Community Brag Posts

Smaller end tables

The end table plans looked really big.  I decided to cut it down to 16.5 inch square tops.  With the smaller table size I used 2x2's for the legs.  I think they turned out well.  I plan to sell them.  I already have a buyer for the coffee table.  Thanks for the ideas and plans.

Estimated Cost
$15 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut and colonial maple mixed. Bright white latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Farm Table and Benches

Submitted by verymom on Mon, 05/23/2011 - 17:13

We shortened the table and lengthened the benches - you can see all our details and changes in the blog link.

Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint & Minwax stain (finish took way longer than building!)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Bookshelf from reclaimed wood

Submitted by JoanneS on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 18:52

Built entirely from reclaimed wood (plywood, scraps, and left over trim). Using what was on hand, adjusted the plans to be 39 3/4" tall and 36" wide, and added a toe kick. This took a couple of afternoons to build and finish. Painted with black semi-gloss paint and stained with Walnut stain. The plywood is from other projects that were disassembled and ripped to 1x12 size boards. The trim is a mix of S4S, mini stop, and oak shelf edge. This was a fun build, and it fits perfectly under the TV.

Note- I'm not sure why the lead-in picture comes up sideways when you click to expand it -- does anyone have advice on what to do to the picture to make it expand without rotating? It worked fine when I attached it below under 'additional photos.'

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
0
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Black semi gloss paint (Ace Royal), Minwax express color in Walnut (2 coats) and 1 coat Minwax Oil Modified water based poly over everything.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

yurra-bazain

Tue, 07/16/2013 - 14:38

Joanne, you're a building machine! I'm inspired by how much you've built and how soon you complete your newest projects. Love that we both built birthday gifts that are black and stained reclaimed wood. =D We're in sync.

I'm still learning about building. Could you explain what S4S is and mini stop? Also, can we be friends on here? I'd love to continue tracking your work.

JoanneS

Tue, 07/16/2013 - 15:28

Yvonne, thanks so much for the nice comments! We love the black and walnut furniture, it's becoming our motif in the living room. I've added some links to the trims I used on this project.

This is the mini stop moulding I like to use for edging shelves, decorating cabinet doors, and on my island and pantry, used it instead of quarter-round at the floor on the base moulding.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_7129-1487-951+8PINE_4294715696__?productId=3042…

This is the 1/2" x 3/4" S4S (surfaced 4 sides) moulding I used on this one. It's also available in 3/4" x 3/4". This makes great edging for plywood, but it's so versatile I've used it for drawer slides and lots of other projects too.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_3487-1487-254+8+PINE_0__?productId=3667700&Ntt=…

Here's the shelf edge. Mine was oak but it's the same shape as this:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/Search?storeId=10051&la…

PS - you're in my friends list! :) Joanne

yurra-bazain

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 09:28

Thank you for sharing the links and information and for the friendship. :)

I'd like to play with adding some trim to furniture I will build for my daughter's room, since we are using a more traditional/classic style in there. Everything I built for our living room is un-trimmed.

I also am still learning about wood types. Since I shop for lumber in my garage and at a re-use warehouse, I usually have no idea what woods I am working with. I paint the wood based on the look I'm trying to achieve, and I stain it for the same reason too. Then someone gently critiqued my use of lumber, remarking that I should not paint reclaimed wood, that I should paint fir and pine, leave reclaimed wood natural, and only stain wood with grain patterns, or I am not using the wood optimally.

Of course, real life confuses me because the mini stop and S4S you shared are "stain grade pine," and look darker than the pine I've seen. I'll definitely keep a look out for them when building for my daughter's room and maybe even our bedroom (which only has a bed and some closet space, but we're building for it last.)

Also, I dropped by a big box store to pick up plexiglass for a new project and I came across signs for wood called "Common Board." Needless to say, I am confused. lol.

=D Are you working on a new project, too? I am definitely look forward to your next step.

JoanneS

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 16:46

Hi Yvonne,
I do the same thing! I'll use whatever's on hand in my garage before going out to buy a board, and paint or stain them to make the project look the way I'd like it to. This summer I'm on a mission to use up my scraps and disassembled projects that have been cut into standard sizes. My current project is another bathroom vanity retrofit to make it look like a Napoleon vanity. This one will be blue with a walnut glaze. I'm working on some little drawers to go in front of the sink. I'll post a brag when it's all done. PS - out here in Maryland our Lowes calls those boards "whitewood" boards. They are a lot cheaper than the hardwood boards and select pine, but you do have to look through them harder to make sure to get straight ones. For those I think the wood species the stores offer depends on the region you are in. Our Lowes' trim selection is limited in the narrow sizes, so they only carry stain grade for those.

Modern Dining Room Table

Submitted by Highway6 on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 11:22

Plans developed myself after sneaking photos from the underside of the table at West Elm. 

Pine 2x4s make up backbone of the 2 legs and the horizontal piece underneath.

Used the figure 8 fasteners for members going across the table top to allow for any slight seasonal movement of the table top.

Not shown, but each leg is secured to the table top with (4) 2.5" bolts and a countersunk t-nut

Because I'm a beginner, this has taken up 75% of my weekends since mid-March.  Would not recommend this as a 1st major project.  3 way bevels are a pain in the arse. Thank God for the Timbermate filler.. that stuff worked great to give me crisp corners.

modern dining table

Estimated Cost
$450 in Ash.
Couple hundred more in finishing materials, screws, pine 2x4s, miscellaneous odds and ends
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
50-50 Rustoleum Kona and Weathered Gray.

Polycrylic Clear Satin - 3 coats (5 on table top) with brown paper bag sanding between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Highway6

Wed, 01/13/2016 - 13:54

I don't have plans, sorry.

I'm a heavy sketchup user... had a detailed sketchup model that I put some key dimensions on (what you see above), and an exploded table view that color coded my pieces by wdith and gave the lengths of each board.. Lot of it was measuring as I went along.

jwells1

Thu, 03/03/2016 - 16:41

This is the table i want to build. It is the only my wife and i both agree on. Is there any way you could go through the steps? the sizes of wood you used and how you kept them together. Please responf back here or Message me!!! The way you did the legs is what really has me.

Fancy arch bed

Submitted by Rdw0711 on Sun, 02/04/2018 - 07:35

Beautiful bed. Arches were a little difficult to achieve symmetry. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/22/2022 - 08:51

Followed the plans and it came out great. I am still thinking about the extension on the right side since the hinges are so expensive.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Library Cart - Teachers Gift

Submitted by lollypoppy on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 09:32

The moment I saw this I knew it would be a perfect teachers gift for my daughters teacher. She loved it.
This was only my second project, the first being the 10 dollar ledges. I'm glad I tried a smaller project before tackling the farmhouse bed. I think it helped with just knowing how to assemble a project a bit better.
I used my Kreg Jig and it worked marvelous! Also I ended up not having a jigsaw so I just cut the top at a 35 degree angle with the miter saw and rounded the edges a bit with the sander. I was going to add handles but the top goes up enough that it's easy to manuever without. I also wanted her to be able to fit it in anywhere and was worried that the handles sticking out would just get in the way.
Overall I think it turned out great. Her teacher loves it. Thank you Anna for such wonderful plans!!

Krista

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White gloss paint
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

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

Perfect Bookshelves

Submitted by BreBuskey on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 08:56

We were searching for the perfect bookshelves for our girls' room. We came across these bookshelves and decided to build them ourselves. In the end it worked out perfect! The book are easy enough for our 6 & 3 year old daughters to put away, they look amazing, and it was special building them with my husband as a gift to our daughters. You can find more info on the room and bookshelves on my blog www.brebuskey.blogspot.com

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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

Queen Size Farm Bed

Submitted by msts on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 12:54

This took about 10 hours, including prime and paint. I raised the side rails 3 1/2 inches to dado the posts to accept a 2x4 siderail on the inside of the post, with 1x8 covering it at the center of the post. The siderails are bolted with 4x5/16" bolts, washers and nuts. We chose to leave it more rustic, showing the siderails at the ends and the bolt holes. It is all pine, bought new and along with a 1" forstner bit to recess the bolts, cost $198. It can be repainted at any time. Tools I used were a compound saw for ease of cutting straight cuts, a cordless and corded drill, 1/2" socket and box wrench, easy square and a circular saw for the 1x8's. We painted it with left over paint. Because its pine, we primed with BIN,

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
BIN Primer Sealer, one coat on knots then another full coat.
Benjamin Moore Pearl Luster "
Butter" Finish Coat, two coats.
I sand all wood with an orbital sander prior to assembly. Then I use a block sander after the primer dries and between the first and final coat of paint. I only sand after the primer and paint to knock off anything that might be sticking up off the surface. I don't go crazy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

marlaandwilliam

Sun, 06/05/2011 - 18:27

Looks great! What did you use for the panels in the headboard and footboard? it almost looks like beadboard ?

Mark Shortt (not verified)

Sun, 06/05/2011 - 20:23

It is 1x5 bead board (pine). Some places call it match board. It is v-groove, tongue and groove and has a smooth (flat) side and a two inch flat, bead, two inch flat side. The plans called for a 61" wide panel but I made it 58" with the dadoed posts (1 1/2 inch each cut).
If you want to do the panel using the T&G bead board, make sure to lay your 1x4's out the distance of what ever height you want your panels and center the first piece of T&G bead board on both the top and bottom panel. Then you work your way out fitting the T&G and screwing in each piece. When you come to the two end pieces, they are going to ned to be ripped but by starting at center, they will be even at the end when ripped.
Another tip is when screwing the panel, you will want to get at least halfway into the 3 1/2" post. measure the distance you want to cut on the drill bit and put a piece of tape on the bit. Then drill until you get to the tape.

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