Community Brag Posts

Alexia Bench modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 08:21

This was a very quick and easy build that was completely finished in an afternoon. My Kreg jig was loaned out, so I have exposed fasteners, but I prefer to let them show instead of filling the holes. I built this with 20" legs to make it a little taller and more comfortable for my height. I also prefer straight lines and angles, so I changed the trim pieces a bit to suit my style. The hardest part was getting the drawer slides lined up. The finish is Rustoleum Heirloom White with a coffee colored glaze. The picture makes one drawer look darker, but it's really just a shadow. I'm in love with this project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65 for standard boards and a small can of paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Heirloom White with a coffee colored glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tryed Side Table with Shelf

Submitted by papadaddy on Mon, 05/21/2012 - 18:59

All the wood is from pallets, which you can find for free at local big box stores.
I added the shelf with the same support system used for the table top.
Made with as little cost as possible so materials are not too much.

Material:
A few pallets
Wood screws

Tools:
Table Saw
Miter Saw
Drill
Sander
Measuring Tape
Square
Pencil and Paper
Stain
Brush
Shop Cloth

This is my first Project :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$7
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of Red Mahogany 225, applied with a brush and rubbed with a shop cloth after 15 minutes.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

anderjes

Tue, 02/12/2013 - 07:55

Do you have blue prints or suggested measurements for this table?

8 Foot long Book Shelves

We recently created a Dr. Seuss themed reading nook on our upper level. We have one large book shelf near it, but have also wanted a way to display children's books. These ledge shelves make the books easy to access while also creating a beautiful piece artwork at the top of our stairs. Now, instead of have a long blank wall in the hallway between doors on the little landing we have a beautiful library. I have loved how they have turned out and wanted to share with others!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
After screwing them all together we painted them white. It gives a elegant look!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

From Portugal, with minor modifications

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/05/2016 - 10:48

Followed the plans, with minor modifications to adapt the size to the available wood. Bigger modifications are the use of bolts and nuts instead of screws (to allow easier disassembling for storing), and the underneath reinforcements to avoid the table to bend over time.

Thanks for the plans, the kids loved it!

Gonzalo, from Portugal

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Water-based pore filler, priming, exterior paint (mate)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our First Wood Working Gift!

Submitted by JD_2030 on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 16:41

This cup tree was so easy to put together and made a wonderful birthday gift for my dad! For the bottom and top, we used scrap plywood that we had lying around. We used one light coat of stain to give it a warm hue. What an enjoyable project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$6
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Wardrobe

Submitted by dustimausi on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 14:57

Since I had little space in my floor I took to logs from the field.
I first polished them with sandpaper and steelwool. 1st time dry, 2nd time wet. After drying I paintetd one with white stain. The other one with nutchest stain and clear coat.

The white log was once more polished with steelwool after painting.
Therefore it has an used/bleached look.

I added warderobe hooks to each log and screwed them to the wall.

Price 30 €

About 10 € for 20 € for the hooks and screws.

Sorry, my english is not so good - I'm not a native speaker.

Estimated Cost
30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

King size platform bed and headboard

Submitted by Rgb057 on Sun, 03/09/2014 - 11:25

I converted the plans to king size and used oak for the headboard and the platform edge on the bed. The oak added to the cost as it is almost 10x the cost as construction lumber.
I made the headboard frame with pocket holes and attached it to the plywood with screws from behind. I also used pocket screws to assemble the bed frame.

Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

CreativeChaos

Sun, 04/20/2014 - 06:54

I've been waiting to see if anyone would modify this for a king size. Would you mind sharing the dimensions you used for your headboard? I love your fabric and the oak gives it such a quality appearance. Nice job!

Simple Outdoor Dining

I am enamored by the Simple Outdoor Table that is usually featured on the homepage. This was my second project, and in hindsight, I it took several weeks to finish working at night because I made several mistakes that required some problem solving. Naively, though, I studied the plans, borrowed a saw and got to work.

I opted for two benches to save space on the patio when not in use. As you can see in the picture of the bench tops, I opted for a smaller spacer (1/16")because it improved the looks dramatically, but that left me with a gap. There will be a skinny slat in the middle of each bench.

I also opted for 3/16" spacers on the tabletop which required one more board than was scripted. That is much easier to account for on the table then the benches.

You can see from the stacks of lumber in the garage, assembling is the easy part! I hope to never see the words, sand, stain, and seal in sequence again. I also learned a few difficult lessons when it came to using the Kreg Jig, which was new to me.

Now that it's done, though, I am very proud of the outcome.

Estimated Cost
$150
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Andrew Spearns (not verified)

Thu, 07/26/2012 - 13:24

Hi - Table looks great. What did you use to stain and seal?

Thx
Andrew

Log Cabin Birdhouse

I enjoy making birdhouses and log cabin style is my favorite. I make the logs by setting my saw to rip 3/4 pine at 3/4 so I have 3/4 square strips. I then decide the size of my birdhouse and cut the logs accordingly. I also "wittle" on them a little to make it look more authentic. I simply then just stack, glue and nail one row at a time. You can use 1/4 poplar for the roof but I ripped pine at 1/16 and cut shakes with my utility knife and glue them on one at a time (there are 104 on this roof).

Estimated Cost
7.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Rustic Console

I had a friend make a request for a console table.  We came up with this design to fit her space and needs.  It was a pretty easy build.

Estimated Cost
$150-200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
ECOS Paints Woodshield - Pine Needles
ECOS Paints Woodshield - Satin Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Entertainment Center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/18/2023 - 12:53

Built the entertainment center for our new home. Thanks for the great plans.

Comments

My New Couch

Submitted by PriscaW on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 02:30

This is my new couch ,that I built with my husbands help,I could not find a one piece cushion in my area but, I did manage to find individual cushion.I am no expert , but I am learning as I go.

Estimated Cost
about 100 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Garden console

Submitted by DogDoc25 on Sun, 03/16/2014 - 19:31

I had my seed starters sitting on a TV stand by my sunny window, which was as ugly as it gets (see before photo...). So, I built this little console for my gardening stuff to sit on while my seedlings are growing. It turned out being the perfect size for what I'm using it for. I only modified it slightly, by adding end pieces to the top (just subtracted 6'' from the length of the top pieces and measured the width of the top to decide the length of the end pieces. I also used pocket holes to attach my bottom shelf pieces and the top shelf pieces, instead of nails. I've never done a 2 tone piece (I love the look of stained wood) so I was nervous about painting over the wood...but I'm really really happy with how it turned out! It was easy to make, and mine was done in an afternoon. Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 maybe?
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
For the top I used a base coat of pre-stain conditioner. Then applied 1 coat of Minwax Golden Oak (left on for 15 minutes then wiped off), then 1 coat of Polycrylic. The base paint is a color from Home Depot...I can't remember the name but if anyone is interested, just message below and I'll look it up.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shelves for a Shed

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 06/18/2016 - 13:30

Build Instructions:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Shelves-for-a-Shed/

I looked at purchasing brackets but I couldn’t get the exact size and the price seemed high for something so simple – plus I had a few excess 2×4s from the last job. Mainly, I wanted to utilize the area in the upper portion of the shed while keeping the floor clear for yard/garden equipment. There are multiple variations of this style bracket online. I took a little different approach by utilizing the existing part of the shed (top plate) for support. I don’t know the load capacity but I’m quite sure it will handle any of the items (tarps, paint cans, etc.) I plan to place on the shelf.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/18/2020 - 16:51

Loved building it. Took me and my husband a couple hours to build. Originally wanted to do the lift top but by the time we were ready to do that realized the front sides weren’t wide enough to do hideaway. Wish I could have made it a little smaller but I’m in love with it. Looking to do more projects during quarantine.

Estimated Cost
110
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Map gas and Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sabre display

My husband built this for one of the recruiters in his station for his retirement from the Army after 20 yrs of service.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gunstock stain with satin finish poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Thank you for making my first furniture DIY project so easy!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 10:07

I've been looking for a way to hide my ugly garbage can in my kitchen for a while now.  I figured it would cost way too much to buy something like this and was so excited to find Ana's plans online.  This was my first furniture attempt ever.  The plans provided made the entire process so easy.  I used some leftover beadboard for the door and some odds and ends we had laying around for the hardware to keep the costs down.  

Estimated Cost
about $30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The cabinet was first painted with Americana Decor chalk paint in Vintage then topped with Americana Decor chalk paint in Everlasting and distressed with my random orbit sander. The bead board in the door was painted with some leftover Annie Sloan Chateau Grey. To protect the finish I topped it with Annie Sloan clear wax (3 coats on the top).
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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