Community Brag Posts

Work bench made from old junk

I built this work table from some old junk that was going to be thrown away - a church pew, a wooden box light fixture and some plywood that was in my parents' garage. I didn't follow any specific plan, I just had an idea of what it needed to look like from some work bench plans I saw on Ana-White.com. It cost me nothing to build it. I even re-used the old steel screws from the church pew. It's not very pretty to look at, but it is sturdy and it will be a great space for me to store my tools and work on future projects. Thanks Ana White for your awesome website and for inspiring me! I never would have thought I could take some old junk and figure out how to built something like this. It's an awesome feeling!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Braden Entry Way Drawer Bench Hutch Remix

Submitted by Nomareel on Thu, 10/29/2015 - 07:21

I took the plans and modified it for my family needs.  We have bigger items such as instruments and such so we took out the divider.  My wife really wanted doors, so we watched a few youtube videos on how to make shaker style doors.  Took me a little over 2 months to finish the whole thing. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gel Java Wood Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mid century modern coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/03/2022 - 15:01

Mid-century modern alder and wenge wood coffee table. Dove tail corners, router grooved drawer.

Comments

Hot Wheels Wall Tracks wall

The Hot Wheels Wall Tracks are designed to stick to your wall, but ours kept falling off. My husband hates putting extra holes in the wall, so what to do? Build your own wall!
I just used 2x2s as side supports, kreg jigged 3 leftover 1x16 pieces of plywood from another project (if I were to do it over again, I would use one piece of plywood to make a smoother surface) as the wall, and screwed the 2x2s onto scrap 2x4s as the base. I added some 'L' angle pieces as supports at the bottom where the 2x2 join the 2x4s to ensure that that the sides would not start to lean over time... The overall size is about 5 feet across and about 4.5 feet high - I wanted something big enough to fit our wall track pieces on, but not too big...
We painted the wall with chalkboard paint, so we can draw on the background as desired, then mounted the various wall track components on using screws. Voila - wall tracks without messing up your wall. And, the wall is easily movable too.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Secretary/Storage cabinet

Submitted by Kirch3333 on Mon, 11/02/2015 - 05:39

Inspired by the Tall Secretary with mail slots but with my own twist/needs incorporated in it. Finished with pure white satin paint.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pure white Behr satin enamel paint, finished with Varathane Matte Soft Touch Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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

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

Indoor firwood console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/25/2022 - 07:23

This was fun and easy to make. I made a few changes: it's only 4 ft wide and logs are 15 inches. Separate section for kindling and paper. Vinyl plank, matching our floor, for bottom and back. Added some hooks left and right for woodstove tools. I used the Kreg tool (new to me, love it). It was great to attach the top. I guess I didn't need to use it for the other parts, because the 1 by 4s would have covered the screws, but ... it was good practice with a new tool and the logs cover up the holes. Thanks Ana for all your great plans. I'm feeling encouraged to create some more stuff. Stay tuned.

Built from Plan(s)

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

Modified Indoor Clubhouse and Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/11/2019 - 21:49

This is my first build and I had so much fun!  I am now officially addicted to DIY and woodworking!  

I started off with a couple of problems right out of the gate but, I really wanted to make this for my Grandaughter for Christmas.  The first problem was the ceiling in her room is 7 feet 6 inches  high.  So, if I lowered the height then the loft platform became too low to install over a twin bed.   It didn’t allow for enough headroom over the mattress.  Plus, I didn’t want her to sleep on a mattress that was on the floor. So, I raised the platform to 48 inches and modified the roof so that I would be able to fit the Alaska Cabin Twin storage bed underneath.  

I also modified the size by increasing the platform dimensions to 40”x48”.   Doing that allowed me to comfortably fit the bed underneath. 

 I was lucky to find laminate flooring on clearance at Lowe’s. I paid five dollars for an open box. I used it to cover the plywood floor. I also used it for the roof by just nailing it to the 2x4s. 

 I wanted my granddaughter to be  able to paint, use her markers, and be as messy as she wanted without restrictions.  One wall is made from dry erase board with 1x4s as shelving to frame it out.  (I used Ana’s flip down desk plans as a guide for the shelving.) The back wall is slat wall from Menards.  I just spray painted it hot pink.  The third wall is a 12 inch shelf framed out by 2x4s. The last wall is leftover 1x3 and 1x4 boards that I stained and painted. 

 My daughter didn’t like the first ladder so I moved it to one side. I stained the ladder with Minwax classic gray. I also used the classic gray stain for the cabin bed frame.  The pink on the cabin bed is  Sherwin Williams “hibiscus.”

 My granddaughter and I finished the bed this evening. She loves helping me “work “in the garage. We ended our build by adding a monster free zone. Monsters will be zapped if they try to enter the clubhouse or the bed! Thank you Ana! 

Mary

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Gray
Sherwin Williams “Hibiscus”
Kilz white primer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments