Community Brag Posts

Organizer for knitting needles & crochet hooks

Submitted by Wendy KT on Wed, 06/24/2020 - 13:47

I used Ana and Jaime's desk organizer plans to build this, but I'm using it in my craft room instead for my needles/hooks/small accessories. This plan was part of Ana's Handbuilt Holiday plans found here: https://ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desktop-office-or-vanity-bea…

Estimated Cost
10.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Duck egg blue chalk paint and clear wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Pedestal

Submitted by Kamoanui on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 09:42

This was quick build. First time for us using trim, so we wasted a few feet getting the angles right. We attached the legs directly to the frame, and did not use the metal brackets. We also did not build the floor frame. We measured how high/wide the laundry baskets ($3/piece at Target!) were, and made it to fit them. We added a piece of rubber mat to the top (bought at Lowe's). A few weeks later we helped our daughter and son in law build one for their new house!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coop and run for Six

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/24/2016 - 08:10

We wanted our chickens to have plenty of room for when we ere not home and could not let them free range in the yard.  One of the six was a rooster-- and long story-- but we don't have him any more-- so 5 chickens now enjoy this coop/run.  It cost about $300 in supplies.  It is 16 feet long.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Toy Box

Submitted by Samwise73 on Wed, 07/08/2020 - 17:13

Worked the farmhouse style toy box with two colors of stain. Try and square this up BEFORE you add all the sides. I made that rookie mistake and was 1/8” off; not a huge deal overall but it made for a super snug fit when I put the bottom board in. Overall, super sturdy and I like how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)

Thanks Ana - Adirondack chair done

Now just to fill and stain (or paint)

Estimated Cost
$100 australian
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I will do a jarrah stain (I think) or white paint - thoughts anyone
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rolling Pantry with Mini Fridge and Recycle

Submitted by vendo on Thu, 06/20/2024 - 08:29

My dad and other mother asked me to build them a rolling pantry to house a fridge, recycle, canned good organizer and sized to fit their existing dry food containers. Using Ana's free design tool, I was able to incorporate all of their asks making this little alcove much more functional! It took some figuring finding the perfect fridge and recycle bin that would fit the space. I left room at the top of the recycle so there would be plenty of room for larger recycle items. The heavy duty casters allow this unit to be moved around easily if needed. I built this in 2 pieces with pocket holes, added edgebanding to the front and added a hole for the power cord  placement. 

 

alcovehole

Floating Corner Entertainment Stand

This is a corner entertainment stand. I didn't have a plan to follow so I made it up as I went. The dimensions are 40" L xW and 27" tall. It has a base hidden underneath it help support the weight and is also screwed into wall studs to prevent tipping. The angle for the front cross section is 22.5 degrees. I made this for a friend. She is going to paint it unfortunately. Materials cost only around $120. 3 sheets 3/4" plywood, some 1x2s and a couple hinges and cabinet knobs.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Justin G (not verified)

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 04:49

This is REALLY a nice looking corner unit. In our living room, the ONLY place for the tv is in the corner. I have a prebuilt unit now that cost me quite a bit, and we hate it. Its all modern with glass shelves. This corner cabinet is EXACTLY what I want to build. I have a 1 year old so having doors to hide the electronics is a must.

I would VERY much like to build this. Are there any more detailed pictures or a plan I could download? Ive been searching for the last few days an just cant seem to find anything that catches my eye like this one.

Looks great!!

Wounded Marine

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 06:18

The shelves are made out of premium plywood. For the top, bottom, and the middle shelf, I measured and cut out on pieces of plywood. Then used plywood for the "walls" of the unit. I trimmed it with 1x2s. The doors are also plywood. I just rabbit jointed nice wood for the frame of the doors. Underneath the the TV stand is a 2x4 set back a little bit to give it that floating looking. It is anchored to the wall on the inside of the unit with screws going into the studs of the wall. I hope this makes since.

arod718

Thu, 09/05/2013 - 19:13

Is it possible to get dimensions of the stand and what you based the base from. I would like to build the Ana version for my wife because of the storage it has. Thank you, best site ever.

DIY Octagon Table

Why an octagon shape? I wanted a round table and my husband wanted square, so we met in the middle and built this! Very easy and fun to build!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain color Dark Walnut and polyurethane in matte finish. I applied one coat of stain with a sponge applicator and worked it in with a cotton cloth. I applied 4 coats of poly on the top and 2 coats on the base and legs.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

booksnotbombs

Thu, 08/21/2014 - 07:40

Thank you for the reply! We have a beautiful old solid wood turned-leg farmhouse table (and matching chairs) that has been in my family since the 60's that needs to be refinished, but it just isn't our style. So we're thinking of building our own in our more modern style but would have to get chairs to accompany it. I LOVE these, so I think we've found our new chairs! I hope our table turns out as beautiful as yours.

I still have plans to refinish the old table and pass it along to someone who will show it as much love (aka abuse) as it received in my childhood...

The Caboose Bunk bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/06/2016 - 20:03

Hi Ana,

My wife and I wanted to creat a caboose bunk bed for our boys.  When we saw the cabin bed plans we loved the look for the caboose.  We used your plans as a guide and made a few modifications.  We are really happy with how it turned out!  It just needs a ladder and maybe some train wheels.  Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas. They have inspired us!

 

Travis and Krista Lundell

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 - $300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Yellow latex paint for base color. Red paint for roof, stripe, and numbers. Dark walnut stain for antiquing (just apply and wipe off immediately).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Skanda

Tue, 07/09/2019 - 19:32

Hey there. Do you have measurements or a description of how the top modification part was done?

my father wants to make a caboose bunk bed for my train   Fanatic Son.  

 

Thanks,

-Amanda

Camp loft bed with animal zoo storage

I made the loft bed for my 6yr old back in March. This weekend we took care of another issue, stuffed animal storage. So I added 3/16 bungee cord I found on Amazon. I bought 100 foot spool and it was plenty. Also found on Amazon 50 count of the 1.6 inch eye screws and had 2 leftover. I had to add 3 boards to the existing bed to complete this project.

It took some practice to get the cord threaded the way I liked it. I wasn’t overly concerned with the cord going straight up and down but I knew I didn’t like the diagonal look. I also wanted the stuffed animals off the ground to prevent a spider haven.

We used a drill to start pilot holes for the eyelet screws 1 inch from the edge of the board at 4.5 inches apart. Then the kids used small screwdrivers to twist the screws in. It was a real hand saver.

I hope this motivated someone to take care of that stuffed animal storage for good!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Doll Picnic Table From Little Kids Picnic Table Plans

Submitted by chrimicha on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 19:14

This is my scaled down version of the preschool picnic table, made for an 18 inch doll. I used scrapwood that someone was throwing away and supplies left over from other projects, so it didn't cost anything but time. My girls have really enjoyed it. Here are the measurements: 

Cut List: 

4 – 1×3 @ 17-3/4″ (Tabletop pieces) 

 

1- 1×4 @ 9-3/4″, then cut in half using a table saw to equal 2 pieces (Supports directly beneath tabletop pieces) The longest measurement is 9 ¾”, with the ends cut at a 30 degree angle back to 7 3/4″.

 

2-1×4 @ 12-7/8”, then cut in half using a table saw to equal 4 pieces (Legs) (angle each end to 30 degrees as shown in preschool table plans) 

 

1 – 1×4 @ 19″, then cut in half using a table saw to equal 2 pieces (Supports directly beneath seat boards)  (angle ends to 30 degrees as shown in preschool table plans)

 

4 – 1×3 @ 17 3/4″ (Seat boards) I ran these 1 x 3’s through my table saw to make them 2” wide.

 

*When attaching the legs, secure them to the supports below the tabletop pieces so that the bottom of the legs will measure 19 5/8” from lateral edge to lateral edge when resting on the ground. In the preschool picnic table plans, this measurement is shown as 33”.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
0$. I used wood someone was throwing away and remnants from other projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded it really well, and then I painted it with two coats of "Lime Rickey" from Sherwin Williams and a clear coat of spar urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outhouse

Submitted by Speedbump on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 21:04

I built this outhouse for beside our barn. My first large project and I’m really pleased with how it turned out!

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

Comments

Children's Adirondack Chair

Submitted by JamieLynn on Mon, 11/17/2014 - 12:40

Made the super cute Adirondack Chair for my nephew Brady.  He loves it. Now i'm making 2 more for my two nieces as well.  

Estimated Cost
<$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Firepit Swings

Submitted by hwallace on Tue, 03/07/2017 - 09:45

This was a real challenge as I did the whole project alone. 6x6 pressure treated lumber was used as posts and support beams. 120 lbs of quickcrete was used for each post and the support beams are bolted onto the posts. The swings were all made with pressure treated

lumber and I bought heavy duty mounting hardware for the chains. I bought the firepit kit at Lowe's and did the 4 block high enclosure. I had a lot of fun with this!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My First Bed

Submitted by toolman81 on Wed, 01/20/2021 - 12:10

This was my first bed since we can not find any in stock due to the pandemic. I switched up the headboard legs to 2x6s for a slightly wider base. This helped with the mattress in a box we ordered. I built a simple frame using 2x8s, all basic lumber from the big box store, and used 2x6s for the footboard legs. I built the bed frame just about two inches shorter in width to give it some variation in sight lines. I finished it with basic white enamel paint and put 1x4 slats under the mattress. My wife loved it and it turned out well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$380
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Floating bench for entryway alcove

Submitted by msantos116 on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:20

I was looking for some inspiration to clean up our small entryway room in our Cape Cod style home in Worcester, Massachusetts that was typically used for recycling and dirty shoes. These plans were very easy to follow and really spruced up the room quite a bit.

I used standard pine 2x4's for the frame and 1 inch boards for the bench platform and upper shelf features. The platform consists of four boards (3 1x6 boards and 1 1x5 board) that were glued together and sanded down. This was finished with Minwax Colonial Maple stain (a few coats), a couple coats of satin polyurethane, and then sanded down for a nice smooth finish.

I used a couple of 2x4's behind the vertical face below the shelf, giving it some depth and better stability.

Cast iron hooks were found on etsy, ebay, and Amazon.

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Colonial Maple stain
Minwax satin polyurethane
Automotive turtle wax for a smooth shine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Drop Zone/mudroom

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 07:10

I used ShelfHelpNow which I LOVED! Got it delivered at the start of a snowstorm! Would never have made it then if I had to go get the wood myself!
Got so many compliments and requests
To build this.
Thank you for your easy plans and wonderful ideas!
In hindsight I would have either connected the two units or separated them more. I’m more a wing it/see how it goes type of builder for myself rather than a planner. 🤣
Diane

Estimated Cost
600 for carcass
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Putting it together took a couple hours. Painting and waiting for things to dry took a lot longer!
Hopefully this will free up some room in my house for more utilitarian closet/pantry.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Traditional Bird House Brag Post

Submitted by MMTruncale on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 19:15

My very first project using the Compound Miter Saw. Easy Cuts. Easy assembly. Cost was about $1.50. I think I am going to make kits (as suggested in the sister plan) for a couple of birthdays coming up!

Estimated Cost
$1.50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish. Used spray paint to put Little One's hands on the roof.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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