Community Brag Posts

Beefy step stool

Submitted by wudrite on Sun, 02/13/2022 - 12:12

Legs made of 2x10 southern yellow pine scrap for strength & stability. Rails made of radiata pine scrap. Top made out of hickory panel reclaimed from $0.50 restore cabinet door for strength & weight while looking sharp. Legs & rails have 2 coats, top as 3-4 coats of platina shellac. Was fun to do a scrapwood project that provides something both nice & practical. Result extremely stable, no amount of weight seems to phase it.

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Guest Room update

Submitted by nlaupp on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 15:18

Our guest room had to be ready for some friends coming in town for the week. Before this room had no shelves and worse yet; no head board. Turned this boring room into...well a less boring room. In the picture are my first two projects; the Ten Dollar Ledges and the Reclaimed-wood headboard.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The ledges were just painted with a glossy white and the head board was painted with a flat charcoal, distressed, and finished with a mahogany gel stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sweet Pea Bunkbed - Modified

I took the basic plans for the Sweet Pea Bunk Bed and modified them to make a loft bed for my daughter. She dreams of opening her own restaurant when she gets older. The bed is on top and her restaurant is below. I made a chalkboard on the back wall of the bottom section. Curtains will be added sometime in the near future in her restaurant as well. Now she wants a cafe table and chairs as well.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic One Gloss and Valspar Chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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Loft bed for our girls

Submitted by RenayW on Sat, 07/18/2015 - 05:33

The first picture is of our oldest daughters bed (purple/black). We took the original design and increased measurements to fit a full size mattress and adjusted platform to fit room size. The remaining pictures are of our youngest daughters be (purple/white), which is only a twin. 

Some of the tweaks we made were:

* building for a full size bed

* adjusting platform and stair width so the entire bed went from wall to wall

*adding brackets in all 4 corners for extra support (not shown in purple/black bed - weren't added at time picture was taken, just used triangle pieces of extra wood for brackets)

* Used plywood as bunkie board for both beds. Twin - 1 sheet just layed on top of cleats, fit perfect; Full - 1 1/2 sheets, used 'H' clips to hold the two pieces together when on frame and screwed down onto the cleats.

* shortened platform on purple/white bed  bringing the stairs back a little to go under window

* added design element at end of purple/white bed to ensure entry on and off the bed would be safe and always on platform since it was shortned

One thing we did that wasn't mentioned in original plans, unless I either overlooked them or is a standard procedure when working with wood (seeing as I am a complete novice) all the wood we purchased need to be checked for quality - needed straight boards with minimal cracks and all the wood needed to be sanded down. Overall the project wasn't difficult, but I was guided by an expert. It took us about 20hrs over a period of three weekends to finish both beds from purchasing material to setting up in room. But that was due to emergencies, work schedules and traveling to the workshop we were using.

 

Estimated Cost
We purchased material for both beds at the same time, total cost was about $300-$330....so roughly $150-$160 each *(note full size material cost a little more)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a primer on wood and then paint color of choosing
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse head and footboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/06/2022 - 18:33

Still need to paint it. Perfect weekend project. Such an easy build! Thank you!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Corner Cabinet--Perfect for practicing corners

This was my second project. I wanted to get practice working with corners so I could do a media cabinet eventually and this was a great starting point. This cabinet is a great addition to our dining area too! My little helpers were never far away :)

Estimated Cost
$150 (higher costs thanks to island living)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Randomly mixed (flat interior based) paints in a shade of green (left over from another project).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Perfect Trestle Table/Desk

Submitted by c-e-fogus on Thu, 07/18/2013 - 11:16

My husband asked me to make a small and inexpensive table for our new TV. I decided to make a desk so it would be able to be used later when we move the TV. Very easy plans. Easy assembly. Great beginner project. I used 1X6 for the top instead of 2X6. It was less expensive and seems to work just fine. I also threw together a small TV stand so the DVD player can go under the TV and not clutter up the table. It's 3 1X4's @ 20 inches. And I made the sides by ripping the leftover 1X4 in half the same width as the top. I spent $30 in wood and have some scraps left over for another project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain in Early American. Minwax fast drying polyurethane in clear satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

FIRST BUILD!! West Elm Early American Inspired Sideboard

After unsuccessfully searching for the perfect sideboard for my office space, I got up enough courage to make one myself.  I am so thrilled with the finished project!! 

Estimated Cost
$140 all in (wood, screws, stains, polyurethane)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American on the body, trim and some door panels. Minwax Dark Walnut for the rest of the door panels.

In order to create the rustic look of the doors, I left the stains on for various amounts of time. I also taped off some sections for the initial stain, then lightly brushed over those spots to create a more weathered look
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Grandy Sliding Door Console

Submitted by Justjoshin on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 05:59

Used this plan and tried to Gary a rustic look. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut, white pickling stain, and clean poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

corner shelf for spring organizing

I built this corner shelf as part of my spring organizing effort. I have to say, that the shelf looks too good to be left in the basement's corner.

Comments

Modified & Far from Perfect Corner Unit

We were in desperate need of a corner media unit. I just know that Ana will post something incredible for this soon, but we just couldn't wait any longer. SO...I 'TRIED' to modify her lovely Cabin Collection Media Console & Hutch. Her plans were great, and I pretty much followed them step-by-step and just modified corners and things to fit my need. I'll emphasize...it is NOT perfect by any means and is probably not 'done-by-the-book', but it hides all of my hubbies gamer items (rockband guitars and keyboard, wires, controllers, games, etc). AND, I built it with growing room for his biggest wish, a new t.v. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 (higher prices of lumber on an island)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Nuwood poly stain-Walnut. 2 fulls coats of stain, lightly sanded between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Teddy Bear Bunk Beds

I made these bunk beds for my daughter and her best friend for her best friends birthday. My 4 year old daughter helped putting them together and painting so she got one too:) We used the paint sparkle add-ins from lowes with sample paint colors in each girls' favorite color. I haven't finished the bedding for my daughter's yet, but as you can see, it is working just fine without bedding:)

Estimated Cost
$25 for both with bedding
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar sparkle add-in and Valspar yellow and purple samples (don't remember exact color, actually I don't think I ever looked, my child selected them:) I just sanded with a sanding sponge and then painted when done.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

XL Twin Storage Bed

I took plans from two makers and changed them to fit my needs.

I took the base from the Fix This Build That DIY Daybed with Storage Drawers plans. And I used the headboard/footboard concept from the Shanty-2-Chic DIY Modern Farmhouse Platform Bed plans and made this extra tall, extra long twin size bed.

I made it for a client (friend). It is for her daughter. White washed instead of paint of stain. 

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White wash (watered down white paint) and triple thick top coat in satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ana White Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2022 - 12:41

We built the first one about 8 years ago, and then the wind flipped it over and scattered it all over the back part of the property. I then dug footings and anchored the second one down; I was able to save the Dutch Door I made for the first one. Thanks for the plans!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Simple bench from pallets

I had some left over wood from pallets and I really liked the look of the simple outdoor bench. One pallet was made out of some type of red colored wood and I decided the slats for the seat would look good in the red colored wood. The rest of the bench was from a lighter colored pallet. I used nails and glue to attach the seat slats so that my daughter could help. She loves to help, but does not like my drill even if she has hearing protection. See more at http://www.makeitlovely.com

Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American wood stain (1 coat)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Barnwood Frame

Submitted by CGruff on Sun, 07/21/2013 - 18:45

My first DIY project EVER. Not really a brag....but I'm pretty proud of it. Amazing what you can do with a $1 piece of wood and some stain. Some sides are slightly uneven, some nails might be crooked. It has character and I will always remember it as my first! It's liberating to create something beautiful with your own two hands :)

Estimated Cost
Maybe $2? Cheap, easy, and gorgeous.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain in blue and dark walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Work bench with added rack

Submitted by cveres03 on Wed, 07/29/2015 - 05:05

I took the workbench plans, less the casters. I also added the shelf on top. It was fun to take the plans and then sketch out new specs to adjust for the rack

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax pine, stain and sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chalkboard Key Organizer

This is a basic key organizer but the big hook it for a dog leash. The sides are routered and the middle is chalkboard paint for writing. A friend just suggested putting a route to hold the chalk. I will add that later. 

Estimated Cost
$3 if you have the scrap and chalkboard paint.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't have a finish because it would ruin the chalkboard finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

2x4 outdoor furniture collection

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/11/2022 - 18:21

My husband made 4 pieces from the 2x4 outdoor collection. It was his first time doing a wood working project. The step by step plans made it easy and manageable!

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