Community Brag Posts

L'il Man's Picnic Table

Submitted by Anna H on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 08:12

My first Ana White project! This was the first project on my to-do list, and my little guy loves it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with Minwax Ebony then dry brushed with Behr Star Command Blue to give it a weathered look. Finished with spray sealer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patio Dining Table with Built-In Drinks Cooler

Submitted by duncans on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 20:11

I found this website when I was looking for patio dining table designs/styles. When I looked at this table, I knew I wanted it but I will have to make it myself. With no prior building experience, I gave in and purchased circ saw, sander, kreg jig and lumber.

The directions provided on the website were very easy to follow. And in about one week, I had built a new patio dining table.

I modified the plans slightly. The original table looked very small. So I added 2x6s on the long sides and 2x8s on the short sides to make the table wider/longer. And I also made the legs out of 4x4s. And for the inner skirt, I used 2x4 studs instead. Each leg is secured by 3" L brackets (3 sides) and 2 1/2 screws thru 2x4 stud on one side. This made the table stable and strong.

Dimensions:
84" L x 43" W x 31 1/2" H

Estimated Cost
$234 if you don't count the tools purchased (circ saw, sander and kreg jig)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Home Depot guy suggested Behr Transparent Waterproofing Wood Finish and Helmsman Interior/Exterior Polyurethane Clear Gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

H2OSifu

Tue, 08/25/2015 - 08:36

Sir,

 

Just wanted to say your table turned out great!  I too have little experience and want to make this table. I have left over 2 X 6s from a pergola I put up.   (Board are already stained!)  Saying that, I had a question with the demensions of the the short boards and middle board between the troughs.  Both short boards are 2X8s correct?   The inner middle board looks like a 2X4? 

Any assistance would be appreciated!

Robert

Extra Long Buffet Cabinet

Submitted by ClayCox86 on Tue, 08/04/2015 - 07:52

Kept it natural for now. Might stain it in the future. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 in wood. Another $100 in hardware.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kept natural color of wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Half Moon Baby Cradle

Submitted by Rkh81989 on Mon, 03/05/2018 - 06:49

Built by Keith Hunt from pallet boards

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic "X" endtables-reimagined!

Submitted by hurdle1464 on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 13:00

I loved these end tables, but they were too big for what I needed. I made one table to be 20" x26" and two others that were both 13"x26". We modified the top of the table by using quarter-sawn oak that had been sitting in the basement for years. We squared the boards, glued and biscuited them together and planed them to create a beautiful butcher block top. I am so happy with the way they turned out and they fit perfectly in my space. I learned a lot and the time spent with my Dad to create them is priceless!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Ready for Summer...

Submitted by Marisol on Sat, 06/11/2011 - 17:21

I had tons of fun with this one! I have a boy and a girl and I like light...so white is my best option...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$11.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White spray paint- my can broke so I have not finished painting it...although a white wash looks nice...i think i will finish it off with a white wash finish look...
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

LITTLE PALLET DRAWERS

I made two of these little drawers to use in the Bathroom Wall Storage project that I built from Ana's book, The Handbuilt Home. They're from her Pallet Storage Boxes plan. They went together in no time! I really like the rustic look of them, so I'll be making lots more!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $4 for both boxes.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I used two coats of stain in Minwax Early American, followed by a coat of Varathane's Diamond Finish in satin. All coats were applied with a rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Slatted Bedroom Bench

Submitted by P76 on Sun, 08/09/2015 - 15:17

No plans.  Just found a picture online that I liked and built it by trial and error.  Made out of pine boards and hardwood legs purchased at the local hardware store.

Used jig saw to cut the sides to desired slanted shape.  Then used random orbital sander to round all the edges.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Pre-Stain Conditioner to bring out the natural color of the wood, no stain, 4 layers of water-based polyurethane. Light sanding in between each layer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple stools

Submitted by Glynn6153 on Tue, 03/06/2018 - 16:30

Thank you for the basic stool design. I’m new to wood working and have been using you website for the last two years. I built these stools using 2by3’s and an oak top. And the lichtenberg figures filled with color resin is my specialty. I completed the tops of stools with clear  table top resin.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial stain
Polyurethane
Table top resin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lemonade Stand

Submitted by jsle_bel on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 13:44

Simple lemonade stand

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

brookifer86

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 19:10

How can you not buy lemonade from a stand this pretty, and a kiddo that cute?! The finish is amazing

jsle_bel

Thu, 06/16/2011 - 09:08

Thank you! I'm really happy with how it came out and I've already received bites on orders. I think it's the kiddo that makes the build so appealing ;)

First Project

Submitted by Mightyd40 on Tue, 07/30/2013 - 07:08

After a couple years out of bodybuilding because of a bad injury, I decided I really needed a new hobby. I've always been impressed with woodwork but it just seemed out of my reach. I wanted a porch swing and saw these plans and though, "even if I mess up it'll only cost me a couple hundred dollars". I bought the kreg jig kit and some lumber and thankfully have all the other tools I need. This only took me a few hours to build and it was so easy and a really good time. I watched a few you tube videos with both ana and Jeff devlin from Kreg Tools and it really prepared me. The job was fun and I plan on going back to the lumber store this week just to build more stuff I probably don't need lol.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 for lumber/ kreg jig and a few other reusable initial purchases
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Bombay Mahogany stain and Poly mix
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My Lego table

Submitted by niecey on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 14:54

My third project (second from Ana). I love how it turned out. So far it's held up well to a massive amount of abuse from my 4 year old and 2 year old. I've had it for about 3 months I think. I used 1x6s kregged together for the lids and bottom shelf, because I like that look.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat ebony, 1 coat "natural" and a couple coats of semi gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by Nermell on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 16:51

As a complete beginner in wood working (unless you count a year of woodshop over a decade ago), I decided that building a cart for the miter saw I just bought would be a great first project. So what did I do with that brand new miter saw? I left it in the box and made all of the cuts with a circular saw. Not sure what I was thinking there...

I mostly followed the excellent plan provided here but used wooden arms to prop up the wings in order to save on cost. I got the idea from the folding sling chair plan. It took quite a few screw ups and adjustments of the lower support bar before getting one of the wings level but I got it eventually.

Update 8/20/13: The miter saw has been a joy to use with the cart and the big flip up wings provide a ton of really convenient work space in addition to stabilizing 8 ft boards for cutting. I added a sliding drawer and some utility hooks for additional storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70-80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

davidmauer15

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 08:10

I originally just had a 2x2 and two blocks to hold up the wings on the cart. They kept falling out, so I replaced them with hinged arms, which were a pain to fit and install, but they work well. Your approach has the same advantage of hinging the support arms: the wood can't fall out and it looks way simpler to install than my system.

One hint if you try Nermell's approach: Flip the cart upside down when you fit and install the support arms. I did all kinds of complex sketches and measurements, then realized it was just faster to lean the support bracket at roughly 45 degrees, then I installed the two block (one on the side, one on the wing) to hold the bracket in place. Flip the cart over, and your wing will sit at a perfect 90 degrees to the sides of the miter saw cart.

DIY Rustic "X" Coffee Table

Submitted by juliedrev on Mon, 08/17/2015 - 14:12

This was such a fun project and only took 1 day to complete! It was a lot more fulfilling to build my own coffee table than go out and spend $400 on one. It looks beautiful in my living room and is a perfect accent to my rustic, earthy decor.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Patio Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/23/2022 - 11:34

This was built using waste from polycarbonate hurricane shutter project as well as free steel bed frames a neighbor had put out for trash pick -up. Only other materials required were 2 X 4 lumber , caster wheels and paint.

Full Size Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by kylihoot on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 18:36

I love this bed! Building it was pretty easy. I used 2x4s instead of 4x4s because I could not get them un-treated out here in the country. I used the king size frame idea and dado'd (if thats how its spelled or even if thats the right name for it) the legs so the bed rails rested inside flush. See picture! I used 4" lag screws and washers to fix the frame together. Next time i'll countersink holes so you wont see them!I built the bedframe with the joists, and used my boxspring with my mattress. If we ever get tired of the height, we just take out the boxspring. I used 5 2x4s for the joists, and it seems super sturdy. I CANNOT move this bed on my own, not even shake it, its super sturdy and is not going anywhere...but at the same time, I can plop out the lags and it can be hauled away if need be.
This bed fits my house! It was built sometime before 1920, and yes has all the flaws of an old house, but also has all the wonderful things like original molding, 9ft ceilings, and underneath shag carpet is a gorgeous wood floor just begging to be refinsihed... so this bed just adds to the charm:)
I love it! Thank you Ana for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100-$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded with 120 grit (random orbital sander) and primed twice, then 2 coats of Antique White.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Marisol

Wed, 06/22/2011 - 09:05

It seems as though I want everything. Thanks for posting sooo many detailed pics, I love that!
I am starting on the Toddler Bed for my son. :)
THANKS...

Entryway Table

This project was super easy! It only took three hours to build and another 24 hours to stain and paint. Third project that I've made using Ana White plans, and was BY FAR the easiest!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut for the top and Behr Off White for the bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project