunstock stain mixed with a glaze for distressed areas.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Val Manchuk

Sun, 01/26/2014 - 00:12

Never thought I'd say this about a workbench, but it's very pretty!
I'd be so tempted to keep it in the house! Have fun with your new
Workbench!
Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

nicholaix

Sun, 01/26/2014 - 09:38

Now I am going to have to pretty up my workbench to be as fab as yours. Maybe it will keep the guys outta my tools(fat chance!)

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