Community Brag Posts

Our daughter was in desperate need of storage in her room, so we decided to build her a storage bed. This was our first build, and we had many issues that we've chalked up to "learning curve," but we're pleased with the end result anyway.

We used the Twin Storage Bed plans to start, but we modified the end box so that the sides would have all open storage, and we could build a low footboard. We liked the low footboard on the Farmhouse Bed, but our daughter did not want the crown on the footboard, so we worked up a simpler design. We kept the 3-box design of the Twin Storage Bed instead of just making the two side boxes longer so that the end box has deep storage (we kept the center divider for support, but the storage is 19" deep). The footboard is low enough that it doesn't extend over the mattress (our daughter's request), but it still gives the bed a finished look and keeps the mattress from sliding off.

When we built the two side boxes and the end box, we made the mistake of cutting all of the pieces at once, before assembly. When we went to assemble, we discovered that many of the boards had issues (warps, the boards were not the same width all the way through, our cuts weren't straight -- we had trouble figuring out how to get straight cuts with the circular saw at first). We didn't have money to buy all new wood and start over, so we went ahead and assembled the boxes, and I spent two weekends fixing as best I could (lots of filler and sanding). The boxes ended up being somewhat different heights, so even though each box was level on its own, we were going to have a problem getting them all the same height together. So, we decided to add feet with leveling footers. We also ordered a set of bowed slats from Ikea to help make sure the bed would be level and comfortable.

The storage cubbies all turned out the right size on the inside despite our assembly troubles, so we can fit 12 fabric storage cubes in the cubbies.

We added trim to the side boxes to give it a finished look and to help keep the mattress from sliding off the bed. To make it possible to move the bed later, we decided to build the trim on the side boxes and slide the end box into place. We attached the boxes together using L brackets.

The footboard is made out of plywood, trimmed with 1X6 at the top, 1X3 on the bottom trim, and and 1X2 vertical trim.

The side trim is made out of 1X4 for the top trim centered (2" overhang below and 2" raised above the side of the box), 1X3 horizontal trim for the bottom of the box (top edge of the bottom trim is flush with the bottom of the cubbies), and 1X2 trim for the vertical pieces.

The headboard was our own creation. Our daughter did not want a large headboard, so we wanted to make something that was just enough to keep her pillows from sliding off the bed and to provide a ledge to put her glasses and book. When we first tried the mattress on the bed, there was a 5" gap between the head of the mattress and the wall, so we built a headboard "box" that sits on and is attached to the two side boxes. The mattress now fits without gaps so that the pillows won't slip off the head of the bed.

There really aren't any plans for this bed.  I scaled down the camp loft bed and copied the other brag post on here

We have been using a number of folding tables to do our builds and feeling the pain in our backs and frustrations in our brains for doing it.  I found this pattern and rushed to Home Depot!  A few hours later we had a workbench.  Loved it so much a day later we had two!!  We use them all the time.  Thank you Ana for such a great pattern!

Not an original design a modified version of the farm table made to have slightly more sleek joints. - JP

I didn't really follow any of Ana's plans for this build, but it is a result of using her plans up to this point in my woodworking journey that enabled me to complete this one! I don't own a table saw, so this was constructed using a circular saw, miter saw, Kreg jig, and a nail gun. It was the first time I've had to cut and attach crown molding, and I also learned how to cope baseboard trim using a Dremel. Another first was using a router to rabbet out the back so the plywood back wasn't visible from the sides. I learn something new every build :)

I'm thrilled with the change in the room with this new project. We had two narrower bookcases side-by-side in there before, and they were about the height of the windows with a stain color that didn't match any of the other wood pieces in the rooms. This cabinet looks like it belongs in the room.

Modified plans it fit our wall.  Looks great and only took a few hours start to finish. 

Friend needed a hutch to store some overflow kitchen stuff and I needed a first project for my new woodshop. I changed the top openings to accomadate what she needed to store and went with milled lumber because I have the tools needed to finish it out.

I think it turned out great in the end, Thanks for the plan Ana!

Thanks to Anna’s plans this table came out great built for sheriff dept everyone loves it - Brian Blacklidge

This was my second project that I completed to go along with the Daybed With Three Trundle Drawers For Storage that I made for my son.

The original plans for this bed state that you need three 1 x 12 x 8's, but you actually need 4. The two middle 42 3/4" boards on the inside are missing from the cut list, but you can see them in the diagram.

I am so happy with the way this turned out! It was a little more challenging with the wider width boards--I had to force them on the line because they weren't perfectly straight. But overall, I am very happy with this.

When I drilled the holes for the shelf pins using the Kreg shelf pin jig, I used the 1" inset on the outside 2 columns, and the 2" inset on the center column. This way I avoided have holes that were drilled all the way through the board.

Between this and the storage daybed, I have really freed up so much space in my son's small bedroom! Happy building!

This project was not as simple as I expected! For this little bathroom, the mirror is offset, leaving lots of wasted space above the sink so my friend asked me to build some storage. I thought this would be a great solution that could maybe move with her later on, and it turned out pretty well. My two problems were 1- I had to cut the steel pipe to fit the space and 2- my hardware store did not sell S-hooks that would fit over the steel bar.  I used 1/2 in steel bar, so I cut it with my Dremel rotary cutting wheel. It was a bit slow but it worked and once I cut halfway, I could just bend the pipe to break it at the cut. The two cut ends are not threaded so I had them each end into one side of a 3/4 T fitting. For the S-hooks, I bought ones that were about the right size, then bent them open wider using a large screwdriver and a crow bar as a wedge. Two large screwdrivers might work as well. Instead of the straps, I used a thin steel bar, drilled through one side. I am happy with how it turned out, took about an afternoon not including all the time thinking it out! Finished with butcher block oil.

Decided to make this on a whim, and we are very pleased with the results!

My husband and I built this counter height with specs of 351/2" high x 25" wide x 48" long. We are using it in our kitchen as a prep island.

My wife needed a new bookshelf in her classroom so I took this plan and customized it.  She wanted three shelves and to be able to fit a three ring binder on the shelves upright.  I mitered the top to have a finished edge all the way around the top.  I ripped about 1/4" off the back of the two middle shelves so I could put the back planking inside and flush.  I patterened 1x2's and 1x4's on the back to give a cool look.

We added a few things, like a tunnel, climbing wall and tire swing.  The unveiling was quite the reaction to watch.