Community Brag Posts

Storage Daybed

Submitted by hilt_m on Thu, 08/09/2012 - 08:06

This is the 3 box storage daybed, as you can see I added an armrest on one end as it sits in a corner.

Tips for building this project: Buy a decent circular saw, I used a cheap one and really regretted it. Square your timber, I ended up squaring my timber using a sander, which wasn't as easy as it sounds. Check you measurements, the bottom of one of my boxes was a little short because I didn't double check the measurements and I ended up having to fix it with an extra piece of timber. 2 or 3 saw horses are a real help and lots of clamps.

I used the cutout outline from the link below but had to convert it all to metric since I live in Sweden, also a standard single mattress here isn't as wide but longer then the one used in the linked project. I didn't take this into account and ended up having to buy an extra piece of plywood.
http://ana-white.com/2009/12/plan-stratton-daybed-as-request-by-you.html

I got the single mattress and the pillows from IKEA.

This was a lot of fun and I look forward to spending many hours relaxing on my new daybed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rusty Cottage

Thu, 08/09/2012 - 10:48

Nice job on the daybed, I like that you got through all your "dilemmas".

Your saw's bevel function (hopefully it has it) might be nicer than mine but you can try to adjust it.

I have a $50 dollar skil saw and my only complaint is how difficult it is to set the base plate 90 degrees to the blade. I even take care to set the circular saw between two 2x4 when not in use so that setting it on the ground doesn't change the angle of the foot plate to blade. I can cut 90 degrees with a speed square as a guide, but I can't adjust the saw right.

I will be starting assembly of my first furniture project with the wood I cut two days ago. I will see how the pieces go together.

Best of luck on your next project!

hilt_m

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 06:27

Thanks, I'm pretty pleased with it. Yes that was one of my problems as well, trying to get the base plate set at 90, I found that if I leaned on it too much it flexed a bit which isn't good. Also by the end I had a pretty blunt blade or I was getting pinching or something thing because the plywood had some shocking edges with splintering. What I would really like is a proper saw table, but for now that's just a dream. Good luck on your project.

AmandaKay

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:50

Hi there! I was hoping that someone on here had added the armrest! Would you be willing to post a pic of the end of the bed so that I can see how you configured it? Im goint to be starting this project soon for my daughter, and need to strategize some armrest ideas for hers.

Thanks so much!!

AmandaKay

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:50

Hi there! I was hoping that someone on here had added the armrest! Would you be willing to post a pic of the end of the bed so that I can see how you configured it? Im goint to be starting this project soon for my daughter, and need to strategize some armrest ideas for hers.

Thanks so much!!

Pallet Nightstand

I used pallet wood to create a completely different look for this project. The frame and some of the trim pieces stayed the same, but there were a few edits made to support the pallet top, sides, and shelf. In addition, the drawer design changed a little bit to allow a false front instead of the inset one from the original plan.

More info in the link below!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ikea inspired outdoor storage bench and rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/04/2016 - 17:29

This project is based on the outdoor storage bench at morelikehome.net, which was based on an Ikea outdoor storage unit.  I used 100 year old lath that I recycled from a remodeling project.  The lid of the bench lifts off, it will eventually hide the timer for a drip irrigation.

Estimated Cost
less than $30 due to recycled wood. The most expensive item was the wood glue.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
redwood stain, brand is Preserva Wood
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Chevron Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 15:29

It was my very first project. Took forever to find the perfect stain, which in the end turned into a shellacking. We decided to keep it natural.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural clear Shellac - 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Solid Maple Desk

Submitted by ccbuilder on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 14:29

This is a solid maple desk with two drawers finished with shellac and paste wax. I altered the plan by giving the desk and overhang, as well as changing the way the legs were built.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Shellac and paste wax. I sanded until the surface was incredibly smooth and then used a high quality brush to apply the shellac.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tiny Apartment Table

Submitted by mcnessa on Mon, 09/05/2016 - 15:05

Modified the plans somewhat to accommodate the limitations of my daughter's tiny studio apartment. Took 4 inches off the width, centered a cart type base, and put it on wheels so she can use it as a desk or roll it into the kitchen space when she has company.

Also used 1x4 inches boards for the white boxes and used one board the length of the back and put hinges on all 3 top sections.  Drilled a hole with a gromet in the center section so she can feed a powercord through to her laptop.

 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used Varathane Red Mahogany wood stain and sealed it with polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Outhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 13:45

We used the plans from the Simple Outhouse to make a space to hold our porta potty. The door is a repurposed barn door and I think it looks amazing! These plans were perfect for us as we were able to build it in panels and reassemble on our property by the lake. Some screened windows to allow for ventilation and light were the finishing touches. Thanks Anna for the simple to follow plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used pressure treated wood for the base and deck. For inside, we repurposed some scraps of composite decking. Painted with exterior latex "driftwood".

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by ValBryant on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 14:24

This was our first build alone. I've helped my dad build various things through out the years but was this first time me and my husband built something together.
The bed plans were great and it went together easily. We couldn't find untreated 4x4 posts so we went with two 2x4 sandwiched together, and then we bolted the headboard posts to the footboards. The side rails are plywood trimmed with 1x3's and topped with a 1x2. We also used L brackets to attach the side rails to the head and footboards and addition to bolts on the headboard and 2" screws on the footboard. We needed to assemble the bed in a way we could easily disassemble because we are moving soon.

Estimated Cost
160+
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I followed one of Ana's featured finishes, distressed turquoise with chocolate glaze.
I used dark walnut stain and Valspar's semi-gloss Sea Exposure, and Valspar's Glaze.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kentwood Twin Bed

Submitted by pcarroll on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 14:10

Two year old is being evicted from the baby room by the baby and we decided to build him a big boy bed using the Kentwood Twin Plan. Used only pine and the mattress is supported by slats. The bed looks great and is incredibly solid. Thank you for the plan, Ana.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 (bought some stain/poly that I'll use on other things)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Largely followed the copycat Restoration Hardware finish instructions on this site. Pre-Stain, Special Walnut, Weathered Oak, White Pickling, then Special Walnut. I applied one coat of poly with a brush, followed by a second coat of rubbed on poly, which I thought gave it more depth.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Greenhouse

I went from a 6 x 8 Harbor Freight Greenhouse to this one 10 x 12. I added a few windows...

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Truss Shelves: Cheap Garage Storage

Made of old fence rail (the dark pieces) and cheap 2x4s and 1x12s .

This is not as stable as I hoped, but for an afternoon's project that got all those tools off the workshop floor, it's not bad. I will add a diagonal brace at the back later. Much later.

NOTE: My engineer friend notes that 2 braces at the rear, below the bottom shelf and below the top shelf, would minimize side-to-side wobbling, and 2 braces front to back, both under the bottom shelf, would minimize the front-to-back wobbling, They could be a scrap of plywood, a 1x6 or wider scrap. Just nail them in two or more places on each of the ladders and they make the structure more rigid. Screw them in if you want a shelf unit you can disassemble.

TIPS:
If you are using pockethole screws, start the screws in all the holes before you put the crosspieces on. Stop when you see the tip of the screw come through the first piece.

Clamp scrap 2x4 to the uprights to hold the crosspieces in place as you drill.

To get the shelves in place, lean the ladders against each other and attach the bottom and top boards on one side. Than pull the other ladder out as far as it needs to go and screw that side of the shelves in place.

Don't try this without clamps.

It could have been cheaper if I had used all reclaimed fence 2x4s, and if my errand runner had bought cheaper 1x12s. He bought top-grade when #2 would have worked for half the price,

Estimated Cost
$ 30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Outdoor Bench and Table

Submitted by Rose988 on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 19:50

This was my first project, my wife and I started with the table, which took us a little while but ended up being pretty simple. Unfortunately we do not own a saw but discovered that Lowes will happily cut the wood for you. After we completed the table we started working on the bench, which is where we ran into a slight problem. Some how our frame boards ended up being two short, so as a fix we did not put any spaces in between the seat slats and used four 7 inch pieces we had left over to complete the full frame. We also altered the plan to make our bench a little longer than the original its 57 inches instead of 52.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lowes Stain: Brick Red
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Leaning Bathroom Ladder Shelf

Submitted by Anm343 on Fri, 09/09/2016 - 11:46

This leaning shelf was the perfect solution to my tiny (and tiled) bathroom. I didn't want to have to put screw holes in the walls and have been searching for a project. 

I made the shelves out of reclamed barn wood which made the project a little bit harder to get perfect square and level but it was worth it. The legs are 2x4s. The hardest part was definitely making sure the shelves were level on the legs. Lots of clamps helped! 

 

 

Estimated Cost
20 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American and Rust-Oleum Triple Thick Poly in Clear Matte
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planter Boxes

Submitted by rendall28 on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 16:26

I followed the plan exactly including the suggestion of the fence paint (2 coats). This was a very easy build. It took much longer to paint than it did to build. These boxes are the perfect accent on our new patio/firepit.

Estimated Cost
$10/box for the wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Fence Stain (white) 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Landon's Mischief Step Stool

Submitted by elh130 on Mon, 08/20/2012 - 13:50

Very sturdy and stylish step stool built for my son in a style to match the kitchen and bathroom in our house.

This entire project was built using scrap plywood from a previous project and reclaimed oak boards that we demoed from our house while remodeling.

The sides were simply cut using a table saw to the rough dimension and then I added the details using a bandsaw. The stairs and rails were rough cut on the tablesaw and then milled using a jointer and planer to the specifications in the plan. Once cut I used a pocket screw jig to drill all the necessary holes before finishing assembly on the base. Each section was finished separately and then I used pocket screws to attach the steps last.

Very easy project that I made slightly more complicated by using reclaimed wood and a 2 tone design. Would recommend pocket screws to ensure strength and durability...I can stand on this and it doesn’t even budge!

Thanks for the plans!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10ish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sides got an oil based primer followed by a high gloss trim latex paint applied using a HVLP Sprayer.

Steps were stained using Minwax Red Chestnut oil based stain.

The whole thing was finished using 2 coats of a clear Poly applied with a HVLP Sprayer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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