Community Brag Posts

Toy Chest

Submitted by tomm3289 on Tue, 12/29/2020 - 11:48

Built this for my grandson for christmas. First woodworking project I've done.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini Media Wall

Submitted by sraper2 on Mon, 02/04/2013 - 06:46

I changed the size of this to fit underneath my sons playhouse loft bed. It fits perfectly in the space between the door and wall of the bed. Put a kids leather chair in there and now he has his own personal man cave :)

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

My first build

After following Ana and a couple other talented ladies I decided to get a Kreg and take some action! I made a few adjustments to the size and I used pocket screws to put this together. It is solid! Found the baskets at Lowes and fell in love. It was super easy and my husband couldn't believe I put it together so fast. I has added much needed storage to the front door and we just love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 total
Baskets were $45!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat black spray paint
Minwax dark walnut stain
Wood conditioner to seal
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Sun, 12/07/2014 - 17:48

This looks super!  You did a great job and it looks beautifully constructed.  Congrats!  The finish is lovely. :)

X-base farmhouse table with zinc top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/11/2017 - 11:05

We used leftover white oak from the railing in our house, so our cost was just the zinc top, which we got from Rotometals. Total cost was around $200, all said and done. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rubio Monocoat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway & Coffeetable

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 18:46

This was my first time making a project with plans from the site. They were easy to follow and modify to my sizes. I am extremely happy.

The cost of wood is higher due to the pandemic, however. A 2x4 was nearly $5.50 in Ohio.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray stain, applied with a foam brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kentwood Twin Bed

Submitted by meganomesh on Wed, 12/10/2014 - 13:32

My husband and I built this bed for my sister-in-law for Christmas. It took us about a week of working an hour or so a day on it. Most of that time was staining. The actually assembly took about 2 hours. 

I included a picture of how we attach the siderails to the headboard/footboard. We use a bracket that the 1x2 slides into. It is screwed to both the siderail and the headboard with 1 1/4" screws. We also attach a small L bracket to each corner with helps remove any wiggle that was there previously. It really makes the bed much more stable by adding those little L brackets. Again, we used 1 1/4" screws to attach them. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110-$120 (price includes wood, stain and hardware)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sanded well
1 coat of pre-conditioner
1 coat of Minwax early american
2 coats of Minwax Mission Oak with Polyurethane, Satin
Steel Wool after each coat of the stain with poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

meganomesh

Wed, 12/10/2014 - 13:55

I had some trouble with the submission of my form and now it's not allowing me to edit so I'll write the details in the comments.

The assembly took about 2 hours but we worked on the bed about a week due to the many coats of stain etc.

Here's how we finished the bed:
1 coat of Minwax pre conditioner
1 coat of Minwax Early American
2 coats of Minwax Mission Oak stain with poly, satin
Steel wool the project after each coat of stain with poly

I included a picture of the hardware we use to attach the side rails to the bed. The big bracket holds the side rails up. The little "L" bracket in each corner makes it so the bed doesn't wiggle or move. This is our 4th bed to build and we have found this set-up to make a very secure, sturdy bed.

meganomesh

Wed, 12/10/2014 - 14:01

I had some trouble with the submission of my form and now it's not allowing me to edit so I'll write the details in the comments.

The assembly took about 2 hours but we worked on the bed about a week due to the many coats of stain etc.

Here's how we finished the bed:
1 coat of Minwax pre conditioner
1 coat of Minwax Early American
2 coats of Minwax Mission Oak stain with poly, satin
Steel wool the project after each coat of stain with poly

I included a picture of the hardware we use to attach the side rails to the bed. The big bracket holds the side rails up. The little "L" bracket in each corner makes it so the bed doesn't wiggle or move. This is our 4th bed to build and we have found this set-up to make a very secure, sturdy bed.

Rustic Media Center

Rustic Media Center stained with teal and white distressed paint. 

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona Stain, Teal and White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Classic Storage Bed, adapted

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/05/2021 - 16:24

I doubled the height of the Classic Storage Bed to create 6 side drawers and 4 bottom doors for my daughter's twin bed. She lives the extra storage in her small bedroom. Thanks for the inspiration!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)

Comments

Junk Drawer No More

Submitted by mom of 4 on Fri, 02/08/2013 - 15:23

I finally got tired of my junk drawer being messy, so I took 10 minutes today and a piece of scrap wood and made this drawer divider. I even have a dedicated cubby for my tape measure!

Estimated Cost
nothing
Finish Used
I left it unfinished.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kid storage chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 08:50

I followed Anna White's plan to build this chairs. My kids love them. Thanks for the free plan. It took me a while to finished it because they were my first project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about 30 to 40 for two chairs.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
simi gross paint self primer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pot holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 06:21

Working off your idea. Added another holder. There will be a bottom drawer for bigger stuff.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Will be painted
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Dining Table

Submitted by sastricker on Mon, 02/11/2013 - 08:20

Using the plans provide, I simply changed the measurements needed for my dining room. A really fun build and a great looking end product!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gunstock Stain with Minwax Satin Polyurethane finish; Behr paint (Bone Folder) on legs
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

FARMHOUSE TABLE

Submitted by beefcake on Tue, 12/16/2014 - 11:03

All the boards are ran through a jointer and planer making each board squared.

No rounded ends.

Stain conditioner used.

Finish - Minwax Early American

 

 

Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/17/2017 - 17:07

I wanted an easy toy box made from pallets. I came across the plans for the Simple Cedar Wooden Toy Box and decided it would be easier to but a few lengths of cedar fencing than to tear apart a bunch of pallets.

 

I omitted the feet and rope handles and opted for a carved wooden sign for personalization. I thought it was going to be too small, but soon realized it is a decent sized box.

 

I used Minwax Jacobean stain and am very happy with the end result.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hemnes Linen Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/17/2021 - 09:59

I modified the Hemnes Linen Cabinet plans to fit this space. Instead of painting, I burned and stained the cabinet before applying polyurethane.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Burned and stained wood with polyurethane. I used a blow torch on the edges for the burned look.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Thanks for providing the plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/20/2017 - 17:45

Used the plans with minor modifications, many thanks for a great design!

Estimated Cost
$55.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut topped with classic Gray.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First Project: Workbench with casters

Submitted by jamesjill on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 20:23

Success with first project, I am very happy with it.... although I need to find a better way to square things.

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Providence Table & Bench

Submitted by Murphy Fam on Sat, 02/16/2013 - 08:13

We needed a new table for our growing family but didn't want to spend a fortune.
Found this website, explored some plans & fell in love with the Providence table & bench.
It is great!!
We used the Rustoleum stain in Kona as well & did 3 coats of polyurethane. Unfortunately, the table is VERY rough to the touch. And I can see it becoming a problem. We can't wipe it with a damp paper towel as the roughness shreds the paper towel. Any help here would be greatly appreciated!!!
We think sawdust & debris settled on the table when we stained & sealed with the polyurethane. We did not sand in between polyurethane coats either.
If there's an easy fix (or do over) here, please let us know!
Otherwise, it is such a great piece & has already received many compliments!
We'll be sure to refer to Ana White's site!
Thanks so much!!

Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum in Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Quartney

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 15:02

from what I understand, the water in the polyurethane raises the wood, so it needs to be sanded after the first coat (at minimum). I'd sand it down, if I were you. Maybe with a high-grit paper, so you don't damage the stain. Then coat, sand again, and coat.

Jamaunzie

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 16:18

I have had problems with polyurethane all my own fault mind ya. I do not know how smooth of a surface you had after the stain, but if the surface is now so rough that it rips up paper towels. I would venture to say it started there. Also the coats of polyurethane are so thin it would be very hard to just sand down to the stain without scaring the stain finish. I would try either 0000 steel wool or 220 grit sand paper and do it by hand not sander. The picture I see shows it to be a dark stain so if you do scare it you might be able to touch it up, but my experience with that is just bite the bullet and sand down to bare wood and start over. If you do have to do it over I use 0000 steel wool lightly after I stain and wipe it down good and do your thin coats of poly ( with steel wool between coats ) until you reach the look you are wanting

Pam the Goatherd

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 11:22

I learned my lesson about sanding between coats of poly the hard way too! I was able to smooth out the surface of my desk by sanding it lightly with the finest grit sandpaper. If that doesn't smooth it out enough then you are going to have to sand it down further and re-do the poly.

Changing Table / Dresser

Submitted by Ben W on Mon, 12/22/2014 - 09:09

I wanted to build a dresser & changing table combination for our son, who is due in January. I liked the Fillman (Pottery Barn's Fillmore) dresser plan, but also wanted to incorporate some ideas from Pottery Barn's Larkin Hi-Lo Changing table ($1100 - yikes!), namely the side cabinet, so I made a few modifications.

The side cabinet has a pullout shelf to accomodate a diaper pail or hamper. The changing table topper is removable so that this can continue to be used as a dresser when we no longer need the changing table.

I have built a few pieces from or inspired by Ana's site before, but none have been as rewarding as this!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams ProClassic Enamel (semi-gloss) in Snowbound.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Linda7

Mon, 12/22/2014 - 10:26

Beautiful build. Your modifications make this table very versatile, and I noticed that your spacing all around the drawers and door is so even. This should become a family heirloom.

Cal King Scrap Wood Bed Frame

Submitted by Jaruddp on Thu, 01/21/2021 - 17:41

My first project from Ana’s plans. Loved having the material and cut list available!! I adjusted my measurements to fit a Cal King just as Ana suggested.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments