Community Brag Posts

Garage Storage

Submitted by Smokeydog on Fri, 03/20/2015 - 08:59

Thanks to Ana's 2x4 storage plan and a neighbor's discarded kitchen cabinets we now have a very clean and convenient storage area  in our garage.  It even features a work bench and sorting area.

Estimated Cost
40-50 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Rustic Desk

Submitted by frmoody on Sat, 09/11/2021 - 06:10

I have build several of these rustic desks. I left the "X" off of this one as I had trouble getting it to fit properly. My last desk I had no issues but not this time. I use MinWax "Provincial" stain followed by three coats of Varathan 3X glossy finish on the top and two everywhere else. I also added a cross piece between the two end sections to better secure the top to.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Welcome to the Lake Sign

This is the half done lake sign I have been working on. We have a new CNC carving machine, and this was first.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar Varnish for outdoor use.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Pallet Style shelf & coat rack

Submitted by Tinia on Sun, 03/22/2015 - 08:10

From the pallet style coat rack plans we saw from Ana and what she did for Ryobi Nation.  Real simple to follow.  I just change measurements to fit my space and other modificaitons because I didn't have quite enough 2x lumber.  I saw the railroad spike hook idea on Pinterest and had a metal worker down my road cut them and thread them for me.  I am very happy with it.  I found a water-based stain (I HATE the clean up for oil based stuff) in a color called Aged Leather.

 

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot brand: color is Aged Leather
No topcoat on this project.

Just two coats of stain wiped down with a cloth. I use a staining sponge for all my staining work now as they are cheap, quick and easy.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Brayden and Harper's Playhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 07:51

Built by my son and I. Followed the awesome plans for that most part. 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Worm Composter Bins with Cabinet

I made the worm composter from Ana's plan and built a cabinet out of old pallets. The stack of worm composters drawers slide in and out of the cabinet on a heavy duty drawer glide set. I used cedar fence board. For 3 bucks a board, it was worth the work to rip them down and sand them. The bottom drawer has a tray built out of old flashing and slopes towards a hose bib in order to collect the worm tea. I designed the drawer insert out of cardboard and cut it out of flashing, using a pop rivet gun to put it together, sealing the seams with flashing caulking. The drawer has a sheet of aluminum window screen under the top square of cedar.

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Some free varnish from the County Drop and Swap recycle center
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/25/2017 - 17:11

Thanks Ana, built it out of pressure treated wood for South Florida. Had the Home Depot cut most of the wood from your plans.

 

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Montessori bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:24

Was a little challenging at first but I was able to pull it off and it came out to be perfect

Comments

Shelf for daughter's room

Submitted by tw41 on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 23:31

My wife and daughter wanted a shelf for her room - had to be pink. All I had to go on was a picture from a Pottery Barn ad. It's made from poplar and was my first kreg pocket hole project.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Had to be pink. I listed the paint above in the additional images section.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Apothecary Media Console

This was my first real build and it was a lot of fun. My girlfriend helped me out from time to time even though it was brutally cold in my un-heated, uninsulated, detatched garage.

We used a sagey green for the paint and 2 coats of gloss poly on the top. Added holes in the back with a hole saw for wires and cables. I stacked the false fronts and drilled them for the knobs all at the same time for consistency.

All in for about $210 including $40 in knobs, but I did make the drawers out of some scrap I had laying around.

The pocket hole joinery makes this pretty easy, but I'd highly recommend a table saw for consistent cuts and deminsions. Also, definitely use lay out lines and double check for squareness before driving the screws during assembly. Take your time, and enjoy the process. It starts to look very much "diy" in that not good "ummmmmm..." kind of way before the end where it all comes together.

Estimated Cost
$210-$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sagey paint and gloss poly over red stain on the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adjusted Pew Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/27/2017 - 21:13

I liked the other brag post with shorter arms

Really helps add storage to my office.  Thanks Ana and Shanty 2 Chic

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Latest Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:45

Built this for my mother in law. Was so excited how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

First Build at the Farm

Submitted by angmorfeld on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 07:00

We just moved to a farm and luckily the house has a wood shop! So we chose to do this farm house table as our first build at our new house. It was so much fun....and it was a great project for my husband and I to work on together! Total working time was about 10 hours, that did not include the time it took for the stain to dry and the poly to set. I am incredibly impatient and probably applied the poly over the stain too early, but with a project like a "rustic farmhouse table", the imperfections from my haste go unnoticed. Next build: barn doors.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American, 2 coats. Top coat of Minwax Wipe on Poly, 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Sutton Outdoor Bar Stools

Submitted by cstarliper on Sun, 03/29/2015 - 21:15

My first brag post!

UPDATED: New photo with bar and stools on covered porch. Very happy with how it worked.

We wanted the Ballard Sutton Console Bar Table and three stools to go with our outdoor furniture. Unfortunately, that little package was going to run about $2,500. Decided instead to see if I could build the things and make up my own stools to match. So basically by studying the picture a little bit figured out my plan. Then the stools are more or less a mini version of the table with a couple modifications.

I haven't itemized the bill, but built 3 stools for about $50, and the table was a little less. Incidentally, I can never find decent common 2x2s, so I have started ripping 2x4s into two 2x2s, and they come out clean, sturdy, smooth, and most important, straight!

Stained them using MinWax Puritan Pine to try and get the new teak look we wanted. Not too dark -- wiped the stain after 5 minutes.

Have the stool plans if anyone is curious!

Best regards!

cstarliper

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Puritan Pine
Spar Urethane Satin Clear Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Counter height table/ island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:56

This table was built using wooden counter height legs purchased from Home Depot. The top was 3x6 natural pine cut from Stinking Creek Tennessee. The boards were rough cut lumber from a saw mill. I ran the boards thru a plainer. We left the saw marks on the edge, but sanded the rough part off. The apron is 2x4 wall studs purchased from Lowe’s. I screwed it all together with pocket hole screws and wood glue. The corner decorative metal pieces are from Hobby Lobby. The metal bar stools were ordered from amazon.

Comments

Doll Bed for Lily

Submitted by handymommy on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 05:52

My two boys, ages 4 and 6, made this (with a little help) for their cousin for Christmas. They even helped me sew!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Going crazy in California

Submitted by Chris 1975 on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 05:13

This is a base loft bed which was my first project. I used raw pine for everything, and then stained. I added the flip top desk, and cubbys on the back wall as well for more storage. But then one of friends had an old play ground set, which he was selling at a ridiculously low price! Due to the pool and BBQ island however, it did not make sense to put these in the back yard. SO, I decided to take down the ladder and give him a rock wall! Both my son and daughter absolutely love it! I am now going to build the platform on the foot of the bed for the slide. More to come!!!! ;)

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Stairs Landing Built-in Bench, Cabinet and Bookshelves

Submitted by anb80 on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 12:20

I designed and built this for our stairs landing.  I'm loving all the storage!    I used a patterned contact paper on the back of the bookshelves.

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

media cabinet

Custom size media cabinet. Two doors with interior shelves. Three open shelves for media components.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1. one coat primer
2. two coats Behr off white, satin finish
3. distressed with 120 grit sandpaper on mouse sander
4. stain Minwax special walnut
5. two coats Minwax clear satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate