Community Brag Posts

Headboard and nightstands

Submitted by kabm99 on Sun, 06/01/2014 - 14:33

I made this headboard a year ago and it was my first Ana White project. I finally got around to making the nightstands last weekend and I just adore them. My guest room is finally complete!

Estimated Cost
Unsure since part of it was built last year
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with Polyurethane (satin)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dollhouse bookcase

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/03/2016 - 23:21

We did make some revisions to the plans, including making it shorter and not as wide. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Hi gloss Behr Marquee paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Beginner Farm House Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 06:15

We made a 6'ft version of the beginner plans. We initially made the table 1" higher than the plans originally called for so that there'd be more room under the apron but that turned out to be just too high to comfortably dine at, so at the end of the project I shaved off an inch on each of the legs.

Some issues we had with this table is Pine is rather easy to warp and during the staining and poly process 3 of the top boards warped too heavily for the table maintain a fat surface. I ended up buy 3 new 2x6's and doing the sanding staining process all over again. We also modded the plans so have a notch to fit the bottom cross beam in. This was our first wood working project ever it turned out really nice. We used the Dutch oil, Dark Walnut on the pine for anyone interested.

I'm giving a high estimate on both time and money due to mess ups and just being completely and utterly new at this stuff.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dutch wood oil - Dark Walnut
3 layers of Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Birthday See-Saw :)

Submitted by stacie_b on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 13:55

I built this for my daughter's 4th birthday. The kids love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint from the "Oops" section! - 2 coats. First coat applied before assembly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Rolling Bar Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/05/2016 - 13:29

Made this over the weekend with my Daughter. Gray oil based stain. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 with wood, casters, fasteners, and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil based gray. Brushed on then wiped with rags.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cabana turned Galmper

Submitted by JeannaF on Wed, 06/17/2020 - 19:16

I stumbled across the Cabana design and just fell in love.
Once I decided I was making in tough, I needed to customize it a bit to meet our needs.
1. Needed to be able to sleep in it (so Mosquito proof)
2. If I am sleeping in it I want
a. Privacy
b. Possible rain protection ( I like a dry bed)
3.Need to be able to have a guest

So, We made it a bit larger 9x10
Added screens all around and under floor boards, Zipper entrance in front.
Made Canvas side panels (attach with velcro)
Made front and back canvas panels/doorways.
Chose two stacking twin beds that can be snapped together for a couple or left apart for two guests.

Just for fun, we used timber framing ties (Simpson Strong) instead of the joist hangers and end caps...this gives is big beefy bolt heads and black metal straps across the beams. They do the same thing but give it a more rugged look.

My 12 year old has slept in it for two weeks already and plans to not come in until the snows come this winter!

Thanks so much for the great inspiration and general plan to get us started.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 for all the Tent Canvas and about $500 in other materials.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Canvas
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Small Balcony Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/25/2024 - 08:51

Adjusted the original plans to meet AOAO requirements. Shortened the boxes to 20” and the length to stay below balcony railing. Love this herb garden on my very tiny balcony in Hawai’i ❤️

Made by Melissa Puanani Nobriga-Petrichko.

Family Organization

Submitted by red98dawg on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 09:39

I loved the post from Lady Goats on the PB inspired daily system and the modifications from debandtom25!
I knew this was an answer to clean up our counter, before items even make it to the counter this is right at the door when you walk in our house!

I didn't use a picture frame but used plywood with molding of my choice for the "frame." I selected paint at Home Depot and just purchased the sample paint in three different colors. The wording was done on a computer and used as a stencil (cut the letters into contact paper, stuck contact paper on and painted).

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Purchased the sample paint in three different colors, will post colors later.
Final coat in Rust-Oleum clear gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Reclaimed clubhouse

Submitted by Mrsmilburn on Wed, 06/04/2014 - 15:52

I did this all with fence panels. The dimensions were determined by my 2x4's. I trimmed the pickets to size and overlapped them to give it a real siding look. Then I power washed it and let the kids have fun, we have not finished decorating but we will and I am sure it will change over time since their decoration of choice is chalk. I say a weekend because you need to inventory what lengths of wood you have to plan it out and the smaller cuts for the siding can be time consuming. This didn't cost me a thing I had screws left over from building a deck. I built each wall then screwed them together and attached siding making sure to only screw into the facing wall so I could disassemble if needed.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board

A cutting board seems to be a right of passage for any new wood worker, that and making a mallet! I’ve already made a mallet and have been putting off making a cutting board so I figured now was as good a time as any. I’ve always liked the look of edge grain maple and I had some scraps of maple that were too narrow for most projects so I figured that I would go for that look. To spice it up a bit I decided to add a couple of accent strips of Oak.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Loveseat with Slight Modification

Thanks so much for this plan. I modified it slightly by using 2x6 For the arms so I could cut out a hole for a glass or bottle. I also added an additional 2x4 underneath to keep the glass from falling through.

I spent a lot of time sanding and putting the first finishing coat on each piece prior to assembly to make final finishing easier. Extended elapsed time but I think it made actual time shorter.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Coat 1: 70% Teak Oil 30% Cabot Gold Sunlit Walnut
Coat 2: Cabot Gold Sunlit Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Painters shelf

Submitted by Krissymia on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 06:47

Whew! I am a total novice. I have never used a saw in my life, but with a little bit of instruction from my husband i was able to do it almost completely on my own. Even as a beginner i could have finished it in a full day, but i was trying to work on it during my daughters naps so it took almost a week!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Raised Garden Beds

Submitted by Deekra on Sat, 06/07/2014 - 16:31

I used the basic Raised cedar garden bed plans with a few alterations. I made them different sizes, stacked one on top of the other for some dimension in my garden and secured them together from in inside.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Dog kennel

My husband and I took this on as our first project.. very happy with the results!! Our american bulldog gets kennel anxiety so we thought we would try this and he loved it right off the back! It is nice and lg he is 90lbs and our little one has made his way in with him to and he is 25lbs they both fit comfortably!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony stain and polyeurathane with a baby blue latex based paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Playhouse Loft Bed with stairs

This was my first major project I built from this site. I would say that I am a beginner builder with only a little experience building small things. This was my first big project and I built it piece by piece over the course of a few months. This was my 4 year old's birthday gift. I bought my first Kreg Jig Jr. (I already want the master system!) and got a lot of confidence by doing this project. It was pretty straight forward, although the painting and sanding took way longer than I thought! I pretty much stuck to the plans and did not change much. The only thing I did was add hand hole cut outs on the stairs and I chose not to cut out a side window because that side was against a wall anyways. I am SO excited about this project and will be posting MANY MORE builds from here.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sand entire project. Primer coat followed by waterbased paint. I used a spray gun with many light coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Will (not verified)

Sun, 10/21/2012 - 22:14

Great job dude! I bet your daughter loves it. I am going to start building one for my nephews this week, hopefully it looks half as good as yours!

Conner side table - first build

My first build. Built two of these for less than $50 and four hours. Finished the top with dark brown Polyshades and the bottom with off white satin paint. Borrowed my dad's mitre saw and and drill. Can't wait to do more.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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