Community Brag Posts

Kids Modern Picnic Table

Submitted by abbpim on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 09:52

This is my very first wood working project! I know its not perfect and I learned from my mistakes. I found a miter saw at a garage sale and after three hours of plugging it in and unplugging it, I finally worked up the courage to make it make a noise! Then I eventually worked up the courage to cut wood lol! I'm pretty proud of myself for building something and I am going to continue practicing until I can make really cool stuff!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar, Quart Size, LA218, Fuchsia, Duramax, Exterior Semigloss, Base 4 214-4.75, 113-31.75, 105-3.63, 115-2Y7

I used 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

DIY Wood Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/29/2023 - 19:18

I am a mathematics teacher in Central IL. I teach a class called Geometry in Construction. I had my math students build this wood shed in pieces at the school, then I brought it home and put it together with a few of my son's friends. The students enjoy a math class that gets to go to the wood shop to apply their math skills to a wood working project. I am proud of my students hard work and dedication.

Shari Bruyn (I'm old, so I do not have Instagram or a blog page. lol)

Built from Plan(s)

"Thomas" Train Bunk Bed

We wanted a short bunk bed for our sons, age 4 and 1. Our 4-year-old insisted on a Thomas Train bed. We modified the fort bed plans slightly to add stronger barriers on the top bunk and add a barrier on the bottom for the little guy. We also used solid plywood rather than MDF. We used 2x4's and steel angle to hold up the top bunk. It should be sturdy enough for them to use into teenage years. Because we beefed up the strength, the cost increased as well.

We tried staining it and it didn't come out as nicely as we had hoped, but the boys added their own stickers to it and now they have a Thomas bed that they love. When the 1-year-old gets older, we will probably remove the barrier on the bottom bunk to make getting in and out easier.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Built in closet

Submitted by AndyH on Mon, 06/13/2016 - 19:14

Built in closet to replace builder grade wire wracking.  Closet is approximately 11 feet by 5 feet.  consists of two shoe racks with 7 shelves each.  6 large drawers and 4 small drawers.  Two hanger sections with storage  above them.  End wall has hanger for longer items and storage above and a cabinet with shelves.

Yet to finish the floor.

Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Extra White satin paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

modified bench swing

Luv your site. Took your bench swing plan and modified it a bit (shortened depth) and then created a small pergola to hang it from. Just need to stain/poly to finish it off. Thanks for your plan and website it is very inspiring.

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

Laundry Room Storage and Organization

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/20/2024 - 10:33

When looking for ideas/plans for designing my mudroom I came across Ana’s plans for the bench with drawers. I’ve NEVER built anything like it, or cabinetry, or anything like that type of stuff, but with her videos and plans I was able to design my own layout and make it all completely by hand and by myself. I’m in love with how it turned out!! Her designs/plans are so easy to follow and customize!! I can’t wait to do more in my house.

Mikishea Mauss on Facebook

Built from Plan(s)

Puppet theater

Submitted by petera on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 12:03

I was able to use the lemonade stand plans for GRACE'S TOWN to make a puppet theater for my kids.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax golden oak stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Two-tone Large Cube Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/21/2017 - 09:43

Large cube shelf made to fit 13" cubes or milk crates, for my two and a half year old son. For the larger cubes, I added 2" to the measurements for each cube, so 6" to the horizontal and 4" to the vertical measurements. Total shelf measures 46.5" wide by 35" high by 13.5" deep.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Body: white latex primer, two parts paint to one part water.
Trim: special walnut stain
Everything: Minwax Paste Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/17/2021 - 18:39

Thanks for the awesome plans Anna! God bless.

Eddie Jimenez

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Floating bench for entryway alcove

Submitted by msantos116 on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:20

I was looking for some inspiration to clean up our small entryway room in our Cape Cod style home in Worcester, Massachusetts that was typically used for recycling and dirty shoes. These plans were very easy to follow and really spruced up the room quite a bit.

I used standard pine 2x4's for the frame and 1 inch boards for the bench platform and upper shelf features. The platform consists of four boards (3 1x6 boards and 1 1x5 board) that were glued together and sanded down. This was finished with Minwax Colonial Maple stain (a few coats), a couple coats of satin polyurethane, and then sanded down for a nice smooth finish.

I used a couple of 2x4's behind the vertical face below the shelf, giving it some depth and better stability.

Cast iron hooks were found on etsy, ebay, and Amazon.

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Colonial Maple stain
Minwax satin polyurethane
Automotive turtle wax for a smooth shine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor 2x4 Sofas

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/24/2017 - 07:11

Super simple build! Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120 for wood (per sofa), $12 for screws, $25 for water seal, $150 for cushions (per sofa)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded with 120-grit sandpaper, two coats of Thompson's Water Seal (transparent).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Dining Set

Submitted by Nor7 on Wed, 03/18/2015 - 10:22

This was a bit more work than I anticipated but I think it turned out great. The quoted buy list was a little off so I had to make an additional trip to the hardware store.

I used the Fancy X Table plan and the Fancy X Bench plan to make this set. Since I wanted it only 6' long I had to do some modification to the plan but not much.

I also designed the table top into two pieces that fastened together through the center piece so I could take it apart easily and fit it though a standard door.

Estimated Cost
$120 (since there were two benches and the table). I found the wood in my area to be a little more expensive than quoted on the plan. Particularly the 2x10's.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MinWax - Dark Walnut. To get the finish even I had to invest ALOT of time into sanding. I had to use 60 grit in some spots to even out the factory cuts but most of it I was able to go over with just 220 grit. DON'T FORGET TO SAND THE ENDS!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

MrCoffee

Wed, 03/18/2015 - 13:35

Wow, this table and bench set came out awesome. I love the finish. What you ended up creating having only spent $120 is incredible when you think about how much these things cost in a furniture store. Good work.

