Community Brag Posts

Toilet paper holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 11:08

Toil paper holder

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around 2$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak varnishes
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bench with Mini Cooler Holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/11/2024 - 08:49

Took your bench and used center to hold the mini cooler ,u-type frames fastened to 2x4 in bench frame underneath. all 2x4 with the exception of flip top which is 2x4 cut down on either side then the remainder cut again and sanded to give rounded edges. Mitre saw, table saw, 18 gauge brad nails around edges of top bench side and to fasten straps down covering cooler.

Built from Plan(s)

Bistrol Outdoor Lounge Chairs

Submitted by newpassion on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 14:56

This was my very first project. I cut the wood during the week, to have it ready for the weekend. I intended this to be my summer project. I had so much fun, i completed building both chairs in a day and a half!!!!! I then ordered the foam which took a couple weeks. I ordered the fabric online. I had two large pillows which I covered and used them for the back cushion. The total cost for BOTH chairs was under $250.00. Looking forward to my next project. :)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I only used Helmsman Urethane ,which gave it a natural look.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

newpassion

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 06:36

I ordered the foam from DLT Larson Fabrics, Livonia, MI Because of the size 6x28x30 ,the did not have it in stock. They were $54. each.

Easy Console Table

I loved this easy project, and I made it even easier by using a solid pine panel for the top.  I also added a bottom shelf to allow for storage.  Please see my blog post for details on our size customization, cut list and modifications.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Dark Walnut stain, Valspar Semi-gloss "Bayside"
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mom's Outdoor Dining Set - Thus Far

I'm slowly working on building the whole Simple Outdoor Dining Collection.
When my Mom and I moved into our new apartment, we spent all our money on new indoor furniture, and we have this really huge porch with a nice view and nothing to put on it. So as a surprise after we moved in, I made her the bench. She loved it so much that I decided to make the matching table for her birthday. The stack-able chairs will be her Christmas present, so stay tuned for that if you'd like to see how they turn out.

-The bench was about $20 for lumber, a total of $40 or so with stain and screws and everything.

-Table was about $60 for lumber since I couldn't fit the the 12-footers in my car. I probably spent a good amount extra on a bunch of 8 footers instead. Also wasted a lot of wood that way, but I will find a use for it. Definitely get the 12 footers if at all possible. No need to buy the rest of the materials again if you have left-overs from the bench.

I didn't modify anything on this set at all, it was pretty much perfect the way it was designed. Although I did add some 1x3's to the legs on the bench to make them sturdier- notice the corner leg rather than just a 1x4 by itself. Thanks for these plans Ana, you make me look good!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax's full line: Pre-satin wood conditioner, Ipswich Pine stain, and clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hailey Platform Bed - Queen

Submitted by sdelmastro on Tue, 11/01/2016 - 14:45

More than happy with how this turned out. Hoping to do the headboard soon after a few orders. Decided to use ash and match a dresser I made. Used pine 1x6s and attached ash 1x6s on the outside for the frame. Used ash for the trim, as well. Assembled with pocket holes and wood glue. Decided to raise the legs 1" and turn then on the lathe. Used 4x4 douglas fir for the legs instead of a 2x4. Attached the legs with carriage bolts. Not shown are plugs to cover the bolts. Finished with a golden oak stain and semi-gloss polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Already had the ash.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Golden Oak - Fast dry - 1 Coat
Varathane Polyurethane - Semi Gloss - 3 Coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Doll Bunkbed mattresses

Submitted by ewebrat on Fri, 07/24/2020 - 13:28

Not a great pic. Made two to go on Bunkbed. Plans were perfect. I did not use buttons as there is a 13 month old eating machine in the house, but instead used heavy craft thread and sewed an X in eight spots, leaving a small tuft of cut thread. Worked just fine.

Estimated Cost
Zero - already owned materials
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
n/a
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Big Egg Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/22/2024 - 16:11

This is a variation of the green egg table to fit my husband's homemade smoker project. He loves the table!!

Jill Lagman

Farmhouse Nightstand

Submitted by Kimbers on Tue, 10/02/2012 - 13:42

I wanted a nightstand to match my farmhouse bed. I used the cheapest pine boards I could find to build this and it turned out great!

When I first built it I just used a scrap of fabric tied in a knot for the handle but added a real drawer pull when I built the matching dresser.

(sorry the pictures are crappy cell phone shots)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Kilz 2 Primer then painted with Behr Silk Pillow. I sanded down all the edges then wiped on a coat of Minwax English Chestnut and sprayed with krylon matte clear sealer.
I totally stole the finish idea from boxermum here http://ana-white.com/2011/04/king-farmhouse-bed-1
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Octagonal Picnic Table

Submitted by Tbear on Fri, 07/25/2014 - 11:54

Living in a cottage on a lake during the summers, I needed a picnic table that would take care of a big family so I built the Octagonal picnic table on Ana's site, however with a twist.

Since we are under a bunch of trees, I wanted to be able to scrub the table easily and not have to do any maintenance on it over the long term. So I built the top and the benches using Trex. Yes, it was more expensive but the result (if I do say so myself) was incredible.

Since Trex isn't as structural as 2 x 6's, I reinforced the seats using 2x4s laid horizontally underneath the seam of each of the two bench pieces. I also drove a few extra screws through the Trex benches along the 2 x 4's to further strengthen seating area.

Aesthetically, I didn't care for the 1/2 inch spacing for the table top and benches so I reduced it to 1/4 inch and cut the length of the Trex accordingly. I used decking screws that exactly matched the color of the Trex.

I did take the advice of one of the former builder's of this table and staggered the legs to make it easier to get in and out. That was a worth while suggestion.

The only 'warning' I was given about using Trex was that it could get 'hot' if in the sun for long periods during the day during the summer. This table is in the shade almost all the time, but having said that I have read that the Trex as decking gets no hotter than treated lumber stained the same color.

This is a great design at it was lots of fun to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Maximum Stain and Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Printer's Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/06/2016 - 13:54

Really enjoyed making this.  It turned out to be a perfect Entertainment Center.  Will be using the same idea to make a bar piece that will accompany this in our recreational room.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Homemade Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kid's Storage Step Stool

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 07:54

I'm a beginning wood worker enthusiast. I've been slowly collecting plans, tools, supplies and I'm certainly not efficient when it comes to projects- even "beginner" projects like this.

While there's still more finishing to do, I cranked these out over the weekend with a myriad of interruptions - so it's hard to say how long these would really take. I didn't have 12" boards, so glued 1 x 6" pieces together into the shape I needed. Then assembled each with 1 1/4" screws, routed the sides, sanded and cleaned them. The kids will paint them their favorite colors and then I'll put a clear coat on top to finish them up. Once painted and ready, I'll add hands to each side as well as rubber runners to the bottom for stability. These are really nice for toddlers to use while they put on or take off their shoes and put into the storage bin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~ $30/stool
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
A few things:

1) Assembly of the stool- I assembled mine by fitting them together and using 24" clamps to hold them in place, adjusting each part so it was square to the other parts (sides to front/back pieces, etc. then pre-drilled and assembled with 1 1/4" screws placed at even intervals. Many of the brag posts look like people glued them together. Wood gluing is great which is often stronger than screws- the wood itself will give way before the glue does, I've seen proof of it. At the time of my construction, I needed to assemble them and use them right away so I opted for screws instead.

2) Adding the hinge- Duct-taping it to test out the best fit works really well, but there are at least 3 ways to attach this:
a) hinge on the inside of both the stool and top step
i) non-flush - allows for a felt stopper to minimize wood to wood noise when closing.
ii) flush - mortise or rout out the 1/8" (or whatever the depth of your hinge is) space for the hinge by tracing the hinge location and using a short depth mortise bit OR using a set of wood chisels- not everyone has a router (I had to borrow one from the in-laws...)
b) hinge on the back side- no mortise needed, but be aware of how far back you want the step lid to be able to go, full or 90 degrees from the start.
c) hinge on the inside of one side- i.e.: have the hinge on the outside of the stool and the inside of the step or vice versa.
3) The finish- Mine is still a work in progress- My kids are going to do a family project day with me and paint them their favorite colors. Once they finish painting (with touch-ups by Dad) I'll finish it with a top coat to seal/protect the paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Providence table

I really like how this table turned out. This table is a beast its very heavy but very sturdy also. I used a 4x4 on the bottom so i could cut a hole out for the umbrella which worked great all I used was a spade bit for the hole.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Im thinking about leaving it unfinished because it is pressure treated and that way i wont have to keep staining it every year or two
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

distressed mini mod bar

Submitted by emillia on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 20:43

First project I have done and loved it! Building it I got it done pretty fast it was the polyurethane layers that took the longest.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony stain, and topped with polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Grandy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/08/2016 - 08:02

Modified the Grandy Sliding Door to be three doors only. Stained top and doors, added polyurthane, and painted the rest with chalk paint. We couldn't find the hardware ourselves so we made it based on the website recommended in Ana's plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150-200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Nice little coffee bar for my wife

We are running low on counter top space so I built this little coffe bar to house all things coffee for my wife!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax provincial 211 stain and a couple coats of Minwax clear gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by SamWiseMan on Mon, 10/08/2012 - 17:23

I used a combination of the farmhouse table and the tryde coffee table (but on a larger scale). I don't have a Kreg drill or any of that and so I just screwed from the top side down. Since I knew the screws would show, I decided to take a platinum/shiny silver Sharpie to color over the screw heads to make them stand out.

The legs were a 2x4s glued and screwed together. Can't find any untreated 4x4 at the local Lowes or Home Depot, so this was my next best option.

I used a few coats of Rustoleum Dark Walnut and then Rustoleum Semi-Gloss poly.

I have since made a new bench with the same main design, but just to a small scale. Also, I did it opposite of the top. The table is 2x4 with 2x6 breadboard ends. The bench is 2x6 with 2x4 breadboard ends.

Estimated Cost
About $60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Daniel (not verified)

Wed, 10/17/2012 - 17:50

Where did you get the wood for the legs?

Sam111122 (not verified)

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 09:12

It is just regular whitewood 2x4s glued and screwed together. Then I just used wood filler to make it look llike a 4x4.

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