Community Brag Posts

Using reclaimed 2x4s stored in our garage, old tempered privacy glass jalousies, and deep purple paint, I built a rear console to place behind our sofa in our home theater living room. :)

I consider this an Intermediate project, only because of the care needed to cut and install the glass. The items on the rear console top are fairly lightweight and the glass is short enough to hold firm on its supports.

This is my first ever wood work piece.  I am really keen to build a dining table, but as a first project I decided to start with a coffee table.  My partner asked for a small table to fit next to the sofa so i changed the measurements on the plan and halfed most of the width of the wood.

I am in Australia, so I had to convert to metric and find wood that would be good for a first project.  I headed to our local hardware called Bunnings.  Bough myself a circular saw for around $30 and the wood was around $80 total.  Premium grade dressed pine. 

I made it a bit taller to be near the height of the sofa, which works great for a side table.  

I stained it with cedar stain and varnish three coats.  I am really happy with the finish product.

On to my next project ...kitchen dining table.  I have learnt a lot and will upgrade my saw to a mitre saw.

I didnt use counter sink drill bit for the screws as the wood was quite soft, but will for the next project.  I think this will give a better finish with the wood putty.

Thanks Ana, very inspiring and hope to do many more projects.

The end table plans looked really big.  I decided to cut it down to 16.5 inch square tops.  With the smaller table size I used 2x2's for the legs.  I think they turned out well.  I plan to sell them.  I already have a buyer for the coffee table.  Thanks for the ideas and plans.

After my husband caught a big bull Texas Redfish, we wanted to try out a Japanese printing method he'd seen on an episode of Mounted in Alaska. We painted the fish with tempura paint, then pressed on some rice paper and voila! A nifty, artistic fish print. The problem now would be finding a frame, so we built one following Ana's barnwood frame plans. We bought a cedar 1x4 and ripped it in half to create the 1x2's needed. More details on printing and framing are on my blog.

We changed up the method a little by routing the inner edge of each piece before putting the main square of the frame together, to give a ledge for plexiglass to sit in. Then we popped in the plexi, taped the print down, and stapled on some cardboard for backing. It's easy to hammer in some sawtooth hangers onto the back for wall mounting too.

Built entirely from reclaimed wood (plywood, scraps, and left over trim). Using what was on hand, adjusted the plans to be 39 3/4" tall and 36" wide, and added a toe kick. This took a couple of afternoons to build and finish. Painted with black semi-gloss paint and stained with Walnut stain. The plywood is from other projects that were disassembled and ripped to 1x12 size boards. The trim is a mix of S4S, mini stop, and oak shelf edge. This was a fun build, and it fits perfectly under the TV.

Note- I'm not sure why the lead-in picture comes up sideways when you click to expand it -- does anyone have advice on what to do to the picture to make it expand without rotating? It worked fine when I attached it below under 'additional photos.'

Plans developed myself after sneaking photos from the underside of the table at West Elm. 

Pine 2x4s make up backbone of the 2 legs and the horizontal piece underneath.

Used the figure 8 fasteners for members going across the table top to allow for any slight seasonal movement of the table top.

Not shown, but each leg is secured to the table top with (4) 2.5" bolts and a countersunk t-nut

Because I'm a beginner, this has taken up 75% of my weekends since mid-March.  Would not recommend this as a 1st major project.  3 way bevels are a pain in the arse. Thank God for the Timbermate filler.. that stuff worked great to give me crisp corners.

This was a very simple build, but to do it again I would attach the arms to the arm supports at a 90* angle before attaching them to the chair itself. My kids love this style of chair and are thrilled to have their own nice loungers out in the yard!

This was the first project my husband and I attempted. I'm new to building but he has lots of experience. Went real well, I should have taken the advice though to measure and cut trim at the end. I did it at the start to get it sanded and we ended up needing to redo it all with new wood. So happy with the end result though, tons of storage for baby's toys.

My wife was dying to have me build her a halltree for the entryway in out house. She drew up some "blueprints" and we started building together. I know the finished project is dark but from the before pic you can visualize it.

I'm sorry for not having the plans up. I will get her "blueprint" scanned for everyone to use as this was our design.

A lot of fun to try.  X’s were challenging, and used the pickled white washed stain for the first time.

Wanted a Patio table and when I saw the plans on this site I really liked it; I just changed the plan a bit. Everything was screwed from the underside of the table, also I attached the legs with 2" lag screws.

This was my first project! I love how it came out. Now my husband want the matching end tables. Can't wait to get started

This was an easy build and it's a very sturdy design. I've had many requests for converting this into a media center. 

Loved how rad this table turned out. I wanted a mad beefcake table top -- so I chose 2x12s for a more industrial look. To get perfect seams and a completely flat surace for the table top, I planed each 2x12 multiple times, followed by many sessions in a jointer to get my edges to a beautiful 90 degrees. Once I had the top measured out to the length and width I wanted, I ripped the pieces down closer to a 2x10. Following that, I domino joined the pieces with a crap-ton of glue and clamped it for 2 days. To finish, I created an original 5-step stain process (including white wash) to get a weathered, Restoration Hardware-inspired final look. So stoked on it! (Wifey loves it too, so that's a huge win). 

-Andy 

This was my first project and it was perfect for our small kitchen.

My dad made most everything I have ever had in life including the house I live in. So I wanted to make him something this dad's day that he could really use and enjoy. He just built a hang out place in his back yard that I call "his fort" Since he's in his 60's now and a little more mellow, he has a lot of little parties with friends, family, basically anyone who wants to come hang out in his back yard. lol. (He claims to have made the fort a covered stage for my 12 year old and his band. But I know the truth. hehe. it's his fort :) ) So I thought this cooler stand would come in handy. He saw me working on it a few days before fathers day and told me he was afraid I was gonna make his something girly. hehe. He's such a man's man. I love my pops and am soooo happy he likes my gift. Its already in use in the fort. hehe