Wine oak barrel Adirondack chair

Submitted by Medickep on Thu, 05/30/2013 - 12:11

I got some oak barrels from a local vineyard and decided to try making some adirondack chairs. It was harder than I thought it would be, but well worth it!! The stain was a little darker than I thought it be, but it's rubbing off on me!

predrill, predrill, predrill, and learned a valuable lesson in predrilling, as solid wood under strain cracks easy when using 2 1/2" deck screws!

I need to whip out the nice camera and stop using my cell phone for finished products!

Estimated Cost
Around 100.00 dollars per chair (depends on cost of barrel!)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Cabot's Australian timber oil. Not the cheapest product out there, but they actually recommend one coat only and no sanding necessary for future coats. Once it stops beading water, just clean the chair and than reapply! It penetrates deep and forms a wax protective layer that repels water! This is why I chose not to varnish the item!!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 05/31/2013 - 05:16

I never heard of using wine barrels in this way! I love it. It came out fabulous!

Medickep

Fri, 05/31/2013 - 05:34

Thanks you. People make a lot of stuff out of wine barrels. Chairs, stools, Tables, candle holders, and even serving platters!

Joni

Fri, 05/31/2013 - 06:57

This is awesome! Very cool design. It looks very comfortable! Thanks for the tip on the Australian timber oil; I never knew what would be the best finish for an outdoor piece.

Joni

Fri, 05/31/2013 - 07:03

This is awesome! Very cool design. It looks very comfortable! Thanks for the tip on the Australian timber oil; I never knew what would be the best finish for an outdoor piece.

Medickep

Sat, 06/01/2013 - 11:38

It is very comfortable, especially with a glass of wine. I chose the finisher I did because I live in Oregon with a lot of rain!!

Why does everyone's post, including my own show up as duplicate?

Medickep

Sat, 06/01/2013 - 11:38

It is very comfortable, especially with a glass of wine. I chose the finisher I did because I live in Oregon with a lot of rain!!

Why does everyone's post, including my own show up as duplicate?

acd4476

Sun, 07/21/2013 - 17:05

Awesome chairs! Beginning to think I need to make some as well. Did you have plans for this project or follow a generic adirondack chair plan?

Foldable Farmhouse Rustic Dining Table

My wife wanted a portable farmhouse style rustic dining table that she could take to photoshoots and other events. I started with a top made with 2x6s and make the legs with 4x4s and the rest with 2x4s. Stain is dark walnut with a clear coat on top.

The legs are attached with door hinges and can fold into the top for more portable use. There is also a board that can be inserted in the bottom slots so that when in use the legs can not fold in.

So far the rustic dining table is working out great, although this table is VERY HEAVY and needs 2-3 strong people to carry it around. I have also made a lighter version using 1x6 tops and all 2x4 frame and legs.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Blair Photography Designed by Amber Veatch Designs

Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Juanita_r

Wed, 06/12/2013 - 04:15

Oh I really hope that you are able to put these modified plans up!!! A foldable farmhouse table.... what will they think of next!

Unicorn1960

Sat, 10/22/2016 - 17:21

I cannot find the plans for the tiny house drawers any where.  Can someone please point me in the right direction.  Thank you! 

Channing Bookcase

Submitted by FrankJr on Sun, 06/28/2015 - 13:42

We needed a bookcase to fill a void in our living room and this was it. I altered the dimensions to increase the height to 72.5". I also added crown molding to the top which turned out nice. I used the same Bombay mahogany stain suggested by a previous post.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Super Hero House

Submitted by carongirls on Sun, 08/11/2013 - 13:48

This was hard for me because I am horrible at using the jigsaw. If I do another one I'll probably not do as many door openings.
It took longer than expected due to filling in all the pocket holes an waiting for the wood filler to dry.
My grandson loves it, he didn't care about my mistakes on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

5 Board Bench

Submitted by truckrun on Tue, 09/17/2013 - 20:50

I was looking for a plan for a 5 board bench so naturally I came to your site. I made your basic design but made it a little bit smaller in all dimensions and I put a half inch split down the middle of the top. I built it out of pine and painted it flat black. I gave the legs and underneath 3 coats of satin polyurethane and the top and sides received 5.

You can follow the build on my blog at :
http://funwithwoodworkingtoo.blogspot.com/2013/09/project-how-to-build-…

You can also watch a video of the build on my YouTube page at:
http://youtu.be/1_hz2n7v9ss

Thanks for the free plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
MINWAX water based satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids table and chairs

Great little project. Finished just in time for Thanksgiving.

Andy

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mirrowax, polyurethane semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Thu, 11/26/2015 - 07:14

You did a super job!  These are absolutely adorable!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Board and Batten Bathroom

My first project with raw wood and power tools! All I have is a circular saw and electric sander, but it went really well. It took about 3 days because I couldn't work straight through (silly life and all it's appointments!). Thanks for laying out all the prep work with your instructions, Ana!! My next project is a cubby shelf for towels.

Estimated Cost
$76
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin Finish Latex paint by Valspar. Upper wall color is Valspar High Noon in Flat Enamel finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

loniwolfe

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 21:38

That looks really great! I was just thinking about doing this in our bathroom, thank you for posting this! Now I'm definitely doing this! Great great job!

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