Community Brag Posts

Slightly adjusted pocket hole plan

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 17:37

We decided to adjust this plan by removing the stretchers on the bottom. We knew we wanted to use the ends of the table for seating fairly regularly without adding a leaf on the end. The lack of support doesn't seem to have any effect on the sturdiness of the table. This was a super fun (and first woodworking) project! Can't wait to knock out the bench!

Estimated Cost
We spent around $85 total on materials. (This is not including tools I bought for the project.) I purchased a Kreg Jig for around $40 and a 6" Kreg clamp for $35. This was a great investment, not only for this project, but also more projects down the road.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The legs and apron were a painted with a Valspar Ultra White chalk paint. If you have the option to buy anything other than cedar 4x4's for you legs, DO IT!. Cedar soaked up so much paint and made it hard to get the clean, white look we were going for. The top is a stain color called Kona made by Rust-Oleum. We used about 3/4 of an 8oz can. We sealed it with Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Barn Door TV Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 19:36

I built this during quarantine. Dark walnut on the top, and pure white paint ok the base and doors.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain, satin poly
pure white satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Swing Bed - Time to Relax!

A few years ago our family vacationed in Watercolor, on the northwest Florida coast. We loved the house we stayed in so much when we returned home we put our house up for sale so we could build a home similar to the one we stayed in. One of the features we loved so much was the large covered front porch and most of all the swing bed it showcased. My wife spent every morning and night that week relaxing in that swing. I promised my wife then that I would make sure got her own swing. Thanks to Ana White, she was back in her (new) swing last night.

I began with the "Large Modern Porch Swing" plan and made some changes. I wanted to use a twin size mattress so I increased the size of the swing's base. Also, because the mattress was 6" I lifted the arms and back. The arms are the biggest and best change I think. I had seen someone else do similar arms, but I they used an 1x12 I think. I wanted a heavier look, so I used a 2x10.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Paint - Monterrey Cliffs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

brookifer86

Mon, 07/02/2012 - 14:55

So...when should I stop by with margaritas?? This swing is awesome! So impressive. I'm going to have to keep it in mind for the home we're building. Great work

Kids Easy Bike Rack

A few weekends ago, I went into our tool house to get my bike out so I could ride to work, and I had to remove so many obstacles, that I was too late to ride to work, and as a result, boiling mad. Several of the objects I had to move out of my way were my kids bikes that don't have kick stands, which my kids just haphazardly dump on their sides on the floor of the shed.

I had had the idea to build a bike rack out of spare 2x4s for the kids' bikes for a while, but this incident cemented my resolve to finish it quickly.

I had some scrap 2x4s and 2x6 wood left over from another project, which I used to compose my bike rack. It has 4 slots for 4 bikes.

I did some light sanding to prevent splinters, but I did not apply any finish because of the way it was going to be used and it would not be exposed to the elements.

It took very little time to put together. If I had more claps, I could have done it more quickly.

If you are interested in making something that looks just like mine, stop by my blog to get the details.

Estimated Cost
$10 - $15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

King farmhouse storage bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/17/2016 - 07:36

Modified plans for a king. 

Made of pine and cedar. 

Took about a week of evenings. 

Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona varathane and clear.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Nice and practical pair of desks/shelves

Submitted by dtmak on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 09:16

Built this using the Ana White plan. Construction was done in less than a day using leftover lumber from other repairs around the house. Painting and varnishing took multiple days for the paint and varnish to dry and cure though.

Used pocket screws - as shown in my diagram - to hold the pieces together.

The family has enjoyed using the desks and if you stack one on top of the other, the bottom one creates a shelf also. Will make a few more to share.

Thanks for sharing the plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Spray paint and spray on varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified Outside Table

Submitted by NRFitzJr on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 06:14

I'm just starting out. I built this from scrap wood I had laying around. I followed the plan except for the table top. Here I used a 2x6 that I cut on the miter saw, and used bowties to help give the middle more strength.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish, Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bathroom Step Stool

My daughter needed a step stool to reach the sink in our bathroom. I simplified the jigsaw cuts for this design to accommodate my learning curve. :) I used leftover plywood for the sides and 1x6s for both steps because it was what I had on hand in my garage. It was fun to make and is something we use every day!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free for me, made of scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Semi-Gloss Latex in Victorian Pewter
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

6ft Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 14:16

Built this 6ft 2 pedestal table.  Moved the legs closer together on the benches so that they could slide under the table.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain & glazed chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sturdy Workbench - made larger size for custom wall space

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 09:52

This is the perfect workbench for my garage here in South Florida. I modified the plans using 2x4 actual dimensions so that the outside dimensions were 60" wide x 40" height x 30" deep. I designed it for my husband and he is 6'4" so I wanted it to be taller for him. I used 3 sheets of plywood (3/4" thick each layer) for the top and it is super sturdy. For the bottom shelf, I left one 2x4 off so that it wouldn't hit our shins while standing at the front. I was concerned at first that the wider bench (60") may need an additional bottom shelf support in the middle. It did not need this extra support. The shelf can hold a lot of weight with no concern. See all the tools that are on that shelf in my pic. Thank you Ana White for these great plans - it was my first workbench that I have built. I am looking forward to more woodworking projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
I used a spray on wood sealer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Built-in Bookshelves

Submitted by keribeth on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 14:55

These built-in bookshelves were my first project, and were loosely based on the Willy bookshelf plans, although I changed the dimensions, set them on a 2x4 base, and added trim to the sides and molding on top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$120 in lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore white dove in advance
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

smoser

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 05:58

hello,

Just wondering how the sides and middle part are built. They look like thicker than 1/2 in.Is it a trim or a 1x2? or did you use some 2x4 too?
I am looking at building a bookcase too but i wanted something more massive than 1/2 in. like yours.
Thanks

Great job!! looks awesome

keribeth

Tue, 08/21/2012 - 05:31

I made the two bookshelves separately so I could move them in my house easier. Each has 1x12 sides (so 3/4" thick), and and that's 1x2 trim over the side and middle.

Thanks!

Spa Bench turned End Table

I was wanting long, skinny end tables for my couch and when I came upon the spa bench plan I knew it was perfect length and size for what I wanted. I only altered the plans by making it taller to fit my couch. This was my second build and I learned a lot through the process so these are not perfect but I love the imperfections. I also didn't like the first stain that I put on the tables and when I tried taking it off my sander made weird marks but it gave it a more rustic look which I ended up loving. (Which I could never recreate on purpose)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshade Antique Walnut sanded down and then 3 coats of Minwax Ebony which 2 coats of Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Clara Table and 4 dollar stackable chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/24/2016 - 08:02

Clara table and 4 dollar stackable chairs. I used Minwax Early American on the table and a variety of paint colors on the chairs to keep it fun. I also used select pine on the chairs which increased the cost but cut down on sanding time. I also routered the top edge of the table to create a smoother edge.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American, Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Country Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/14/2024 - 18:46

After too long fiddling around with other things, I finally finished the hall tree for my wife. Used a sheet of bead board for the backing and it didn't turn out too bad. Thank you for the plan and the inspiration Ana, very much appreciated!

Steve

Built from Plan(s)

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by solomonson on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 20:41

I saw Gina's post and this moved straight to the top of the to-build list. It's gotten my saw off the floor of my garage and provided a ton of storage for my other tools and bits. I also added another shelf after taking this picture. I modified this slightly: I made the wings 24" only, added a short back to provide more stability and reinforcement to the top shelf, added a diagonal support to the wings, and reinforced the top shelf from the sides with 3" dowels. I got my wood from a local lumberyard and the wheels from Blue.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded the heck out of everything. Other than that, nothing.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Boost stool

Submitted by jandmhough on Thu, 04/24/2014 - 18:22

We built a toybox for our son and discovered that he isn't quite tall enough yet to really get into it. So, to remedy the problem I put together a stool for him. I modified the "simplest stool" plan to make it short and wide. Perfect as a little boost to get into the toybox. We also use it in the bathroom as a little step stool for the sink.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
used scraps from the toybox (one 1x4 and one 2x2 if buying new) under $7
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted it with leftover chalkboard paint and covered with a clear coat to give it a finish like a regular paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love it!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/25/2016 - 21:04

I made this Farmhouse X Table from Ana's plans with the adjustment of adding a breadboard to each end (a perpendicular piece of wood). This table was my first woodworking project ever! Now I am hooked ;) I have made a bench to match. Both are stained with minwax English Chestnut and finished with minwax fast-drying polyurethane, semi-gloss. Now I just have to figure out the rest of my chairs! Thanks Ana!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Raised Planter / Jardiniere

Submitted by WoodON on Sun, 05/17/2020 - 23:11

Not much to say apart that some internal measures were different (!?) and that I used treated wood and covered everything with recyclable plastic.

Oh yeah, of course.... Thank you Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
31$ CAD
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rolling Book Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/18/2024 - 09:51

I wanted both shelves to slant. Cutting the hand holes didn’t go well for me. I used 3” wheels to better maneuver on carpet. I originally tried two fixed casters and two swivel casters but that was too difficult to maneuver so now all four swivel.

HC in TX

Built from Plan(s)
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