Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Coffee Table

We made a few alterations to these plans. Added lift up hinges.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red mahogany on top. White paint for bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White Admin

Sun, 03/28/2021 - 17:02

Fantastic mods, love the look of this! Would love to see it in it's final resting place:)

Modified coffee table

Submitted by Grainwood on Thu, 03/14/2013 - 21:45

Got the Idea from this and just winged it. first time building/staining

Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Hickory
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Miter Saw Stand

Submitted by shellyward on Thu, 01/22/2015 - 10:00

We wore out our old miter saw and had to buy a new one.  The old stand wouldn't work, so decided to build one!  Absolutely LOVE it and have had many compliments when people see it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
chose not to bother finishing since it hangs in the garage and will likely take abuse :-)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/22/2017 - 20:25

Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut
Minwax Gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

my Adirondack Stool higher version

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/02/2021 - 17:57

I decided to make two Adirondack stools, they looks simple and easy and I have 2*2 and 1*3 slats on hand.
Cutting and painting didn't take too much time, but I was struggling with assembling. It was hard to square the board. When I finished them, they were great, I love them!They are 24" heigh.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My first build!

Submitted by wlindler on Sun, 03/17/2013 - 17:10

Finally found the perfect table for my foyer! Only possible because of this site... Thanks Ana! The step by step instructions and detailed illustrations were sooo easy to follow. I finished the table in a day and a half. The drawers on the other hand gave me a run for my money. I am positive that was due to my less than perfect circular saw skills! Which are improving by the way:) Everyone loves the table and are pretty impressed with my (as my 8 yr old would say) "mad skillz"!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
130.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic tinted stain with a translucent finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified X Book Caddy

Submitted by Lady Goats on Mon, 01/26/2015 - 10:16

After building my daughter a storage bed, I no longer needed the X Book Caddy that I had built to contain her books. It's taken on a new life as a nightstand for me!! I modified the caddy to be nightstand height, but it can easily have height added to become a console table. If you want, go build the x caddy and then click over to my blog for the tutorial on making it the bookseller's shelf!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$7 (under $20 for the whole thing)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Gel Stain in Java
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mitered corner farmhouse table - shiplap top.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/25/2017 - 13:07

Slightly modified the farmhouse table plans to build the top out of 6 inch pine shiplap, its thinner than the farmhouse plans (its 3/4inch), but I liked the rough cut on the top surface, and overlapping edges made for a great fit. 

I cut the outside edge boards down to 4inch wide, and then mitred the corners to act as a frame for the 6 inch boards. I will build copper corner protectors. 

Finish was: pre-conditioner on the wood, 3 coats of minwax weathered oak stain, 3 coats of polyurethane. Sanded the benches between coats, but not the table, as the table has a rough surface. 

benches are 2x6 fir boards, cut the long edges off on a table saw to make them join better, as I dont have a jointer.  Same finish applied as the table. 

Table is 8 feet long, 38 inches wide.  seats 10 comfortably.

It was half finished in my garage for several months, in which time I used it as a workbench - so it has plenty of authentic weathering dings and dents. 

It was my first project, as I have only recently moved into a house with a garage. 

Loved the construction part, hated the finishing steps. 

thanks!

oz

 

Estimated Cost
200 in wood, fasteners, stains, etc
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax pre-conditioner, weathered oak and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Industrial Bookshelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/08/2021 - 17:03

My husband made these gorgeous, inexpensive bookshelves for my classroom. We modified the plans to create a couple of different sizes. I love them, and they work perfectly for the classroom library.

https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/30-industrial-bookshelf

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Woodstain- Sunbleached
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vintage Airport Loft Bed

Submitted by Robinwood on Tue, 03/19/2013 - 20:20

In my 70 years, this has to be the biggest project I've done. My grandson especially loves vintage airplanes; so I decided to make it look like a small vintage airport. I based this on the Clubhouse Bed, but for the steps at the end, I borrowed from the Camp Loft Bed - I added rails at the end because he felt a little uneasy when he tried the stairs. He wanted more of a clubhouse (he is special needs and likes the closed in feeling) and wanted doors and shutters so he could close everything.

Doodle is his nickname - hence "Flying Doodle Airport".

Inside is a lift up storage bench (with crate below for extra storage); a toy/book shelf unit; and his desk. He is currently using his lounge chair, but has already asked that I build him a real office chair - one that has wheels and turns around. I guess that's my next build.

This took about two weeks from start to finish.

The last photo is of the Bi-plane shelf that I built last year and didn't get to put up until now. I was ill for the entire year and was finally able to start woodworking again this year - and I am so happy. A lot of plans have been posted and I'm anxious to play "catch-up".

Estimated Cost
$500.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 03/20/2013 - 05:37

Wow, this is beautiful! You did a wonderful job. I love all of the details! I am also glad to hear that you are well again and able to do something you love. What a blessing!

bhoppy

Wed, 03/20/2013 - 08:13

That is one amazing bed!! I love all the little details you added! I'm sure your grandson loves it!!

porter46

Sun, 11/01/2015 - 12:47

This is beautiful! So much detail! I love this project!

queen bed -my first finished furniture

Submitted by Reubels on Fri, 01/30/2015 - 21:17

We had the bed on plastic bed risers because we needed more storage in this small house.  It was on one of those free metal bed frames you get when you buy the mattress and box springs.  Wheels on risers is not too stable and we couldn't keep the pillows from falling down in between the bed and the wall.  Sitting up in bed was also difficult due to pulling on the window curtain and the bed sliding or moving when leaning back on the wall.

I searched for a few months at furniture stores, websites, and craigslist to buy a headboard when I found this estimated price on someone's at $150 or so.  That's less than I would spend for a headboard that I both liked and was made of real wood.  Plus, it would come as a whole bed vs just the headboard.

I probably spent around $250 total, screws, hardware and stain/poly included.  All the wood was $195 all from home depot.  I had to go through every single 4x4 on two occasions to find 4 that I thought were good enough for furniture.

The clearance is a full 12 inches below the rails and footboard.  I wanted the footboard to be about even with the top of the mattress.  Also, the bottom of the headboard to be even with the top of the mattress to maximize area to lean back against.  As a result it does seem a little silly looking and disproportionate without the mattress on the bed.  Also I had to use four 4x4's to get the height needed above the mattress and box springs and 12 inch clearance for storage underneath.

This is the first time I've polyurethaned anything and I think it came out nicely.

Started March 29th 2014 and just finished a couple of weekends ago.  I don't have that many tools, for example I used some ratcheting tie downs to hold things together while screwing together the headboard and footboard.  I believe at the time I only had one clamp.  I was really dreading this project taking more than a year.  One of my buddies constantly ragged on how long it was taking me.  I want to thank him for all the times he laughed at me while I was too tired to get off the couch.  Bo, you are a true friend.  Studying and school work took alot of time and I was away over the summer and winter breaks.  My next project will only take one month I hope.  I'm going to try to do something like the farmhouse table only for taller chairs that will seat about 4.  I like the rounded edge look to the wood which allows for a little bit of error in the straightness of the wood and cuts etc.  This was a fun project and when we get more room I want to build a king size.

I guess I'm going to see what chair plans there are on this site now before I look at starting a table.

Thanks to all the other brags that allowed me to show my wife what the bed could look like finished and different rail systems and supports.  I bought rockler hardware, no mortise required, from amazon so the bed could be disassembled and moved easily without nuts and bolts exposed.  I'll definitely do that again for the next bed I build.

I have more photos of it unfinished and being built if anyone cares to see I can upload them as well.

Happy building everyone!

Estimated Cost
$155 (WOOD ONLY) if you build the bed for looks around a metal frame
$250 if the bed supports the mattress, finished out in natural wood, and you buy the hardware I did
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax prestain wood conditioner
Minwax red mahogany 225
Minwax clear semi-gloss polyurethane fast drying

Porous areas: areas with more grain, knots in the wood, and ends of boards cut will stain darker. The prestain wood conditioner minimizes this. I tried staining the back of the headboard without using it first, because I'm cheap. But it really does look blotchy. Some areas will stain darker than adjacent ones even though there is no perceptible difference in the roughness, grain, or knots in the wood. I definitely recommend it for pine and cedar fir like what I bought at the home depot.

For the stain I painted on with a sponge brush, bought 20 for $5 at Joann fabrics, and wiped away with cut up pieces of old undershirts, fruit of the loom or hanes lol.

Poly was also applied with the sponge brushes. The first coat remained rough. Second coat still a little rough however bubbles and raised areas due to sponge adding air to the poly when brushing it on. After second coat sand down imperfections with 220 grit sand paper on a 3m sand paper holder. Reapplied poly and sanded bubbles with 400 grit after the third coat. All sides have at least 3 coats. Visible surfaces have 4 or 5 coats. The final coat you must watch dry and eliminate all bubbles while still wet on flat surfaces and take care of bubbles as they arise from knots. Do not attempt to fill in voids with poly while current layer of poly is still wet. Wait for it to dry, then drip in extra poly into imperfections surrounding knots and any dents in the wood. The poly will flatten out on its own and you can soak up any excess with a new sponge brush so that it does not cause a droplet looking area on the surface. The poly will not flatten out and blend with the other poly if the layer is partially dried though and you will need to sand and do the area over again.

Be ever mindful of poly running down around the backside of what you're working on and creating a droplet on the other side. Requires a lot of hands and knees looking under the saw horses with a brush or just be more careful and don't apply too much.
Good luck!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Leslie Is Ready

Wed, 02/11/2015 - 09:07

You did a GREAT job on this! I just finished the headboard earlier today, and I am about halfway through the footboard. This is my first piece of furniture as well, so you have really inspired me! :)

Grundy buffet console.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2017 - 12:40

Very easy project if you have some experience. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain. Mixed two colors.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting Bench Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 10:50

Fun project indeed! Just make sure its all square every step of the way.
Thanks, I look forward to perusing some more projects!!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Clear Wood Sealer, two coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Our First DIY Project: A TV Corner Unit

Submitted by tedi.l on Fri, 03/22/2013 - 09:07

My husband and I wanted to store our bicylces on the main level of our home, but to do that we need to move our tv and it's components to a corner. We didn't see any premade consoles that we liked, so I searched around on the web until I found Ana White's design!

Feel free to visit our blog to see the unit come to life in detail :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We purchased paint that had primer in it, and got away with applying only two coats (with some light sanding in between),
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Guest Room Stair Baluster Accent Table

Submitted by Michael K on Tue, 02/03/2015 - 15:15

We wanted a narrow console table that would fit next to the bed in our guest room. This accent table is less than 12 inches wide. I came across a stair baluster plan and made it my own. The balusters and top are red oak, the aprons and bottom shelf are poplar. I used white semigloss for the body and red mohagany stain for the top to try and match the doors in the room. Came pretty close! I'm very happy with the two toned look and the project overall. This is my third furniture project! I'm addicted.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Red Mohagany
Miniwax Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Plywood shoe dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 21:06

Based my design off the shoe bench version of dresser. Used old leather belts to keep bins from falling out. Am considering adding legs but currently without legs the dresser doesnt fall forward when bins are open. Added a third support in the middle - dresser seems strong enough to seat 1 person but the idea isnt that its extra seating, more like another surface for a lamp and some plants. Used a long nail on either side of bins to keek bins aligned when open. A hinge would work better though, I got lazy. Great way to store shoes!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$34 (almost 1 whole sheet of plywood + some nails, glue and old leather belts)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Haven't finished yet!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

8 foot long truss style farm bench

Submitted by Bigherd on Wed, 04/21/2021 - 05:01

I had a friend that loved the 48" long truss style farm bench. However, she wanted one 8' long. I modified the "2X4 Truss Style Farm Bench" and came up with this design. As you can see, she want a very specific stain color combination.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
stains and Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by kristine on Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:08

So the husband was not happy with the fancy x dining table he made and thus, within a short 4 month period, he made another dining table :/ This one, however, he loves, so no more dining table making for him anytime soon! He veered off plans by joining most of the projects using dowels. You can read more about the build at our blog:

http://tonyandkristine.blogspot.com/2013/03/diy-farmhouse-table.html

Estimated Cost
appx $100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Stain + Poly in Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

farmhouse bedside table

Submitted by Carol Anne on Fri, 02/06/2015 - 10:32

made from scraps, the only purchase I made was for the drawer pull and the paint.

Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
black satin enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Window Shutters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/05/2017 - 09:33

I really wanted to add a layer of depth to the front of our house, and my favorite option was adding new shutters! I used fence boards to keep cost low and to be sure that the wood would stand up to all weather conditions. I protected the wood with an oil-based sealant made for exterior use. I attached the cross braces with chunky screws and painted those black. I love how they turned out!

Estimated Cost
About $45 for the wood (my shutters were just tall enough to need a full fence board each - you may be able to double up) and about $36 for the chunky screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the oil-based Varathane Satin sealant - not stain color required.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

2x4 Truss Bench

I loved making this bench - only 5 2x4s. I used premium studs, sanded before building, wood glue/countersunk screws and filled them in. Used English Chestnut stain and I’ll add polyurethane to ensure longevity. My first build - the trusses/supports weren’t the right size, somehow we’re short? So I cut those out twice. It’s OK because I had excess anyways! Nice snug fit now.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
English chestnut varathane stain, polyurethane finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments