Community Brag Posts

Emersen nightstand - First Build

Submitted by Feolet on Thu, 01/29/2015 - 18:58

I used reclaimed fence wood instead of plywood.  Just put together three planks to make the side/top/bottom pieces.  I adjusted the size a bit since I had limited space for it to fit into.  This was my first ever furniture project and my first use of my new kreg jig.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $20 (not counting some tools I bought that I'll use from now on). The fence wood I used was free, so I just needed to buy the 1/4 plywood for the back and bottom of the drawer, the screws, and the handle. I had the green paint, and the polyurethane spray.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane spray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

King Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/28/2017 - 05:02

Love, love, love our king bed I build based on an adaptation of Ana's design.  I did the slats a little different, and used 1"x 2"'s and cut them in order to make a slot for the slat.  i also used non-mortise bed rail fasteners (from Amazon) so the bed could be taken apart easily.  This was my first wood working project and now I am hooked!  I am also a quilter and made the quilt for it too!  I did it on a long weekend by myself.  I was probably a bit slower than most folks considering it was my first woodworking project, so I was constantly looking up how to do things on Youtube.

Estimated Cost
Assuming you have all the tools, my bed cost me only about $200.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I painted it with a "one coat"primer and paint. I was not happy with the finish. Definitely use a separate primer before you paint. I simply sanded down some of the edges to give it the rustic look.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Beginner farmhouse coffee table

This is my 2nd project (first was the open shelves), but my first "bigger" project. Lovethe plans, the X crosses were tricky with just a circular saw. I am investing in a miter and looking to get into some tougher projects as I just purchased a home.

We just did a little stain to keep that natural wood look.

Estimated Cost
$65
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

torched table

Submitted by samghickey on Mon, 02/02/2015 - 04:34

My wife and I saw a large table and chairs at a local antique store priced at $1000...

It was nice and probably worth what they were asking, but after a failed attempt to negotiate the price down to a more reasonable number, I decided to build a table.   I was in the thinking stage when it hit.  I've been wanting to tear down this random privacy fence in the back yard ever since we moved in a few years ago and so......   a table was born from an old fence..

 

You cant tell in the pictures but this table seats 12 comfortably. ( 4 on each side and 2 on each end).  it is 7' by 4'  

Estimated Cost
I visited the store to determine cost even though I made mine from an old fence. I believe you could make this table for well under $200 ( that's for a huge table)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
blow torch and polyurethane

run torch over your assembled table about 2-3 inches above surface and keep it moving, try on a test board first you catch on quick. Do all your sanding before the torch no sanding after torch before poly.

after torching, put first coat of poly. light scuff before second/third coat.. thats it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

samghickey

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 04:49

4x4 fence post legs notched to hold 2x4 frame topped with a 3/4 in plywood. ( necessary since many boards were cupped or bowed, needed to have something to glue to.)
fence boards werent long enough for length of table so they were staggered as pictured. I had to do alot of planing and run all the fence planks though a table saw to square them as much as I could. ( also not as necessary if you buy wood from your local hardware store.)
The frame has 3 cross braces, and corner braces all the way around. plywood screwed to bracing/frame
planks laid out on plywood and glued plus brad nailed to hold them while glue dried.
routered edges of table top and started sanding, LOts of sanding , belt sanding with 80 grit then orbital sander stepping up to eventual 400 grit. I then cut skirts for the top of the legs 3 and 1/2 in skirts to cover screw holes. and a 1 in skirt to cover the rough edge of the plywood, ( both plywood and table top have a 2 in and 3in overhang respectively. Once everything was sanded to suit. I torched it and hit it with poly..

ssellers

Tue, 02/03/2015 - 08:34

This table is absolutely beautiful!! I am thinking of doing something similar but on a slightly smaller scale. Would you be able to post your plans? I'd love to see the brace work on the bottom/sides of the piece.
Also, how difficult was it to work the blowtorch? Any tips on what I should do (or not do) when trying it out on my own?
Thanks for the post!

Michael K

Tue, 02/03/2015 - 15:21

Your project came out great! The wood grain is so prominent. My guess is that torching accentuates the wood grain so that it stands out more. Excellent stuff.

samghickey

Tue, 02/10/2015 - 21:10

just try torching on a test piece first, it was suprisingly easy to do.
Plans...... I didn't make any. ( booo ) I used a 2x4 frame and 45 degree corner braces with 3 cross members. since most of the wood was extremely weathered, there was a lot of planing and sanding to do. Even then I put down a piece of plywood as an underlay for the planks to glue to. I punched the planks down with brad nails to allow the glue to dry because the planks took some effort to keep them flat. I have since built a matching coffee table 4' by 4' with yellow pine from the lumber yard, Not nearly as much work to put together since all the boards were reasonable straight/flat.

Sawhorse "bench" coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 02:04

Great project with super clear instructions!  Love the look of the sawhorse legs and had just completed a live edge table top, so merged the two for this coffee table.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin lacquer over all, ebony stain on legs.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting Bench turned wood storage & deck table

Submitted by kentopolis on Mon, 04/19/2021 - 12:10

Thanks for the design, we modified the bottom cross brace to be 2x4's in order to carry the weight from the wood, and then on the third table removed the bottom of the legs and put casters on the bottom and gave it a shortened (height) top with a 2x4 cross beam capped by a 2x2 (we also didn't overhang the top boards except on the front edge on this table). We are using these for patio serving tables and quick access to some firewood for our fire pit and a chimenea on the other side of the yard.

We will sand and stain eventually as well. They were made out of pressure-treated lumber.

Estimated Cost
$100-120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rectangles Daybed

Submitted by jlitt814 on Sun, 03/24/2013 - 19:37

This my first time to make something (almost) completely myself. I did all the cutting and assembly of the rectanges with some supervision from the husband. He then helped me assemble the rectangles on to the 2x2's and to put the daybed together in the room. This took about a 2 days and cost about $75. The worst part was the painting in my opinion. I love the final product though and can't wait to try another project!
I did modify it slightly by making the dimensions 3 inches longer and 5 inches taller to accomodate a trundle bed underneath.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed and painted white.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rolling Cart with Casters

Submitted by writeaway on Thu, 02/05/2015 - 19:27

I LOVED this plan for a cart.  I was looking for a cart to hold my heavy mixer and be able to roll in and out of my pantry. In addition to Ana's plans,  I enlisted my 3 sons to hammer the wood to make it look rustic.  Instead of aluminum angles, I used steel angles and I used a 36 inch height to accommodate more shelves. This is one SOLID cart.  I absolutely love it!  Thank you for the inspiration!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain-Espresso (Home Depot)
Polyurethane Sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom X Cross Box Craft Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/03/2017 - 13:19

DIY Craft Desk.

I built this desk for my wife to give her more space to create her crafts. I meshed a couple designs that I had researched to give her a unique design. This project took me 1 week to complete by only working on it in the evenings but it could be done faster if you have more time available than I did!  

 

Materials Needed:
2 - 6 foot 1x4" pine or Poplar wood
1- 8 foot 1x4 pine or Poplar wood
4- 2x2" pine wood 29" long
2- 1x2" pine wood 24" long
1- 12"x48" pine board (pre cut craft wood in Lowe's)
1- 24"x 72" pine board (pre cut craft wood in Lowe's)
Box of 1 1/2" wood screws
Wood glue

Wood stain and/or paint 
8- 1" corner braces

1). Cut the 12"x48" craft board in half (2- 12"x24"boards.)This will be your shelves. Sand all of the wood prior to staining.
2.) Stain shelves and desk top. We used two coats of gray stain. Finish with one coat of Polyacrylic. Sand. Then one more coat of polyacrylic.
3.) Cut the 1"x2" trim to 2- 24" long strips.
4.) Attach the 2x2" posts to the 1x2" trim with wood glue and wood screws. You will end up with an upside down U shape. This trim piece will give added support for desk top. Do this twice and then Paint your posts.
5.) Mark where you want your shelves on the posts and screw in your corner braces to hold the shelves up. I placed the shelf inside the posts to give me 12" of width for baskets. Screw your braces onto your shelf and then attach to the posts. I recommend doing the bottom shelf first so it stabilizes the posts.
6.) Do the same thing with the top shelf. Mark where you want them and attach with corner braces.
7.) Moving on to the cross box base.... Build the 4 sides of the box first with the 1"x4" boards. This desk is 24" deep and 29" tall. Use wood glue and wood screws to assemble. I predrilled the holes then, placed glue on then screwed together.
8.) Make sure your top 1x4" is the full depth of the desk so the weight of the desk top is spread evenly on box.
9.) I used this guide for the interior cross pieces. http://sawdustgirl.com/x-leg-office-desk/#aa
10.) Paint your cross base.
11.) Attach desk top to bases with wood glue and wood screws and you are all set!

It was a fun project! - Jen

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats of Minwax Classic Grey Wood Stain and I used white oil based paint on the bases mostly because I already had a can of it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Extra long buffet

Submitted by tclane72 on Mon, 04/26/2021 - 07:58

Slight variation on the extra long buffet. Instead of drawers I substituted for 2 additional cabinet doors. It stands 40" tall, 96" long, and 20" deep.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black paint and natural wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Our Twin Farmhouse Bed

My husband and I made this bed, using the twin farmhouse bed plans, for our daughter's third birthday. It was fairly easy to do and we got the building part done in one day. It was a big success!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We cleaned up the wood with wood putty, sanded it smooth and then painted it with a white paint and primer in one.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My little greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 04:27

I built this project 8x10 and made the back wall exactly like the front wall and just added diy windows for air circulation. I live in the desert so I did not use clear panels I used white panels for sides and top and tinted panels for front and back so that my plants would not get scorched. I am running a hydroponic system and could not be happier with the results for a first time gardener! I built it completely by myself in about a month, I do have a full time job and kids that need to be taken to practice and lessons after school.

Estimated Cost
Lost track, around $600
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chair with a few modifications

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/03/2021 - 09:45

I followed the instructions on the web site and on the you tube video. Overall, it was easy to build though I had to improvise and make my own 2x4s from 2x6s that I had available. I also changed the seat and back slats and used a local version of oak (1x6s). I made a mistake with the back supports and attached them flush with the floor and not with the stringers. Thus, the back rest is not as high, although I like it just the same. It is very sturdy and comfortable. I covered the screw heads, which I sunk with a deep countersink, with dowels.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Osmo Oil for exteriors, no pigment
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Master closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 18:37

I tried to follow the plans as well as I could. I had the sheet of plywood and paint already. So I just had to buy the screws and coset rods. It was  around $40 or less! 

Estimated Cost
$30-$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planter Boxes

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/12/2021 - 02:15

Stained with different colors. 20x20 to fit the big trees.

Comments

Truss Shelves

Submitted by watrfall86 on Mon, 04/01/2013 - 19:16

This was my first attempt at building furniture, and I could not be any happier with it. Definitely a learning experience for me and my husband, but totally worth it.
It has it's imperfections (some of the shelves are a little lopsided) but I built it!
We desperately needed a new bookcase, and I have the hardest time picking things out.
We are very happy with the results. I saw a similar concept shelving unit in a store for over $100, and it was smaller!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Interior Satin Paint in Dusty Gold.
I probably should have spent some more time sanding between coats, but I finally decided that I just needed to get it done after it had sat in my living room for 2 months unfinished. It's a little rough around the edges, but it still turned out beautifully.
First I primed with a standard latex primer, and coated twice with the Dusty Gold with a small smooth surfaces roller. I then went in with a small sponge brush to get into the smaller crevices.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic small rolling kitchen island

I modified this plan to use wood that I had and also a piece of kitchen counter top that was left over from my daughters new house.  

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Anna's Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/13/2017 - 22:26

We used Anna's outdoor Sofa plans, which were very easy to read. For wood, we kept costs low by using pressure treated wood, and staining it with Minwax Colonial Walnut stain. We did use the lumber cutting service at Home Depot- only $15 for the cuts, and it made the project time very quick.  The cushions were from Lowes, and throw pillows were purchased the previous season at Homesense. We are so happy with how it turned out. Thanks, Anna!

Estimated Cost
$95 for wood, including cuts done by Home Depot
Screws and wood glue $15
Lowes cushions $ 200
Stain $0 (used for previous project)
Total cost $310 CDN
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Colonial Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

painter's ladder shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/20/2021 - 13:28

I made this shelf from some old pallet wood, it took me long time to sand them.
I also made it about 5 inch higher, 1 inch deeper.
The result is perfect, I've already put my plants on it, love it! thank you Ana!

Built from Plan(s)

Farmhouse Bench

Submitted by jasonD on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 17:46

Bench was an experiment. Wanted to see how the style looks in the kitchen. The wife loved it, so onto the farmhouse table.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
watco danish oil dark walnut with a coat of poly for top.. Black paint for bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner