Community Brag Posts

Air Plant Holder

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 16:27

My daughter recently started collecting succulents and Tillandsias (air plants). Honestly, I had never heard of air plants but as the name implies, they grow without the need for soil. They can be purchased at your local nursery or garden center and online.

Anyway, she wanted a way to display them. Online, you will find various options for containers with the most common selection being glass terrariums. I wanted to make something a little different. Also, it's an excuse to use my scrap wood.

More Info/Build Instructions: https://www.instructables.com/id/Air-Plant-Holders/

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fire Pit Upgrade

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/08/2022 - 07:37

These chairs were soooooo easy to build and are stunning in any light. The stark white makes them look like we spent a fortune on a new set but we're smarter than that lol. Thanks for the plans and continued home improvement inspo Ana!!!!

Comments

"Cull" Lumber from a big box store= cheap 2x4's for convertable picnic table

Submitted by MrQuinn on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 14:10

I found out what the rack in the drive up area of my local Lowes was!
I often see piles of wood and sheets or plywood and such sitting there, but I never paid it much mind-turns out its a clearance rack of sorts they call it the "cull" rack, because they are culling the items from inventory that may be cut, chipped marked etc.
So I was at the store buying something for my Bocce Court and saw this pile of 16ft 2x4's and saw they were only $20 and there was 8 of them- so I picked em up for a "future project".
Needless to say they weren't the truest boards but they worked well enough for something like this. I had to buy a 2x6 to attach the top to because 2x4's aren't wide enough to give proper clearance as the plans showed(and I really didn't want to reinvent the wheel on this) so i bit the bullet and bought a $3 2"x6"x8'
Now if you notice I used all 2x4's for this instead of 2x6 so I adjusted the top to 14 1/8 to accommodate 4 2x4 pieces separated by spacers I use when installing wood floors. I made no change to the seat dimensions, but there is 4- 2x4's vice 3- 2x6's.
Great plan- perfect for more seating on my weekly bocce nights and they hold in excess of 600 lbs easily for those concerned about load limits.
(Note for those curious, that is my Bocce court in the background, it is 10'x60' and built with pressure treated 4x6's and 2x4's and a whole bunch of DG and crushed oyster shells.)

Estimated Cost
$36
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none-I very rarely finish my wood projects-I will probably spray with a sealant to slow the elements since they will stay outside.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sgilly

Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:14

I plan to build several of these for my daughter's family. They stand around a fire most nights in the spring. Those nights often end up with roasted hot dog dinners with the friends who have dropped by. The dual purpose of these would be perfect!

Industrial closet.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/01/2019 - 08:50

I really had a great time building this closet. It was my first time building anything. I had to use one 36 inch pipe and one 30 to make it fit my wall the way I wanted. Thanks for posting the plans online!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$220
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

Submitted by Me-go-Eco on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 10:42

Built this coffee table as a housewarming present for my buddy who got me hooked on woodworking as a hobby! Made from reclaimed wood.

You want to see more? Check out my blog and follow me.

http://me-go-eco.blogspot.com

my twitter is: me_go_eco

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, RECLAIM! Thanks!

Estimated Cost
$10 thrownout wood and leftovers from old projects from Re-use Hawaii.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My coat rack

Submitted by atenney446 on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 17:41

Thank you for such a simple set of plans for such a useful and practical piece of furniture. I enjoyed making this.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/04/2019 - 15:34

I absolutely love how this turned out! Thank you for plans! I was able to use aquired tools and wood from each of my grandparents Who have passed which makes it that Much more special to me

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white chalk paint and Kona stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Brookstone queen headboard

We had an old heavy sleigh bed with headboard and footboard. It overwhelmed the room. We bought a basic metal bed frame. I made this headboard from Ana's plans, and my wife painted it. We really like this so much better.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

My first project- we are loving our new bookcases

Submitted by MatiaP on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 22:33

This was my very first project. I had been on the hunt for two bookcases to put on either side of our fireplace. This plan was just right, but shorter than our space so I modified the plan and made the bookcases longer. I used the kreg jig every place I could find. Thanks so much Ana for your website. Finally we are furnishing our new house without breaking the bank. I never would have thought that I could build furniture, just the way we want it, all by myself. It's a wonderful feeling and I'm addicted.

Estimated Cost
$60 per bookcase
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Media console

This is a tv stand I built for my mom, she had to get a new tv because her tube tv finally broke. Her old stand was a big particle board cabinet that wouldn't fit a new flat screen. I seen this plan on here and thought it would make a great stand for her she absolutely loves it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used minwax dark walnut stain and minwax satin polyurethane spray.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rolling Cabinet

Submitted by Ovidiu on Fri, 11/20/2015 - 01:14

This is one of the projects I am most proud of, as it has a farmhouse look and it is also really useful around the house. I use it for my guitar amp, as well as to store other small items. The caster wheels make moving it very easily, so it can also be used as a kitchen island. 

Estimated Cost
100 $
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based paint and Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/08/2019 - 06:59

Built this for my son so he would have a fun play area in his room. 

Estimated Cost
Since I needed certain tools, the cost was under $200!
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Just a dark/red stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

1st Tapered plant stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/15/2022 - 18:18

I enjoyed this build looking forward to making more.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Kid's Storage Dining Table

Submitted by christy on Thu, 08/25/2011 - 17:01

My sister-in-law wanted a kid-sized dining table for all her nieces and nephews, so I made one for her by combining a couple of Ana's plans. The little seats are just a scaled down version of the Easiest Upholstered Bench plans. My kiddos love it so much, it looks like I'll be making another for us.

Estimated Cost
$100 - $150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The base is just gloss white paint. The top is stained using minwax special walnut. I finished the top with 3 coats of wipe-on poly, lightly sanding between each coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lady Goats

Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:18

I'm looking for ideas for a round kid-table to go with a window seat I plan on making. This looks great! What're the dimensions of the table-top? It looks like it'd fit a lot of kiddos, well!

Lady Goats

Sat, 09/10/2011 - 07:59

When I looked at the 36", they just seemed too small. It's nice to have something to compare it to! :-)

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 03:24

Hi, can you tell me the age of the kids in the picture? I'm hoping this size would fit my sons with plenty of room to grow. Age/size comparison would help a lot if you don't mind sharing! Your table looks amazing!

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 08:10

They are 5 years and 2 years. The older one is pretty tall for her age...about 46 inches at the time the photo was taken.

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 08:11

They are 2 years and 5 years. The older one is tall for her age...about 46 inches at the time the photo was taken.

spiceylg

Sat, 10/20/2012 - 10:32

Love it, beautiful job. Built this just from the kid's storage table plans. She references a 32" top but I don't believe they sell that size. Just wanted to make sure the 36" isn't top heavy?

Pink Twin Day Bed made for a Toddler

Simple Day Bed Modified with rail for toddler coming from a toddler size bed.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic in a light pink
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 10:42

This is our new dinning room table. We used the 4x4 truss beam table and refer to it as our farm to table table. It's made from red cedar that we harvested off of our land and milled into lumber. A natural stain with some clear coats and it turned out to be gorgeous. I wasn't a fan of the black base, at first, but think the finished table looks good. Pretty happy with my first table attempt.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Queen farmhouse bed frame with drawers.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2019 - 20:57

Took several long days to get this thing done. Being stationed in Japan it made things a bit more difficult and quite a bit more expensive sourcing the materials for this project. I had to opt for 1/2" plywood as cost of lumber here in okinawa is nearly double that of what you would see in the states. I made a few other modifications to the plans here and there where I felt it would better fit my needs. I wanted more storage space so I made the drawer boxes 20" deep. Rather than nail and glue the drawer bottoms on I wanted a reassuring solid hold so I grooved out the drawers and inserted the bottom panel with glue to secure it in place. The drawer faces I chose to add a little more detail in the molding by using miter cuts and the router to add some texture. The headboard was actually a previous project that was requested by my wife so with some modification I was able to rebuild that and fit it into the build. The 4x4's were grooved out with a 3/4" straight bit to slide my headboard and footboard slats into place. All in all this project was a lot of fun, the bed is now a monster of a thing to move but solid as a rock we love it. Thanks for the plans! 

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Necklace and Earring Shelf

Submitted by vendo on Fri, 11/11/2022 - 13:15

I built this super easy shelf for my earrings, necklaces and bracelets. I love that I can see what I have, before they were stored away in a drawer and not easily accessible for daily wear. I also enjoy that this was super inexpensive and easy to build! Planning to build another one for my daughters.

Kiddo table and chair(s)

Submitted by fethiye on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 15:54

A nice and easy project for little people to enjoy getting in and out of chairs without worrying parents!

Used a router first time to soften the edges of the chairs and table. Also used a plug maker to fill up the counter sink holes. Love that stuff.

Didn't want to make all the chairs at once to figure out how I can improve on my process, and now I know that I should
1. Paint the slats prior to installing
2. Use router on the slats prior to installing
3. Use kreg jig to install the slats

Planning on making more chairs, or one more chair and 2 stools. Not sure yet.

As always, painting took the longest and I am not done yet. Will give a Minvax polycrylic gloss finish before putting into use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Oops paint from Home Depot :) Love those surprises and prices!

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project