Community Brag Posts

Large Rustic X Bench

Submitted by jlamorey on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 10:39

We've recently moved into a new house and I've wanted a bench for the mudroom entrance from the garage. This bench is perfect.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
legs - white gloss that I use for the moldings and trims in the house
top - water based stain tinted with a semi-gloss poly over
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rekourt Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ajwechter on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 17:32

We made this table using the Rekourt Farmouse table plan. We used wider boards for the table top and simplified the angles on the legs a bit. We also built benches for each side of the table and dressed the ends with formal dining chairs. Used Dark Walnut Minwax stain and a clear satin epoxy to coat the top and bench seats. Had issues attaching the breadboards even with a Kreg Jig, Would probably do better if we did it all over again but totally happy with how it turned out.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wall Clock

Submitted by junkens on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 11:53

My wife wanted something to replace the wreath on our wall after Christmas and I was thinking of making her a large wall clock as a gift.  Plan meets opportunity and we just happen to be at Hobby Lobby at the time and so it began.   I used a piece of paneling for the face of the clock (same material as peg board without the holes about $8, enough to make two if I wanted) and built a wooden frame out of 1' X 2' s on the back that resembles a four pane window frame.  Painted the face and numbers, then printed our names and transferred them on to the face and followed up tracing them with a sharpie.  Affixed clocked to face and hung. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/08/2023 - 13:49

Love these chairs!

Comments

Baby Changing Table

Submitted by jah_alh on Sun, 12/18/2011 - 12:08

My husband and I built this changing table for our sons room. We made a few modifications, but overall, I think it looks great! This was the first of many projects to come from this website!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sara Skeen (not verified)

Fri, 11/09/2012 - 12:13

Hi! This looks great! Was wondering if you had the plans for the side hutch? I tried to use the link but it keeps telling me the link is unavaliable.

Thanks so much!

Distressed chalk paint

Distressed chalk paint

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
275
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Student work table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/24/2016 - 16:12

I love this table! Made for my 5th grade classroom, I modified the plans to include a dry erase table top, magnetic strips to support dry erase marker holders and clips on each leg for microfiber cloths to clean the board. I also lowered the table by two inches so my vertically challenged students could still stand, wiggle, and work comfortably. Thanks for posting the plans!

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

Comments

Nightstands

Submitted by DCecil43 on Mon, 07/08/2019 - 19:11

I used one of the plans found on the site but modified it by making mine 8 inches wider.  They are slightly higher as well to match what I replaced in our master bedroom.  This was actually the first project that I took on after looking at bedroom furniture for over a month and realizing how expensive cheap furniture is.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American Stain and Minwax Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mini Dresser for Jewelry and keepsakes

Submitted by JoanneS on Tue, 12/20/2011 - 13:32

These little dressers are inspired by Ana's Master Closet System drawers, and the Willy Bookshelf. These were made entirely from scrap wood, so it only cost me for the knobs and the felt for the drawers/bottom. These drawers were sized to fit inside the cubes in my vanity/desk, and to fit the left over wood available from my scrap bin. This took a while to cut everything, but it was fun and didn’t cost me anything but my time. On the top dresser I used some ‘slices’ of lauan for trim, to hide the cut edges and the bit of ‘cup’ on my side pieces (these were re-purposed old shelf boards from the garage). I used my finish nailer and glue for these.

Here’s a shopping and cut list (and a few tips) to make the 4-drawer equivalent (similar to the top one) with standard sized 1x12 lumber, and using 1x2 for drawer front/back/sides and applying 3/16” lauan ply for the bottoms. Haven't figured out how to use sketch up yet, so I can only provide a shopping list, cut list, and finished dimensions, so here goes:

Shopping list: (my 1x12’s are 11.25” wide and .75” thick, and 1x2’s were 1.5” wide, and .75” thick, and lauan is 3/16” thick)

1 pc 1x12x8
2 pc 1x2x8
2 pc 24” x 24” lauan (3/16’ plywood) (you’ll have some left over from the 2nd piece)
Felt - 4 pc 8.5” x 9.75” for insides of drawers, 4 pc 10” x 11.25” for drawer bottoms, and 1 pc 11.75" x 11.25" for dresser bottom. You can use 9 sheets craft felt (9” x 12”) for this – the 11.25” front – back measurement on the drawer bottoms is what’s most important –craft felt is 9” wide, and it’s OK if the felt doesn’t go all the way to the edges on the side-to-side measurement
(Sticky-back felt works and looks great, but costs a lot more than regular. I use sticky back on something I’m making as a gift, but these were for me so I just used regular felt and glued it in place with wood glue)
4 mini-knobs (Mine are unfinished ones from Ace, got for 2/$1.29 and spray-painted them)
Finish nails (I had 1 ¼” on hand) and plenty of glue
Finishing materials - filler, sand paper, plus paint/stain to suit your tastes

Cut list:
2 pc 1x12, cut at 2” (spacers - use these 'slices' for spacers while assembling, so the shelves are all spaced the same distance apart – this idea is from the Kreg jig demo video where they built the bookshelf). I like to cut these first, making sure they are nice and square. To me it’s easier and safer to cut these thin pieces from a larger piece with my miter saw.
2 pc 1x12 @ 11.75” (dresser top/bottom)
5 pc 1x12 @ 10.25” (2 for sides, 3 for shelves)
8 pc 1x2 @ 10” (drawer front/back)
8 pc 1x2 @ 9.75” (drawer sides)
4 pc 10” x 11.25” lauan plywood (drawer bottoms)
1 pc 11.75" x 11.75” lauan plywood (back)

Finished dimensions:
Dresser: 11.75” H x 11.75” W x 11 7/16” deep (includes back)
Drawer opening size: 10.25” wide x 2” tall x 11.25” deep
Drawer dimensions: 10”wide x 11.25” long x 1 11/16” tall (felt on the bottom of the drawer will make this height just a little taller)
Finished inside depth of drawer 1.5”, drawer inside dimensions 8.5” wide x 9.75” long

Finish: sanded, filled, sanded some more, and painted with some left over white paint, and used silver spray paint for the knobs

Assembly tips: Dresser part is constructed very much like the Willy bookshelf. The top and bottom are the same size on this one and the dresser bottom is applied the same way as the top of the Willy bookshelf. Once the bottom is on, use the ‘spacers’ to make sure the shelves are the same distance apart all the way up, then the top goes on last. 3/16” plywood goes on the back. Drawers are constructed like the master closet system drawers. Drawers slide directly on the shelves (and bottoms of drawers covered with felt) so no drawer glides are used. Applied the felt and knobs after sanding and finishing. Make sure the felt goes all the way from the front to the back of the drawer bottom, and is glued on thoroughly.

Estimated Cost
$10 (would be about $30 for materials for a 4 drawer cube done in whitewood)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint (left over)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 12/22/2011 - 20:43

These are so neat! I wish I had enough jewelry to fill one!!

JoanneS

Fri, 12/23/2011 - 11:56

Thanks very much! For the ring drawer, I used a piece of 1" thick high density foam (I cut up a kitchen chair pad) and on top of this is a piece of sticky-back felt. I drew lines on the paper side and cut slits into the felt first, then stuck it on top of the foam, and cut into the foam following the slits, using a utility knife. I didn't cut all the way through the foam, but almost to the bottom. The slits go all the way across the foam (to about 3/4" from edge) to fit more rings in there, but you can also do individual slits for each ring (if you have more patience than me - haha). The other drawers have regular felt cut to size and attached with wood glue. (Sticky back felt inside the drawers would have worked fine too, it just costs more).

claydowling

Fri, 12/23/2011 - 16:55

I just built a gentleman's valet for my sister in law's boyfriend, partly to test out some joinery ideas, and partly because I found a beautiful piece of white oak in the discount bin while I was looking for something else at the lumber dealer. I was pretty impressed with myself, but it's got nothing on the ambition of this project.

Excellent work. I absolutely wouldn't have guessed it as a beginner project.

I'm almost certainly going to have to build a jewelry chest like this for my wife pretty soon. My dad just built my mom a nice one, and my wife will be wanting her own.

JoanneS

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 13:54

Clay, thanks very much for the nice compliment. I've seen your projects here and on your blog and they are beautiful, so I'm very flattered! I've edited my original post to include measurements and cut list for a 'regular lumber' equivalent to the top chest. Lots easier than cutting all those drawer sides out of plywood and 1x12 like I did with my 'prototypes'. :) The next one I do will be with regular size lumber. Thinking of building one for my Mom. Happy holidays!

Lucy Huynh (not verified)

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 00:26

do you sell these? Its awesome. I've been looking for a tabletop drawer to store my makeup but everything is made of plastic! I was actually googling to see if there was someplace I can do woodshop to make my own jewelry drawer but alas I dont have the skills nor do I have any tools. I really admire this drawer!

claydowling

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 04:56

Lucy, try looking for something like a Makerworks. These are communal workshops with space and tools that you can use for a fee or a subscription. I don't know how prevalent they are in most of the country. I live in a suburb of Detroit, and because of the large manufacturing base there are a lot of them around.

The more expensive ones offer classes where you can pick up basic skills on unfamiliar equipment, but even those "expensive" ones don't cost a lot of money. The inexpensive ones still offer training on their equipment, but less formally than a scheduled class.

One of the more interesting features of these places, at least around here, is that they have CNC machines available. A CNC machine would let you transfer sketchup drawings directly to cut parts. For a one-off item it's not worth the trouble, but if you wanted to duplicate an item it would be great.

Coffee Table

I tweaked the console plans to work best for my space, and to work with the reclaimed barn threshing floor boards that I used for the top.

I love how it turned out and it works wonderfully in my space.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted the bottom with a melamine paint.
The top was stained with a walnut gel stain, and finished with a wipe on poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Upholstered Coffee Table/Ottoman

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/27/2016 - 10:15

I built the plans exactly as given (minus the top of course) but in hindsight I would have reduced the height by three inches to accommodate for the three inch height of the upholstery foam. I am still very happy with it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 approx.
Finish Used
For the base, I painted them with Rustoleum's Hammered in copper. (The quart, NOT the spray paint) I did two coats. When applying, go quickly and don't over brush the paint. I did spray on a light clear matte finish to tone down the shiny finish of the paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Baseball Lamp

Just finished baseball season and made this light for our coach with finishing touches of all players signing the balls. 

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Deep Red
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Sonny's Play Mud Kitchen

Darling Mud Kitchen by Sarah Jean Gammon

"I had this idea of making Sonny a mud-kitchen, a kids play kitchen for the yard. I mentioned it to Brent and he laughed saying he had enough projects on his list. This was not something he was going to build. Sooo I built this all by my self...or as Sonny would say, “me do this my own self”. It cost ~30 bucks in lumber and a trip to the thrift store for some second hand pots and pans. 3 hours later, a little paint, a little stain and voila... Sonny Side Up Mud Kitchen! Thanks for the plans Ana."

Built from Plan(s)

Play Kitchen - my first build :)

Submitted by laurakc181 on Mon, 12/26/2011 - 06:10

Well, this was my first ever wood build. I have made plenty of sewing projects and many other things, but haven't ever done a wood build.....and I have to say - I'm ADDICTED! I can not wait to do my next wood build. Actually, already making plans to take the beach hut bed and modify it to be a bunk bed for my two girls!
Modifications I made to the kitchen center are as follows:
Fridge: I installed magnetic clips inside the door area so it would stay closed and not go in to far when she closed it. I used basic exterior hinges due to the ackwardness of the size of the boards and placement, but it actually looked better. I installed hooks on the left side for her apron and hot pads and hooks on the right side for her cooking utensils to hang up.
Stove: I made the knobs to the stove able to turn and pull out a little to imitate an actual knob on a stove so she feels as though she is able to turn on the stove and cook. I made the top have four electric burners on the sides and a gas grill plate in the middle....she loves this for her "burgers" lol. I found some cookie cooling racks at dollar tree and they sit perfectly on the shelves inside the stove. I also mounted a tap light on the inside of the stove so it has an "oven light" in it.
Sink: I painted a ceiling medallion to match the set colors and have that as her decorative sink border...the actual sink is a purple tupperware bowl. The faucet is actually a sink mounted soap dispenser I purchased. It has a bottle that attaches under the sink that I can fill with water so that when she is playing she can pump the faucet and actually get water! I made sure to use kitchen and bath grade silicone sealant on the sink and used paint that is ok in a kitchen/bath area.

I painted her set Disney Tink Pink lol.....her favorite color! She is loving this set and I am so thankful I found this site so I could make it!

Estimated Cost
Out of Pocket: $25; Gift Cards: $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I primed it and then used a high gloss finish (so it was easily cleaned when it gets dirty) in Disney Tink Pink.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 09:47

Congrats on your first build! You did a super job! So cute. Love the creative elements like the turning knobs, grill and the 'running' water. Your sink bowl and trim colors are a great touch too. :)

Storage Bench

I followed the plans and everything went really well. Th bench was built to match a Farmhouse Bed and nightstand that I built. I added fake drawers and knobs to make it match the nightstand. The top of the bench is made from boards screwed together rather than plywood, to add a little character.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint with a clear acrylic on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Redwood Farmhouse Table and Bench

Submitted by nkukona on Mon, 07/22/2019 - 05:35

Farmhouse Table and Bench. Made from all redwood. Table is all new wood, and half the bench was from reclaimed redwood. Used Danish Oil and Spar Urethane to finish the tops, and paint to finish the legs.   

Estimated Cost
Not sure, but redwood cost a lot more than pine. Maybe $400 or so.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Octagonal Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/25/2023 - 08:16

Great plans and easy to follow!

Comments

Distressed Mail Organizer

Submitted by trev88 on Wed, 12/28/2011 - 07:15

I found a picture of a mail organizer (URL below) on Ana's website and my wife really wanted one similar to it. So we took that idea, added some antique accessories to the side and name plate on the front.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black matte spray paint then latex paint over. Sanded paint back for the black spray paint to show through. This gives the rustic look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Door Spice Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/03/2016 - 07:39

I found the plans for this spice rack several months ago but did not have the time to build it. The spice rack was very easy to build with the provided plans and with the use of the Kreg Pocket Hole jig. My wife loves it. Thankssmiley

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner