Community Brag Posts

Arbor Press Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/08/2023 - 09:35

Needed a small workbench to fit in a tight space, but still wanted something sturdy as it supports a 1-ton arbor press. Your plans were so helpful!

 

Comments

Add Metal Accents to Furniture

Here's a small tutorial on how to add simple metal accents to furniture. We used something as simple as door knobs at your local home improvement store to make it happen!

Check out the tutorial here http://sawgrasshome.com/?p=1443

Estimated Cost
$20 - $30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

birdsandsoap

Sat, 04/14/2012 - 23:14

so clever. I love when others figure out how to do awesome things like this and then show me how! Thanks!

Kristen Davis

Wed, 03/25/2015 - 11:26

Hello,

I am very interested in this tutorial, "Add Metal Accents to Furniture", but it appears that the link provided, is a dead link. Do you happen to remember anything about this tutorial? Thank you!

Kristen Davis

Wed, 03/25/2015 - 11:25

Hello, I am very interested in this tutorial, "Add Metal Accents to Furniture", but it appears that the link provided, is a dead link. Can you please assist me in finding the direct link to this tutorial? Thank you!

Shanty Sideboard and Hutch - First Build

Submitted by DIYER_MD on Mon, 01/27/2014 - 12:39

I came across the Shanty Sideboard plan while looking around the site. I decided to make this my first build from the site. I modified it slightly by making overlay doors instead of inset. I found that this allowed me more room for adjustments to the doors to get the best look. I used Pure-Bond Birch Hardwood Plywood from Home Depot for the main build with Select Pine from Lowes as the trim. This was all put together using Kreg Pocket Holes and 1 1/4 inch screws.

I used Luane Plywood as the backing for the doors. I then finished it by painting it with an off-white from Olympic (at Lowes). I left the Luane plywood in its natural state. The doors were mounted with Blum style Face-Frame cabinet hinges. I then applied several coats of Water Based Ultimate Polyurethane from Rustoleum.

I have included a picture of the sideboard in the unfinished and finished state.

I will soon be building a Hutch to go one top. I will use the Shanty Hutch Plan as the basis and modify it from there.

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I recently completed the hutch for the sideboard. I used the Shanty Hutch plan as the beginning point and then modified it quite a bit. I made three sections and added drawers at the bottom of each section.

I then used the same Luane Plywood to make the backing. This brings it all together.

The total cost was around $550.00 and worth every penny. Much better than spending $3,000.00 at store.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$550.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic One Egg-Shell paint in Off-white with Ultimate Polyurethane Coating from Rustoleum.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cloud Baby Gym

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 10:47

I based the side pieces on Ana's plan's measurements, but I was inspired by a different baby gym I had seen to make the top piece look like clouds. I also wanted the pieces to be able to disassemble. Instead of screwing the three pieces together, I cut notches with a band saw (could also use a jigsaw) so that they would fit together but still feel sturdy. I recommend drilling the toy holes close to the bottom edge so that this is compatible with store-bought toys.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish oil in dark walnut & white spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Modern Picnic Table

Submitted by abbpim on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 09:52

This is my very first wood working project! I know its not perfect and I learned from my mistakes. I found a miter saw at a garage sale and after three hours of plugging it in and unplugging it, I finally worked up the courage to make it make a noise! Then I eventually worked up the courage to cut wood lol! I'm pretty proud of myself for building something and I am going to continue practicing until I can make really cool stuff!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar, Quart Size, LA218, Fuchsia, Duramax, Exterior Semigloss, Base 4 214-4.75, 113-31.75, 105-3.63, 115-2Y7

I used 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kid's Trestle Play Table and Rolling Cubbies

Submitted by mamamea33 on Wed, 01/29/2014 - 09:36

We have been slowly updating our sunroom and making it a play area for our kids. I built this trestle play table and a couple of rolling cubes to go with it. I still need seating for two more (for playdates and when the grown-ups want to sit) so I'm trying to decide what to do on the other side.

I wanted to use all wood that we already had in the garage, so the top is made from 1x12s connected with pocket holes, and the legs are 2x6s.

In the background you can see the board & batten my husband and I installed a few weeks ago. We also ripped out some moldy carpeting, sanded the concrete and laid vinyl plank flooring. It's coming along!

Plan for the rolling storage cubes: http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/07/rolling-storage-cube-stools.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultimate Stain in Dark Walnut on the top, plus three coats of poly. The base was painted with Behr semi-gloss in Swiss Coffee.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rolling Sofa Table

Submitted by alosman on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 14:55

This is the second project I have made from this website, which I LOVE! I needed some sort of table to use with a large sectional sofa because I refused to give up my huge ottoman for a coffee table! This is perfect. I loved the brag post with the shelf added so I used that idea also.

When it came to decoration, I used some apple barrel craft paint and found some scrapbook paper I really liked. This was my first use of modge podge so it was not as flawless as I hoped but I still think it turned out well. And best of all it will be used often!

FYI - by saving money on the particleboard shelf, I ended up spending a lot of time applying wood filler.

Estimated Cost
shelf - $4, 1x2 - $.98, wheels-$12
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Apple Barrel Acrylic craft pain in Burnt Umber and Beachcomber Beige
Modge Podge application of scrapbooking paper, sealed with Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Loft Bed

Submitted by Jalkcv03 on Sat, 02/01/2014 - 19:04

Instead of using 1x3's for the legs we used two 2x4's for the outside legs and then used 1x4's for the fillers. We also used 1x4's for the ladder. We will be adding shelving against the wall and we have a desk top that has been painted with dry erase surface which will give it a whole new dynamic. Project one of many is done :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
160
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained most of the wood, we will be adding custom paint to the stairs listing her name, birthdate and then her birth measurements as well.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/30/2016 - 17:41

I did modify a bit with the length and width. I also left the supports vertical instead angling them. Love how my table came out!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Modified: Becca Trunk

Submitted by fallingday on Fri, 01/24/2020 - 15:45

A huge thank you for these amazing plans. I absolutely love this site! I had so much fun making this chest. Overall a very simple build. I struggled with the finish but eventually got it how I wanted it. I also ran into a snag while building the lid. I ran out of 1x6’s which resulted in the unique top you see in the picture made from scrap 1x4’s from other projects. On to the next project.

Estimated Cost
About $65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Very easy and quite comfy!

Directly from plan. Fun to make. Kreg and glue attachements.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45 for all 4 stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Addison Headboard - King Size

Submitted by awbrown on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 16:07

This site features the queen size version of this headboard, I decided to build the King and use more elaborate molding pieces, which increased the cost. I stained the wood to a very close match although my mobile photos don't do justice to this claim. It took me about a week to complete with nights and weekend availability.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
130
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Custom
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

PorkyPok

Thu, 03/12/2015 - 13:37

looks great. Did you use pine? Which stain did you use? I would like to be able to closely match the stained version of pottery barns addison too. Thanks!

Farmhouse Queen Bed

Submitted by cabinK on Wed, 01/29/2020 - 23:32

Made this awesome project from Ana's plans. The best part is it came from old barn wood that has been stored for decades. Had to plane most of it to get it closer to dimensional size to work with the plans. I have had a lot of advice and recommendations from friends and family on how to finish it, but I like it perfectly natural with nothing added. The finished picture appears that it has a finish on it but it was just the difference in lighting. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Only paid for screws and sandpaper
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coat Rack

Submitted by mweir on Tue, 04/24/2012 - 19:17

We needed a coat rack in the mud room to go along with the X Bench that I built earlier. This was made from a drop of wood left over from the bench. I had the hooks left over from a project I made a couple of years ago. My wife says our mud room is now complete. I used the plans Entryway Bench and Storage Shelf I just didn't use the shelf part

Estimated Cost
$5.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Planter Box from Pallets

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 02/08/2014 - 05:10
Estimated Cost
$5 Stain & Nails - free pallet wood
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modular Play Kitchen

I made this for my 3 kids for Christmas and I'm so glad I did!  They have gotten so much use out of it and love to move it around to set up different "houses" and restuarants.  Thanks so much for these plans!  I made the pieces a little taller, and use the play stove as the sink base too so that it could double as a dishwasher :)  

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Color Bay by Pantone
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Faux Printmaker's Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 14:23

This was pretty difficult for a beginner, but only because I had never made something with a frame that had to be squared up. I didn't realize I need a big square and should have checked each join of the 2x2's to the plywood. Ended up that the center supports were not square but this was after I had already made doors and drawers. So I rigged them up with shims to make them fit better. However, I still think it turned out great and one day may take it down and fix it or sell this one and make another. I added tea stained vintage font numbers to the pulls. To me, this really made the piece special. I would suggest a little more instructions for doors and drawers. Ana has a great youtube on drawers I found today. I will definitely use that method next time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
One coat of Varathane Special Walnut with one coat of Weathered Oak on top of it; sealed with Polycrylic after stain dried well.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate