Community Brag Posts

This was built based on the "Reclaimed-Wood Look Headboard" post. The directions are under the queen size post and the cut list was under the king size one. The cut/supply list was absolutely dead on. Once I built it however, I realized that it needed more support if I expected it to last more than a few years. I reinforced the back and added vertical bracing and chair leg supports to prevent side to side movement. This was done with scraps from the original cuts. Since it was built with finish nails and glue, enough movement and I knew it would eventually start popping boards. I also decided to wall mount it so that it will last that much longer. Don't skimp on the directions. Pick only 100% square, non-bowed boards. Glue down everything. Triple-check for flush and don't even think about making cuts without a chop saw. If you don't have one, have the hardware store cut it. One less-than-square board or wrong degree cut will make the whole project fail. I did heavy distressing on it by hitting it with chains, an ax, a hoe, and a board with nails driven into it. I also threw screwdrivers, allen wrenches, pipes and anything else heavy I could find at it. I used a leather poking tool to make mock cracks. I used a small torx screwdriver to drive the finish nails in deeper and didn't worry about filling the holes since it added to the distressed look. I then took a hand torch and burned several areas to draw out the wood grain and deepen the aged look. Finally I sanded it with a 220 grit paper, put 6 coats of Watco Danish Oil Dark Walnut on it and varnished it with Formby's Low Gloss Tung Oil. All the finish was applied hand-rubbed with a rag. A brush will leave streaks - hand rub is the only way to achieve that antique look. It turned out much better than I even expected and matches our mango wood bedroom furniture perfectly. Total cost was about $170 and build time was roughly 30 hours, however, the initial build was done in just 3 hours. All other time was distressing and finishing.

I had a girls night in and we each made out our art using the nesting family tree sign. I put together the cedar fencing signs per Ana's instructions and we all brought supplies we had in the garage and we painted away! Thank you so much!

I built this using Ana's plans for her outdoor play kitchen. I live in North Carolina and took it to my grandchildren in Ohio. They love it! I used an inexpensive beverage dispenser installed into a trashcan and connected a small aquarium pump to recirculate the water from the sink to the water tank. I'm super pleased with how it turned out!

I made this probably over a year ago but I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures. I had just recently learned to weld and wanted to try some projects that were floating around in my head. Welding is so versatile and not as hard as you think. It's like hot gluing but sparkier. That said, please take a class at your local community college if you want to try it. Yes, it can be a little dangerous, just like swimming without lessons first.

I was inspired by Ana's project plan, but obviously got sidetracked with the design. This happens a lot as I'm working... my husband actually nicknamed me "sidetrack", but I digress... again.

This dog kennel was meant to be in our living room for a long time so I thought it would be fun to have something that looks like it's furniture. I love the look of old distressed wood/iron industrial furniture, so the wood was distressed before staining and finishing. I used stove polish on the metal before waxing to give it a dark, aged look.

The grate on top (acts as a skylight) came from a conference my husband attended years ago. It's been sitting in our backyard rusting and I thought it would make a neat feature on the top. It cleaned up pretty good!

I attached the tilt out portion using a Kreg jig and eventually removed the brace (it wasn't necessary and removing the brace gave it a cleaner look.

I used 2 x 2 as a trim around the outside which also allowed me to hide the hinge.

Other than that -- followed the build pretty closely. I used a cable on either side to stop the tilt out from falling to the floor (which allows me to leave it open as well.

This was my first project and it was a battle to figure out how to install the hinges and I did not love my jig saw work with the plan feet so I bought and installed furniture replacement feet which turned out much nicer (IMO).

Good luck!

Modified to dimensions 23"H x 19.5"D x 27"W.

Made this built in breakfast bench. Came out really well.

A bunkie board needs to be added to the shopping list. I used one from a bunk bed that I used to have as well as some metal slats that I used to support the bunkie board. I would imagine you could use boards as well. Also, I would add that 2" screws would be helpful. There were times when 2 1/2 were too long and 1 1/2 were not long enough. It's a very sturdy bed. Definitely recommend using lots of wood glue for reinforcements. I also added L-shaped brackets under the 2x6's to add support.

We didn't want a platform bed but liked the looks of this bed. We used a 2x10 for the vertical frame. The 'rail' around the top of that is a 1x4. We sunk the supports slightly to hide most of the box spring. I also wrapped the box spring so that it matches our bedroom and isn't so apparent. The legs we did were two 2x4s as we couldn't find a 4x4 in pine. We did two twin beds to support the twin box springs and did a 'footboard' that brings them together. They wouldn't have fit through doorways otherwise. It turned out very well. The headboard is somewhat our own creation.

Decided to use your plans and build an entertainment center for the house. I did however change a couple of things, like it is a little smaller and I used weathered wood for the sides and front, along with deciding on not using the doors. After building this project ...I Loved it !  In fact loved it so much , I built a matching end table.  Thank you so much for the plans and ideas.

DIY Home Closet Upgrade

I built this custom desk for a customer's 6 year old son. I started with the Modular Office Small Desktop. I had to make changes to the plans because I was using 3", posts, 1.5" solid wood top and the entire desk was made out reclaimed lumber. I also added a cross beam on the bottom to make it more secure. Once we settled on the basic idea my customer said if I found something unique to go ahead with it. They were thinking a cool piece of wood or something like that, however when I found an old boat instrument panel at the used furniture shop where my wife and sell furniture I had to have it. I then pulled all gauges from the panel and installed them in a wood "back splash". I rewired the gauges to work on 120V power so one switch will turn on the gauge lights and the other will make some of the gauge neddles jump.

We just built our first set of Adirondack chairs and after sharing with our friends, we have sold a few. We are now building other stuff too!

The only change I did to the original plan is place the 1x3 on the top in the back. Makes it look more stout and clean finish.

We painted it 3 times with a nice red and bought some great cushions at a good price.

This workbench was fairly easy to make and I was able to do it by myself. The hardest part was attaching the supports to hold the two sides together without an extra set of hands but I figured it out. I made another shelf to sit on the bottom so I'd have a space to put smaller stained/painted projects to dry. I love this table, it's exactly what I needed. Supplies were purchased at Home Depot for about $50.

I took one of Ana White’s Adirondack chairs, and made some changes to the back part of it and then turn it into a two seater console chair with ice chest in the center

Norman R

I like building things for others, especially when it's something that they can't find anywhere else. In this case, my friend has lived in her home for 20 years and never could find a storage piece to fit in this niche in their bedroom. When she asked if I could build something I was ready to try!

Because the dresser is 83" tall, 14 inches deep, and 33 inches wide, I didn't use one of Ana's plans. But, the Madison Dresser could be used as a jumping off point.

My friend is thrilled with this, and I hope they can use it for many years to come.

Reclaimed wood nightstand