Community Brag Posts

Woven Bench

Submitted by jeglover on Fri, 07/10/2015 - 20:42

Turned into a more time consuming project than I first envisioned. I think it turned out great as everyone seems to like it. Going with the two-toned design made the finishing much more difficult but produced good results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mixture of stains,
primer and indoor/outdoor semi-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Loved this project. Very easy!

Submitted by atg5004 on Tue, 01/30/2018 - 17:22

Was able to plan out and cut every piece before drilling pocket holes and assembling. Made it even easier by using the vertical spindles on the ends. We absolutely love having this to separate the two living spaces. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Loved the Adirondack build

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/29/2022 - 17:00

Thanks so much for these plans. I looked at dozens of Adirondack plans but 99% of them had tricky cuts requiring templates and more perfection than I wanted to give.

These are very straight-forward. I removed an old deck last year and saved all the 2x6 decking. I used those for this build. Ripped some down to 2x4’s but left the rest as-is for wider arm rest and seat/back boards. Everything came together perfect. Took me longer than I’d like to admit on the first, but the second went quick.

Can’t wait to drink a few beers in these chairs.

Thanks again,
Taylor Jones
Memphis,TN

Comments

brookstone headboard

This was the 2nd project I made and was amazed at how simple this was. Really easy and quick:)

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

Fold-down Backyard Bar

Submitted by bdel on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 10:10

Hi Ana,

I saw your link on Facebook to the fold-down bar by Home Depot, and I wanted to show you the one we built last year. We're pretty proud of how it turned out! It was easy to build - we just used a reference photo we found on the web and built it to our own specifications. We have a very tiny backyard with absolutely no space to set up a drink area, so this works perfectly. It folds up out of the way when it's not needed (and doesn't have to be packed away for the winter!)

After installing it, I handpainted the back (bottom) with an inside-joke between my husband and his friends. "Duffy's Bar and Grill!" is how they answer the phone whenever one calls the other.

I hope you like it!

Barb Steadman
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany stain (MinWax), Polyurethane topcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Made with 2x4s and barn wood top

Submitted by Misterskw on Wed, 07/15/2015 - 17:35

I made this table for my wife. The top is some oak barnwood attached with table buttons to allow for seasonal changes, and the bottom is two by fours resawn to fit. Thanks for sharing this plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Roughly 40 since the top was reclaimed
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English chestnut and polyurethane. 3 coats each.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Helper Tower

Submitted by Bradnag on Sat, 02/03/2018 - 13:12

This was my first project using a jigsaw. Both of my children absolutely love it. If I had to do it again, I probably would have made the folding version instead, but I am still very happy with how this tower turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
PPG Speedhide semigloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Lego Table

Submitted by Nyk Cole on Sun, 02/20/2022 - 12:01

Used the Lego table plans to create a place for my kids to build their legos. I added lego plates on the doors and inside for them to build on and added some color.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

My First Project

This is my first ever wood working project. I had a blast learning how to use the Kreg Jig. I learned a lot!! I finished it in about 6 hours, then sanded it and painted it the next day. It is not perfect, but I like it.

Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Statin Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

loft bed and daybed combinations

Submitted by amifischer on Wed, 07/17/2013 - 06:46

When we moved to our new home, our three boys wanted to share a very small room so we came up with this combination. The daybed is actually two stacked beds because we needed more storage space. We plan to create the desk/shelves under the loft bed soon!

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

Modified Farmhouse King Bed Plans

Submitted by lampertg on Sun, 07/19/2015 - 04:26

I'm from Israel, and i love your site.
i've already built several projects from your plans, but this one was the most challenging one.
I wanted the bed to support a mattress (without a base), so i had to modify the plans. I've added 2X4 to the siderailes, between the headboard legs, and to the footboard, and also one in the middle (see attached photos) to support the thin 1X3's that are the base for the mattress.
I painted it using a water based yellowish cream collor (I know that water based color in not the best choice, but it's just so easy to clean ).
I used a Wagner electric spray painter/gun to paint the bed, and the result was very satisfying.

the wood i used was pine.

Estimated Cost
300$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse King Size Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2022 - 15:02

Built from birch wood and finished with wipe on satin finish

Comments

Pallet Shelf for books

My daughter's books never seem to end up on her book shelf in a way that she can easily see them. They are usually laying on their sides and stacked in heaps. We needed a way to keep them organized and easy for her to find the books she's looking for. I made two shelves in less than 20 minutes total.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Patio Sectional

Submitted by camilton on Thu, 07/18/2013 - 12:24

I absolutely love this sectional! It is a little awkward for my pregnant wife to get up and down from because of how low it is but when you are down it is really nice and you can just kick back and relax.

It has its flaws but for my second ever attempt at building something I am very proud. And out of this project I found a great local lumber mill with excellent straight boards for great prices, learned when it comes to something like a counter sink drill bit spend a little extra learned this after snapping both kobalt and ryobi brand and buying the sturdy dewalt that is in my garage now.

After sanding I used Rust-oleum spray paint and sealed it all with two coats of Cabot spar varnish.

Added bonus our Wal-Mart had cushions on sale for 50 + percent off!

Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum spray paint
Cabot spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Man Crate for Grandson

My Grandson Brax is staying with me for a few days this summer and I thought I'd get him invloved with a wood project. We decided on building him a "man crate" to keep toys & other boy stuff in. He was a great help, and got to have a lot of fun while learning to build a DIY project.

Maybe one day Brax will love to build things out of wood like his Paw-Paw.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshield "Espresso"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s

Pretty simple and straight forward, just time-consuming without the right tools.

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

Comments

Garden Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/03/2022 - 09:31

Second project ever! Came out pretty nice in my opinion!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple Outdoor Lounge Chairs

Submitted by tlcbbp on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 20:19

I am going to be making more of these, but I just loved how they turned out. The cushions were ten bucks at Target.

Estimated Cost
45 dollars, including paint and stainless/coated screws
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior Eggshell Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Murphy Bed

Submitted by Newfey on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 14:59

This is a Murphy Bed that I made for my daughter Alicia for their getaway home at Canadian Lakes, MI. Due to limited space i had to make it horizontal instead of the normal way of being vertical. It really comes in handy and takes up very little space.

Finish Used
Red paint mixed with Baking Soda
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 15:17

Looks great! Love the color and the trims you used. Where did you find your hinge hardware? PS- How did you like the baking soda paint? I've tried ASCP which was good but very pricey, and last time made my own with some plaster of paris. Your finish is lovely.

Newfey

Sat, 07/20/2013 - 18:47

I bought the spring hardware on line. I can't take the credit for the paint as my daughter did that part. She loves the way that the baking soda and paint covers everything and it is a whole lot less expensive than buying the commercial stuff.

Trash Bin based on Ana's Plan

Submitted by Scottcs42 on Sun, 07/26/2015 - 20:39

Trash bin based on Ana's plan

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wheat stain, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate