Community Brag Posts

Pallet Reclaim Swing

I work for a large manufacturing company that frequently has 'desirable trash'. Found 3 beautiful, heavy-duty pallets with beautiful wood on them. Took them home, took them apart, and got to work. The wife had been wanting a swing out near our children's playset so she could sit and watch them. Used Kreg pocket holes for everything that I could so as to hide as much hardware as possible.

*Side note regarding why I did the rope the way I did - the original post had mentions of it being a bit tipsy (particularly with little ones!). With this design, there's no flip front or back and the rope only gets tighter the more weight that is applied.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Almost free, only had to pay ~$30 for the rope.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Cedar Naturaltone Stain, foam brushed on and wiped off with rags.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Horse Tack Storage Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/30/2023 - 09:09

We have been in need of a place to store our horse tack for several years, and finally got around to it. We modified the small cedar shed with a little extra support and added saddle racks and bridle hooks. Super pleased with how it turned out!

Gabi Johnson

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Ottoman Tray

Submitted by Milhouse on Sat, 04/07/2012 - 22:51

I have a large, square ottoman in my family room that looked empty and I didn't have anywhere to put a drink. The cheapest tray I could find that was large enough was $80 and it was damaged! So I slapped some boards together, and this is what I got. I love it! I joined a few boards together for the bottom, using my Kreg Jig, and attached a frame of 1x3's around the perimeter (I mitred the corners).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free- made from scraps
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial and a satin poly top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Jewellery Cabinet

Submitted by dsteinberg on Wed, 01/22/2014 - 08:33

Modified the original plan a bit.

- Instead of using a wire door I used a board instead to give it a more closed look.
- Attached a mirror to the inside of the door
- Attached lots of hooks on the top piece of wood to hang more necklaces
- added a magnetic catch at the bottom and a rubber stopper at the top to ensure the door closes evenly and holds
- attached to dry wall with 4 toggle bolts

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
- Brushed on black tea
- Brushed on solution of vinegar and steel wool that sat for 72 hours
- Vermont Natural Coatings Wipe on PolyWhey
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Val Manchuk

Thu, 01/23/2014 - 09:15

Wow, did you ever do a great job on this project. The tea stain looks good!

Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

Knot Good with Wood

Thu, 01/30/2014 - 09:41

I'm actually building one for my wife right now, but was stuck on how I wanted to design the door. Your design is very cool. Can I ask what you used for the back and door...is is just wainscoating? And what did you apply to support the mirror on the inside of the door?

Thanks in advance!

dsteinberg

Thu, 01/30/2014 - 10:01

I am glad you like my design :-)

To support the mirror I used a combination of mirror tape

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Erias-Home-Designs-Mirror-Mounting-Tape-Squa…

and adhesive

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/lepage-pl-610-mirror-adhesive/827654

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/lepage-no-more-nails-all-purpose-clear-… (I used this one, it says not for mirrors but it didn't ruin the backing at all. The one above is probably safer to use)

As for the the back and the door, to be honest I don't remember the name of the board. I think I got it at home depot or maybe lowes. It came unstained and it was pretty thin. I cut it down to size for both. Sorry I can't be more help there. I did just check the home depot and lowes websites and couldn't find the exact panel. I am sure if you go and show them a picture they will be able to find it. The panel was around $15.

Let me know if you have any other questions!! Post a link here to yours when you are done, I would love to see it.

Knot Good with Wood

Fri, 01/31/2014 - 07:46

Excellent feedback, thank you! I found some small sheets of wainscoating at Lowes for around $10, and it's more than enough to do the job.

I'm heading to Home Depot after work today to pick up these other items so I can finish out this project. I figured if I delay long enough it will make a great Valentine's Day present.....

I'll be sure to post pics once completed. Thanks again!

-Brian

Knot Good with Wood

Fri, 01/31/2014 - 07:47

Excellent feedback, thank you! I found some small sheets of wainscoating at Lowes for around $10, and it's more than enough to do the job.

I'm heading to Home Depot after work today to pick up these other items so I can finish out this project. I figured if I delay long enough it will make a great Valentine's Day present.....

I'll be sure to post pics once completed. Thanks again!

-Brian

JoanneS

Fri, 01/31/2014 - 08:24

This looks beautiful! What did you use to add the "handcrafted by" personalization on your project? That is a very nice addition. Great job!

Large dog table crate

Submitted by Kimly831 on Fri, 04/15/2016 - 14:23

I am so ridiculously proud of myself... This was my first wood building project and now I think I'm addicted !!!! Next project a bookshelf!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$165
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cherry mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Chalkboard frame

Submitted by Kate_14 on Sun, 12/29/2019 - 08:39

I built these in different sizes. I added hooks on one to hang keys. I nailed hardboard with chalkboard spraypaint on the back.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sideboard

Submitted by emilyr on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 17:01

This project took me a lot longer than I wanted, but I love it. I worked a few hours each day and it seems I had to stop because I forgot one thing or another. I changed the way the top looked, I wanted to work with angles, so I framed out a 1x6 with two rows of mitered 1x4. It turned out better than I hoped, but I don't know if I will work with angles again... Like the plan says, it is HUGE!!!

Estimated Cost
About $100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Black paint for body and Red Mahogany Stain for the top
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Jessica H (not verified)

Sat, 05/19/2012 - 09:24

Emily, this piece looks awesome! What did you do on the doors? It looks like wire.
I also noticed that your estimated cost was quite a bit lower than Hillary's cost. How did you keep your cost low? I am wanting to make this piece but I could really benefit from a smaller price tag!!! Again, yours looks great!

bunk bed Converted

Submitted by Mamabear2 on Thu, 01/23/2014 - 10:26

My mom purchased a bunk bed set for my children at her house but since they were only 1 and 2 at the time, we separated them and used the rails on my sons single bed, then my daughters we converted into a twin size crib

Estimated Cost
50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
used a light stain to match the already existing
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified folding table/benches

Loved doing this build, I have been thinking of making these for a while.

Based off of a few of the comments I read, I modified the plans a little bit. Instead of using three 2 x 6s for the benches, I used two 2x4s with one 2 x 6 in the centre. Shortened up the bench support length by 3" to make up for the difference. This allowed for a smaller seat, which is easier to get in and out of when in table mode, but still plenty to sit on when used as a bench.

I am trying to come up with an alternate system for pinning the table in each position. I have found that after only a few uses, the table has some wiggle in the top, most likely from the bolts going in and out repeatedly. I would love some ideas on how to get these to hold nice and snug when in each position!

I posted a few pictures of these on my Facebook page, where I now have been asked how much I am selling them for and have about 3 orders already placed! Looks like the spring will be busier than expected!

Estimated Cost
For the two, 8 foot benches, about $80 for the lumber, and $10 bucks for the hardware. So totaled at about $90.00 Canadian for the 2, prior to any staining.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

my versio play vanity

I built this for my 7 year old niece. She out grew her cheap plastic one. Her mother asked for  white. I  decided to modify the kids play table and made own my own mirror frame. I used the 4$ stackable chair plan. Chair height 15in and table top 25in. The table sixe 24w x18deep.She has room to grow. I used l L brackets on the back keep the mirror in place. If she grows up you can take mirror off  and a have table she can use for anything. I had to finish it off with $10  battery powered vanity light from Amazon. I painted it all satin white, I used glitter I put in the paint for the mirror frame. My niece just loved it and so did her parents. 

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer, than satin white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Privacy Planter Fence

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/08/2023 - 08:25

Created a privacy planter fence, using multiple planters. Most of the bases were custom sizes due to the existing rock wall. Tongue and groove cedar utilized and coated with linseed oil. I ensured the frames were square and plumb which the directions omit for some reason. Great week long project!

Kyle

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Who wants to spend over $2000 for beds? Not us!

We were looking for beds that had storage that would fit into our twin girls' small bedroom. This was to be their first "big girl" beds. Well, I spied some that would have cost us about $2100 to buy. No thanks. Then I found these plans. My husband looked at them, said "I can do that no problem". It took him over a week to build the beds, but he spent a lot of time getting "help" from the twins. Even without the distraction, he says it probably would have taken him longer than a weekend. The beds are very solid, and he says the plans were very easy to follow. The beds look great, the girls love them, and we've gotten a lot of compliments, including from a friend who works in the Pottery Barn executive offices. This was our first time using plans from Ana, but I'm already looking for our next project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White semi-gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X End Table as a Dog Crate

Submitted by Spooner on Sun, 01/26/2014 - 17:40

End table modified slightly so that the underside area serves as a Dog Crate. Used Plexiglass on the X sides and other parts from a portable dog crate for the front and back. Also, leather corners add a Hunting/outdoor feel.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax poly shade for the top and economy black spray paint for base
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ladybug chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 03:18

This was a true joy to build. I plan on making at least three to four more of these. Couple tips I learned though: I used pocket hole screw where I could to prevent drilling so many holes that would need to be filled: Ft board, Rear boards, and a couple others. Also I routed the edge of the very front board where the child's legs will be dangling from, as well as the inside/outside edges of the arm rests. Smoother the better I thought with little kids. Lastly, I painted all the boards and then put it together as recommended. However, I would go through the plans and only paint the surfaces that you know will either touch and will be difficult to get to or sides that won't be drilled out; unless you don't plan on filling the holes and painting over them. It will save you paint and time if you plan out what sides of what boards you'll paint first than doing them all at once.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$35
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/11/2020 - 11:38

Love this little bench! My bench is a little bigger than Ana's, and the seat is not as deep, but the plans were super easy to follow. It's just what I needed to finish out my living room!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$3
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Clothesline Frame

Submitted by bhammond on Tue, 01/28/2014 - 20:57

This is huge and fits perfectly in my previously lonely naked hallway.
I also made a smaller one as a Christmas present and it has received many compliments!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X coffee table

Submitted by Malka on Tue, 04/26/2016 - 01:39

This was my 4th build, and only took a few weekends to do, working on it a few hours at a time each day. Pretty easy, though I didn't include the X braces on the sides due to miscutting them (just got the angles backwards). I used Minwax Provincial and Minwax polyurethane. Excuse the mess in the photos.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial and Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Long Modern TV Console with Pallet Wood

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/17/2020 - 14:18

This project was a Christmas present for my girlfriend. I modified these plans a little bit to put the open shelf in the middle and used the pallet wood for this instead of it being white. The pallet wood was such a pain to cut up in to usable strips but after cutting them down, gluing them up, and sanding them down (for ages) I couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out. I used Watco Danish in medium walnut for the finish and I think it brought out the imperfections in the wood beautifully. I just used some pre-made legs from Amazon instead of the base out of laziness.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil in medium walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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