Community Brag Posts

Reclaimed Wood Look Headboard

Submitted by JenMash on Mon, 09/03/2012 - 12:49

My husband and I had been looking for a great headboard for a bed in our guest room. We found ones we really liked but didn't like the price tag of 800-1500 dollars (not even including shipping!) We stumbled on this site and absolutely fell in love with the reclaimed wood style headboard. It was exactly what we were looking for. Building it just took a few hours. After we distressed the wood using a chain I found at the hardware store (only $1.60), a drill, a creme brulee torch and a hammer, we prepped the wood (sanded and primed), stained and clear coated. I highly suggest not only vacuuming off the wood but also using a tack cloth (so cheap but it makes such a difference) to make sure all of the dust was off. We bolted the headboard into the bed frame. It will be heavy but it is really sturdy and looks great! A good tip is to decide early what you want the front to be - you can chose the best sides of the wood that way!

Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We prepped the wood using Minwax pre-stain wood conditioner. We then applied Minwax Provincial stain, waited about 10 minutes and wiped it off with a t-shirt. After we let it dry for the allotted time (we rushed it a bit but were so excited about the new headboard) and then put on a clear-coat finisher.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Double X Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/09/2016 - 18:00

This was the second double x bench that I made.  It was very simple to make.  It took me around 3 hours to build it and another 2 hours to sand, stain and paint it (this does not include the  1 hour between coats that I allowed them to dry).  I used Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint and General Finishes Java Gel stain.  Annie Sloan Chalk paint does NOT need a topcoat if it is being used outside.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15 - i already had the stain, paint and screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint
General Finishes Java Gel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Picnic Table for 2 People

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/03/2024 - 08:53

2 person picnic table from work in progress to end product. Thank you Anna for the inspiration and the plans. With my dyslexia I had a few challenges, but in the end it finished up nicely. Perfect for me and my daughter.

Jack aka Teci Teacher

Farmhouse Table - No Pocket Holes Plan

Submitted by mcronin on Sun, 07/19/2020 - 07:48

The published plans for this were great. This was my first attempt at a project like this. I have always liked the idea of dining at a large table outdoors and the farmer's style is appealing to me. I adjusted the length to fit my deck, but also made a few changes for aesthetic purposes. I notched 4x4s rather than join a pair of 2x4s for the legs. Added caps to the screw holes rather than filler and used pegs to secure the top planks in addition to screws from the bottom. The frame and top were stained/sealed with Cabot Australian Timber Oil.

Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cabot Australian Timber Oil, Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cama casinha - Feita no Brasil :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/25/2016 - 17:34

Sou Tatiana e moro no Brasil...

Essa foi a cama que fiz usando projeto deste blog. Minha filha amou e nós tb!!!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Tall Wedding Planters

Submitted by swhitead on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 10:14

Made the planters to hold flowers for a small garden wedding. Used 3-1/2" wide fence boards as my HD was out of standard 5-1/2" boards. Used 11 boards for finished height of 38" top was 18" wide, bottom 12-1/2" using a 4° angle. Ripped fence boards to size to use in place of 1x2/1x3 boards. Added center trim as on another brag post, as well as, framed the top to finish off the planter.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

8 Foot Picnic Table

Submitted by milleall on Wed, 07/22/2020 - 12:07

My teenage son and his father took over the bulk of the building duties this time. We chose to use treated lumber as untreated lumber with finish applied doesn't do well in Michigan weather in my experience. We made it more beautiful by using the treated lumber in cedartone. We used pocket holes to attach the top and seats to the supports to make for a smooth appearance. This is one large and heavy table! The plans were accurate and the build was fairly simple, but having many hands made working with the large piece easier.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Modern wood dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/08/2016 - 08:07

We didn't paint it, but I think it turned out well. We followed the plan almost exactly and it came out great!

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

Workbench

Submitted by MaryL220 on Mon, 08/24/2020 - 21:20

I needed a legit workbench and I had a bunch of wood to use up. I got a bunch of 1x8x6s from my local hardware store's scrap pile. There's a reason they were free... But I couldn't just toss them. I used all scrap, from the hardware store, my garage, and my brother-in-law's farm, except 3 2x4s that I bought new.

For this workbench, I used slats on the top and the bottom shelf. The frame is 2x4s. I had some idea I could use the space in between the slats to cut wood, but after adding 2in casters, it appears it might be a bit too tall. Even still, the spaces in between the slats make for excellent clamp storage.

And now I finally have a legit, mobile workbench to keep all my chaos somewhat contained.

Estimated Cost
$50-75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None. I sanded the whole thing down to reduce the splinters but didn't feel that my workbench needed anything else.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bon Appetit Rustic Kitchen Island

Submitted by Janettx on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 07:18

Here is the Easy Kitchen Island all finished. I learned to use my k-reg with this project. To attach the top I instead used corner blocks in each corner of the bottom unit and screwed the top in place. I found this made the piece more sturdy. for the 1x2's I used furring strips which are not very nice however I painstakingly picked through a large pile till I found ones that were straight and without knots. I then had to sand them like crazy. Saved a ton of money but worked very hard. This project actually took 19 - 1x2's rather than what the plan called for. When complete this piece was very heavy...I love it and have found the perfect home for it.
Thanks again Ana!
Janet

Estimated Cost
60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White gloss paint and Mahogany stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Industrial Style Coffee Table w/ Bottom Shelf

Submitted by danandbeth on Wed, 12/28/2016 - 08:36

Our first project!

 

We used the "Industrial Style Coffee Table as seen on DIY Network" plans and simply added a bottom shelf. This required an extra 2x2 bracer (same cut as top bracer) and 8 more 1x4s, cut slightly smaller than the top 1x4s in order to have them sit flush with the bottom 2x2s. The table is all pine.

 

We spaced the bottom shelf boards roughly a half inch apart (give or take - it's "rustic"!) and screwed in from the bottom just like the top boards. 

 

On the top shelf, we used 3 coats of Minwax Natural stain, and followed up with 3 coats of Minwax Satin Poly. We sanded these after attaching to the frame in order to achieve a level surface. We started with 80 grit, then 120, then 150. We then used 220 in between coats of poly. The result is a smooth, but not store-bought smooth surface, which we think works well.

 

We didn't spend as much time on the bottom shelf since they'll be mostly storing items, giving them just a quick 150 sand prior to 2 coats of stain and 2 coats of poly. Finally, we nailed in some plastic feet to keep it about a half inch off the floor.

 

All in all, being our first project, and going beyond what the original plans called for, it took us a few weeks to complete, working on it mostly on weekends and here and there in the evenings after work. We love the finished project and it works really well in our living room!

 

-Dan and Beth

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural Stain (Minwax)
Satin Poly (Minwax)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Traditional Toddler Bed with Rustic Headboard

Submitted by jenmac75 on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 17:42

After my daughter started escaping from her crib I knew it was time to build her a new bed. I didn't think she was quite ready for a full size yet so I thought a toddler size would work for at least the next year.

I started with the Traditional Toddler Bed plans and scaled down the size of the Rustic Headboard and incorporated that. The biggest thing I learned in the process was to measure your mattress first! I don't think I realized the size variation in crib mattresses and ended up having to recut my slats and rails to accommodate my larger mattress. Also, our mattress is 5 inches deep, which means that the safety rails only extend about an inch over the top of the bed. This seems to be fine for my daughter and she hasn't fallen out - yet - but I think if you have a very restless sleeper or just want to play it safe, you might want to add an extra inch or two to the height of the guardrails.

I also used a 2 x 6 for the foot rail as this allowed the legs to be inset further and gave it a more solid look on the bottom.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Primer and 2 coats of Olympic Premium in Caruso
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor planter steps or benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 00:45

A very enjoyable project. I'm relatively new to diy woodworking projects but these plans make it so much easier.

Thanks.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modified Chicken coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 00:20

We live in a termite infested area and as such were nervous about putting wood in contact with the ground. We modified these plans to sit on top of a welded bar frame that is moveable and stands a meter high. The measurements are custom to our welded frame but the shape was based on these plans as was the construction process followed. We dont have a worry about predators so have used a design that doen not have a closed floor - our girls can simply fly or walk up the ladder to the roost and are able to leave the coop when ready in the morning without us opening doors. We are also in a warm environment thus an enclosed coop is not needed.

So far they are happy and are happily laying in the two egg boxes (We left the remaining space closed internally so that we can use it for storage) and as there is no bottom to the coop they poop straight into the run and onto the sand floor.

They are not free ranging yet as we are nervous of our dogs chasing them but once we are happy to let them free range we will use the gate built into the welded run.

Thank you Ana and lady goats for this design - I spent hours (and hours) researching and reading and looking at coop designs before deciding that this cute number was the one we wanted.

From me and my happy hens, thanks again!

 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior was painted with a water based exterior paint over wood primer
Inside was varnished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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