Community Brag Posts

Farm house bench LOVE IT!!

Submitted by Suzie Ake on Wed, 02/13/2013 - 10:43

I have hunted for the perfect dining room bench for my large family but they were either to poorly crafted to withstand my crew, to small, or to pricey. Then I found this site showed the farm house bench to my husband and he said, "Hey I can build that!" and build it he did. He changed a few things here and there but the overall finished bench is AMAZING, and I LOVE IT!!! Thanks Ana!

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

Printer's Console

Submitted by bRick on Thu, 12/18/2014 - 18:28

Followed the plans pretty close on this one. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
stain, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy X Farmhouse table and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/20/2017 - 07:53

I absolutely love my rendition of the Fancy X Farmhouse Table (and bench).  I took Ana's plans and combined them with some of the details from charmingimperfections.com to create the vision in my mind of exactly what i wanted.  The build was not bad at all but the Kreg Jig is a MUST have tool!  This was my frst experience with the KREG jig and i am now looking forward to many more DIY Builds! :)

Estimated Cost
Table $150
Bench $50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut with semigloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X end tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 16:35

My first end tables, used the Rustic x plan except for the bottom shelf. I used a white chalky paint, with a brown wax to give it the rustic look, and stained the top walnut stain. Working on the coffee table to finish the set.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top is walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tapered Crate

Submitted by dmcarwin on Sat, 02/16/2013 - 08:06

I was so excited when I saw the plan for this! I love making crates out of wood. It was quick and easy and I already had a cedar fence post! It was less than 30 minutes start to finish! For more pictures check out my blog post. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
Free!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
It was naturally finished for me!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

sarahwilley2

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:45

Great job! This looks awesome. I can't wait to make some of these babies!

Harvest Bench

I purchased a harvest table from a local store that sells only solid wood furniture.  The store had the option of purchasing a bench.  I decided that I could save some cash and make the harvest bench myself.

For details, check out my blog - http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/harvest-bench

 

Cheers,

Ian

Estimated Cost
$300.00
Finish Used
Custom Stain (optional) and polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

X Brace Twin Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/23/2017 - 14:24

We took the plans for the twin headboard modification and added an x brace to make it look like a barn door.  We also added a piece to the bottom for additional support for mounting to the boxspring as well as to prevent warping and narrowing of the posts.  

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane 2X Ultimate Wood Stain in Early American and then lightly distressed. Minwax wipe on poly in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2021 - 16:59

My second ever project my wife said I could do followed your plans are use pocket hose after asking about using them and you sent me a link on how to use it. I did not use the X instead my wife wanted me to Make a cross so it would go with the crosses in our living room thanks for the plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$56.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Are used a minwax would finish and then I use up oil based polyurethane semi gloss from Behr
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

first try :)

Submitted by booksgirl on Sun, 02/17/2013 - 16:30

This took me an afternoon because I have never used a compound mitre saw before so I was teaching myself through trial & error.
It was really fun to try and I will definitly be making more!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Half-sized Rustic X table

I used 1x6 cypress wood for the top as well as middle and bottom shelves. This wood was given to me from my in-laws and came from an old corn crib that was torn down on their farm. The remaining 2x2's, 2x4's, corner brackets and screws were picked up as used or broken pieces from a local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. I also picked up the tung oil I finished with from the same place.  The pics show the various stages of build from the initial raw pieces that had been planed/sanded to using Hillary's tea and vinegar oxidation; after a good bit of tung oil was used; finally right before I gave it away as a Christmas gift. I had never worked with old cypress wood previously and was very impressed with how it accepted the oxidation (nice and light) as well as the oil finish. I preserved the old nail holes in the wood as much as possible and you might even notice I left some the white paint from the old corn crib that was on the end of one piece. Great plans - fun little project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10 - 15
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Tea and vinegar/steel wool, tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Finished the table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/26/2017 - 10:16

We struggled with the angles because we made the table bigger than this tutorial suggests but all in all, awesome build.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sweet pea bunk bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 12:17

Thanks so much for the plans to build the sweet pea bunk bed.
It was just the ticket.
My little girl loves it, we used glitter paint and used some to replicate the stars and night sky on the lower bunk ceiling
We made a little ladder only because of space (or lack of) and will make the shutters and drawers at a later date.
Many thanks.

Dan, Alena and Leonie

Estimated Cost
£700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Zinsser sealer
Valspar satin with gold and silver glitter
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Mudroom Locker System

Submitted by halfnfun on Tue, 02/19/2013 - 14:53

I duplicated this plan from Ann White's Smiling Mudroom Plan. My space was not as deep and was longer than the original plans, so we modified the plans to fit our space. . I liked the idea of a thicker seat that another person used, so we incorporated that. Materials cost us about $200 to make it. Thank you for the inspiration. I love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted white and stained seat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Linda7

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 16:36

This is a beautiful, yet practical build. The empty space pictured is just begging to be filled. I especially like the wall color and the trim just above the seats that is repeated with the coat hangers. Great work - love it!

Rolling rustic wood dresser

Submitted by Captin on Sun, 12/28/2014 - 11:42

Fun build.  Took me a few weeks but enjoyed it.  Gave a ton of storage for my sons room.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Golden oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Classic storage bed with farmhouse headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/02/2021 - 12:54

Hubby and I finished our couples project. We combined the plans from the classic storage bed and the farmhouse headboard design. I love the storage aspect and the farmhouse style. We also converted the measurements to a california king size. The build is really sturdy, I know it will last the test of time.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Adirondack Loftbed Cabin Playhouse

From the club house plans. I did go ahead kreg jig all the panels on the front and back walls.

All the art work in the sign and on the steps i used a dremel and dug out and painted everything.

Came out beautiful.

Made so was easy to transports in parts to get up and down stairs in 8 pieces.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax gel stain (toffee), and polyeurethene
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by swalton49 on Tue, 12/30/2014 - 17:45

I built this as a Christmas gift. I used Minwax honey oak stain for the top and bottom shelf. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax honey oak
Glidden Snow white latex
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wood Closet Shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/09/2021 - 06:38

This plan turned out perfect!! Such a great idea, thank you for the inspiration!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Helper Tower

Submitted by fmiddleton on Sun, 02/24/2013 - 19:01

My first woodworking project since building a mug tree in school (I was about 12). This project started in the holiday break after I received a Kreg Jig as a gift, and this seemed like a good first project to tackle. We have a little boy about 20 months old who LOVES to help out, needed something more sturdy than standing on a chair, and this fit the bill perfectly.

I modified the design very slightly to ensure that the tower fits neatly under our kitchen island so that it stows mostly out of the way. That necessitated removing one of the "levels", and altering the dimensions somewhat to keep it proportional.

The biggest challenge of all was painting at the end! Made the mistake of using a spray can first, which made the wood fuzzy. So, sanded it all again, added primer (originally it was black), and then a couple of layers of white semi-gloss/enamel. Need to improve my painting technique to avoid brush marks in the future.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss / enamel paint. Tried a rattle can to start, but the finish was terrible - sanded it down, primed the whole thing, and then a couple of coats of white semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tool and Garden Caddy Gift

Submitted by donnamarie on Sat, 01/03/2015 - 12:07

I made this little tool caddy in one afternoon from some 1 by various width board scraps.  I pretty much followed Ana's 'Give the Gift of Building' plan for construction, while being able to use up some scrap wood.  I was making this as a 'just because' gift for my BFF, so I made it to fit three of those free little floral vases, filled it with flowers from my yard, and voilà! 

This is a great beginner project, or one for anyone who needs a little something to project during a free afternoon.

Estimated Cost
Free with scraps, or about $15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of primer followed by light sanding, then one coat of Sherwin-Williams Dover White in semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project