Community Brag Posts

Simple Outdoor Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/26/2024 - 10:33

I made these chairs with 2x4s and some leftover decking for the back strips. I must say they turned out pretty good and it only cost me $17.00 to build. I followed Ana White’s plans. These chairs are very sturdy and comfortable. Thank you so much Ana for your free plans and video. I’m hooked! I also made the bench/table last year. Love it. - Maryann

Indoor daybed without canopy

Submitted by marcyproch on Fri, 11/16/2012 - 18:52

I chose to modify the outdoor daybed with canopy for my finished basement, to replace a secondhand sleeper sofa.

The only power tool I used was a drill, including screwdriver bit -- with hand tools it took longer, but wasn't impossible.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark gray-brown semi-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Home Depot DIH Workshop Rolling Storage Cart

So I went to the DIH Workshop held at my local Home Depot and finished my cart over the weekend. I had the guy at HD cut my plywood down, won't make that mistake again. He made each one about a inch shorter than I asked for so I had to make my adjustments for everything else based on that. Next time I will take a tape measure with me to make sure instead of lugging everything to my car, taking it home and then measuring.

All-in-all I like the way it came out even with the minor adjustments still a fantastic cart.

Estimated Cost
$52
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Paint Gold
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rozika's Dollhouse

Submitted by Bgergoke on Fri, 12/23/2016 - 10:34

Thanks Ana for the plans, it was big fun to build! Had to do it while babysitting after work hours in our Budapest appartment, so all our neighbors had a lots of fun too while sawing and drilling in the night! 

At the start I had some difficulties with your inches and feet, but at the end I had to realize that milimeters weren't my thing either... but it looks good from the distance. Still needs to be filled with furnitures and dolls, but that will be the task of Rozika. 

Estimated Cost
ca. 200 USD, had to buy some tools too.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white lustre for the frames&walls, water based topcover for the rest, serviettes for the decoupage.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Storage Bin

I used Ana Whites plan and modified to fit my our space and outdoor pillows.

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Gunstock 231
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bamboo & Tile Dog/Cat Bowl Platform

Submitted by Joni on Wed, 11/21/2012 - 07:05

When I couldn't find the exact right size wood that I needed, I grabbed a piece of bamboo from my wood pile. When I ripped it in 2 pieces, there was this cool edge that resembled inlaid wood. I avoided staining it because it would have "muddied" the edge. I applied a transparent glaze on it, which kept the edge look intact. I had never worked with bamboo before -- I love it, as it required little sanding and took the finish beautifully.

Finish Used
General Finishes Glaze in Van Dyke Brown, followed by 3 coats of polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/26/2016 - 08:15

I started with your Hall Tree plan and added some upper storage.  The only trick there was to make two of the lower storage units and I turned one upside down to create the upper storage.  The extra space makes for double the storage.  Instead of using the pine for a back wall I substituted Wanescoting on the back and side walls.  I added 1-1/2' base moulding and a 1" moulding to finish off the seat edge and the top of the Cabinet. Also had to put moulding on the sides of the Wanescoting tofinish off the exposed edge.  I applied Rustoleums Cabinet Finishing kit to the bare wood.  This is a 3 step process and is similar to antiquing with a polycrylic finish.  The finish took as long as the build process but was well worth the time.  Finally I added the coat hooks that are black with brushed copper highlights.  I picked up some stamped rustic stars on-line for $3.50 for a set of 5 and painted them black and applied them with a hot melt glue gun.  Feedback from the family and our friends has been great and they all love the finished project.   

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350 Total
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Cabinet Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Large Bench

This bench is freaking huge but I love how it turned out. A lot of pocket holes for the back so it took a lot of putty to cover those up but that’s to be expected. Proud of this one.

Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet boxes

Submitted by nodos1975 on Sat, 11/24/2012 - 19:24

This is the first project my husband let me use the chop saw on.* I used some old 1x6's (3/4 in x 1 1/2 in) leftover from a chicken coop he built that had been on the floor and already had some nail holes in them - I figured that was was pretty close to pallet wood. He turned this from a beginner project into an intermediate because he made me measure and cut each side and end to custom fit the bottom of the box as as all my "pallet wood" boards were warped (does that make sense?) So make your life easier and use new boards! With his help it took about 25 minutes per box to cut and assemble. Putting a finish on was a little tricky because the wood just wasn't okay with some leftover iron acetate I had, so I just used Ana's black tea trick and they turned out perfect in about five minutes. My husband says this is an excellent first project for a beginner because a lot of furniture you build is simply A BOX, just bigger. We also built the laundry basket dressers the next day because I'd learned the concept of building a box! and I am having a great time learning to build. Really wish I'd taken wood shop in high school. Good thing my husband did.

* We built the laundry basket dressers and I dutifully assisted in the building of the Rustic X console table and I am so excited to post pictures, I just need to get some better ones!

Estimated Cost
$3 - for the house numbers - everything else was scrap
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Black tea over iron acetate. The iron acetate darkened the wood but left too pink of a finish, so I boiled about five black tea bags until it was REALLY dark, then brushed on a couple of coats and it darkened the boxes right up!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

rhettar

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 19:42

Those were eye catching to me in Ana's book, I have been wanting to make some too. You did a great job, I really like them!

Chestwick King Bed and Headboard

Submitted by ladybug618 on Wed, 12/28/2016 - 08:31

This project was a task! The bed is huge so we brought it into the room in pieces and put it together inside. Pretty happy with the outcome

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

2x4 Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Sprochniak on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 11:16

I changed the back of this chair to use some lumber I already had. These are very comfortable. I see more in my future.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams exterior semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Wooden 6 Pack Caddy

Made from re-purposed fencing slats, shims & copper tubing . The handle doubles as the bottle opener. I like that the piece will improve over time as the handle oxidizes. The Holiday Spirit now comes in packs of six.

More at:
www.facebook.com/chuckedwood

Estimated Cost
$7 (including wax)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Homemade stain from steel wool soaked in vinegar & coffee. Wax furniture polish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Reclaimed Wood Headboard, Double Size (Cedar Siding)

Made with leftover lapped cedar siding from our woodshed, plus a few pieces of reclaimed 1x4 and some new 1x3.  Wanted it to be navy, and it is.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Navy blue satin paint. Don't - I repeat - don't prime with white primer, if painting a final dark color! It took 4 coats of navy to completely cover the primer. Either skip primer or have it tinted closer to the final color. Should have known better.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Balin Console Table

Built this for my wife for Christmas. It was super easy and she loves it! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ana White Old World Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small rustic x console

Submitted by nprice on Wed, 09/09/2020 - 12:05

First woodworking project. Made some mistakes but learned in the process. Satisfied with how it turned out considering it was my first project. Using it as a printer table for my home office.

Estimated Cost
I had to purchase some tools so estimating $40 for the lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane stain in Expresso
Lacquer in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner