Community Brag Posts

Vinyl record cabinet

I know this is a pretty basic build but I still wanted to share it.  I used pine for the entire piece.  It took longer to finish this piece than to build it haha.  The finishing process consided of a pre-stain condiitoner, antique walnut gel stain, and several coats of toner.  

 

 

Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Outdoor truss table and benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/06/2017 - 07:22

I needed an outdoor table and thought this design would look lovely on my patio. I used 2x8's for the table and bench tops, which meant I couldn't run them through my 6" jointer; so I had to plane them as they came from the store. This resulted in a fair amount of sanding once I assembled the tops with a kreg jig and glue. Plugged the pocketholes  and used an outdoor deck stain for protection. The stain over the plugged pocketholes looked interesting enough that I almost used those sides for the exposed tops, but ultimately decided on the cleaner finish. The 4x4 legs and apron are in a black matte exterior paint, and I used a 1 5/8" forstner bit for the umbrella holes. It's a fun project, and assembly doesn't take too long at all. My patio is now a great place for a morning cup of coffee while reading the paper and has already become the spot for neighborhood gatherings.

Estimated Cost
Expect around $300 for table, 2 benches, paint and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
3 coats marquees charcoal black matte for the truss legs and aprons. 80, 150, and then 220 sanding before 1 coat transparent walnut timber oil deck stain for the tops.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 14:14

Built this Hall Tree for my daughter. Saw the Ana White project and found it to be the easiest, most clear plan by far. It turned out great!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Bigger Tryde Coffee Table

My sister put in request for bigger coffee table and 2 end tables, again, the building part was not that difficult, the time consuming portion was staining. But they turned out great!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I "distress" the wood by using a piece of chaing and just beat it until I get a desired, uniform look. I used 3 coats of stain on each piece and sealed it once complete. I did not sand between coats and I use the cheap foam brushes and just toss them after each coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

These ledges transformed an entire wall!

For Mother's Day this year, I decided to completely redo what we call our "front room" for my wife. Before the weekend, it was unorganized, colorless, and boring. We decided to start the project with new paint, which my wife picked out. I got some old windows from a thrift store, and we decided the ledges would flank one of those windows and we'd basically transform the entire wall.

The ledges were a blast to build (my wife even helped a bit!) and we're super happy with the way they came out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We just painted the ledges with a flat black. Nothing fancy at all!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shelves (ledges)

Submitted by jwillo on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 00:15

My husband and I built the 10 dollar ledges to use for book storage in our nursery. I love how they allow you to display the books as well as store them. This is the second time we have used this plan for wall decor in our house, and our fifth build overall from one of Ana's plans. I love all the fun options! 

For the small size, we only needed three boards so it was inexpensive and they came out great. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Patio furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 14:43

Followed Ana’s plans, very easy to follow. Chose two different sizes, different woods, and different cushions. Very pleased with outcome.

Comments

Bunny trug

Submitted by KTKing on Tue, 04/07/2015 - 08:47

This was my first wood working project. I made this bunny Easter basket for my son's first Easter. Everyone loved it. I can't wait to try other projects!

Finish Used
Varathane in bleached blue
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Industrial Chandelier

Submitted by SaraLodise on Fri, 07/21/2017 - 05:22

Industrial chandelier for our dining room made from black iron pipe pieces from Lowes and some leftover black walnut scraps. It was a sometimes frustrating design-as-you go project that required loads of help from my electrical engineer husband. Love how it finally turned out!

Estimated Cost
$220
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax special walnut to match pine to other wood, then a coat of Waterlox to bring out walnut grain.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 16:40

I had a friend ask me to build them a sideboard that fit a 7' wall in their dining room. They found the picture and I made to their specifications. First picture is just finished, the second picture is how they painted and placed it.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Rustic x coffee table

Submitted by Mtrhea on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 19:14

My first project. Hope to make more!

Estimated Cost
40-50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll baby beds

My Grandaughter wanted a Baby Bed for her dolls. I made one for her. and one for a little friend of hers. I just used 2x2's and plywood, then used rattle can spray paint to finish.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
white Krylon spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic picture frame

Submitted by FireWolf13 on Thu, 08/03/2017 - 19:26

Simple picture frame made from old scraps of wood I found laying around. 

Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None because I wanted the old look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My version of Adirondack chair!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 18:32

I tweeked this project because I was making it for a larger person. On the whole, I think it came out pretty good! Thanks Ana! I love your website and plans.

Comments

Tall Narrow Modular Bookcase!

Submitted by ferbit on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 07:55

This is my very first woodworking project! My oldest daughter badly needed a bigger bookcase... I made this last year and it's already completely stuffed full of books now! Home Depot ripped the MDF for me, hubby helped me put it together and then I finished it. Since it is tall and narrow, the sides were bowing inward. I decided NOT to make ALL shelves adjustable, so I made two of them part of the bookcase. Squared things up nicely. The rest of the shelves are removable though.

Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of primer, three coats of semi-gloss Acrylic Latex paint (same paint used on the trim throughout our house). I did not put poly on this project.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Guest bedroom with fancy king farmhouse bed, $10 ledges, wooden crate nightstands, and wine bottle lamps

Submitted by henryholub on Fri, 05/24/2013 - 08:03

This the recent remodel of our guest bedroom. Its a modified plan from a fancy farmhouse bed that allows room for tubs to be stored underneath, three of the ledges, and the nightstands are old wooden crates that have been sanded down, painted, and mounted to the wall. We decided to do vinyl stickers as the "headboard" and felt the birds on a wire made for a good look. The lamps we made from wine bottles with labels we liked using westinghouse lamp kits. Thank you Ana White for these plans and ideas!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
"mistint" paints. White for the bed, yellow for the nightstands and lower ledges, and an orange-red valspar paint for the 8 ft ledge.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tryde end table

Submitted by mdbennes on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 10:37

I built this table in about 3 hours with 5 2x4s yellow pine for the total cost of around $17 total...thats not including the kreg jig screws or stain.  I deviated from the original plans for the top to try something different with the 45 degree mitre cuts.  It came out great but I had to review a youtube video on making the kreg pilot holes at the 45 degree angles to attach the corners together.  I then cut the (4) 2x4s to fill out the top and used kreg jig screws to attach.  Very nice instructions by Ana and after posting to my FACEBOOK page, I'm getting orders!  :)  

Estimated Cost
18-20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American stain...then Minwax Polyurethane 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bird Feeder on a pole!

Submitted by Sue Hill on Fri, 08/11/2017 - 15:34

What a great little feeder! I didn't put mine in the window yet, because the screens are on for the summer. I screwed a metal flange into the bottom of the bird feed then screwed a metal pipe into the flange. Then put it in the ground under the window.  I'll add the suction cups and put it in the window in the fall.  I love watching the birds!

Estimated Cost
It didn't cost me anything since I used scrap wood from other projects. I also had the metal flange & pole in my basement. The 1/2" pipe flange is about $5, the metal pipe can run $12-$15 or more depending on how tall you want it. I used some exterior paint that I also had from another project.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Console Table

Submitted by Anneke on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 21:51

This is a piece I made out of scraps just for fun. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and how functional it is!

I looked on the Tryde Console Table and Simple Console Table as a reference and just figured out the dimensions from what material I had. I also added a piece of wood in the center, and winged it with the shelf on the bottom.

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Minwax Polyshades Bombay Mahogany Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

See-saw for kids

Submitted by Michael M on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 09:01

Took no time at all - 1 hour start to finish on a rainy day. Built it for the little kids but kids came out of the "woodwork" from all over the neighbourhood. Easy, fun and cheap! May add some old rubber bike tires beneath the seats to protect the wood that comes in contact with the ground. Didn't bother with a padded seat - an off-cut of plywood, with sanded edges works just fine and will be easy to replace if it starts to weather.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15 in wood, $5 for bolt and washers
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by leannb on Sun, 04/19/2015 - 20:30

Built from the King Farmhouse bed plans

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

Comments

mtz_lin

Tue, 11/08/2016 - 10:49

Did you use a metal bed frame or did you make the side rails and frame? i am curious how high my mattress will sit above the footboard because I want to make the side rails and use slats. I have a boxspring that I will be using.