Community Brag Posts

Whitney's Farmhouse Bench

I built this bench way back in the winter (which really has barely ended) and finally today got it outside for a photo shoot! Notching out the legs was a new thing for me but turned out wonderfully. I look forward to making some for my mother for her gaggle of grandchildren.

Oh and best of all, mine was free to make since I had nasty ol' 2x4's on hand! PERFECT!

Estimated Cost
Mine was FREE!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sand all, distress top, lightly sand again.
Black on bottom, Dark Walnut stain on top (two coats each)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/03/2012 - 15:45

cool i love is great work

X Base Pedestal Table

Submitted by nickfmc on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 08:51

Needed a small table for our new house so I decided to build one, I followed the design fairly close. The only creative difference and I'm going to pretend I meant to do it was that I rotated the squares 90 degrees.

A few tips / things to look out for:

- The angled legs are tricky to line up/attach but you can use alot of woodfiller there to fill in the gaps and you can barely notice it once it is all together.

- When attaching the slats to create the squares for the top, add 5 pocket hole screws to each side, when you go to attach them you will thank me, 3 on each side of them doesn't hold as tight as you need it too.

- on the underside of the top I also added some scrap squares of 1x4 under the small triangles to stop them flexing, attached to the 2x6 with pockethole screws.

- Palm Sander - should be listed as required tool, to level out the top after assembly I went through a pack of 120 grit discs.

- There is not much room for error if you only have 2 8 foot 2x6's so cut them a couple blade widths bigger than you measure and sand them down to exact size.

as I used SPF for the table top I think I am going to get a piece of tempered glass cut for the top to protect the soft wood and give me an easy surface to clean.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood Conditioner, Dark Walnut stain 2 coats base 1 coat top, Satin Polyurathane 3 coats top 1 coat base. Only advise here would be to apply your first coat of stain to the base using a rag not a foam brush so you can get into all the corners and angles.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

nickfmc

Thu, 07/25/2013 - 20:17

I used minwax oil based dark walnut stain. But a coat of wood conditioner first seamed to help allot

sgilly

Fri, 07/26/2013 - 13:52

Thanks, I think the conditioner is an important step - one I've made the mistake of leaving out on way too many occasions!

psteve4

Wed, 10/09/2013 - 08:25

NICKFMC

On the table top did you fill in the seems where the boards meet with wood filler? It looks like there may be something between them and it has a very smooth appearance. I don't really want the gaps to show on mine and was wondering how you got yours to look so smooth.
Great job on the table! and thanks for any help you can give me!

Paul

step02

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 11:57

I really liked how the inner squares are turned 90 degrees. The table looks less rustic, a bit more polished. I believe your extensive sanding contributed to the finished look.

One bit of advice. You may want to start with a more aggressive sandpaper to make edges flush. You can start with a 60 or 80 grit and then work your way up to 120 or 150.

jmp1518

Sun, 11/20/2016 - 16:42

Hi all, 

I made a table almost identical to this with the top being more farmhouse style. My problem is that a friend of mine offered to buy one of these if I make one for him. I never know what to price things at when asked to make for friends. I always let my feelings of friendship cheapen the cost. I would greatly appreciate some help in what price point to set a table like this at. Thank you in advance for any help.

Donna's bathroom pipe organizer project

Submitted by dmmonarch on Wed, 08/05/2015 - 19:33

Went a little crazy on the pipe project, but love it.  My favorite thing is the bench.  My husband loves the toilet paper holder. 

Estimated Cost
I literally wrapped the pipe almost all the way around the bathroom so that cost was near $200. That's not including the boards and paint. Not a cheap project but worth every penny.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Housewarming Gift for a Friend

I modified these plans a little. I added some tongue and groove breadboard ends, and used Rockler table top fasteners to attach the top. I worked on it in my spare time after work a couple days a week for about a month. I'm happy with the overall outcome!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$150
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean Stain and Minwax Wipe-On Poly for the top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Your tall planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 14:02

Made your tall planter. Love all your builds

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Adult Beach Chair

Submitted by lkey on Sun, 06/12/2011 - 15:21

This chair is the best. We went to a specialty lumber store and picked up some Ipe wood. It was fairly expensive (about $100 for the wood alone) but well worth it! Looks awesome and is really comfortable. We also tested it out and it is very sturdy, however, we did use 2x2 for the frame. We plan on making at least one more matching one soon. Thanks for all the plans!!!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage Bin

I love this storage bin from plans at morelikehome.net, and it was easy to build, too! It's nice and big, about 21"W x 21"D x 18"H. I selected 3-6 hours as the time spent, but to say closer to six would be about right. I need a large work surface in my sewing room (I'll be building the storage table as well),and a place to store my "stuff".This should be a pretty good start!

