Community Brag Posts

Folding Workbench with Storage

Submitted by lookitsash on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 13:15

Digging through my scrap wood collection, I came across some pieces of pegboard from our previous home that I had forgotten about. I had just relocated a lot of garden tools to the shed, and there was an empty wall in the garage that would now be perfect for the pegboard. After mounting the pegboard and hanging up some tools, the wall still looked a little empty. I had a vision of mounting a heavy duty folding workbench to the wall. This was the perfect location, and if the workbench folded, we could still fit the car in the garage.  You can read all the details about my folding workbench on my blog at:

 

http://www.justmeasuringup.com/blog/building-a-folding-workbench-with-french-cleats

 

The workbench is a perfect addition to my garage, and its used every day.  Best of all, I just fold it down when I need to park the car!

Estimated Cost
Around $150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No paint or stain, but I did route the edges of the table with a roundover bit to give it a professional finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

King Sized Fancy Farmhouse Bed

Created our own King sized Fancy Farmhouse bed (headboard only) using Ana White’s plan! Overall, a well laid out plan, very easy to complete! We went with a two tone color scheme to match an antique dresser I refinished last year. Note: we used nickel gap “ship lap” for the panel of the headboard and used the pocket hole jig to secure the pieces together, traditional tongue and groove probably would have been easier, but I love how the nickel gap looks finished!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cream colored paint is Valspar Gloss Almond enamel paint

Dark stain is Cabot Ebony with 2 coats of satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Numbered Cubbies

This was my first project to cut angles. I like the way it turned out! Clamps were a help to hold all the pieces together. Very easy to put together.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
paint with a stain on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

LOVE MY SHED!!!

Submitted by Storm on Wed, 05/21/2014 - 20:41

I saw this storage shed plan and loved it. I did make a few changes because I needed a 4' x 8'. I also built a shed floor to secure it too so I built the shed frame using 2x4's.
I also put the lower ends of the side walls in the rear to assist with water runoff.
Because I wanted the option to add shelves on the left side I decided to put one larger door on the right front only and added some contrast by vertically placing the pickets on the opposite side. I'm presently waiting for my shingles to arrive. After that I'll stain it. I really enjoyed putting this together, learned a lot.

My next project will be the outdoor sectional. I'll be making 5 pieces, 1 corner and 5 armless pieces. Can't wait to start.
Happy building,
Keep Safe

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jakeaharper

Wed, 08/03/2016 - 06:03

I absolutely love this shed and the way you altered the design with one door. Can you please send me the measurements you used for this project? I would love to build this for my yard!

Sideboard/Game Console

Submitted by jakegarner on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 14:19

Used the plan for a double-entry console to make a triple cabinet to go behind the couch and serve as a board game console and sideboard for the dining room.

Lowered the total height to 34 in to fit behind the couch. The total length is 8 feet.
For the plywood top I edged them then pine boards to make the top look more like a solid piece of wood and stained it.

Estimated Cost
$300-400
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Workbench

An easy to build workbench to keep my tools organized in the garage.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Paint. Martha Stewart colors.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Queen Sized Farmhouse Bed

I built this Farmhouse Storage Bed with Storage Drawers for my youngest son. I wanted this bed to be for our current use (for my son and when my parents come a visit) but also I wanted deeply for this to be an heirloom that he would carry with him in his life.

I worked on it a bit at a time for about three weeks. I probably put 50 or so hours into it and I learned a lot. I used redwood 4x4 posts for the head and foot board, cabinet grade plywood, and reclaimed poplar for the trim and handles on the drawers.

I sealed the drawers and drawer boxes with my own version of "Wipe on Poly" that I mixed myself. I painted the bed with eggshell white paint that I bought a while back to repaint our ceilings with when Hurricane Ike came through. I sanded back portions of the bed to make it look distressed and then sealed the whole thing (bar the portions I already sealed) with clear semi gloss polycrylic.

My thinking was that I would have the color I wanted and yet seal the whole bed including the portions I distressed making the look rather permanent and tough for a child under 10.

I plugged all of the pocket holes that I used and sanded them flush as well as using edge banding on the drawers and the bases so that they looked like solid wood. These two alterations to Ana's plans added some time to be sure - but I was really happy with the result.

Ana, I wanted to thank you personally for putting these plans together and encouraging others to try their hand and building furniture. I had build a lot of other woodworking projects before but nothing of this scale. It went VERY smoothly with few hiccups and came together, essentially, like I wished it would.

I plan on making more things in the plans soon, including a loft bed for my other son, and will post them here when I do.

Estimated Cost
400 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sand back wood, add eggshell paint and let dry overnight. Adding a second coat a few hours after the first. Sand back paint, 220 grit, to a smooth finish and then sand back points where natural wear would occur creating a distressed look. If you want the wood to be a little darker at these points, use Danish oil on the wood and the paint. Let this dry for 72 hours then cover with polycrylic sealer (semi gloss) and let dry.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Doll bunk beds

Submitted by anm8ed on Sat, 06/06/2020 - 19:12

I altered it a little bit since I could not find a 1x1 anywhere near me. I used a square dowel and I placed the ladder steps on the outside. The square dowel was a little big so i notched the right side. I also cut the left side of the ladder to not block the bottom. I may try a trundle later on. It’s not painted yet but she wants it a light pink. Maybe tomorrow we will do that.

Estimated Cost
$25
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Balin console table modification

I absolutely loved this table but needed to modify it to fit into a specific area of my house, so I put two drawers on top of each other instead of having all four across. I also shortened the legs as a result. I really love the way it turned out. It is so pretty.

The only thing I dislike is the drawers. They are incredibly heavy, don't slide that well (not because of any mistake on my part, just because they are wood sliders and not metal or plastic), and the shape and size don't make them very usable. They're sort of awkward. I originally wanted it to be a place for my boys to store their Thomas train tracks and Legos, but there's really no way a kid can use drawers that heavy and deep. So that's a bummer.

But overall it's a really nice addition to that part of our living room!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax's cognac
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Linda7

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 10:40

Your console table is beautiful! I read a recent post that addressed the awkward drawer slides. This person used teflon tape on the slides and said it worked well. Here's the post...
Submitted by alexnb on Thu, 2012-08-02 00:30.

That might work for you, too, so that you could actually use the drawers for those pesky little toy train and Lego pieces! :-)

Lady Goats

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 10:44

I've loved the Balin console since Ana first posted the plans, but haven't gotten a chance/place for it. Your modifications are amazing, and the finish is stunning. WOW!

katiesommer

Mon, 08/06/2012 - 09:13

Thanks guys. Your nice words made me feel so good. Linda, can you send the link again? It didn't post here.

Thanks again. :D It was a fun project and the mods make it unique.

Tryed end table

Submitted by Samdr33 on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 13:12

I had some really old (30+ years) 4X4's laying around the backyard that I found in a brick pile at my grandmothers house sometime back. I saw the plans for the really easy Tryed Side Tables, so I made a few of them, and people jumped on these really fast. This may be the simplest tables I have ever made, time and skill-wise. Just need a few 4x4 legs, 2x4 top, and 1x4 trim and support. THAT'S IT. Then about an hour of your time plus paint and stain time. Very cool and very easy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Legs and support trim are painted Vanilla White
Top is stained Golden Oak.
Minwax Poly applied to top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Multi-Use Desk with File Cabinets - 3rd configuration

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/28/2016 - 15:36

The first version of this desk was built for our office prior to having kiddo #2. My husband altered the plans a bit to fit our room and instead of open shelving on the end cubbies, he converted them into drawers and a file cabinet.

 

Checkout more photos and details on my blog at www.momontrend.com

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Expresso stain on top. Sherwin Williams Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse end table

Submitted by ladybug'13 on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 16:54

I made this based on a plan here and modified it to my preferences and needs. It was my first time working with drawer slides and it wasn't as bad as I was afraid of. Pleased with the results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint and dark walnut stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Console Table

Submitted by LaserTech on Mon, 08/06/2012 - 08:37

I built this in just a couple of hours. I thought it would look good in our living room. I also wanted to try the Gel stain and thought this would be a good project for that.

Estimated Cost
$44
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Sand, Minwax Red Elm Gel stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Love love love

Submitted by OliveJuice on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 13:53

Our first build! Adapted plans to make a king size. Headboard is an old barn door I found. (Pic is crooked not bed ;) ) We had to use 2 Twin XL mattresses due to narrow staircase. Added extra slats. I'm saying it took a weekend to build only because it was below 30° in garage and we took warm up breaks.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 (bed only... headboard separate)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Console Table Modification to Utility Room Bench/Sink

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/30/2016 - 14:09

 Very much like the console table look but decided to modify it to create a utility room bench and sink with open storage space below. Got a 1.75" pine slab to put on top and then cut out the space for a utility sink. Did not put in the cross pieces as the bench was to run from one wall to the washer/dryer setup.  Used dimensional lumber from Lowe's (after perusing several second-hand sources for more interesting woods but prices and quality fell short) and stained with an oak stain. Now may try my hand at an actual furniture piece that will be in a living area and needs to be done right.

Estimated Cost
$500 - lumber for frame, pine slab, sink, plumbing,
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oak stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cluckingham Cottage

Cluckingham Cottage wasn’t built in a day, but it WAS built by a DAME!
A-frame instructions were pretty helpful considering the builder knows nothing about construction. I made a few modifications to accommodate my 5 chooks + 2 bantams . Sturdy and tight structure.

Estimated Cost
Under $400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
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