Community Brag Posts

A great simple & useful project requiring 2 - count 'em - 2 different materials - screws & 2X4's. I would NOT go cheap on the 2X4's. Be careful picking over them and make sure they're as straight as possible. If some are bowed, that's OK. Just use them for the actual shelves, making sure the bow is up. I used bar clamps to hold any warped ones in place before screwing them down.

DIY Workbench

I've been looking at the Bigger Kids Picnic table and wanting to make one for awhile, so when I got some free pallets I went ahead and made it. The measurements were adjusted to work with what I had. We decided not to do the center support because we knew our kids would complain about it being in their way, and the table seems plenty sturdy without (ours isn't as long as the plan)

The only problem is our 1 yr old, who wants to be one of the big kids, likes it a little too much. Even after an hour of sitting there I had to pry her away from it. :-)

I modified the Woven Back Bench for this build. My brother's new front porch needed a bench, so I gave this as a housewarming present. The angle cuts on the back legs and armrests were intimidating before I started, but really pretty easy to do with a circular saw and a jig saw. Lots of sanding made everything work well. It was a fun build, but there were tons of pocket holes to drill and fill!

Added extra support boards for the breadboard ends, but other than that, plans were great.

I made these toy boxes for my two grandsons for Christmas. They have been laser etched with their names and a special note on the inside of the top lid. "Always remember you are braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, Smarter than you think and Loved more than you will ever know. Love Papa and Lita.

This was my first woodworking project in a long time and my first ever using a Kreg Jig. I love the way this table turned. My wife and I worked on this together and it was her first time building anything like this but we had a blast doing it and can't wait to start on the next project.

My hubby decided to build me this table for our dining nook. Came out gorgeous! 

We remodeled our kitchen and I wanted a step stool that would match the decor a little better than the blue and pink plastic one that we bought when our children (who are all now in their 20s) were little. I like Ana's Vintage Step Stool but didn't need anything that big. So I adapted the plans for just one step. The first one that I put together I put the legs in too far and it was very tippy. So I took that apart, cut the top to fit the legs right up to the edge, and put it back together again. I think it turned out adorable! Thanks, Ana!
I have no idea how much it would cost to make this if you had to buy the materials because I made it from scraps of wood I had from other projects and used paint and stain that I already had used for other things in the kitchen remodel.
This is more of a beginner project rather than a starter project because of having to use a bandsaw or jigsaw to cut out the curve in the legs piece.
This should be an afternoon project (3 to 6 hours) if you make it right the first time and you don't have to take it apart and rebuild it like I did. Also make sure your paint is properly mixed and your daughter doesn't set a cardboard box on top of your paint job before it is completely dry like mine did. The first time I painted the top I evidently didn't get the paint mixed enough and it never hardened, just stayed a gummy, sticky mess. I scraped that off, made sure the paint was mixed thoroughly, and painted again. While the paint was curing (which takes about a week for the stuff I used) my daughter moved a box out of her way to get to something else and put it on top of the stool. I found it a couple days later, totally stuck in my shiny paint job! Sanded that down thoroughly and put another couple of coats on. Then I hid it for a week so it could cure completely without anyone else doing something to it!

This was a simple project with lots of steps. One recommendation is to prime and paint/stain prior to assembling. The cushions posed a challenge due to the cost of purchasing but I buckled down and learned how to sew!! If anyone has any questions please feel free to message me and I will try to help the best I can. Thank you, Tammy

Built this rustic x coffee table from some 2x4's and repurposed barnwood. Finished it off with some white paint and antiquing wax on the frame and lacquer over the barnwood. 

My daughter and I decided 2 weeks before Christmas to try your easy mantle project. Well not so easy for us, lol my husband had to help, but it was fun! I think it came out great! Thanks Ana

Jackie

Personalized distressed crate.

I started to make these tables and post them on my local classified ad. In the past few months i have made half a dozen tables. They seem to be pretty popular. The great plans on this site have helped me make a bit of extra income to support my tool addiction.

The tables are made from framing grade lumber from blue box store. I take each piece and cut it to rough length and run it through a joiner and planner to get it nice and square and smooth to start with. I cut everything to final dimension and start the glue up.

I wanted a nice flat and clean top for these tables so having straight and square lumber helps. To make the top I edge glue the boards together and clamp. No screws or anything else required. The breadboard ends are attached with a few pocket screws.

The table joints are are done using pocket hole screws and glue. I have trouble finding 4x4 in my area so I make the legs using two 2x4's glued together. I use 3 pocket screws per joint (skirt attaches to the legs). For the cross beams, i use a dado blade to notch out the legs and cross stretchers. I find this is the most accurate and quick way to go. The cross stretchers are attached with glue and screws, and the screw holes are filled with 3/8 pine dowels and cut flush.

Once the table is all assembled, I run it through a course of sanding from 80 grit up to 220 grit with an orbital sander. Then its time to start the finishing. I use minwax pre-stain conditioner to help it absorb evenly, then 2-3 coats of minwax stain of choice. I then use 3-5 coats of minwax wipe on poly. I find this stuff to be great. It goes on with a rag, no drip marks and provides a very smooth finish.

Each table takes about 25 hours to complete.