Community Brag Posts

Sturdy work bench the hard way

Submitted by Devorlast on Fri, 12/17/2021 - 18:35

This was my first project and it was done entirely with a table saw, battery powered drill and a sander. It's uneven but stays stable in my shed/workshop. I learned a lot from making it and I hope to incorporate that knowledge in to my next project, L shaped desk for the wife.
The "decorative" edge was really just me testing a router that I got, you can see how it took chunks of the table top on the sides. I figured if I'm going to mess something up it might as well be the workbench.
As for the coating, it's just some polyurethane. I put three layers on the table top and one everywhere else, it looks slightly glossy and yellowish but its a lot less prone to denting then the bare wood was.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Loft Bed Turned Bunk Bed

Submitted by ktkadoo on Thu, 06/20/2013 - 09:32

When we started building this bed, we liked that it wasn't too tall for our low ceilings, but could still utilize the space beneath it. As we were building it, we thought we would just put a 2nd mattress on the floor, but when we measured it, we decided we could safely turn it into a bunk bed for our 2 youngest daughters. We just built an additional set of rails. Instead of buying another piece of wood for the mattress support, we used the support from an ikea bed that we weren't using. We put the bottom mattress off the ground around 10 inches.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

AmandaAK

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 09:23

I love the stain! Did you change the overall height of the bed? How much head clearance is there under the bottom bunk? We are wanting to build something similar, but I don't want to hit my head when I tuck the kids in.

ktkadoo

Tue, 06/25/2013 - 19:12

We kept the overall height of the bed the same. I think (and I will try to remember to check in the morning, the kids are all in bed) that there is about 37 inches between the bottoms of each support. WE had another bunkbed and the measurements are pretty similar between the commercial bed and the bed we made.

Modern Slat Top Outdoor Wood Bench

This took about 6 hours from beginning to end, but next bench should take about 4-5 hours. Most of the time was spent on sanding the wood and waiting for the stain to dry.

Main lesson learned: Drill pilot holes throughout. I used no-drill construction screws, but it didn't pull the wood tight enough against each other. Also, stain all the wood pieces before assembling (as opposed to just the top slats as suggested in the plan). Remember that the leg pieces will not need stain on the flat surfaces, just the sides that will be exposed. Use a square tool to stay as close to 90 degrees as possible.

Estimated Cost
$45 using "whitewood" (SPF) and pine 1x4's from Home Depot.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax red oak, wiped on with cloth.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Rustic X Console

Submitted by Jeremyg84 on Sun, 12/24/2017 - 18:44

I loved the original design but wanted to learn new skills and use hardwood.

I used a combination of pocket holes, biscuits to align the plates and the frames, and figure 8 fasteners to attach the top.

At a VERY low pace (~1-2 hours every day), and many mistakes, it took me about two months to complete this project. If I had to do it again, it would probably take me two-three weeks at the same pace.

Overall, I learned a lot and am very pleased with the final results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Frame - white acrylic paint, coated with wipe-on water based Minwax poly (to protect the paint)
Shelves- 3 layers of oil based wipe-on Minwax poly
Top- 3 layers of oil based wipe-on Minwax poly, then 3 layers of oil based brushed (fast drying) Minwax poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Favorite bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/25/2021 - 17:56

Using favorite bookshelf design I built 2 shelves, one for books (5 shelves) and one for DVD’s (7 shelves with doors). These were a present for my daughter for Christmas she loves them. They are made of pine finished with General Finish brand Java gel stain.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Side Table with Pallet Top

I wanted to make a custom sized side table to fit just right between our two recliners. And I really wanted to make use of some pallet scraps. So I built this frame the same as Ana's plan (adjusting for my size), and then came up with a layout for the top to make use of my small 15 inch pieces of pallet wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I screwed the top on, filled the holes, sanded like a mad woman, and stained with a gel stain. I then applied two coats of shellac. It accidentally purchased the shellac but I really like the way that it turned out and it has held up quite well so far!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My first "build"

Submitted by dkarinen on Sat, 06/22/2013 - 21:05

This was my first Ana White project. It was really super easy! I love the way it turned out! I can play around and change photos depending on my mood or the holiday. We had them all together pretty quick. I sanded and primed them and my husband used the spray gun to paint them. I quickly learned there is a technique to that and I didn't want to screw them up! Great beginner project, now I'm hooked on this site!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
BEHR Rejuvinate
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Patio Table

I looked around to buy a patio and found they were often quite expensive or they were poorly made out of metal that would rust. I had some scrap pine and some table legs from an old table I wasn't using so decided to make a patio table myself.

For more details, check out my blog:
http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/patio-table

Cheers,
Ian

Estimated Cost
$20 for paint
Wood was scrap
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kids Toy Bins

Submitted by brittanyj on Thu, 12/28/2017 - 13:03

Made some toy cubbies for a friend before their firstborn made her appearance, modeled after these:
https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Basket-Company-Storage-Cubby/dp/B00GXZRUA…

Personally, I really like the planked look of the back with different stains applied to each.  Gives it a bit more personalized look.  They are stackable so she can use them in whatever configuration suits their needs.  Fun, fairly quick project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane stain in different types- dark walnut, driftwood grey, kona. White paint for outside.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Woven Garden Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 13:13

I used White Oak, 2 X 2 and 2 X 4 for the frame with 1 X 4 for the seats. This was my first attempt at mortise and tenon joinery (instead of pocket screws) and the woven pieces were held in with dowel pins.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Single Simple Modern Outdoor Lounger

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 12:18

Modified the double lounger plans into 2 single loungers. I liked the idea of the boards running the long way rather than from side to side like the single lounger plan. These were pretty easy to build. All assembled with a Kreg for hidden screws. Made with Sanded and super polyurethaned cedar (3 or 4 coats). turned out beautiful with the matching boards running from head to toe!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Multiple coats of polyurethane with sanding between each coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Workbench

My husband and I just bought a home that has a fantastic shed/barn in the backyard. I've been wanting a workshop ever since college and this is finally my time to make that dream come true. Enter ana-white.com!! My sister had recommended this site after her husband created an unbelievable loft bed for their 6 year-old. Looking through all the plans I became ecstatic and couldn't wait to get my first project under way. I've printed out MANY plans and can't wait to work on them all, however I realized very quickly that I did not have a space to actually "work" on in the shed. When I came across this workbench plan I knew it was the right one for me.

Some changes were made, since I already had a perfectly good table top that I purchased from IKEA years ago. The top came out to be 23 1/2 x 78 3/4" so I had to make many adjustments in the cuts. I also left the bottom shelf free of plywood since I couldn't fit a piece that large in my Toyota Corolla. All in all, I couldn't be happier with the table. It's sturdy, reliable and provides a TON of workspace for me. My back is already thanking me!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bullitt453

Tue, 06/25/2013 - 05:58

Good job on the workbench. Since you can't fit the piece of ply in your car, I would recommend cutting a 2x4 support to go between the leg supports. Then cut 1x4s to place perpendicular to the supports to create the shelf. Believe me, that shelf will come in VERY handy, so I would definitely recommend adding it. Its nice to be working on a project and simply reach down for the next tool/supply instead of walking away from your work area to get it.

Table

Submitted by bosox43 on Sat, 06/06/2015 - 18:49

Great project, super easy to follow instructions and really easy to modify with some simple math.

Perfect weekend project, started the table around 1pm on Saturday, finished the bench and had the garage cleaned up and sitting at the new table by 330pm on Sunday!

Thanks for posting the plans, they were very easy to follow!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck table
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic x coffee table

Submitted by a.clark92 on Sun, 12/31/2017 - 05:15

My third table like this built so far. Fairly easy project takes about a day to complete depending on stain dry time. I painted the frame white and used an American walnut stain on the table top and the lower shelf. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
110 dollars canadian including stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
American walnut stain on table top applied generously with a rag and then wiped off after about a minute with a separate rag.

White cabinet paint on frame applied with a sponge brush 2 -3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Charging Station supersized

Submitted by eande03 on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 21:09

We wanted a side piece for our kitchen so we followed the revised plans to make it a little taller. My wife is really happy with how it turned out. Easy, fun project that was finished quick.

Estimated Cost
$40-45
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax weathered oak base coat topped with Minwax Polyshades Mission Oak Gloss. Used chip brushes, and Minwax pre-stain wood conditioner too. The gray from the weathered oak pops through just enough for our tastes.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wedding Panel

Submitted by brittanyj on Wed, 06/10/2015 - 08:40

So glad to finally make this beautiful panel wall art for a friend for her wedding. The last name is Iverson, so the tree stood in for the I. I made it on cedar pickets ripped in half and sanded, kona stain, then designed my tree/lettering/birds in Cricut, cut it out, and painted. Can't wait to give it to her!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
varathane kona, spray clear top coat, acrylic paint and markers
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Hudson dresser

Submitted by Keithm35 on Mon, 01/01/2018 - 21:16

This is my first big project I have done, it was for my wife’s birthday. I enjoyed the challenge though, 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pre-stain to make sure there was no blotchiness, then pioneer stain with a matte finish. I applied using paintbrush making sure to very little stain on the brush and spread it as much as possible
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My Hubby was busy this summer!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 16:35

This summer my husband built three of your pieces. We are so in love with how they turned out. Thank you so much for your easy to follow blueprints!

Comments

My new yellow cubby shelf

Submitted by kylihoot on Sun, 05/01/2011 - 11:59

Totally lovin' my new cubby shelf. I painted it bright yellow, but I may paint it a more nuetral color after noticing it does not math anything haha! This is a super sturdy shelf...LOVE IT! Thanks ANA!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and Satin Paint. I sanded it with 120 grit, then primed and painted with two coats each.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X End Tables

Submitted by BeauKSU on Mon, 06/15/2015 - 09:46

I made one table following your original plans and it turned out great! The top is American Walnut Polyshades from Minwax (stain and poly in one), topped off with paste wax. The bottom is just regular white paint that we had lying around the house. The plans were easy to follow and introduced me to the Kregg Jig. How did I ever live without it?! Thanks for posting them for everyone to see, we're so happy with how they turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White pain on bottom and Minwax Polyshades - American Walnut on top, finished with paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate