Community Brag Posts

I made a chair!

Submitted by KiminTX on Sat, 07/04/2015 - 13:04

I needed a couple of chairs to go with the Farmhouse Table and bench I made, but it made me ill to spend more on chairs than on the table and bench! So I thought I'd give this chair a try. I figured if it didn't turn out, at least I hadn't spent much to try (around $8 because I had a scrap of plywood). Boy, did it turn out! I modified the pattern by taking 2" off the front to back measurements and the side to side measurements. I used 3 1x4s for the back, and 3/4" plywood for the seat, and I didn't add the bottom rungs because I'd like the option of putting it over the cross supports on the farmhouse table. I sanded the tar out of the plywood, because with 5 kids, upholstering these chairs would be a joke. Primed and painted in colonial red.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust oleum American Accents Gloss Colonial Red
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic end table pet kennel

I was able to take the end table plan and modify it slightly to accommodate the kennal. I added the detail to the sides using a couple 2x2. The for door and rear I made a frame and then cut down some wire shelving. I think it turned out quite nice. Now the dog has a good place to sleep and I don’t have to have an ugly kennal in my great room. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white chalk paint and a mix of about 4 stains for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

chalkboard crate

Submitted by vic b on Thu, 07/11/2013 - 17:47

I changed the measurements in order for it to fit perfectly into the expedit unit. So easy, I will definitely be making more. Thanks once again Ana.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

King of Beds, no shims

Submitted by hannaar85 on Tue, 07/07/2015 - 06:22

Built using birch as the main wood for the headboard and footboard, everything else is pine. Turned out great!

Estimated Cost
With special finishing agents, lumber, and hardware, $170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoluem Kona Stain, Custom Poly/Oil/Thinner mix, Minwax Paste Finishing Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tiny house MIL unit

Ever since I saw the "wild rose" I knew it was the one I would build for my mom. I wanted a tiny house she would not have to climb a loft for her bedroom and still fit everything she would need. This is a brilliant layout! Many family, friends, and strangers donated money, time, appliances, and windows to get this house built. My husband and I have been finishing it up ourselves with some professional help in between since September and just put the appliances in today. Tomorrow the sink and counter-it's really happening, pinch me I'm dreaming! Thank you Ana & family, I can't imagine what kind of house my mom would have ended up with without your help. This was a really easy and fun build. Thank you so much!

Estimated Cost
20K
5 months
Finish Used
outside will be painted with stian. Inside we mixed a stain of red mahogany and early american to match the windows
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Lukilla on Wed, 01/19/2022 - 11:54

Had fun with this build. Love how large this table is. Gives me a place to put my feet up and there is still room for the kids to play with Legos. Lots of storage space underneath.

Finished with Varathane Golden Oak with Minwax Ebony lowlights.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Flat Wall Bookholders

This was my first project and gave me the "umph" to get started as a builder. I loved them in Pottery Barn, but didn't feel good about how expensive they were to buy. So I bought a jigsaw and made two of these. One for each of my boys. I did the large size and I love them! They are a really pretty blue and hold a ton of books and were fun to make. I think I will make more for gifts and for our homeschool room.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and Blue high gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My First Project: Spinning DVD Rack

Submitted by Dan Y. on Sat, 07/13/2013 - 20:19

I was looking online for a spinning DVD rack to buy when I stumbled across a picture of a custom built rack. I decided to give it a try and this is the result. This is the first project I've done outside of basic shelves and it was a great learning experience. The overall fit and finish isn't quite where I'd like it to be but overall I think it turned out pretty well. I was able to find a 12" lazy Susan at a hardware store that supports over 300lbs and worked perfectly for this project.

I used pocket holes for the shelves, finishing nails for the top and screws for the bottom and lazy Susan. I also used pocket holes to attach the shelf backs and hid them behind the shelves. One thing I definitely won't use next time is spray paint/enamel. The finish isn't nearly as nice as I wanted and it cost far more than I was expecting.

This is also my first time using SketchUp and I'm really impressed with it. I've uploaded a copy of the plans.

Criticism and suggestions are appreciated.

-Dan

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Universal Satin Spray Paint - Espresso Brown
Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear Enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Val Manchuk

Sun, 07/14/2013 - 11:35

I like this spinning DVD unit! Coincidentally, I just finished using spray enamel to redo some cupboard door handles. It's horrible stuff! I ended up sanding it off, and doing it over in flat black. I roughed up the edges with 180 grit to antique them a bit. Looks much better!

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

My First Project!

My husband and I just moved from an apartment to a house, the first place we've ever lived with a dining room! I knew I wanted to build a really special table for us and I LOVED this plan. It seemed straightforward enough, and my stepdad had all the tools in his workshop. So my stepdad, mom, and I built the table over the course of a weekend. It was SO fun and it looks perfect in our first little house!

Estimated Cost
It cost me about $100 to buy all the lumber, screws, turnbuckles and hardware, stain and polyurethane. I didn't have any of those things on hand before starting. If I had, it would have been less! I also didn't have to purchase any tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood was finished with Varathane Light Walnut wood stain and 4 coats (on the top) of Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Paper towel rack

Yea, I know these were posted way back in 2013, but I only recently found them. Was looking at some kitchen organization ideas and I knew I wanted to make a paper towel rack. I liked this idea and went with it. My variance from original was to use a dowel rod for the paper towel holder and I cut 45 degree angles in place of the radius.

Comments

My first build

This is the simple outdoor bench. Was my 1st build ever and what started it all :)

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
stained w/gunstock and 3 coats of poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Breakfast Nook

Submitted by grovesteen on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 12:42

I made this breakfast nook by taking apart an old teak outdoor dining set, sanding all the boards, and turning the chairs into benches. For the full story and more pictures, please see my blog post on crunchyurbanites.blogspot.com entitled, Our Teak Breakfast Booth. Just click the link below to navigate to my blog. Happy Woodworking!

Estimated Cost
The cost of this project was purely in TIME - A LOT of sanding!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Table top- three coats of polyurethane
Benches- Teak Oil
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

Bunk Beds

Submitted by hook Fam on Thu, 05/26/2011 - 12:24

I had so much fun building these beds! Thanks Ana for providing the plans for these. My boys absolutely love them. This was my first furniture build and now I can't wait to tackle some more. The bottom bunk is using an odd-sized mattress, so I had to change the plans a little, and the ladder has since been attached as well.

Estimated Cost
$250-$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Dark Walnut and Clear Finish. The finish is what took the bulk of the time building this. The bed itself went together incredibly fast.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse X Table

Submitted by LoriWing on Wed, 07/17/2013 - 07:01

My first project! Used the plans on the website, but tweaked the top a bit. Made the top from maple plywood with maple 1x2 edge, so I would have a smooth top. Also changed the length to 86" to fit my kitchen. Assembled the base with glue and screws, sanded and filled the holes, then painted it. Attached the top with pocket hole screws. Worked on the project for around 10 hours, but took me 10 days to finish because the kids are home on summer vacation!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 for wood, finish supplies, and screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Base is painted with 2 coats white high-gloss paint for easy cleaning. Top is stained with 2 coats Bartley Chestnut Gel Stain and 3 coats Zar Satin Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

Kentwood Bookshelf

I had a few days a week to work on this project.  I needed to modify them by the following:

Size was 92" H x 47" W x 14" D.  I had two football helmet cases to place on these shelves and they had big cases above the standards shelf size.  The top of the case did not overlap the project.  I cut it to size.  I used Cherry Stain and did not varnish it.  I am not a fan.  One thing I would change is the wood.  I would have paid double for the premium select wood so that I know it is cut straight. 

This was my first project and it didn't turn out bad.  I never used the Kreg, but I think I became a pro after this one.  I would recommend going out and buying all the size pocket screws and have them on hand.  Also, buy the vises that you will need.  Trust me, they will come in handy.  I hate having to drive back to the store for things I should have had. 

Overall, I paid about 240 for the wood.  Since I only had the Kreg and no screws, I ended up shelling out a lot of money for the big buckets of screws and vises.  Total for the both came out to about 350, from wood stack to finish.  I would have paid more for one smaller piece at a store. 

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cherry Stain. Did not use any finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2022 - 10:09

Built this exactly from your plans. Used aged barrel for stain. I love it!!!!

Comments