Community Brag Posts

Custom Home Chifforobe

Submitted by haymohs on Sun, 03/08/2015 - 19:30

My girlfriend and I just moved into our new apartment. It has hardly any storage space at all and very little closet space. So we built our own! It was a long day's work, but the reward of a beautiful Chifforobe is well worth it.

This was my first carpentry project, and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Just a basic stain. Early American.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Small Chicken coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/07/2017 - 12:04

We built this to go right next to our stairs. The run has hardware cloth on 3 sides and then the side touching the stairs opens up to under the stairs so they have a bigger run.

We extended the floor so that it went all the way to the nesting box. We will be adding a nesting box to the wall by the cleanout doors rather than where the plans put the nesting box. We like that this gave us more square foot per chicken on floor space. Due to this change though we had to use interier hinges so the floor could slide in and out easily. We also added a door to the bottom so the coop could be locked seperately from the run. 

I wanted to turn the space where the planter box is into a storage space and may still do that later to store food, clean out supplies, and first aid supplies. We'll see! 

Estimated Cost
$500 This includes Cedar wood for all exterior wood, hardware cloth to cover everything and have a 12 inch apron under the coop, two colors of stain, shingles, big boxes of screws (we had a million leftover), hinges and locks with keys. We definitely went the expensive route but I think it will last us a long time and hopefully we've created a Fort Knox!
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Stain Newberry Blue and Navajo White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Mail Boss (my attempt)

Submitted by stonejamie on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 20:14

This was my take on the mail boss. It took a lot longer than I thought but I learned a lot in the process.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Advance in Pure White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Router Table

Submitted by benbutler on Sun, 04/21/2013 - 10:51

My wife has been asking for new dressers for the boy's room for a while now but every time we go out shopping for them I am very disappointed in the quality of what is available. So I decided to make them myself. I have not made any furniture before and needed a few tools to help me out and thought what better way to get both the practice and the tools then build my own router table.

I searched the web for plans and found these great ones. I loved these plans but wanted to make a couple of changes anyway. I decide to build the table top as well as the cabinet and decided to make it a little taller to fit me better. Due to the changes and making the table top it took me 2 days to finish, 1 day for the cabinet and 1 for the top and to put it all together. (Not having used a router before it took me a while to get the template just right to cut in the insert.)

It works great and looks great in my shop. Now on to the dressers.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
350 with the router
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bunk Beds {land of nod inspired}

We built these bunks for our boys, ages 4+6. The plans were super simple to follow.  The frame was built out of scrap 2x6's and 2x4's. We did have to make a modificatioon on the ladder- it came up just short for some reason, so we added a 2x4 to the bottom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
we only had to purchase nuts and bolts, so this didn't cost much. If you were to build from scratch I think it would be between $100-$200 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Paint in Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/11/2017 - 15:25

Took a little longer than I anticipated.  By far the hardest part was finding straight boards at Home Depot.  Used Cedar 4x4s for the post to avoid treated wood.  Had to make a few adjustments for our king mattress, but well worth it.   Bed and platform came in right at $300 for the wood, screws, paint, etc.  Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee Table for College

Submitted by mike5287 on Wed, 08/04/2021 - 09:49

My daughter is going back to school and moving out of the dorms and into a house and needed a coffee table. Saw these plans, had almost all the wood so off we went. Happy with how it came out. We used some paint we had for the base (Pure Sage) and I used a Weathered Oak stain with 5 coats of satin polyurethane for the top. If she has room will make a matching end table!

Comments

my picnic table

Very easy project to make. From leaving the house to get the wood, get home, make cuts and assemble was about 4-5 hours. I have used this website as inspiration for other projects, but this was the first that I just followed the plans and it turned out great!. Very sturdy and perfect size. My daughter in the picture is almost 5 and this is perfect for her and will last years for our youngest daughter.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
15 for wood, screws I already had and paint will be 3-4 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Will be painted
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modern Laundry Basket Sorter

I built this project totally from pallet wood and leftover 2x4's. I already had the paint and stain from other projects, so the only cost was for the baskets, which were $6 a piece at Ikea. This project turned out even better than I expected and I couldn't be happier.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TV Console with reclaimed accents

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 08:11

This isn't a difficult piece to build, but the hardware can be a bit tricky. My husband loved having an excuse to get a blowtorch! He used it to bend aluminum flat bar that we then spray painted an oil rubbed bronze. My favorite part has to be the saw marks on my reclaimed top. This piece really pulls together our living room! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approximately $300. $70 of that was just for the reclaimed top.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Marquee cameo white in satin and general finishes flat top coat to seal the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar outdoor table with scraps!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/21/2021 - 06:28

I had a pile of leftover wood after getting my deck rebuilt; so I had some brand new cedar as well as some used pressure-treated wood. (Of course, I made the deck builders leave anything worth keeping!) I thought it would be put to good use as an outdoor table for storage & serving on my new deck! I started off with the Rustic X Console Table plans from this website, and then I made just a few modifications on length (to fit the space better). I was able to re-use my leftover wood, and I think it turned out beautifully! It's been used several times for food serving when the neighbors come over for happy hour, for storage of random outdoor things, and for climbing on when I need to reach the TV above it...so it's definitely sturdy! Thank you, Ana White, for such great plans that are easy to use and easy to modify as needed. Really happy with this one!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None - naturally weathered cedar
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Queen Bed and Kentwood Nightstands

Submitted by hughes on Fri, 04/26/2013 - 08:59

Spent two weekend between both the bed and the nightstands. The nightstand were completed one weekend and the bed was completed on another weekend. The wood for the nightstands was purchased at Lowe's. The wood for the bed was purchased at a lumber yard. The lumber yard carried untreated 4X4 posts 16 ft long for $9 each.

Estimated Cost
$60 each for nightstands and $80 for the bed.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint and golden oak stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Large Porch Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 16:43

Using the easy to follow instructions by Ana, I was able to create this wonderful addition to my front porch.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Triple Truss Coffee Table

Submitted by cu09 on Mon, 04/29/2013 - 09:55

I used cedar because I love the color and wanted the natural look.

I ended up creating a cement top instead of using the 2x6's and added 2x2 on the top boarder for added support.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Danish Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kentwood Bed

Submitted by dreese111 on Fri, 03/20/2015 - 04:56

I made this bed for my son on his 7th birthday. I used 4x4 posts. 1x6 for the top of the head board and foot board. Stained in red mahogany and coated with a clear gloss finish. This was my first major project and i am really happy with the results. I routered the edges of the tops with an ogee bit,  routered the legs with a champhered bit and routeredb the front with a cove bit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approximately $100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats Red Mahogany Stain with 2 coats of a Clear Gloss finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dollhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/19/2017 - 18:43

I followed your plans pretty closely. My daughters love it (2 and 3 years old)! We hope to get lots of years of use out of it, it is so solidly built!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For wallpapering, I found a book of scrapbooking paper on sale. I also got some scrap carpet from a carpet store around the corner from my house! Carpeting really seemed to finish the whole thing off nicely.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entertainment Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/10/2021 - 18:29

8ft Entertainment Console using Birch Ply and Poplar. Minwax Special Walnut stain

Comments

Two Pallet Lake Chair

This was created using one and a half reclaimed pallets. Sealed and ready for a fire pit this summer!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar Varnish (Water and Weather Proof)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway Bench and Storage Shelf

This is perfect for my two boys. I can now get them to stop dropping their coats and bags on the floor as soon as they get home from school!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes dark brow dye and Minwax clear gloss polyeurothane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Skull Adirondack Chair

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 07:35

I made this chair from plans in Ana's book. Obviousy I modified the back to make the skull.

Super easy to make. I used all pallet wood for this project so the only cost was the screws.

Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained this chair in walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner