Community Brag Posts

Arched Bridge

Submitted by RandyW on Fri, 01/09/2015 - 16:03

Used some basic tips found online to draw out the cut lines. The runners are 2x12x12. Regular ole decking for the platform and 4x4 for the posts. Anchored in concrete. Lag bolts and hex bolts to secure to the posts.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
After letting the treated lumber dry for a month or so in the summer heat I used an exterior latex for the white and Minwax Red Mohogany on the decking.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Craft/office desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/11/2017 - 07:43

Love the new desk we made. Very tall desk. Cannot use regular office chair for desk but drafting chair works great. Desk is at perfect height for standing up and working on projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with semigloss on shelves and chalkboard paint on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Desk

Due to a little plumbing mishap I found myself having to redo my son's room. One of the things he wanted was a desk so I found these plans for the Library Card Play Table and figured with just a tiny bit of tweaking this would be the perfect desk for my son. I opted not to go the library card route and stuck to a solid drawer face on each drawer and I cut the legs a little longer so that the desk sat at 30" tall. My son loves the desk and so do I.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted one coat of Miss Mustard Seed's Shutter Grey Milk Paint and then lightly sanded it with a fine grit sanding sponge. I then sealed it with a mix of 3 parts furniture wax to 1 part antique wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Baby Crib

So we we're expecting and we started to look at cribs.  We wanted a 2-1 crib that will turn into a twin.  My brother in law gave us the side pieces (rails) to his old crib, so I needed to build a headboard and footboard that would go with what he gave us.  ​My wife started to browse online for cribs that she liked and she asked for something that would resemble the "Natart Rustico Moderno Crib".  So I tried my best... more photos and tips on my blog.

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/diy-baby-crib

 

Cheers,

Ian

Estimated Cost
Aprox $150 for lumber and paint. The mattress was a hand me down.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and Shellac
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First attempt!

Submitted by jdiddy on Sun, 03/10/2013 - 14:27

First attempt at anything like this, so this website was a great find and very inspiring!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Leaning Shelves

Submitted by marenras on Fri, 01/16/2015 - 14:48

My 5 year old son wanted a "Lego Creation Display Thing" to exhibit all his hard work with his beloved Legos. I knew this plan was perfect.

After styling it for the photo, I didn't want to give it to him, but keep it for myself instead! I think I need to build another one. Or two.

The building only took a few hours, but I spent a LOT of time on sanding and painting it perfectly for a professional finish.

I bought 1x8s instead of 1x4s and ripped them on my table saw, becasue I was able to get straighter boards that way and it was a tad cheaper.

(Bonus Brag: I refinished and reupholstered that blue chair!)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Advance in Decorator's White.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Potting Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 08:59

Made one or two changes to fit my needs. Came out nice. Thanks. -hs 

Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

My spin on the Counter Height Farmhouse Table from Amazon White’s free plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/20/2021 - 06:52

The counter height farmhouse table plans were so helpful! Thank you Ana White! I replaced plywood on top with 2x8s and added a shelf underneath the table for some kitchen storage! I am in love thanks again😍 Follow me on Instagram @abbbclark_homeee for more home renovations, decor and DIY!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered oak oil based stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Star Closet

Submitted by cawagner on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 12:39

My husband made two of these star closets for our girls and all of their American Girl Doll clothes and accessories. He added a drawer to the bottom so that they could fold pants, shorts, and swim suits and keep them there. He also built three small boxes to hold the smaller accessories, like shoes, hair bows, and hats. It turned out beautiful!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

corner shelf

This was very easy to make. Stained with minwax dark walnut. It's very sturdy too.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Nice stool chair/table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/20/2017 - 12:08

this is my first project, so some screw holes is appear on the legs, but now i bought hole pocket device to hide screws in next project

thanks a lot ANA for your demonstration

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Newbie

My first build in my new house I didn't think it would come out so well. Thanks for the plans. I love working with my hands

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Puppet Stage

Submitted by jaime19861 on Thu, 03/14/2013 - 15:39

I changed the this plan to make it into a puppet stage for my niece's birthday.

I added a curtain rod and made some curtains to fit. I put two shelves in the back, but I put dowels in along the shelves so she could put her puppets on them for easy storage. I used a piece of a sheet of wainscotting for the front of the bottom.

I also put chalkboard paint at the top to allow her to write the name of puppet show that she is performing.

I was able to use some scraps that I had around for quite a bit of it, so it was pretty inexpensive.

The pictures are not great and I wish I would've taken pictures of the back before I gave it as a gift, but the kids are having lots of fun with it. I'll have to take some better pictures the next time I visit.

Estimated Cost
around $25, but I was able to use scraps that I had and paint that I already had.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabinet paint, chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas Chalkboards

Submitted by shellyward on Thu, 01/22/2015 - 09:56

I wanted something special to give the kids in our family for Christmas so I made them all these magnetic chalkboard easels.  I gave them chalk and magnetic alphabet letters to go with it.  The kids ranged from ages 6 months to 8 years and they all loved them!

Estimated Cost
$25/ea
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
magnetic primer and chalkboard paint on the plywood and various colors for the frames
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

shellyward

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 12:21

Thanks Ana! I am having so much fun using plans from your site. My husband created a monster in me when he helped me start learning how to use the power tools last Christmas. Now I just can't stop. currently my daughter and I are working on a large storage bed for her. You have inspired me that nothing is impossible!

justagirl322

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 01:19

Great idea to make these magnetic as well. I was just wondering if you would be willing to share what you used to make them magnetic. Thanks in advance
K

shellyward

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 05:31

sorry just saw this comment - I used the magnetic primer by Rust-Oleum. Used this in place of standard primer. You have to use at least 2 coats and even then, it won't hold a very heavy magnet. i would imagine the more coats you put on, the stronger it will be. It's not cheap, but was great for this application.

Shoe Shelf

Submitted by brittanyj on Sat, 04/22/2017 - 17:16

Husband wanted a shoe shelf for the back door entry, and I needed a quickie weekend project, so this fit the bill.  Adapted from fix this build that's plan, but modified for a smaller space and less shoe storage.  Easy project, and looks great.

Estimated Cost
$7- the project panel was on clearance at HD for the top, the rest was scrap lumber- ply, 2x2's and 1x2's.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
kona stain, white paint, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Herb Garden

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/02/2021 - 06:43

I had the fun of working with my daughter on this project.We recently moved closer to her in Colorado and we are just starting to get into wood projects. Thanks for the great projects!
Aron

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear finish with a touch of Tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kentwood bookcase - upsized

I made the original plan higher and wider, and added an extra shelf. Very pleased with the outcome!

Estimated Cost
AUD $200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water-based stain (Walnut) & water-based satin varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

1x12 Wood Bulk Bins

Submitted by carongirls on Mon, 01/26/2015 - 05:42

I made my bins 36 incheg to fit my space.  My big box blue store has 1x12x8 utulity shelving boards for $13 compared to $27 for the 12 footers. 

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

Comments

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/24/2017 - 21:18

This is a table and bench that I built for our patio!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 (wood, fasteners, stain, urethane, sand paper, composite feet)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony and Dark Walnut Stains, Minwax Helsman Spar Urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate