Community Brag Posts

Wide Cabin Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/02/2016 - 09:05

Built from the Wide Cabin Dresser w/ metal slides plans.  I used soft-close ball bearing drawer slides instead of the European style ones suggested.  The other departure from the plans: I liked the way the three separate boards in the open (bottom) row looked in the Pottery Barn model, hence used that instead of the flat board shown in the plans (and many of the other brag posts).

I don't know how people manage to get this done in a single digit number of hours.  It took me a single digit number of hours just to get the drawers right and I would still say they're not 100% perfect.  Having said this, I rated this project "intermediate" since I'm sure people with more wood-working experience than me (this was my first) would avoid some careless mistakes that I made and which required a few redo's here and there.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Narrow Console Table (Modern Farmhouse)

Submitted by kwildman on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 18:03

This is a beautiful console table built using the Narrow Console Table (Modern Farmhouse) plan.  This is modified to be slightly wider, longer, and taller than the original plan.  The dimensions are 68" long, 34" high, and 12.75" wide.   The plan was very easy to follow and it was simple to adjust the measurements.

I used Varathane Dark Walnut Stain and once that was dry, I went over that lightly with Varathane Classic Gray stain.   The final finish is Minwax Dark Wax and buffed.   

More photos available on my facebook wood shop page at the link below.

Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane dark walnut fast drying stain with Varathane gray classic wiped lightly over the dark walnut after it dried. A final coat of Minwax dark wax and buffed.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ladybug'13

Thu, 12/05/2019 - 12:06

Beautiful! I really like the finish you did on this table, thanks for sharing the details. I may need to try this myself. 

Waterfall Framed Grand Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/06/2023 - 14:00

Stunning Waterfall Console Table Build by lipsticksandsawdust on Instagram

Comments

Toy Storage

Submitted by camcginty on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 20:49

In our basement we have an 8 inch oak ledge on the outside walls. I love the oak finished ledge, but it makes it hard to place furniture up against it. The furniture is either shorter or taller than the ledge and looks awkward. So, I built several storage pieces to fit our area and ledge. I modified a couple of different plans to create our toy storage area. It's so useful and looks great.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the paint and finishing ideas from the plan "Our new pantry". She used Valspar Cabin Red paint and Valspar Antiquing glaze. They no longer have Cabin Red, but I just used a similar color. I love the Antiquing glaze and have used it for numerous projects.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Bed

Submitted by Tweegytoes on Sun, 01/12/2014 - 15:04

This was my first wood working project. I made this for my little sister for Christmas. It was a great starter project. I may be biased but I think it turned out pretty good.

Estimated Cost
$10.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded with 120 grit sand paper. Then put two coats of Valspar Satin Ultra White paint on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Aqua blue/ wheatherd gray table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 21:43

Used the design and got really ugly knotty and grainy wood to give it more character, as well as distressed it with a hammer and a 2' chain and hand planned/sanded. Stained Aqua Blue and sanded parts back to bare wood, then restrained with heavy spots and light spots of Wheatherd Gray and did 3 coats of Satin polyurethane.

Estimated Cost
my project cost was probably about $165-185 at end.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Aqua Blue & Weatherd Gray Minwax Stains and 3 coats of Minwax Satin Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Cedar Planter

Submitted by LampAtFeet on Tue, 12/10/2019 - 19:21

I loved the plans for the cedar planter. It was a quick build and it's such a versatile item. I left the wood natural to give it a more rustic look. I'm planning to make a longer planter to use as a gift basket for Christmas gifts. 

Estimated Cost
$2
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Wipe on satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2-tier wire baskets

Submitted by alekosbiki on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 14:26

One of the kitchen accessories is
a bottle rack. 
There are many kinds of bottle
rack depending on the type of bottle (oil or whiskey) and the use of it
(sliding, stable under the sink, in a single cabinet roundtrips etc).

The demands of my own
construction is on bottle rack wagon (ie kitchen pulled out of context), will
find below and next to the sink that will use the entire height of the cabinet
and will have bottles of oil that can be dirty and will therefore be 
wash.Finally it is two storey with
the second shelf can be moved in height. 
The dimensions are length 53,2 cm width 25cm and
height 50cm. 
The materials we use are white
melamine 16mm aluminum angle, aluminum tubes and aluminum sheets to dress
racks. 


Materials of Construction

Melamine White 16mm: 4pcs x
(25cm x 50cm)
Aluminum angles (15mmx15mm):
4pcs 4pcs x 50cm x 47cm and
Aluminum tubes 10mm: 2 pcs and
2 x 52cm x 54cm pieces
Aluminum Sheets: 2pcs x 32cm x 57cm


Cost of construction

Melamine 0.5
m
x 11,5 = 5,75 
euros
 
Guide Ferrari50 cm 1pc x 9 = 9 
euros
Aluminum angles 4 feet (4 pcs of 1m) x 2.5 =
10
euros
Aluminium tube 4 feet (2 pcs of 2m) x 5,5 =
11 euros
Aluminum Sheets  8 euros
Mounting rack 1 
euros
Total: 45.75 euros

Estimated Cost
45.75 euros
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by TeamCraven on Wed, 01/15/2014 - 11:10

FIRST BUILD!! We've been using metal decorative plant stands as our nightstands, but they're just too wobbly on the carpet in our bedroom, and don't have any storage except the top of them, so when we saw the plans for the Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table, we knew it would be perfect. We don't have a lot of space next to the bed, so we went with the Mini plans, and built 2 of the nightstands, one for each side. We do a lot of projects, and I have refinished furniture for a few years, but we've never built anything from scratch. We have all the tools, so we decided to give it a try. This is our first build, and even though they're not perfect, I think they turned out nice, and we learned a lot that we will bring into future builds. We've already since built a Farmhouse Bench, and are getting lumber this weekend to build a dining table! Thanks to Ana's plans, there are endless possibilities!!

