Community Brag Posts

I wanted to build an L shaped outdoor bar with a 2 post pergola over the grill.  I couldn't find any plans online that would fit the space I had, so I decided to build it myself with custom dimensions.  The top bar is approx. 7'3" across, and 15" wide, while the distance from the right edge (next to the house) to the end of the bar is approx. 9'1".  

I framed it with PT lumber and the 2 pergola posts are sitting on top of the pavers and supported internally within some of the framing studs.  Since the pavers sit on top of concrete, I didn't feel the need to dig up the existing pavers and achor them in the ground.  

I used hardiboard for the exterior and tiled the lower section of the bar.

For the actual high bar top, I wanted to do something unique, and found a 900 year old scrap slab of Cypress at a local lumber yard.  One side was smooth, but underneath was gouged out from different saw cuts and very uneven.  I screwed a piece of 3/4" PT plywood underneath and trimmed it with 1-1/2" Cypress.  I stained the whole thing with a dark honey colored stain and put a generous amount of poly on it once it was dry.  There are a few cracks and nicks on it, but once it was stained, it looked awesome.  

A mini version of the original folding chalkboard easel. A smaller chalkboard space at 13" x 13" this size is perfect for tabletop use and easy carrying for kids.

Dear Ana, 

I built this Deck chair as per the plans on your site. Super easy for amatuer beginners like me. Enjoyed making it. Thank a lot!

Just finished the legs on my first project tonight. Instead of using the Krejig I found a really nice pocket hole jig that had some amazing reviews at my local Harbor Freight. Turned out really nicely if I do say so myself. I intend on finishing tomorrow as far as building goes. Will probably sand and stain a dark espresso in the next week or two.

I wanted to revamp my mudroom and need some storage so I built a bench and designed it as a built-in.

Please check out my DIY blog:

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/2nd-post

thanks,

Ian

I took the plan from this and rather than have a two tone with paint, I stained the entire thing and used my wood burner to burn a pentacle in the top. My wife loves her altar.

Music and wine have always gone well together, but never quite like this...
Like most of my projects, this one was inspired by giving an old object new life. In this case, the guitar was one I had used in my job for a few years before it started to fall apart. As soon as the nut fell off, and one of the tuning pegs broke, I decided it was time to expedite the deterioration. Surprisingly, it's not that hard to get the neck of a guitar off it's body. Some light heat from an iron applied above the 14th fret softens the glue. Pry gently and you're free!
One of the main design features in my work is that I put a lot of thought in to the hardware. On most of my pieces, the hardware is either extremely obvious, or not there at all. In this case, I chose huge, bulky bolts to hold the neck on to the base. I've always been intrigued by the way things work, so I tend to want the mechanical aspects of art to be thought provoking. Juxtaposing the industrial look of bolts against the elegance of a musical instrument was really fascinating to play with. This kind of balance is what inspired the name 'Industrial Zen'.
More pics at www.orenpersing.com

This was a quick weekend project.  I built two:  one for myself and another for a sister.  I really like this frame.  It's a neat way of displaying photos.  

You can check out my blog for more build details.

I had a wonderful time making this toy box and learning new techniques. Having access to a table saw really made this project turn out awesome. I was able to get 1/4" shims made that allowed for easy, precise offsets. The family just loved it!

Santa's elves made this one just in the knick of time! Ana makes it impossible to not spoil this child :) I wish I had one of these when I was a kid, we used to play "store" all the time

We used the idea of the traditional wood toddler bed but modified it to get the look we were going for.

I took a different direction on the doors instead of using the barn doors I used old wooden windows in place of them. 

Paint color krypton blue ocean breeze gloss.

easy and fun .. our front porch loves it

As stated in my table post, I just wasn't happy with what I was finding in the stores as nothing seamed sturdy nor made out of solid material. So I built a pub table and these stools to match.

I combined the stools from multiple projects and eventually just made my own measurements and mimicked the table construction that I made.

Although more expensive, I used Oak so it is sturdy and will take more than normal wear and tear (as I have three young boys under 10)