Community Brag Posts

Shanty Sideboard

Submitted by cefogus on Sat, 02/27/2016 - 12:37

I changed up a few things. Instead of plywood I used 1X6 lumber and joined it with pocket holes to make the sides, top/bottom, and shelf. I made the shelf one piece and added the dividers for supports. For the doors I cut down 1x4s to 1/4 inch thickness and glued them together. Then cut down 1x3 to 1/2 inch for the trim. I just didn't like the plywood look. But I like the plank look. The doors were a bear. I should have used bigger hinges. They were a learning experience for next time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 in lumber plus stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MInwax Golden Oak and Clear Satin Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/26/2023 - 12:25

I used treated lumber for my project. One chair took me 2 to 3 hours from start to finish and the 2nd chair went a lot faster! The plans were so easy to follow, Thanks Ana!

- Built by Kara

Comments

Bunk Bed

Submitted by hoffer5353 on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 14:04

I am very happy to have completed the up portion of the bunk bed. The full size down was done quite sometime ago and I became sidetracked on other projects.
This is a sturdy bed and a favorite in my home. One day I even found my husband napping (hiding) on the top bunk.
The part that I like the best is when we graduate from bunk beds we still have two beds to use.
I also completed the ladder and it works, but I cut it just alittle shorter than the plan called for. Lets just put another on my to do list.

Estimated Cost
100-200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax, red oak stain. Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

hoffer5353

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 14:37

It was surprisingly more easy that I expected. It helped me stay motivated to finish both beds.

Reclaimed Farm Table

Started with a reclaimed old barn door and framed it with Ambrosia Maple, see atop the base of the Fancy X Farmhouse Table base.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
(Top) General Finishes Arm-R-Seal (High Gloss and Satin)
(Base) Minwax Provincal and Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X End Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/29/2016 - 13:30

We took on the rustic x table project and used the oxidization process described in the links (black tea then vinegar/steel wool mix). It turned out great! A few things I learned... When using the black tea if the tea runs it makes a difference. I had my wood up against a wall and was painting vertically. It pooled at the bottom, seeping into the wood. Didn't think this was a big deal but when I went to oxidize it you could see where it seeped. I couldn't sand it out without really lightening the wood too much. So, its there as part of my imperfect project. It kind of adds to the rustic look :) I let the vinegar/wool steep for a long time so it was more brown than gray. I ended up liking it (read: i didn't want to redo the whole thing) so I went with it. I really do like it though. I had to sand a lot to get it to lighten up some. We wanted a coffee table too- but something round. So, my husband invented the coffee table you see in the picture. He used the same kind of wood as the rustic x table and we used the same process to finish it. The time estimate mentioned below is just the end table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Tea base
Vinegar/steel wool to oxidize (steeped about 2 weeks)
Lots of sanding
satin poly coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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

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