Kids Bathroom Step Stool
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I built the entire project to plan.. I did however engrave my daughters name instead of painting it on.. I think it gives a little more personal touch..
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Pink Paint (on hand from wood burning projects)
I built the entire project to plan.. I did however engrave my daughters name instead of painting it on.. I think it gives a little more personal touch..
My wife got a large fountain for her birthday. She likes the sound of running water while she reads. What she doesn't like is damp carpet because the fountain splashes a little, as running water is wont to do. We had a choice of returning the fountain or me getting busy to build her a table for it.
The entire project is simply 2x4s and 2x6s. The top measures 44" x 36" and is made completely of pocket hole-joined 2x6s. The base is all made of 2x4s and is 16" high (plus top). I went for a little different look on the legs with a 15 degree cut, to a height of 4".
We both liked the look the Corona square table (the top especially)...BUT! She likes to be able to vacuum under furniture without having to move it or get Down on hands and knees with the wand attachment. So...recessed cross-brace to the rescue! I rigged up the miter saw to cut 1 1/2" into my bottom braces (2x4s on edge front-to-back), the exact depth of my cross piece (a 2x4 laid flat), and made repeated cuts, then leveled with a chisel.
I made sure to adequately brace the top, since the fountain, plus rocks, plus water comes in at well over 100 pounds. The pictures aren't all that great, but what can you expect when some are taken in an unfinished basement with no windows, on a cell phone...right?
You could probably replicate this for less than the $150 I spent, but I needed the wood, new stain, urethane, and new brushes.
Trestle coffee table
Great plan. I could not get the X right (terrible carpenter). A neighbor suggested I trim where they join for a flush fit. One turned out great, the other I cut a little too much. This was for my Daughter, she liked the natural color, I finished with Tung Oil so it took a while for the finish to dry completely.
Tiered Cedar Planter
I live in Japan right now and my wife and daughters went to the states to visit family for 3 weeks. I decided to make a few projects. I went to my local home improvement store (HOMES), which is a combo of Lowes, Walmart, a pet store, and a furniture store rolled into one crazy store. I purchased the wood for about 11000 yen, paint for 1080 yen, hinges 800 yen, and door knobs for 2880 yen. Grand total of basically $200. I found that it is not cheap to buy supplies over here. I modified the plan and made 16 "drawers" instead of 20 due to the height of the space where I am putting the table. I used the plan for finishing with the distressed coffee stain. I really like it in our room.
Tools:
Miter Saw
Table Saw
Jig Saw (b/c my bandsaw is down)
Oscillating Spindle Sander
Orbital Sander
Router
1/8" roundover bit
1/4" roundover bit
Kreg Jig
Tape Measure
Tri Square
Materials:
S4S Poplar
Kreg Screws
Kreg Stain Grade wood plugs
3" panhead screws with matching washers and wingnuts to attach basket to rocker.
This is my third "Ana" project. I've built her baby changing table and the child tower thing for toddlers to stand at a counter.
I built two of these rocking stands for the Moses Bassinet (found on Amazon). The first was a prototype and joints at the rockers were just straight pieces of wood cut at the angle of the rocker. I built it out of pine from the big box store and used my Kreg jig for the pocket holes.
The second one (featured) I used S4S poplar which cost more but came pretty well uniform. I still had to find boards that were free of twist and bows, but that just took time and was easy to do. I use a "lay it on the floor" method and flip it to see if it rocks, twists, etc.. It works for now. I still find myself cutting around imperfections though. With this second rocker, I molded the sides into the rocker-bottoms./
I'm saving to buy a planer, which will be the last major tool for the wood shop (garage), so then I can mill my own lumber and be done with HD and L's.
Just some observations and steps I took:
To make the rockers and other parts of the project uniform that had curves which needed to be parallel to each other, etc., I used double-sided tape and put the pieces together when cutting and sanding. I recommend using the least amount of tape as possible. I learned the hard way and on the prototype rockers, I covered the entire surface of the pieces with the tape. It took an act of God to get the pieces to release after I had spent an hour or so cutting and sanding the edges. It nearly failed to come apart and I would've had to start over because it was the 3 major components that were taped together like this. On the second run with the featured rocker, I used a couple small pieces of double-sided tape. This held together through cutting and sanding without any issue.
I rounded some of the edges w/ a 1/8th or a 1/4" roundover bit on my router. On the pieces that weren't hit by the router, I just broke the edges with sandpaper, to keep hands from getting splinters, etc.
For finish I used Minwax wood conditioner, oil based stain and polyurethane. I first sanded the entire piece to 320 by hand. I applied the conditioner as instructed. It's a must on softer wood such as pine, poplar, whitewood, etc. Otherwise, you will have blotches. After that I applied one coat of stain. I applied a coat of poly with a foam brush. I didn't like the results. I sanded it down w/ 320. I then went and bought a "nice" brush for polyurethane at the big box store for like $8.00 and applied another coat. This one came out better. I sanded it with 400 grit and applied one final coat with a fine cotton cloth.
I followed the plans on here for the most part. They are complete and were easy to follow. Thanks Ana!
I made twin beds for my boys. It was the first time making furniture. It was a pretty easy plan to follow. Lowes did all my cuts for me so I didn't even need to find a saw.
A modification of the traditional work bench. Great for storage. Bench area of 70 inches with 18 additional inches for the table saw.
Love these outdoor Chaise Lounges. They are very sturdy and comfortable. I am hoping to make a loveseat and tables to match. Makes a perfect patio sent for my back porch and pool!
I have a small workshop so this workbench allows me to bring the work outside. It was my first project and I think it came out great.
Just finished this Twin Size Simple Bed direct from the Ana White plans. This is my first project that I've completed, and it went well! The plans were great, and my only advice would be to take your time. I know that some people don't like to paint the wood, but this white just fit the room perfectly. As a side-note, this bed is SOLID and very heavy! Amazing what a difference real wood is to the stuff you get at the furniture store.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 12:49
I am looking into making this bed but into a bunkbed, but I am afraid of doing a bad paint job....any suggestions?? Should I paint prior to putting together? Thank you your detoured out GREAT!!!
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 05:20
Hi Amie! After putting this all together and then sanding and painting, I think this time around (I'm making a 2nd one), I'll cut the pieces according to the cut list, then sand and paint the pieces before putting them together. The painting wasn't too bad to do after putting it together, but the sanding was difficult with some of the angles on the head and footboard. I'll update this after I do it this other way..good luck with your project!! It's very satisfying to see the finished result after you finish!
Sun, 01/06/2013 - 13:35
I just priced this out and the lumber comes to $130 for decent pine...
Sun, 01/06/2013 - 16:00
Hi Ahab.. One thing I've figured out from reading posts is that the cost of lumber (and pine) varies widely across regions. Each store also has different grades of lumber available. If you take the time to go through lumber piles and choose boards that are straight you can save a fair chunk of change. Just my 2 cents.. Good luck with your project though!
Thu, 12/18/2014 - 16:36
I have a question on how the rails connect to the head and foot board. I think the original plans have you make a box out of 2x2's, Do the 2x2's just screw to the headboard and footboard? This seems like the easiest, unless you want to take it apart and move it! Anyone have ant thoughts on this?
This is the first thing I have ever made. I had my wood cut at Lowe's, bought a Kreg pocket hole jig and screws. I borrowed a friend's drill, sander and stain. I was amazed at how easy this was and how well it turned out.
Fairly easy to make with a jigsaw and sander. I would suggest to whomever makes one of the Charlie scooters to use a hardwood as some of the section in the handlebar area can be fragile when weight is applied.
Super easy project to do with a Kreg Jig! I made two for my front stoop. The finials add that extra touch! Check out my blog link for more info!
Great family project, thanks Ana!
This was made using Ana's "Garage Shelf" plans. I modified it for a corner spot between two exiting cabinets, so it took a bit of thought, but the Ana's technique for the build made it so easy.
AND I used up scrap wood that I'd been hording in the garage for the build.
Thank you Ana!
Comments
kdelehoy
Fri, 03/29/2013 - 16:18
Engravement
I was curious as to what tool/s you used to complete the engravement, this is a nice touch and I would like to do this for mine as well.