Community Brag Posts

Narrow Cottage End Tables v2.0

Submitted by RITWood on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 10:44

This is the second set of Narrow Cottage End Tables that I have built.  Like the first pair I built end a secondary shelf where the drawer would normally ride.  This time the secondary shelf is flush with the surrounding support.  I used as muched reclaimed wood as possible so instead of solid 1x material I glued up batten panels using pallet slats.  I let them run 'wild' on the backside; this will cause some fitment issues when mounting the drawer hardware.  Installing a thin cleat along the inside allowed for flush mounting the hardware.  The rope handle is 3/8 natural giving the pieces a 'nautical' feel.  I drilled the through holes 2/32 smaller in diameter then the rope diameter, or in other words the through holes are 5/16 as opposed of 3/8 of an inch.  Make sure to thread the rope from inside the drawer out then back in.  I used constrictor knots on the inside to secure the rope ends as well as providing a 'pull' for the handle.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean penetrating stain, which needs to completely cure before applying the polcrylic, for the top and primary shelf. Off white Valspar latex for the body. Several coats of Minwax' polycrylic clear satin top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entertainment Console- Need space for all those streaming devices?

I have a bunch of those streaming boxes, Apple Tv, Roku, a game console and from what I can tell, there is no entertainment console out there that accommodates them very well, so I made my own. I also have a bunch of retro cassettes and CD's that I wanted to display (the cassettes more for nostalgic reasons) and of course vinyl! so I made this very unique console to accommodate everything. The streaming boxes, karaoke, wifi box, game console all get there own little boxes which keeps them all able to connect easily the remotes and all the wires stay hidden in the back. I also put some light strips on it for some additional night time fun! I made this out of a material called Whitewood, which I've found here at Home Depot in Canada. Its really really cost effective and the boards are easy to work with and are nice and straight! Thank you Ana for giving me the confidence to design my own unique project!

Comments

Bulky Dining Table: Built to Size

Submitted by macydawn on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 07:55

I had been wanting a trestle table for months but couldn't swallow the outrageous pricetags that came along with the tables. I was also dealing with a small space, so the table had to be just the right size.

Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
A black stain on the legs defines the fun shape.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor sofa

Submitted by joeyr on Wed, 07/10/2013 - 07:29

This is from the simple white outdoor sofa plans, they were very easy to follow and came out great. I built it out of cedar for my mom's birthday that is her favorite wood. The cushions came from Wal-Mart on sale for 70.00 for the set. There is about 140 total in everything.

Estimated Cost
140.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grandy Sliding Barn Door Console

I pretty much followed the plans to the T. I did use 3/4" plywood for the middle shelf instead of the suggested wood. The hardware was the hardest part and mostly followed the previously posted DIY from Jamie's website with a few modifications. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250ish including all hardware, paint and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut on the top and charcoal spray paint for the body.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Logan TV Stand

I built this for my sister for her 30th Birthday. She loved it!! It took me 4 days to make this. I took my time and put 3 coats of paint on it before assembling it. I am very pleased with the outcome...Thanks Ana for the plans!! :-)

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

tv stand

Submitted by taurusbia on Fri, 07/12/2013 - 21:20

This tv stand was my second project I made. It wasn't too difficult, but I'm definitely glad it's done and I can reclaim my kitchen counter!!
I designed this myself, gathering ideas here and there from different stands I saw. The tv stand I really wanted was this one from Wisteria.com. http://www.wisteria.com/Recycled-Pine-Console/productinfo/W4180/ I've been wanting it for years, and it was about $1200. So that's where I got the idea for the slatted shelves, and the industrial wheels.
The hardest part were the "x's" on the sides, and finishing it, getting in every nook and cranny. Not sure how I feel about the finish, so I'm going to live with it for awhile.
NOTE* Casters were bought BRAND NEW a week ago on amazon.com. I soaked them in muriatic acid for 24 hours, and then dipped them in baking soda and rinsed. Then I did minor touches with a propane torch. Didn't turn out how I expected, but I like how they turned out. PLEASE do your homework on muriatic acid before using it!!
The corner brackets on the top were found on wildwesthardware.com.
The lumber for this project was only about $80. But the corner brackets were $17 each (they are hand forged) and the wheels were $100 for the 4, (after shipping). Still better than $1200!!!
**On the 2nd and 3rd pic, the steel wool juice hasn't dried completely, that's why it looks splotchy.**

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Black tea and steel wool/vinegar juice. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

taurusbia

Fri, 07/12/2013 - 21:25

OOPS! I also took the 2x4 idea and the "x's" on the side from ANA'S RUSTIC CONSOLE!!!!! Also forgot to mention that this was my first project using the kreg jig. LOVE LOVE LOVE that thing!!!

taurusbia

Fri, 07/12/2013 - 21:26

OOPS! I also took the 2x4 idea and the "x's" on the side from ANA'S RUSTIC CONSOLE!!!!! Also forgot to mention that this was my first project using the kreg jig. LOVE LOVE LOVE that thing!!!

Playhouse loft bed with stairs and slide

Submitted by alminter on Wed, 07/08/2015 - 21:29

This is by far the biggest project I've completed yet. It actually surprised me how easy it was to complete. It did take me about 4 days to build the project and an additional week to sand and paint the project.

I followed the playhouse loft plans and the storage stairs plans, adjusting only the back to allow for the additional length of the slide. I didn't add the windows to the sides (I didn't see any point in having them there). I also used the castle loft plans for the slide. When I first started this project I was planning on making the slide completely separate. I changed my mind mid project after I had the side wall cut to length at Lowe's, so I just added that small piece to the left of the slide to make up for the gap. I also made this project in 4 separate pieces (stairs, slide, front wall, back) so I could put it together in her room in one evening and not have to kick her out. Once we moved it to her room all I had to do was screw the four corners in and attach the back wall and bed slats.

I definitely recommend not using particle board. I had no idea what the difference was between particle board, mdf and plywood when I started this project. Particle board was less then half the cost of plywood, but looking back I would pay the extra for the plywood. I don't feel like the screws hold well in the particle board and it also chipped on the bottom some. I actually had a chunk come off in the corner where I must of screwed to closely to the edge. I'm sure this is basic knowledge for most, but for those newbies (like me) just a little tip.

I had a lot of fun building this bed (not so much sanding and painting) and learned a lot. Now off to browse for my next project :)

Estimated Cost
400-500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

No-slide Grandy

Submitted by Ryan in NH on Mon, 01/29/2018 - 07:42

After building and hanging a barn door, I realized I did NOT want to do that on a piece of furniture. It looks cool, but getting it to work right wasn't worth it. 

I altered the dimensions a bit to 25"H x 16"W x 61" L

I also used 1x3's instead of 1x4's since I was doing a smaller scale

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

In love with the Parsons

Submitted by avls on Wed, 01/26/2022 - 10:43

Love the result! Your plans for this is fool-proof for someone like me. Easy to build… only after attempting use (4) 1x6 for top and messed up the corners to attach legs with my terrible jigsaw skills, I scratched the 4th board and went with the (2) 1x4’s on each side surface. I’m now in love with this style and plan on (finally) having matching new furniture, once I build some of the other pieces in this Parson style collection! Thank you for the plans

Comments

bookshelves

cube bookshelves modified to have one open shelf and 3 cube slots

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 per shelf
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1. one coat primer
2. two coats semi-gloss white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse media console

Farmhouse media console. Made out of pine, maple plywood and the top is made from reclaimed lumber. The center door is a roll-up barrister door.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Tall Corner Media Console

Submitted by sully777 on Mon, 07/13/2015 - 10:17

Easy excellent project for That odd room you may have that needs a corner tv stand.

I use pre made 16" wide 3/4" MDF shelving from Home Depot for the Shelves, Used 1" x 3" for the top, and sprayed it all with Rustoleum Industrial flat black which dries in 15min, was the large size cans for $5.40 and and only useds 3.25 cans to paint the whole thing. 

 

TV is a 55" Class so it actually works perfect, because the tv stand is two legs and not the typical center mounted ones. so  put the tv toward the front of the console and the console is as far as you can go into the corner.

I have two power strips screwed to the back of the console, along with a cable amplifier, my wireless router for the house sits right behind the TV and you can see the blue status lights under the bottom of the TV.

Have  my speaker bar in the added shelf #1 below the tv, comcast cable modem in the right side square, TIVO in the center top, DVD Player in the center bottom, and loads of extra shelf space for whatever else I can think of....

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Addison’s room

Submitted by aderosa on Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:45

It was time for Addison to get a big girl bed. We used the Kentwood design and the trundle bed plans. 

Estimated Cost
140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar cabinet paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft Bed

The rooms in our house are not as big as we would like; so, we needed to maximize the space in our son's room. This was an amaze plan and not too difficult to build.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Rustic Pine Table

Very easy to make, and not too expensive. I'm not that great with a lathe. I tried it a couple times but not too good. So I buy my table legs online through osborne wood company. These legs however, came from an old table that I got for free from an antique store. The rest of the table got cut up and used for 2 night stands, and this is what I used the legs for. I used pocket holes to attach everything. Support the middle with cross supports and there you have it. The benches are just 1x12x8's cut into shape and supported by 2 1x4's on either side.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Oak - Hutch And Buffet

Submitted by UeckerFan on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 17:43

This project was on the honey-do list. My wife was looking for antiques and had a pretty specific look she wanted this one fit. It was a fun and relatively fast build. I choose Oak as that is the most regular wood I use and had some on hand.

I modified the dimensions a bit making the hutch a foot taller and the buffet a little larger in width and smaller in depth. I used full extension ball bearing drawer slides for the drawers.

I rabbeted the back in and put a middle brace in for support and so that I could hide the back seam. I don't like to face nail face frames, but for this it turned out pretty nice nonetheless.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used min-wax pre-stain conditioner, followed by special walnut stain, then 1 coat of satin pre-catalyzed lacquer, then 320 sand paper, then a second coat of lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Lasso the Moon

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:52

Oh, man could I use one of those in my house. At some point I'd like to flank a doorway with two "half versions" of a hutch like this one. Yours is beautiful. Love the oak!
Btw--combining those two plans--brilliant!

Anna

DIY Mobile Lumber Cart

I followed plans from Woodworking for Mere Mortals. Steve Ramsey has a great build video for the project. You can check out the video on his YouTube channel. This lumber cart replaces a previous one that I built a few years ago. My old lumber rack could not store sheet goods and took up too much floor space in my garage.  I disassembled the 2x4s from it and hope to recycle them for a future shop project.

For complete build details continue reading my DIY blog here.

Estimated Cost
$100 - 125 for two sheets of plywood, screws and caster wheels
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner