Community Brag Posts

Wood Working Apron

Thank you soo much for the apron plans. I've used a sewing machine about 5 times in my life, and I didn't know what "stitch in the ditch" or bias tape or trim was, but with the plans and some web searching, I was actually able to sew this apron. It took me considerably longer than others, especially because I don't have an iron, pins, or a seam ripper (ripping a seam took me over an hour). Again, thank you sooo much! I hope to never lose my pen and tape measure at the lumber yard again with this handy creation :)

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

Comments

CaitCouch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/13/2016 - 09:31

We altered our plans as my dining room could only accomodate a 7 ft table! This was out first DIY that was this large of an undertaking and we love the way it came out. If we can do this as woodworking novices you can definately do it! 

Estimated Cost
$150 in the philadelphia area including wood, screws, stain, and finish another $75 if you need to rent a mitre saw.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sanded down the table starting with 150 grit, followed by 220, then 320. Next, MinWax English Chestnut (1 coat- painted on and sat for 5 mins and then wiped off with rags- we didnt time it just about 5 mins - did the top first- then sides- then the legs one at a time to make it more manageable) followed by MinWax Satin Matte polyurethane (2 coats- 5 hours between coats and then sit for 48 hours untouched)

It was suggested to us that before attaching we should sand, stain and seal the legs. We didn't follow this advice from a friend and we should have!! being down on the ground with the table is all together was very hard on our backs and bottoms (and were in our 20s!). that is the only thing i would have done differently.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chick Brooding Cabinet for Quail

My family has started raising quail recently and I built their first home while they were still in the incubator. I have never done any wood work before, so this turned out much nicer than I expected! I followed the suggestion of having the brooder part on the top instead of the bottom and omitted the extra shelf. Two 5-gallon buckets fit nicely below the chicks. Since the quail are so small when they hatch, I used 1/4 inch hardware cloth for the "floor" but it wasn't long before that was too small so we had to change it to 1/2 inch. I am going to make a tray with each size of hardware cloth on it to make it easier to change out for next time, because they really do need both sizes.

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

Reclaimed Wood Outdoor Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/15/2024 - 10:47

I had leftover lumber from building the full size table so I built this outdoor coffee table using the same design just a little smaller.

Connie Breck

Wall Jewelry Cabinet

Submitted by jlabis on Sat, 08/25/2012 - 08:57

I used the wall jewelry cabinet plan and modified it a bit to fit the materials that I already had in the garage. The whole project was built using salvaged barn wood and siding that was built in the 1800's. It took a little longer to square up the boards and sand them to a friendly feel but I had little to no finishing time in the end. The plans were so spot on that used them almost exactly.! I just added another cross support to the door and used old barn wood tongue and groove for the back. I also fastened a little piece of wood at the top of the door with one brad nail. I did this to keep the door shut in a more attractive way then a clasp or hasp. The little piece swings out of the way with ease. I bought the knob at hobby lobby for 2 dollars and the hinges were less than 2 dollars. The hardware cloth came in a roll that was 24 inches by 25 feet long for 10 dollars. Basic wood working knowledge and tools are super helpful with this project and as is stated in the original plans... a kreg jig makes it so much faster and easier.! Thanks so much for sharing!!

Estimated Cost
about 14 dollars including the hardware cloth.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Just cleaned the wood with compressed air and sanded to a friendly feel being carful not to kill the old look. Thats the only advantage to using old wood... the finish time is short but the prep time is a little more involved.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lydia Daybed

Made by my husband for our 3 year old daughter's first "big girl" bed. We love this bed!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

West Elm Wall Cubby Knock Off

Submitted by Mike F on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 06:15

My wife found this post on Pinterest and asked if i could build it.  The hardest part was cuting the angles wit the jig saw because i can never get it to cut square and i have a little OCD about that sometimes.  I ended up using my table saw a little.  I would not recommened that though.  If i had acess to a band saw stand that would have ben perfect.

Estimated Cost
Around twenty dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used two different stains, provincial and special walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kitchen island

Submitted by deadspuds on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 20:36

Built this island off your coffee table plans...love this sight thank you.

Estimated Cost
200
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mudroom Storage Lockers and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 14:06

I really appreciated your garage/mudroom project guidance. I stumbled on it as I was trying to figure out how to design my project. I basically copied yours!! 😁

You also turned me on to pocket hole joinery. Previously I have used a biscuit joiner and find it very challenging. Thank you, I am a convert!

Don Arrowood

King Sized Headboard

Submitted by ecsorah on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 11:35

I did not edit this project, except the original project plan called for the bed to be turned sideways, I made this with the bed facing the right original way. The longest part of this project was waiting for the stain. It is not included in the estimated build time.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loving my new patio thanks to this bench!

Submitted by DogDoc25 on Sat, 06/21/2014 - 17:53

My patio was bare. (see boring before picture). So, I made this bench and wiped out a garden sale at Joann's, and now I'm SUPER excited about how it turned out! Really simple and straight-forward build, but this one was pretty hard to make by myself because it is super heavy! Nonetheless, I managed on my own, and I'm not the strongest person around, so that goes to show you that you can do it as a 1(wo)man show. Love this bench! Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/21/2016 - 19:43

We love the look of farmhouse tables but we wanted to try building our own rather than spending over $1500 on one. 

We saw this tutorial on pinterest and we decided to make it our first woodworking project, we love how it turned out!

 

Estimated Cost
$300-$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used 1 coat of Minwax wood conditioner, followed by 1 coat of Minwax Early American. We finished it with 2 coats of Minwax Polyurethane, sanding lightly between coat 1 and 2.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Surfboard bench

Modified the sofa design and created a surfboard bench

Estimated Cost
£30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Oak woodstain

Farmhouse Table (Rustic Table)

Submitted by tmunds on Tue, 08/28/2012 - 21:57

My mom has been addicted to Pinterest for a while now, so eventually she was led to this site. To make a long story short, she asked me to build her a dining room table similar to the Rustic Table design, but just a bit beefier, and with custom dimensions to fit the family's needs. I used 2x8's (8 feet long) for the table top, 2x4's for the apron/skirt, and 4x4's for the legs. This thing is a monster. I'm assuming it weighs close to 200 lbs. I beat the legs up with an old golf club, and scratched them up pretty good with screws.

This was my first time attempting something of this caliber, and I am really pleased with the results. The best part is that my mother LOVES it, and I now look like the greatest son in the world to all of her friends on Facebook!

Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sanded: 120 grit then 220 grit
Stain: Minwax Special Walnut (Brushed)
Finisher: Minwax Paste Finishing Wax (Rubbed in with a rag, then buffed off 20 minutes later).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JenniferCarter

Mon, 02/09/2015 - 07:17

Hi there! Your dining table came out beautiful! Do you happen to know where those chairs are from? I have a client that is in love with them so wanted to see if you know where they are from! Thanks so much!

'X' Entryway Table

Submitted by danicarby on Sat, 09/24/2016 - 14:32

This table is built out of only 2x4's - that's 5 boards for about $15!  It was pretty easy and took half a day.  If the fancy angles are too hard to cut safely I recommend doing 45-degree angles!  I'm happy to have a nice entryway - first time my whole life! :)

I've created a post on my project blog wth instructions & pictures for anyone to make their own.

Rustic console table

Estimated Cost
$15 for Lumber
Additional for Screws and Wood Finish
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Conditioner, Minwax Dark Walnut Stain then lasly, Paste Wax (Dark Brown).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

danicarby

Tue, 09/27/2016 - 12:16

Thank you Ana!  You made my day!  It was such a treat to see it posted on your Facebook page!  I told my husband that NOW that "I am famous" (haha) that I should be able to get the jointer & planer I've been begging him to let me buy!  I'm thinking maybe a direct message from  you would be just the trick! :)

Richard6959

Wed, 01/29/2020 - 13:54

What angle were the leg cuts? More than 50* because my saw wont go that far. Please let me know. 

My Julia Nightstand

This summer my wife and I remodeled our oldest's bedroom. I found this nightstand on Ana's website, and my wife fell in love with it. I had to make it! I noticed there were no brag posts for the Julia, so I felt that I had to contribute as a thank you for finding these plans. Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Cream colored Paint, and Lime colored paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Picnic Table

Submitted by asaldanha on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 07:20

Wanted to kick start my summer projects with something that would not take too long. So I built this picnic bench for a friend over the last weekend. Thank you Ana for the plans.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Red Barn Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

gkatie26

Sun, 03/01/2015 - 12:16

I was just wondering if these are 5ft boards from the plan or if you used longer boards? If so what length did you use? Love the way this one looks! :)

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