Community Brag Posts

My first build!

Submitted by Jeskatann on Sun, 12/30/2012 - 13:59

I based my shelves on the Subway Tile Bookshelf plans. The space I needed to fill was roughly 72x108. I wanted the offset shelves so I didn't need extra supports and it also had to be lifted off the floor because of a space heater. I used 12 inch melamine boards that I had the store cut for me because I have no experience. I used a drill for the first time and it came together very quickly. I used 14 inch pre-made legs that I spray painted white.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Variation Twin Farmstyle Bed

Submitted by nicolemayo on Sun, 10/12/2014 - 21:28

This is a variation from a brag photo I saw on the Modified Twin Farmhouse Bed. I built two for my girls and also created plans of the variation. We love these beds! They are so beautiful!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Gloss Interior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor couch

Submitted by travhale on Mon, 01/23/2017 - 19:33

Reclaimed this wood from a >100 year old home that was being renovated. This is just the couch portion, I also built the sectional part. I really like how it came out. 

Estimated Cost
Wood was free. Maybe $10-15 in screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

camp bunk beds (solid head & footboards)

The doll size version of PB camp bunk beds with a solid head and footboard made to mimic the real life size version. I made these bunks to match the life size version which the girls have in their ski house complete with matching quilts using the same fabric from their bedding.

Estimated Cost
$40 each
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean stain, wipe on clear satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My first table

Submitted by mshotwell on Fri, 10/17/2014 - 07:34

This was my first table, great directions from Ana White and other postings. Turned out great, the main addition I had was to add some supports for the ends as it felt like it needed it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Pecan Gloss Stain/Poly - Quart. We did two layers of stain, using steel wool in between coats. The finish turned out very nice and feels smooth. The top was sanded very smooth with 220 grit before staining.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Storage Bed *Forgot to post*

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 18:03

It was a long and brutal process, but so is child birth and I did that twice so... I was definitely a beginner at the start. I learned A LOT from this process and it paid off in the end! Couldn't be happier with the outcome!

Estimated Cost
A lot more than expected. Measure 10 billion times before you cut!!!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Espresso Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Finally patio furniture that won't blow away!

Submitted by lisa97 on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 20:31

Very clear plans and directions. My husband and I built these and the table in a weekend. We added a back and made a table from the scraps. First time of not chasing furniture that has blown away! We love them!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Seminare transparent stain and seal in Chocolate 5129
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Nick's Farmhouse Table

I built this farmhouse table for my beautiful wife for christmas using the update pocket hole plans. It was a lot of work but well worth it.

Bench in the making!

Estimated Cost
$100 + and additional tools needed that you dont have
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax mahogany and poly in satin. I used 3 coats of stain and poly. I sanded with 120 grit first and 220 grit last. The more you sand the better it will look and feel.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic Storage

Submitted by Scrapwood on Mon, 10/20/2014 - 11:52

To build I used mostly all pallet wood.  This made things interesting because not one drawer was the same and had to custom fit each drawer.  

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Flat Wall Book Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/29/2017 - 18:33

Turned out great! Instructions were very easy to follow. My first attempt at building a piece of "furniture". 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax gunstock stain and quick dry polyurethane (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Coffee Table - First Project Ever

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/20/2020 - 08:51

When COVID hit I quickly realized that I had absolutely no hobbies - aside from Netflix (is that considered a hobby?) One day I went down a YouTube worm hole and ended up seeing one of Ana's video's. As I watched I thought "She makes this seem easy", I think I could do this. So I went and bought a few tools and got to work. I'm now proud to say my first project ever is done!

I really enjoyed making this table and I'm looking forward to new projects. My next will be matching side tables.
I learned a ton doing this and while I'm happy with the final outcome I'm also highly aware of all the mistakes I made. The thing is I didn't know I was making mistakes at the time. (I didn't know what I didn't know) A little bit of experience now helps eliminate those same errors next time around.

I certainly discovered that finishing is where all the magic happens. It's what makes the project look either amazing or just "ok". It's also the part of the build that takes the most attention to detail, the most patience and is also (in my humble opinion) the most boring repetitive part of the build. The reality is it's also the most important, transformative part. It definitely makes the difference.

Ana, I hope it's helpful for you to know that your video's really do inspire people to get creative and make things. I'm excited to start on my next project!

Sincerely,

Brent Rodgers
Ontario, Canada

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint for the frame: Beauti-Tone Signature Series eggshell -Colour: Tempting Slate
Stain: Varathane - Provincial
Poly: Varathane - Triple Thick Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp Loft Bed with Ladder and Landing

We built this bed for the lil neighbor girl as a gift for Christmas. It turned out better than I expected! The Plans were amazing and easy to follow... It is the first project that I used my Kreg Jig! I am so excited to build another one for my daughter now! We decided to pre-finish all the parts after we cut them to ensure proper sealing of all the ends, just in case of any sap or what not. Special thanks to Ana for all of these plans and Ideas! You truely rock!

Estimated Cost
$75-100 Dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades Classic Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

Submitted by jbryan5 on Thu, 10/23/2014 - 07:23

Built from the Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table plans. It took at lot longer than I wanted, but I was taking my time to avoid mistakes. All of the wood is "2 x ?" pine studs. the table is solid and very heavy.

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1 . Stained with 1 coat Early American 2. 3 Coats Minwax Semi-Gloss Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Room divider cubbies

Submitted by Massielita on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 17:52

My twins share one pretty large room. They are 11 years old now and getting old enough to want more of their own personal space. This 5x5 cubby shelf was perfect to be used as a room divider!

My challenge was that I typically work in the basement, but their room is on the 2nd floor. I didn't have anyone that would be able to help me carry this massive creation up 2 flights of stairs, so I had to build this "on site." Unfortunately, their room is carpeted (poorly), so I brought up some old subfloor panels that I had to have a more flat surface to work on. It wasn't ideal, but made it possible.

It also took me much longer than it would take most people since I was limited to working only during nap times. It probably could have been done in a day or two if I had the opportunity to work continuously.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grandy Sliding Door Console

Submitted by kjmorley on Sat, 02/04/2017 - 22:32

I made it a little deeper to accomodate my tuner (59" wide x 21" deep x 35" tall).

I liked the look of the long, top shelf that others makers had built, it's perfect for my 3 front speakers!

These sliding door rollers worked great for the door hardware:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DPH8M9Q

I used  1" x 0.125" flat bar (hot rolled steel) for the rails and door mounting stips (6" x 4).  It's fairly soft, so is easy to drill the holes for the screws.

Total cost was about $250, but $80 of that was for the thick cedar top. I used cedar, as I like the colour it goes when ebonized with vinegar/steel wool solution. The door are also cedar. I finished the top and doors with wipe-on polyurethane. The paint was grey eggshell latex.
 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Eggshell latex. Cedar top and doors ebonized with vinegar/steel wool solution, then clear coated with polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Quick and easy step stool

Submitted by danwiecz on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 19:58

Was going for a rustic u finished look with rough cut scrap pine and visible screws.

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toy Workbench

This was a really simple and easy project. I modified the design to fit the scrap wood that I had on hand to lower the cost. This bench is for my 2 year old and is the perfect height for a 2-5 year old. I used chalkboard paint on the work surface and peg board to add another interesting dimension to the piece.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Using scrap wood and finishing supplies on hand, I spent about a total of $5 on this bench (for peg board and hooks).
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I first spray painted the work surface and peg board with chalkboard paint. I then used 2 coats of high quality flat paint (red) and 2 coats of gloss polyurethane to protect the workbench frame from wear and tear.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Extra long storage bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/06/2017 - 19:32

We needed a long bench to cover up our chords and outlets against a fairly large wall. My husband cut holes in the back of the bench so that chords could pass through and we could hide a cable box inside the bench. 

 

It turned out perfect!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flat paint and water based poly for base. Walnut stain for top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planter box's

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/02/2020 - 09:09

The great plans to follow for this project made it much easier.

Comments