Community Brag Posts

Dining Room Table

Submitted by RetroFit on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 18:18

This is our first real furniture project. We wanted a large enough table to be able to sit 10 people comfortably around without the table legs getting in the way of the people on the corners. We are really happy with the way this turned out. Each leg was joined with a double floating mortise & tennon. The overall dimensions are 47" wide by 80" long by 31.5" tall.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Danish oil and Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Brandiville

Sun, 04/10/2016 - 04:26

I would be very interested in the plan for this table. Do you mind sharing? It is beautiful!

Custom cornhole

Submitted by mandee on Sun, 12/15/2019 - 15:21

I made this custom cornhole game for my brother for Christmas. I drew the Texans logo freehand as well as the “M”.  

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Hanging Bed

Submitted by cecimoreno on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 08:05

Hanging bed for my daughter built from the "Easiest Hanging Daybed Plans". Super easy to do and looks and feels great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Latex Paint in Early Dawn and topped with Minwax Paste Finishing Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

cecimoreno

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:26

Thanks! We just hung it up last night, so I can't say for sure yet- but putting her to bed last night was a breeze (at least compared to most nights :))

Birdie (not verified)

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 17:56

Love this bed! You did a great job! Quick question, did you screw this to the wall, or just leave it swinging free? I'm curious if it bangs agains the wall when your daughter gets in.

Thanks!

Swingset with playhouse

Submitted by Handy Dad on Thu, 12/19/2019 - 14:44

I deviated quite a bit from the plans.  Mostly, I used readily available swingset hardware to beef up the design. This stuff can be found on big online sites or specialty sites. 

I bought all of the swings, and ninja rope online along with the 4ft slide and safety handles.

Estimated Cost
$1200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Outdoor Stain/Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Outdoor Living Room

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:09

I wanted a bar lounge on my patio so I built it from your plans. We had a July 4th party for the my family. It was so nice.
Everyone was surprised I had done it myself.
I also made a corner table but unfortunately it doesn’t show in pictures.
Thank you! Your plans are amazingly easy.

Donna-Tennessee

Built from Plan(s)

My Ottomans

Submitted by Angie5483 on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 14:33

I decided to make these awesome ottomans that were featured on Shanty to Chic. I love them so much. I am new to the DIY world but loving it. You can catch my adventures trying to make this bad boy at my blog at ifshecandoitsocani.blogspot.com

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
For both of them $40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic 'X' Desk

Submitted by jphysc on Sun, 01/19/2014 - 18:45

This was a great project. I had some trouble with getting the X's perfectly connected (due to off square boards) and had to use some wood filler here and there. Beyond that, everything came together really well. The longest part was getting the finish just right.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
For the base I used Miniwax Jacobian, spray painted in white, and painted in an off-white SW color. Used 80 grit sandpaper to get the look and finish just right. The table top is just jacobian. Everything has 2 coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

Custom Modern Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/30/2023 - 08:49

I made this coop twice as wide like Ana suggested since I have 4 chickens and wanted to make sure there was some extra wiggle room in case “chicken math” got the best of us. I made a nesting box to mount on the outside. I also used plywood for the sides like Ana did in the video. I installed a Run Chicken automatic door that opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. I added some hasps and clasps to make sure all my doors would close tightly. I put hardware cloth across the top before installing the roof panels. I stapled and buried hardware cloth around the perimeter for predator protection. I also spray painted the hardware cloth flat black so that it would be easier for us to see inside the coop. I stained the rest of the wood with Varathane Semi-Transparent stain, color “Carbon Gray.” I also added some roosts and cedar shingle siding for some extra protection during our New England winters at to match our house. Working 2-4 hours a day, off and on, with a bum shoulder and weak hands, this took me about a week! Thanks for the great plan, Ana!

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

BBQ caddy

Submitted by Milhouse on Sat, 04/07/2012 - 22:59

I had some pallet wood laying around and felt like taking on a small project. The boards were warped, but after fighting with them a bit, it turned out well. I was going for the reclaimed, rustic look anyhow :) I find it a little heavy to actually use as a caddy, so it's more for decoration. I think I might plant a few herbs in it, for a little portable herb garden.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free - made from scraps
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained it with Minwax Jacobean, but it turned out super dark. So I dry brushed some white paint over it, and it turned out 'old and reclaimed' looking!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

handystanley

Mon, 06/18/2012 - 13:26

How many times do you go outside to eat and have to carry everything awkwardly. This is a great idea...I love the rustic look!! Great idea on how to finish it.

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by dsteinberg on Wed, 01/22/2014 - 09:11

- made directly from the plans
- decorative hardware was spray painted "flat black"
- there are decorative bolts in the legs, they were installed after these pictures were taken.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 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
Beginner

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

Full-size Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/28/2019 - 17:08

Such a great sturdy bed! Daughter loves it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
208.00 for wood
Finish Used
We primed and painted with BM Alabaster. I then sanded edges and grooves and applied Matte Poly.

Cubby Bookcase for a big girl!

Submitted by ferbit on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 18:36

My youngest needed a new bookcase so bad! All she had was an old baby bookcase that hardly fit her books anymore. I was so excited to see Ana's plans for the simple cubby bookcase. Yay! I made it a smidge narrower to fit the space and taller so she could have more adjustable cubbies. :)

I used pine 1x12 boards for the box and pine 1x2's for the trim. I used my Jig-It Adjustable Shelving Jig and drilled every other hole. Didn't feel like I needed quite as much "adjustability" for books. :-)

I wanted a more rustic look, so I left a lot of brush strokes on purpose and didn't fill any obvious knots in the wood. I really like how it turned out. :) When we were putting all of the shelves in, my daughter was so cute - she made sure all of the knots were facing OUTWARD so she could see them. She thought it looked neat that way.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr semi-gloss off-white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Bird Cage Stand

Submitted by Mamabear2 on Thu, 01/23/2014 - 10:33

I wanted our bird's cage up higher and on something that the kids wouldn't be able to tip over. So my Husband came up with this. Its car siding. and stained. it has 2 hinged doors and a shelf.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I purchased a stain in color of choice and clear coat
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
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