Community Brag Posts

Fancy X Desk

Submitted by eralben on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 11:55

I made this desk for my wife's office space.  The plans for this desk are great and easy to follow.  The only change I made was I shortened the size of the desk top to fit in our space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Plus One Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 02/04/2018 - 08:29

This is one of my favorite puzzles so far. You are given 8 blocks that must be placed in a box. They will fit and the box will be "totally filled." Once you are done, slide the lid on the top to complete the puzzle. Your test subjects might feel pretty smart by knowing that they solved this puzzle within a few minutes. However, you have a surprise. Pull the extra piece from the lid and tell them to place it in the box. I've tested this puzzle with 20 people so far and the common response is "No Way!". But yep, it can be done.

This video shows the solution but doesn't answer the why. Do you see a difference?

https://youtu.be/D8V0wRFAoz8

 

Estimated Cost
Besides the box, everything was built with scrap wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Child Size Adirondack Lawn Chair

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!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10 each ($30 for 3 including paint, wood filler, sandpaper....)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum's American Accents in Colonial Red. I finished each board after cutting but when I build this chair the next time I will paint the board prior to cutting and then just touch-up the cut ends before assembly because it is much faster to paint 3/4 long boards than 25ish small ones!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy 2x4 Cubicle Shelf

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.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

NannyGoat

Wed, 05/12/2021 - 20:02

Do you have the plans for this? It looks really great for my grandchild's toys.
THanks.
Nancy

Halltree

Submitted by worrow on Mon, 07/20/2015 - 11:45

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.

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

Comments

worrow

Mon, 07/20/2015 - 15:37

We used provincial by Minwax. My picture really doesn't do it the justice it deserves.

worrow

Mon, 07/20/2015 - 15:39

Finish is Provincial by Minwax, oh and satin polyurethane also made by minwax.

Console X Table

Submitted by Worrell16 on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 19:43

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

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Simple dark walnut with white wash stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pottling bench/greenhouse/water collector

Submitted by richvide0 on Tue, 03/15/2022 - 08:58

I modified the simple potting bench into 3 components. The potting bench, a place for seedlings and a sink.

We get a ton of rain up here in the mountains of Puerto Rico. So much so that it tends to drown seedlings if they aren't covered. So I took the Simple 2x4 Potting Bench plans and modified them to fit the space I had picked out for the project. Since we get so much rain I wanted to collect it. So I added a clear pvc roof and with a gutter made with pvc pipe which flows into a 27 gallon storage container. This disperses into the sink. There is a bucket under the sink to collect the water.

Note: I had to add a 2x4 support under each shelf. I made the two big shelves a little longer so it needed it to support the 1x4s.

I am an avid gardener so I should have given myself this gift after years of not having any level/proper space to work.

Comments

Modified Simple Outdoor Dining Table

Submitted by ewood on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 08:04

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.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic x console table

Submitted by langlena on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 08:19

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

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I followed the plans exactly. The stain that was used was minwax red mahogany and then I coated with a couple coats of polyurithane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Table w/ "Restoration Hardware" Finish

Submitted by AndyAlva on Fri, 09/06/2019 - 12:57

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 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Stains Used:
- Jacobean
- Classic Grey
- Weathered Oak

Varathane Stain:
- Briarsmoke

White Wash -- 80% Walmart Matte White, 20% Water
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Corner Cupboard

Submitted by tylerdr on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 00:10

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

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of Chestnut stain applied with a rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

cooler for dads day

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

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about $80 for wood, stain, polyspray and hinges and handles. I had the cooler and faucet spout and plastic tubing and screws already
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax "weathered oak" 3 coats on the pine 2 on cedar. Sprayed with Vurathane spray polyurathane in a spray can. I love it. The sheen is satin so you can hardly tell its there, no gloss at all.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sgilly

Sun, 07/21/2013 - 13:00

Turned out really nice! I'm sure he was very happy with your gift.
PS: I'd love to have a fort like your Dad's. What a cute little place to escape to!

In reply to by sgilly

Melodys socal …

Mon, 07/22/2013 - 20:43

Thank you Sue :) his fort is so awesome. both my sister and I have houses on my dads property. The picture of his fort is from my balcony and I can see my dad in his fort every day. It makes me so happy to see him over there just relaxing (with his cooler hehe) looking around the yard at the trees, creek and all of his hard life's work. Everyone needs a grown up fort in my opinion.

Adirondak Trio

Submitted by ricwit on Mon, 07/27/2015 - 10:09

New to building, but it went together fairly easily. I think next time I'll decrease the width of the foot stool, so I can just step over it and sit in the chair. Give it a try!

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

DIY Locker

Submitted by Cjmoore27 on Sat, 02/24/2018 - 07:57

Thank you so much for the well explained plans! We had HD do all our 1x12 cuts so it would fit in the car (they were happy to help). We ended up painting it in Polar Bear White Semi-Gloss, and It turned out great! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$230 (had to buy the kreg jig and paint)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polar Bear White Semi-Gloss Behr Premium Ultra Latex
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Reclined Back Outdoor Sofa and Chair DIY

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/09/2022 - 07:12

OK, I think this build may be my biggest project yet! It is definitely the heaviest. With the strong winds we can get here in Florida we needed substantial outdoor furniture.
I did make some modifications along the way measurement-wise so the sofa would fit my front porch better. All in all, this took 2 full days. I built the sofa first, stained it the next day and then decided (due to trying to get stain in all the nooks and crannies) to stain the chair pieces first before putting it together.
I am so happy with the results and so far, almost a year later, this furniture looks great and hasn't moved an inch in any of the thunderstorms we've had! Thank you Ana!!

Comments

Apothecary Media Console

Submitted by utmikeg on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 09:11

First Anna-White project...

Would recommend using ply instead of MDF due to the total weight of the unit. The higher cost comes from more expensive materials, but still much more affordable than Pottery Barn's Andover Media Console.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300-$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Bottom Coat: Light Sage (Valspar)
Top Coat: La Fonda Jalepeno (Valspar)
Weatherized Crackle Glaze (Valspar)

Stain:
Wood Conditioner (Minmax)
Natural (Minwax)
Oil-based Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

SmilingMom

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 20:48

This is gorgeous! Great job!

Marisol, you need to post yours! They are all beautiful.

jtray41

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 23:02

Are your drawer fronts made from one solid piece of wood with a rabbet down the middle? If so, how did you do the doors?

Side Table

Submitted by NickZed on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 04:33

I spent a few hours on a Saturday cutting the wood for this project and drilling the holes and putting it all together. It's a very sturdy side table....

I made two small errors -
1) When I bought the 285mm * 17mm pine for the centre piece of the top I neglected to check whether the board was dead flat - it wasn't and was bowed slighty, however, after the top has been attached to the base it's not noticeable.
2) The other error was my shelf - it wasn't quite long enough....I think that I made this error because my legs may have had a slightly different size to the wood/lumber from the USA (where the plans are from).

All in all, I'm very happy with the table. It looks great and is super sturdy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Top finished with:
1) One coat of Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner - applied with a rag and left to dry for about an hour, then,
2) I applied Minwax Wood Finish Stain - Dark Walnut colour. I left the stain to soak for about 4-5 minutes and then wiped the excess off the table top.
3) Finally, three coats of Minwax Water Based Wipe on Poly - Clear Gloss. I sanded this gently with 240 grit sand paper between coats.

Base:
1) I primed the base with a Taubmans white primer, then
2) I applied three coats of a Dulux low sheen acrylic paint.
3) As per the table top, three coats of Minwax wipe on Poly were applied.

Note: I primed and painted the base of the side table and then conditioned and stained the top. After both of these were done I screwed the table top with 50mm 8G self tapping wood screws to the base. I then applied the three coats of wipe on Poly mentioned above.

The wipe on poly rocks!!! No smell what so ever....

The cutting, drilling of the pocket holes and putting the tab;le together was reasonably quick - 1 to 2 hours, however, it's the painting, sanding, staining and applying the poly that takes the bulk of the time with this project.

The table is 42inches long in Ana's plans - I shortened mine to 37 inches to suit my room better.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Two tone planter

Submitted by Markb25 on Mon, 04/18/2022 - 11:49

Nice and simple planter, the frame uses 2x4 for the legs with 2x3 to frame the lower section internally, along with 1x2 to provide a base for plastic plant pot to sit on. The sides are use 1x4 attached internally with pockets screws and glue so there are no visable fixings ruining the look, additional strips of 1x2 are placed at the very top to give the rim a wider and more aesthetically pleasing finish. Finished in ebony and medium oak followed by three coats of Polyurethane and the addition of small plastic feet/sliders on each corner to prevent damage to the paint if slide along concrete floors.

Comments