Community Brag Posts

Great storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/05/2017 - 18:35

I made my shelves 16 ft by 6ft by 2ft - added another plank to each shelf to increase the width. I compensated for the slope along the garage wall by offsetting all the screw-in points in the front legs half an inch. This thing is HEAVY.

 

I anchored the unit to the wall by securing 2 scrap 2x4s to the studs - 1 at the 2nd set of legs and 1 at the far right legs - and screwing the unit legs into the 2x4s. This way, I didn't have to line the unit up precisely with the studs.

Estimated Cost
$190 lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None/natural
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kitchen Island heavy modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 22:39

This was made using your plans as a start.
The client wanted extra long , and adjustable shelves. It's almost done.
I had to modify the drawers a little because they wanted more under storage, and I had a tough time with the flush drawers , so I slightly modified that as well. So thanks for my first advance build :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250 in wood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White linen chalk paint
Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

My Wife's Christmas Present

This project was tough using pine since, from the big box store it's hit or miss on getting long boards that are straight. But clamps and sanding worked affectively. There were a few little nuances but for the most part it turned out great! It took me a while since it's cold here and the stain/polyurethane took a little longer than I would have liked.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Mater Chair for a child.

Submitted by justjeff52 on Mon, 12/01/2014 - 13:44

This is a chair I made from the Super Easy Adirondack Chair plan from your website.

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Balustrade coffee table

Submitted by mandi10uga on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 05:36

Made from plans, no modifications. I've made it twice, once in a weathered natural look and once with a darker stain. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

6 Cube Bookshelf

Submitted by mickeyjazz on Sun, 02/03/2013 - 12:05

Hubby and I were tired of seeing our shoes lined up on the wall when we walked in the house. We also wanted something that we could store our snuggies in when we aren't using them.

This was a GREAT weekend project for us to do together!!!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the Red Elm Gel Stain from an earlier blog post on your site. LOVE the color!!!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Media Cabinet

Submitted by charae22 on Sat, 12/06/2014 - 19:02

I fell in love with a Printer's Collection media cabinet at the Pottery Barn, but I couldn't afford the $$$ price tag. So I decided to build it myself. Theirs was made out of pine but I made mine out of birch. It wasn't very hard to build, it just had a lot of pieces.  I made 3 pieces, the center being 3 sections, and 2 shelf sections on the ends.  I thought it turned out great and fits our space perfectly.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
3 coats of Minwax English Chestnut, sanding sealer, Minwax Gel Stain Hickory (as a glaze), Minwax polyurethane in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Linda7

Sun, 12/07/2014 - 17:07

Charae22, this is verympressive work! Your build looks like a piece one would find in a fine furniture store for a few thousand dollars. You have built something that will surely be a family heirloom. 

smitsukod

Fri, 01/16/2015 - 16:53

Hi Charae22,

I love this version!! I am trying to find all the plans to make the media cabinet, but I am wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing your plans for your media cabinet?

Mimi's Faux Mantle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/10/2017 - 04:53

Built this using Anna White's "MIMI'S FAUX MANTLE" but instead of using crown molding I elected to use STONE TILES in neutral tones and finished the surround and mantle in white giving the piece a nice soft appeal.  The building plans were easy to follow and took about 2 days to complete the whole process (because of drying times) not to mention how reasonable the cost was.  I already had the tiles,  adhesive, and paint from left over projects.

Estimated Cost
Cost was more than reasonable. I already had the tiles ,adhesive, and paint. Total cost was approximately $66.00.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Behr White Semi-Gloss Enamel paint purchased from Home Depot (I had the paint from a previous project). Use any tile of your choice since these were left over tiles I had on hand. When tiling use an appropriate tile for the space and glue with tile adhesive. I let mine sit overnight and grouted it the next day using a sanded grout in Bone (purchased from Home Depot) #832.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table, Bench, and Extensions

Submitted by lphair on Tue, 02/05/2013 - 00:11

My second farmhouse table, and much easier this time around! Like the first one I built, this one was modified from Tommy's plans (see link below) which was modified from Ana's plans on this site.

Before I put everything together, I used a 1/2" round-over bit on a trim router to round the edges of each piece individually, then sanded each piece individually. After everything was routed and sanded, I joined it all together--it kind of reminds me of Lincoln Logs now!

One other thing I did differently with this table, is I filled in the cracks with a darker wood putty. I love that it has the plank lines without the crevice for crumbs, etc. to fall into.

I finished with Rust-oleum Early American stain and Rust-oleum poly in semi-gloss.

I'm having trouble linking the plans, so again--these are modified from the Farmhouse Table Update Pocket Hole plans on this site, and also from this site: http://tommyandellie.com/?p=2582

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Early American and Rust-oleum semi-gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Economical Basement Shelving

Submitted by Veronica P on Tue, 12/09/2014 - 07:17

I needed something to get the camping stuff, toys, strollers and everything else organized and up off the floor of our unfinished basement so my boys can ride their trikes inside over the winter. This was perfect! Just changed it slightly (made it deeper) to accommodate some larger items. Thanks again Ana!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Oak end table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/12/2017 - 14:49

Made from some scrap oak I had. Made to fit the 2" thick oak top that a co worker was going to throw away...couldn't let that happen!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar side table

Submitted by OlgaB on Sun, 01/03/2021 - 19:41

I decided it would make a nice simple side table for my home office and show off the beauty of cedar by using oil.

Estimated Cost
180.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic Table and Bench

I basically stuck to the plans, but I shortened the length of the table just a touch, and lengthened the bench to fit just inside the legs. I also used 2x4s for the legs, tapered them for aesthetics (similar to some other posters), and reinforced them with "L" brackets to reduce the wobble. We finished it with Semigloss white paint, Minwax Honey stain, and Minwax Gloss Polyurethane.

If I can make this table, just about anyone can.

Estimated Cost
150.00 for lumber,
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey Stain, Minwax Gloss Polyurethane, and Semigloss White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

shelbyautumn

Mon, 11/07/2016 - 11:29

Your table is beautiful!

Do you remember how you tapered your legs? I'm trying to figure out if I can do it without a table saw.

Thank you!

Clear pine bunk bed

We started this late 2013 and finished it June 2014. We used an old IKEA bed hardware for the middle support for the full mattress. We had to use Hemlock Fir "white wood" for the 4x4's (found at Menards in Wisconsin). We used Satin polyurathane from Minwax and allowed a month for the fumes to die down. My boys and guests seem to enjoy the bed. 

Estimated Cost
$700 or so
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Satin Polyurathane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Round Table

Submitted by quadman61 on Tue, 03/14/2017 - 11:46

I moved to a new house and the table I had was way to big. I decided to make one. I found a picture on here of one I liked. I made some changes to the design and built it myself!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark mahogany, with satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Loft bed

Submitted by scooper812 on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 23:52

My daughter had been asking for a loft bed that she could place a futon under. This plan was exactly what I needed! I made the bed taller so she would be able to stand under it (we have 10’ ceilings - old house). And, I replaced the ladder with a staircase with built-in cubbies.

This was our first project of 2020 and we started it during the first part of the quarantine, so it got named “Project COVID-19.”

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

Comments

Firewood shed

Submitted by Nowak on Sat, 02/09/2013 - 15:53

Build this firewood shed over one weekend and stained it the following weekend. This was my first project and I only received a little help from my boyfriend. Can't wait to start my next project.

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

Pressure treated pine and transparent cedar stain

Submitted by LDonaghy on Mon, 12/15/2014 - 14:01

13 hours First wood project Learned a lot! I surprised my boyfriend with them and he loved them!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Transparent cedar outdoor stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Dresser

Made this dresser for a friend.  She has 2 boys and wanted a sturdy dresser.  The Hudson plans are clearly written and the illustrations are great.  I used 100 pound full extension drawer glides and reinforced the areas where the glides mount with 2x2's to ensure the glides would not rip loose.  I modified the drawer construction using finger joints for increased strength.  

 

The flush mount drawers offer a challenge to get the spacing right and that the drawers are flush.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$550
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
High gloss Latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

1/2 sized Benchwright Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/13/2021 - 18:13

Redrew plans to accommodate an approx 1/2 sized Benchwright Coffee Table. Decided to make it slightly less farmhousey in style. Used poplar for the carcass and hickory for the shelf - 3/4 inch -and table top -1 1/2 inch. 1 1/2 inch was really too thick for the top, it looked too chunky so had to deceive the eye by making a 1/2 inch roundover on the top and a 45 degree bevel on the under edge. I do not recommend using hickory, it’s a heavy, difficult wood to work unless you are an experienced woodworker (I am not!) with good sharp tools and not to mention expensive! The table top caused me all sorts of grief.

Estimated Cost
$200+
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pittsburgh Trim & Woodwork Rum Punch satin paint + Minwax water based clear satin poly over a mild Minwax pecan stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Natural Rustic X End Table

Submitted by aleeman27 on Mon, 02/11/2013 - 22:15

This project was taken from the Rustic X End Table plan. This is my second big project that I have attempted and I am still learning from my mistakes made from making the Rustic X Coffee Table. Hope you enjoy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used an ebony wood filler to fill any cracks around the knots. Then I used Cabots "natural" wood stain just like I did on my Rustic X Coffee Table. Followed by 3-5 coats of Cabots glossy poly. Make sure you use a finishing sponge or sandpaper between each coat! Once it set for a day I added the wrought iron corner pieces and hammered iron clavos.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

aleeman27

Mon, 02/11/2013 - 22:25

Working around my work schedule and dry times of the poly these 2 end tables took me quite sometime! But I am super happy with the result! They go so perfect with my Rustic X Coffee Table!

Wounded Marine

Tue, 02/12/2013 - 07:01

Table looks good. I like the natural wood color with the black add ons. I noticed the one "X" is a little off. You might want to check the squareness of your chop saw. If the fence is perfectly square to your blade when set at 90 degrees it will throw everything off. You are off to a good start though.