Community Brag Posts

Cat Scratcher Gym

Submitted by homedogas on Thu, 10/10/2019 - 03:44

This project started with the need of a cat scratcher and evolved to this! :D

Buying one was out of the question cause they are too small and too expensive.

Even the dog loves it!

I dont have any plans because it was made to fit that specific wall and its pretty basic but if you have any question about it I will gladly answer. 

Estimated Cost
90
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Vieux Chêne
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

One piece kids kitchen

I actually used Ana's "Grace's kitchen" plans and modified them to make a single unit kitchen that was smaller to fit my space, after I was done this new project plan was posted! My kids love this kitchen and I love it's smaller size. I used all plywood scraps to make it, so the cost was minimal.

Estimated Cost
$15 for the accesories (tap, bowl, burners, dials, drawer pulls etc)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of leftover eggshell latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wine rack

Submitted by Chadwood on Sun, 12/22/2013 - 18:05

First project for me. Easy to do even with limited tools. Now I realize I need more tools to do bigger and better. It was a nice stress relief to go to garage and build something. My wife wanted something so it made sense to do this.

Estimated Cost
$48
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My first build!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/03/2016 - 12:44

This was my very first build and I loved it. I used rough cut oak that I got from my grandparents woods when it was destroyed in a storm. I spent a few hours planing and sanding but it was time well spent. I plan on making the fort bed next.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax antique walnut stain followed by hand rub satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Thu, 03/03/2016 - 13:52

That is ONE awesome first build! Can't wait to see your next project, thanks for sharing!

Lattice Fence Extension- with video!

Submitted by brittanyj on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 14:34

Lattice Fence Build Video
I built a lattice fence above a masonry wall dividing us from our neighbors after they cut down a bush that had formerly blocked the view. I time lapsed the whole thing, and thought you might find it of interest (or humor)

It took me 3 days instead of the 1 that I expected- am I the only one who greatly overestimates their speed at home projects? : )

Anyways, really happy with how it turned out. That’s the thing I love about woodworking. It always looks janky to begin and doesn’t show much promise, and then suddenly, it’s a work of art. Tis a thing of beauty.

There are a good amount of tips and tricks in the video of how to overcome difficulties in the build.

View on YouTube

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$265
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish- redwood is lovely on its own!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Salsa Console

Submitted by nevadany on Sat, 02/18/2012 - 07:24

I modified the Salsa console table plans a little for my version. Assembly is pretty much the same, just added more detail like making 5 piece doors and draw fronts, adding back brackets to allow for cedar paneling behind the doors and recessed the middle walls so the doors close on them instead of inside the opening. The center will remain open for now.

the whole table and parts are poplar, minus the drawer bottoms which are beech ply. Because its made out of poplar, it jacked the price quite a bit. However, i wouldn't consider using anything less then select pine to make this table which is only slightly less that poplar. The #2 pine is total crap and not suitable to build a piece of furniture out of. Anyway, I've got about $300-$350 in building supplies (wood, screws/plugs, finish), and about $80 in hardware (hidden euro hinges and bearing drawer slides).

Hope you like it, as i am quite proud of it!

One other thing, if you plan on building this table, double check the material & cut lists. I found discrepancies.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350+/- with upgraded wood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshade to try and match dining room set stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kitchen Play Set

My husband and I built this for our son for Christmas. We had so much fun doing this and all the detail that went into it. Both the fridge and stove have battery operated motion sensor lights & the backsplash is diamond plating. Very cool!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Chalkboard paint, brush nickel paint and stone texture paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/06/2016 - 13:20

Here is the outdoor sectionAL I built with redwood.

Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Redwood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Herringbond Barn Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/16/2019 - 11:03

This console was made with herringbone doors and gold hardware. Everyone who sees it wants me to make them one :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$310
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint for the base with a satin polycrylic. The top was a custom stain to look like the classic restoration hardware color with Golden Oak, Weathered Gray, and Sunbleached with a Satin polycrylic. The hardware was painted gold.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Step stool

Submitted by wmcopelan on Sat, 12/28/2013 - 09:01

I built this stool for my 2 yr old grandson. Added yardsticks to the top of the steps for a different look, and painted the stool, then sanded randomly, added stain and wiped off for an aged look.

Estimated Cost
$7.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm table kitchen Nook Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 12:41

Inspired by one of your older farmhouse tables, then my wife found a pottery barn type farmhouse, few tweaks later I ended with this. Then decided we needed a bench for the kids so built in a corner bench and then made the cushions. Lots of good meals to come. Email me at [email protected] if any questions.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mahogany gel stain, 3 coats of satin finish poly (min wax)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Display case with 1920's window for the door

I really don't know where I got the inspiration for this shelf. We went to a primitive collections store a couple of weeks ago and I found this cool window off of a 1920's house. A couple of issues you run into with this is: 1. Windows from this time used leaded paint to paint there windows, so make sure when you sand you are in a well ventilated area. 2. Finding a window with no broken glass. Once you get all this the it's pretty easy to build. This is pretty much a backwards version of the media shelf with the door up top and the shelf on the bottom

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden primer/paint Teal and Glidden primer/paint off white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

viola

Sun, 02/26/2012 - 14:37

I love your cabinet and how you up-cycled the old window.

Wine Rack with Wine Glass Holder

Submitted by suschen on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 09:30

My first project! Dragged home some pallets and out came this. Theoretically, you could really do this in less time than I did but I had to customize it to fit it in the space that I wanted. I also took a lot of time sanding, as I was deathly afraid of getting splinters!

Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse X Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/13/2016 - 10:31

Pine wood with 2 coats of Minwax Mahogony Gel-Stain and 2 coats Minwax Semi-Gloss Polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ana White Inspired Farmhouse Table - "The Gathering Place"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 11:54

This my first-ever custom, DIY farmhouse dining table that I built for my amazing in-laws! They just moved into a beautiful new home with a large, open dining area, and they've been looking for a large table that our growing family can gather around. This table seats up to 12 people at one time, and it 2.5' tall, 3.4' wide, and 10' long (with the extensions out.)

I've repurposed many tables and/or wood projects before, but this is my first table made completely from scratch. It took me approximately 2 weeks to fully complete, and cost less than $300, (including "investment tools" such as large wood clamps, electric sander, etc.)

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used an Espresso-color stain for the coloring of the table, and a water-based satin ____ sealer to protect the wood while giving it as natural a feel as possible. (I chose water-base so that the sealer would be clear and not affect the Espresso color.)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

My Leather Accent King Size Bed

We modified the plans because I had a specific idea of what I wanted and we needed a king size bed. We are so proud. We used left over foam from a previous project and covered it with the faux leather for the back rests. Because I love the look of dust ruffles but couldnt use it because of the slats to support the bed I cut out the material from which the dust ruffle is sewn and attached velcro to it and then to the bed and I got the look I wanted. Ana is awesome!

Estimated Cost
196.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Expresso Paint and waterbased poly urethane to protect it
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mom's Train Table

Submitted by Schmamber on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 19:50

My daughter is OBSESSED with trains and I've been yearning to make a project from ana's page for YEARS. This was a perfect opportunity to start my first project and I'm pretty proud of myself with the results!

I scouted out wood for a few weeks and bought all my 1x6's and 1x3's at a discount wood place and the 1x2's were on sale at Home Depot for .80 cents a pop. All cuts were free cuts with the 'big machines' at the lumber shops.

I used pocket holes to attach the frame and the frame to the bottom plywood and plugged the holes.

I hand sanded all the wood before building and then at a finer grade after and finer still between finish coats.

Wood conditioned and stained in English Chestnut (2 coats) and 3 coats of high gloss clear finish over a period of 3 days. All Minwax.

Aside from a few wonky pocket hole screws going through the other side (my first time using a kreg is this project) and having to fix 'em, this was a pretty easy/fun project to do. My 2 year old helped plug holes and sand a little.

The flip-side of the shiny stained table top is a chalkboard which has been a HUGE hit because it is almost tripple the size kiddo has been drawing with and it's pretty nice. The chalkboard paint was the latex stuff found in home-depot...some can be coloured but i went with standard black.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~120 if I split the cost of stain/finish between projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood conditioned and stained in English Chestnut (2 coats) and 3 coats of high gloss clear finish over a period of 3 days. All Minwax.

Interior-flip of lid = black chalkboard paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Necklace and Bracelet Organizer

Submitted by jmsolko on Tue, 03/15/2016 - 23:41

Love this plan from that's my letter! I modified the base slightly by using 2x2s secured to 1/4" hardboard. I also increased the base dimensions to 11x11 so it could accommodate additional storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
rust-o-leum blossom white.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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