Community Brag Posts

2 Cubbies

Did so many "firsts" with this project. My daughter/grandsons moved in just before Christmas. They needed space for their toys in their bedroom. Soooo, without tools, or paintbrushes, or..... anything, I opened my mouth and out came the words - I can make them some cubbies!

These took me 10 days to build, because I had to keep running to the store to get tools, paint, screws, circular saw.....

Then I decided to make a cut out at the bottom, tried to use a hand tool, chucked it, went to the store and purchased a jig saw. Completely happy with how little time it took!

I figured out the bottom shelf was missing from the cut list/shopping list. I made a ton of mistakes, figured out how to fix them, and am pleased with my first project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Acrylic Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Chevron Headboard!

Submitted by Chrisboire on Sun, 04/23/2017 - 15:15

A friend asked me to make a headboard for him as he couldn't find anything online or in store that he really liked. 

I was up for the challenge and always love working with wood to make new and exciting things so, challenge accepted. 

This was my first attempt at a headboard and I think it turned out pretty nice. 

Knotty pine face with a cedar frame. 

Looking forward to my next project! 

Estimated Cost
CA 225
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic x Bench Minus the X

Submitted by sraper2 on Mon, 03/18/2013 - 18:59

Built this mostly out of scraps I had in my garage. I had to get a few pieces but it was an easy build. I left out the x but I will probably be adding it soon and putting it out on my front porch once it warms up. For now it's filling a big empty wall in my living room!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain. Still need to poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Family Tree Nesting Bird Sign

Submitted by kaileelev on Tue, 01/27/2015 - 13:10

This was a super fun and easy project to do! Everyone LOVES this sign and wants to make one for themselves. Great cheap and easy wall art!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8- I only bought the wood. Used leftover stain, paint, brushes, etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Instant Insanity Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Wed, 04/26/2017 - 13:54

This is a pretty challenging little puzzle that is relatively easy to make.

There are three puzzles to be solved.

  • Puzzle 1 - Arrange the cubes inside the enclosure so there are 4 different colors in each side.
  • Puzzle 2 - Pull the cubes out the enclosure and form a 2x2 square out of the cubes. For this puzzle, you must have 4 different colors on the top and bottom, and 2 different colors in each side.
  • Puzzle 3 - Again, this one is outside of the enclosure and makes a 2x2 grid. For this puzzle, you must have 4 different colors on the top and bottom, and same color on each side.

Note that you will also find this puzzle under the names, Four Cube Puzzle and Stop or Traffic Light Puzzle.

See Link for Build Instructions: https://www.instructables.com/id/Instant-Insanity-Puzzle/

Estimated Cost
$1
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Longer outdoor sofa

Really enjoyed making this 2x4 sofa. Decided it wasn't long enough so added 12 inches so it's now really nice and big! I needed to add a semi hidden supporting in the middle but that was pretty easy.
Took Ana's advice and got the cushions made first. I found a local person here in the UK. I found waterproof canvas online.
I agree with several other posters, it's unclear at the point the arms are added onto the bench part and there's no way the 6 screws advised would have been enough to hold the weight of 3 people.. I added supporting extra legs at the front and one leg in the centre. This has made it super-stable.

Overall very happy..my wife and I can stretch out at either end! It took a weekend to make then some time in tween coats of varnish.

Estimated Cost
£450
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ronseal Walnut satin

Comments

Flip down kids table

Submitted by EDanido on Thu, 03/21/2013 - 04:22

I saw this plan a couple of months ago, and knew right away that this is what we need for our kids - their old table was always filled with papers, crayons and they never had enough space to store whatever they did.

I made the table longer so that it would be enough for both of them, and added foldable legs to support the table top.
Since I didn't find the right hinges for the legs, I used a piece of 1x1 with wood dowels which are attached to the inner side of the legs when unfolded.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$ 40 - but I had to buy the wood for the table top twice...
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sawdust

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 16:08

Well, I now know what I'm doing tomorrow! I'm going to make a small hinged one to go in our entryway because we have nowhere to put stuff while we're getting our shoes on. Yours looks great!

rustic x side table

Submitted by witz on Sun, 02/01/2015 - 09:55

Had someone ask me for this side table but in a smaller size. I subtracted a board from the top and adjusted the width to 22 inches. I also used 2x3's for the legs because the 2x4's mad the shelf look too cramped in the sketches I did.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30-$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized finish (tea follow by vinegar/steel wool solution) with a satin polyurethane clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adjustable Height Sawhorses

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/30/2017 - 20:10

Adjustable sawhorses for outfeed of tablesaw and temporary workspace counter

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - stain ebony (2718)
Sherman Williams custom green paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

my first project!!

Submitted by addybibb on Sat, 04/17/2021 - 13:56

did a few changes to match the decor of our house but really happy with how it turned out. thanks for the awesome and easy to follow plans. hooks are from dollar tree. top row of hooks are metal hooks wrapped in twine for a more farmhouse look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100~
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
matte valspar paint in white (forgot technical name of color)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modified Bench for backyard camping

Submitted by Keith on Sun, 03/24/2013 - 11:44

My family and I really enjoyed camping last year and with the addition of another child we will not be able to get out this season. So, I modified the simple bench plan to create a comfortable seating area while we "camp" in the backyard. With the money I saved building vs. buying, I was able to purchase a new miter saw and sander and still save a ton of green. I plan on building a couple side tables to complete the set. Thanks for the site Ana, it helps make our home more warm and affordable.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 a bench (most of the money in the cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sprayed enamel paint with a spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

For my princess!

Submitted by fullerbmf on Wed, 02/04/2015 - 22:17

Well worth the time and effort!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
with stairs, paint and beer $400-500.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ryobi workbench by ana white

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/03/2017 - 00:41

I built this new workbench for my garage to accomodate my table and miter saw and to add some stowaway storage and I cant tell you how much I love it, especially with being able to pull the tables out to make an outfeed for the tablesaw. I altered theplans a bit to shorten the entire length by nearly 1.5 feet and instead of the board mounted tool space I added my bench vise to this gap and use shelved underneath for storage. The plan was simple to follow and allowed me to build a bench that all of my neighbors talk about now! Thanks so much Ana!

Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
a couple coats of tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Children's play cafe

Submitted by Markb25 on Fri, 04/23/2021 - 23:15

With another total lockdown happening here in Cyrpus, right at the same time as my Daughter will be on Easter holidays, I'm trying to knock up as much outdoor play kit as I can to keep her entertained and off the iPad.

The design of this was very simple, a 2x2 frame clad with T&G; the countertop, shelves, and roof are from marine grade baltic birch (the roof also has additional levels of water prof membranes, root barriers, etc to support the living roof).

Finish-wise, for the pinks and blues, I've used wood aqua by Kraft paints, and for the counter, shelves, and picnic bench, high protection wood stain in walnut by V33.

Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
wood aqua by Kraft paints and high protection wood stain by V33.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White Admin

Sat, 04/24/2021 - 06:54

It's all in the details, looks like you're making a little girls dream come true! Thank you for sharing!

X console variation

Submitted by khanson17 on Wed, 03/27/2013 - 10:45

My wife asked me to build her a sewing table so I modified the x console a bit. Pretty happy with the result. Still need to add the hardware to complete the piece. Finished with the vinegar / steel wool solution after pre treating it with black tea. First time using that technique and will definitely use it again.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
That stinky oxidizing vinegar solution with a black tea pre-treatment. Need to be careful that no glue, grease or dirt is on the wood, preventing the solution to work its magic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

katiemakes

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 01:36

I'm very jealous of this desk, looks amazing, is there a tutorial on here for the finish you mentioned? Tea and vinegar sound like fun!

In reply to by katiemakes

khanson17

Fri, 04/05/2013 - 22:20

I can't remember where I stumbled across the technique but basically you take some steel wool (0000), tear it up, put it in a big glass jar, fill it with stinky white vinegar and let it sit for a few days to dissolve the wool. Shake the jar every day or two and don't cap it tight. In about three days the wool will have dissolved and you will have a murky liquid.

I then brewed some black tea I bought at Walmart and painted the entire piece with the tea. After it dried I painted over it with the vinegar, and wallah! it totally changed colors...not sure why it does...something to do with oxidization and tannin and chemical reactions.

Then I went over the entire piece with furniture wax.

There are plenty of online tutorials which go into more detail. My suggestions is make sure your surface is completely clean and as smooth as possible. Let your tea layer completely dry before applying the vinegar and then let your vinegar layer dry outside. We rushed the table into our house mere moments after it was dry to the touch, so our home smelled like stinky, rusty vinegar for a few days. I can't stand the smell of vinegar....I loathe salt and vinegar chips....blah.

Anyway, glad you liked it.

spiceylg

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 06:05

Love this mod. Might copy but will cut into the desk portion so the sewing machine surface is flush. I have a desk in which it sits on top now and have thought of cutting into it, but it's Amish made and the thought of ruining work gives me the willies, ha! Anyway, great job!

Modified Camp Loft Bed with Stairs into Bunk Beds

Submitted by tarzan21 on Sun, 02/08/2015 - 11:46

Using the Junior Height Camp Loft Bed plans...

I raised the height from 65 to 67 inches to better accomodate a bottom bunk.  Added bottom rails and extra 2X4s for the head board.  

I shortened the width and length of the stairs to better fit in the room, and in doing so, made a small mod to the post by the stairs to prevent the boys from falling down the stairs.

Kids Love them

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Cherry Wood and Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Love seat

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/06/2017 - 16:48

Fun build. Will be making more.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Workshop storage success!

I adapted the garden tool storage project to fit my small space. I used some reclaimed wood as well as 2 x 4s since lumber is so expensive right now. I placed the racks up high to open space close to the ground in our little 12' x 16' workshop.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$16
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
planning to paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Upcycle Lead Glass Window

Submitted by LARMO on Sat, 03/30/2013 - 08:17

This was a recycle from a window replacement project on my 108 year old home. I removed the leaded glas window from the top of a 4.5 by 4.5 street facing window with a reciprocationg saw, attached a 1x4 pine board with trim screws on the ends and trim nails on the mid-portions. Painted it with satin black with a sweep of gold and pewter for a little dramatic effect, purchased a heavy weight mirror hanging plate and attached to the wall and window back. I'm thinking of backing it with a mirror to improve looks,

Estimated Cost
$15.00 $3.00 for paint, $3.00 for pine board, $9.00 for hanger
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
1 can of black satin with gold and pewter overlay paints
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 09:39

This is just lovely! What a wonderful use for a piece of history, it's now a one of a kind piece of art, and an instant heirloom!

Tryde Coffee Table

Submitted by Jibtrim on Tue, 02/10/2015 - 15:12

Ana's instructions were very easy to follow. The main problem I had was the 4X4 lumber was S4S, therefore the edges were rounded, which made for awkward joints with the aprons. Other than that, I used wood conditioner before staining and sealing. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax special walnut stain and poly sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner