Community Brag Posts

So, this isn't actually an Ana plan.  But I wanted to post it as an example of a hodge-podge of toybox ideas that I built with a bunch of 1x3's, my Kreg Jig and some pieces of plywood I had lying around. 
I actually made the top and ends by pocket holing 1x3's together and sanding them smooth.  The bottom and back are plywood, and the front piece doesn't line up flush to the bottom, but it doesn't matter because you can't see it!

I wouldn't have attempted a project like this if it wasn't for stumbling upon ana-white.com and learning about the kreg jig and how FUN it is to actually build FURNITURE!

:)

The plans are great.  This went together really fast.  I am cheating a little here, it is not quite complete; I need to add the side blocks on top and my wife would like a another panel added to the front at work height level, just for looks.  But the overall look won't be changed.  I struggled some with finishing (I usually do).  A couple spots  have runs I didn't see.  One will be covered by the front panel I'll add,but another needs sanding.

Just for fun I added a picture of the bench 3 years later. Its held up well to a lot of use and a lot of sitting out in the elements.

Oldest is moving out into their own apartment so thought I would help them save some money and built a Tryed/Tryde Coffee & End Table, although both are slightly modified:

- Coffee table I added the lower section
- End Table I did with pocket holes vs how the plans had it laid out.

For the end table , which I started after the coffee table, I "jointed" the table top pieces on the table saw - very slightly as I wanted to keep the more rustic looking individual boards. This worked really well and I wish I had done it on the coffee table too.

For the finish, which to me always starts with lots and lots of sanding (started at 60 grit down to 400 grit), I used a mix of Varithane Red Mahogany (4 parts) and Dark Walnut (1 Part), then several coats of Clear Satin Polyurethane. For some reason the end table was VERY glossy so had to use some 0000 steel wool to reduce the gloss.

So hooked on the pocket holes now going to upgrade my Kreg jig to the 720 :)

Roommate: "We need something in the dining room for making drinks."

Me: "How about I make something?"

Roommate; "Uh huh..."

He may have been skeptical.

*One week later*

Me: "Hey dude, got wood the the drink station out in the garage."

Roommate: "I was just out there, all I saw was a bunch of wet and beat up pallets."

Me: "Yea, that's the stuff."

Roommate: "..."

OK, he was skeptical.

Well, a week later of evenings working on ripping apart pallets and then rebuilding them anew here I am. This whole project didn't cost me a dime, free wood, leftover screws, leftover stain, leftover poly.

I had wanted a rustic worn look which is why I went with pallets, I also like free stuff. That being said, I now know what most reclaimed pallet projects require wood that is no loner than 18 inches. Removing the planks whole and pulling out the nails without splitting it all is a royal pain. Needless to say once this pile of wood is gone I won't be doing something this large from pallets again.

Who am I kidding, yes I will.

I modified the potting bench plan, it's a little wider and a little deeper to make best use of the wood I had. Instead of 2X4's for the top and shelf I used 1X6's without any gap. Well, there's a little gap due to the rough cut of the wood. Seeing as this was going to be a drink prep station I needed something for holding the bottles. At first I was thinking a typical X designed wine holder, then I stumbled upon the library console table design. So with that I made on of angled book holders and put it under the top. Voila, from books to booze.

All in all I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out and it certainly wouldn't have had this character had I bought the wood.

I loved the Chunky Leg Coffee Table and thought it would be perfect as a kitchen table! I made a few modifications, but it's solid and everyone loves it.

Storage caddy, knock off from Pottery Barn plus mini versions.

Turned out great. Changed the wooden handle for a pipe.

I added an additional shelf to the plan so the sides were longer. Used the pine plywood and Benjamin Moore Super Spec paint in black to match the desk I made.