Estimated Cost
About $20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Early American by Minwax, and one of Varathane's Diamond Finish topcoat, all applied with a rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Herringbone Daybed

Submitted by sailonseas on Mon, 08/10/2015 - 10:25

I build this last minute for my daughters room makeover.  I worked through the night, but got it completed and painted just after sunrise. (I slept good the following night!)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
This project ran about $70 in all.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Godfall47 on Sat, 03/10/2018 - 20:18

This was so easy to make and it's so sturdy and beautiful. Rough cut cedar using 3" exterior decking screws and wood glue. Had a blast making it with my wife. 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish yet. Will possibly add a seal at later date.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Super Hero Clubhouse Bed

My 4yr old son had been asking me to build him a Super Hero Clubhouse. He thought it was going to be outside! I added the slide and door and the back inside wall is a whiteboard. He absolutley loves it!! It took about 9 weekends, the painting was the longest task.

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

Comments

meghan humphries (not verified)

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 12:40

Hi there, sorry for the delay, I didn't know anyone had commented!

The slide is simply a piece of laminated utility shelving. The laminated surface makes it slippery like a slide and eliminates the worry of splinters. Its 3/4" thick particle board and cut to match the correct angle from the bed to the floor. I then added 1x3's to make the hand rails and there are 2- 2x4's running the length of the slide underneath to support it. The slide itself is nailed to the supports underneath and the supports are cut at an angle on both ends and screwed to the bed from the inside. Its very solid!

Thanks!

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 11/02/2011 - 11:25

Super cute....nice to see it decorated for a little boy..my son turns 4 in December and I'll be redoing his room. My only concern would be how much additional space the slide would take up? About how far from the base of the house front is the bottom of the slide.

jcmcclure77

Wed, 11/23/2011 - 09:06

From someone that has done a modified playhouse loft bed, I know how tiring and time consuming it can be! Looks great and can't show my son or he will decided he wants this one instead!

Jeff

Roxy (not verified)

Thu, 04/12/2012 - 20:13

need some more infp for the slide plase

Mantel Headboard - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and DIY Tufting

Submitted by meliss987 on Tue, 07/30/2013 - 18:56

I love this headboard :)
We finally completed the tufting portion of the mantel headboard tonight and it looks great! Anna's design was easy to follow and the tufting part was easier than I thought...I followed http://www.cape27blog.com/2013/03/tufted-headboard-tutorial/ for the tufting portion.

Can't wait for the next project!

Finish Used
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint with Annie Sloan Dark Wax Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sideboard/Buffet

Submitted by rcnicks on Tue, 03/13/2018 - 14:03

This was a piece made by my husband for our outdoor living/patio area! Love how it turned out--and the walnut top was worth the extra money. Same wood that he used to make a fireplace mantle in the same outdoor area. The plank doors were leftover pieces we used to cover a ceiling, and created a great result. Found the Annie Sloan paint (Parisian Grey, I believe) and wax on a Buy/Sell Facebook site in our neighborhood and saved a little money.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax on base; Heavy floor type wax on walnut top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

First adirondack chair!

Got a chance this weekend to do our first (good!) woodworking project. Love the chair, gotta head back to Menard's to get some more lumber for chair #2!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Haven't finished it yet--probably going to go with a light stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hailey platform bed for teenager

Submitted by daveandamy on Thu, 08/01/2013 - 11:53

We needed a twin XL for our 17 year old grandson. This platform bed was perfect. It didn't take much to change the plans for the XL since it's the same length as a queen bed. We added the center support simply for added strength and changed the legs to make them longer so I can put wheeled drawers underneath the bed for added storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with semi gloss in charcoal gray.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Laptop Table

Submitted by brittanyj on Wed, 08/19/2015 - 13:29

I saw Jen's one board challenge post and realized that some wood I got for free off CL a year ago included the right amount of walnut.  This seemed like the perfect plan to utilize this beautiful wood in a worthy way.  I did not have a 1x8, so I made a butcher block kind of top, which I think I like even better since the colors and grain vary.  

Placement of the connecting bolts is quite tricky and led to some misplaced holes : ( The stop blocks to the side of the legs aren't mentioned in her plan, but pictured, and are recommended in order to stop the legs from splaying too far.  I used pocket holes for all joinery and no stain, just poly for the finish.  The final coat I watered down some water based poly and wiped on for a smooth finish.  Love it!   

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I used wood I got free off CL, so only the bolts were paid for and that was around $10
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Children's Toy box

Submitted by jjunge08 on Sun, 03/18/2018 - 14:03

My wife and I are expecting our first child so I wanted to make a toybox for his toys.  I liked the plan that i found on this website since the front piece had the cutout to reduce fingers getting pinched.  I also added some spring assisted hinges to make help the lid stay up and also close a little softer than just regular hinges.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Total cost for lumber is about $50-70
Hinges and Spring Hinges - $15
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Headboard Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/23/2022 - 19:22

My first attempt at making a headboard bench.  

by Kent!

Sling Chairs

Super Cute, Super Easy & Super Affordable! Cant wait to build the adult size chairs!

Estimated Cost
$30 for both!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project