We used 3 pieces of 1x6 for a planked top instead of one large piece of wood, just because we had extra 1x6. Otherwise, we followed the plans pretty close to exact. We bought a Kreg Jig mini before starting on this project, and it's the BEST tool ever!! I want the more expensive kreg jig now, haha I love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
approx $40 for two nightstands for lumber (we already had stain, etc)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 Coat Minwax Pre-stain wood conditioner
2 coats Minwax Ebony stain
5 coats Minwax Wipe-On Poly (sanding lightly after 2nd and 4th coat)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dawson's

Submitted by Debi60 on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 19:33

This project cost me approx $160. I added a fire truck wallpaper border across the front and sides, finished the top in chalk board paint, and used torsion hinges from Rockler. Pricey but very nice for a lid. I also added plastic feet to the bottom and felt tabs where the lid touches the four legs. I like finishing details. It took me about a week to complete, mostly because of the time needed for the chalk board paint to set up. Loved the way it came out and hated to part with it! Ana's plans are always easy to follow and turn out great

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy makeup set

Submitted by mandee on Sun, 12/15/2019 - 15:23

I made this for my almost 2 year old niece for Christmas this year. 

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

Lazy Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 10:53

Built this Lazy Bench over the course of one weekend. Had to make some modifications to the way the arm rest / cup holder moves, but overall happy with how it turned out.
When I build this again - I gave this one away as a donation to our local Catholic Radio station - I'll make a bigger point to make sure that all four of the back supports are exactly the same, and that I pre-drill the carriage bolts that secure the cup holder before I start assembling.

UTtanker

Dining Buffet

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 11:05

Modified the salsa console by taking the drawer off and stealing some from Patrickhosey's (bragpost). I built it for my dining room. Measures 57-1/2" long X 17" depth X 39" tall.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax red oak and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

lazyLiz

Mon, 04/02/2012 - 04:47

I don't but it's easy to make, make your door frame first, trace the inside of frame on a plywood sheet and use compass to make all sizes of circles on that sheet. If you don't have compass that's big enough, just use string or thread( like I did on this project), pivot one end, attach the pencil on one end and swing to make circles :)

4x4 Truss Beam Table and Benches

Submitted by MakinDust on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 08:36

Table and benches were made to plan, except I shortened the overall length and added another 2x10 to the top to give it some additional width. The benches were also shortened slightly so the legs of the benches slide between the legs of the table; which allows the benches to be pushed further under the table when not in use. Avoid my rookie furniture making mistake and go to a specialty lumber store that sells wood that is already aged (dry). Most everything you find at the big box stores will still be wet and shrink/warp on you if not completely dry first.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MinWax English Chestnut Stain and 3 coats of MinWax Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

MakinDust

Tue, 05/20/2014 - 16:23

Appreciate the compliments. Sorry for the delayed response, but the final dimensions turned out 72" x 46". Let me know if you have any other questions.

Gopher Hole Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Fri, 12/20/2019 - 09:09

This is a fun little puzzle that goes by the name of Golf, Nine Hole and, my favorite, Gopher Hole Puzzle. The goal is to fit all six pieces into the box. The possible combinations make it pretty challenging.

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil & Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Double Queen Size Lounge

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:13

A friend asked me to build her a durable queen sized lounger for beside her pool. I used this platform style and added the multi-adjustable tilt. The lounger looks amazing and will double as a spare queen size bed for guests.

Mary Wikene

2 projects combined

Submitted by cmsklein on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 17:09

This replaced a huge formica countertop in our laundry room. The counter collected unfolded clothes on the top, and piles of shoes underneath. Also, we had a 4 hook shelf from Target holding all 3 of our kids bags and backpacks. My husband was against this, because "where would we put all the laundry?" Well, this is the solution and we both love it!

I measured this out and drew diagrams and then finally decided this was too big of a project to do for the first time. I did hire someone, but he said the measurements were right on.....he had never built something like this before. The outside of the door is painted with magnetic primer and holds magnets. So much more functional that the counter.

I know I didn't build this myself. I think I could have done it, if I could have a week to do this without interruption, but that was impossible and I needed this YESTERDAY (the 4 hook wall shelf fell out of the wall). But I wanted to share in case anyone else is having a space dilemma! We LOVE it!!!!

Estimated Cost
$1100 hired/ $200 self
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
paint sherwin williams
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 04/05/2012 - 12:10

What a great idea! Very well planned out! I would love to build something like this in our mudroom.

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 04/10/2012 - 16:33

Just what we need! Thank you! And I love the door covering the baskets and the magnetic paint - I hadn't thought of those! Thanks so much for sharing! It gives met the confidence to try it myself!

Grey wash bookshelf

Submitted by DutchDIY on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 06:09

Thanks Ana for your wonderfull website! even in The Netherlands your designs are shown.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
grey-wash paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified from Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/12/2016 - 19:15

Modified the plans from the farmhouse table to add leaves in order to extend it another 15" total. Turned out well with the locking latches.

Estimated Cost
200-300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments