Community Brag Posts

Industrial Master Closet

Submitted by dkarinen on Wed, 10/05/2016 - 19:22

Our master closet had been empty for a long time due to "analysis paralysis", couldn't decide what to do... until I saw this plan. My husband was gone for a week and I was able to surprise him with an almost finished closet when he got home! I stuck with closet rods instead of galvanized pipes because I knew that would be his preference. I love it! Now to build something for all our shoes...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane dark walnut stain, varathane dark walnut stain + poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Benchright Farmhouse Bench

Submitted by Huthbert on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 05:09

Our first Ana white project! My husband and I are both really excited with the results. We plan on making the table too. I followed the plan and added comments/details/changes we made on my blog http://thehuth.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-pottery-barn-bench.html I added pictures to follow along the steps from the tutorial.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats- Minwax Oil-Based Dark Walnut Wood Stain
2 coats- Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Taylors coffee table

Submitted by Joagirard on Fri, 07/04/2014 - 20:37

Coffe table for our living room. Really fit our style. I had problem cutting the plywood but i turned out great. I love the colour: Varathane early american.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I coat of varathane early american color applied with an old t-shirt followed by 2 coats of varathane satin professional finish. I sanded between the 2 finish coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified Junior Loft Bed

My daughter wanted to have a bed that she could consider her own. She always wanted a loft bed and that way still have room to do her art and a place to do her homework. While the camp bed was great I had to modify the plans in order to not only have it fit in her room, but also have enough space for her to sit at her desk underneath it.

This was my first major project, and it will always be a special one because it is my daughter's bed. She loves sleeping on her bed, and when her friends come over to visit they make sure to compliment her on it!! I'm very proud of it, and hopefully it will serve her when she goes to college, as I assembled it in such a way that it is modular to put together and take apart.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with Vessel Gray (4005-2A) Valspar Cabinet Enamel Semi-Gloss Paint. I used approximately half a gallon in order to give the bed 2 even coats of paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Laundry Basket Organizer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 10:58

This was a modification to an Ana White design and another brag.
Designed on sketchup. It holds 4 laundry baskets sideways. Because I wanted it to be counter height I have a 6 inch shelf.
3/4 reconditioned plywood for the base assembled using Kreg pocket screws.
The top is a low cost pine 11.5 wide.
I jointed them using a 14 inch hand plane. First time for that. Cut the top to 22 inches wide.
Prestain conditioner. Minwax dark walnut stain and 6 coats of minwax poly wipe on.
Attached using Kreg screws.

Randy Eby

Built from Plan(s)

Easy small space side table

Submitted by Dedavies3 on Mon, 07/07/2014 - 17:57

This was my first project. It was relatively easy but I did make some mistakes that are now design features

Estimated Cost
Reclaimed wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double Adirondack with Cooler

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/25/2024 - 07:49

Had a great time building this double seat Adirondack chair with a cooler in the center. Surprised the wife with it for Mother's Day.

Bob Lewis

First project--Updated Simplest Console

I'm pretty proud of my first project even though it does have some flaws. I learned a lot. I made every cut with a handsaw! Don't do this unless you want to have some seriously sore arms. I'm ready to graduate to a circular saw. I also used a hammer and nails instead of a nailer, so this project took me a little longer than it should have. Thanks so much, Ana, for the opportunities!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain conditioner, Minwax dark walnut oil stain, Minwax polycrylic clear satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

LannyBananny

Wed, 07/09/2014 - 21:15

From one newbie to another-- your table looks great. Talk about handmade, you went the extra mile by hand cutting and using the "arm and hammer" technique!

Jake

Tue, 08/12/2014 - 14:43

Using only hand tools? You did a great job. Ana offers great suggestions on what you need to start but here are my comments on some tools for Christmas or sooner:

Choose the miter saw over the circular saw. So much more useful and safer. For those times you need to cut sheet plywood invest in an inexpensive small circular saw. Lighter and easier to handle.

Orbital sander
Basic Kreg jig kit with drills , clamp etc.
Several lengths of pocket hole screws. You will use hundreds of them.
Square
Power drill
Clamps (Harbor Freight clamps are great and inexpensive) Get a lot of them and none less than 12" capacity. Miminum of six to start.
Eye and hearing protection
Titebond II or III glue

booksnotbombs

Tue, 08/12/2014 - 15:01

Thanks, Grandpa Jake. :) (I'm just going to call you that since so many of your projects are for your grandkids!) I was sorry to read about your problems today but glad you are so persistent. You weren't kidding when you said that checking for square is super important! I'm currently in the middle of my second project (the step up table, plans here on Ana White--actually done building but need to finish), and I took it apart/redid it twice to make sure it was square.

Thanks for building my Christmas list for me! I'm definitely itching for a fancy kreg jig, but I really need to get those clamps.

Beautiful Outdoor chairs and Ottoman from 2x4s and 2x6s (and a 2x2)

The chairs were my first project ever and they came out great! I even made the ottoman/side table because the chairs looked so good. Ana, your plans were fantastic and easy for a beginner. I learned so much from this first project and I'm already working on another project from your site! The cushions were definitely the most expensive part of the chair.

Estimated Cost
$40-$50/chair (without cushions) including screws, wood and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr semi-transparent stain and sealer (Chocolate) as noted in Ana's project plans.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My new entertainment stand

Submitted by danolenar on Sat, 09/15/2012 - 23:32

Built the Rustic X console table to use as my entertainment center it works perfect for my 42in flat screen, PS3, and dish receiver. I did not use the x's and stained it with red mahogany stain and gloss brushing lacquer.

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
red mahogany stain and gloss brushing lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy Farmhouse King Bed Frame

Submitted by gbenton4 on Sun, 07/13/2014 - 19:34

We've had our bed on a small metal frame for years with the hopes of someday finding a bed frame that we liked. With the family out of town, I decided to try and build one after getting this site from a friend (LSU Builder). The steps and materials were a HUGE help! I only had to make a small amount of changes from the original plans....most notably adding additional 2x4's to each headboard leg along with one in the middle. This created more space to connect the headboard to the body of the frame with the bolts. This was the first time I'd ever used a Kreg jig to create pocket holes. I will definitely use these for other projects as they seem to be extremely strong.
All in all, I will definitely be using the site for additional plans. I'm an intermediate "wood worker" and really enjoy tackling projects. Thanks!0

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Three coats of interior satin enamel paint - color "twenty carat". I then distressed edges with sandpaper.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Made with love in the dead of winter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/18/2016 - 19:20

This the is first time I have ever built a peice of furniture.  My best friend made all of her furniture in her house using her kreg jig and visiting Ana's website.  I ended up building this in her garage since I was still in an apartment at the time.  It was a total labor of coldy freezing love.  :D  Now I want to build EVERYTHING!  We had to adjust some of the numbers on the plan and it cost a little more than $75 but totally worth it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75+
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Interior Wood Stain - Base Dark Walnut and Top Midnight
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A patio-sized picnic table with detached benches

Submitted by Emillie on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 10:43

We needed a long and narrow table for a patio, so we designed a table to fit! This simple Trussel table is made out of constructional lumber for an affordable outdoor dining option. Small enough for our tiny patio and large enough to comfortable seat 6, it is the perfect table!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Semi-transparent stain (Fresh Brew) and varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Collapsible Table for Craft Fairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/03/2024 - 08:58

My wife wanted a collapsible table for her craft fair sales. I put a wooden dowel in the opening for her to drape packing paper over and hooks on the sides for gift bags. Easy plans to follow and it turned out great!

Todd Martens

Built from Plan(s)

my new coffee table

Submitted by danolenar on Mon, 09/17/2012 - 23:39

i used the a modified rustic x coffee table plan. i did not use the x and used kiln dried 2x4s for most everything except the bottom shelf i used 2 1x12x4 because they are $6.50 each compared to $20-25 each for 8ft and i cut the 2x2 out of the kiln dried 2x4s there was a fair amount of waste but the kiln dried 2x4s are much nicer to work with then green 2x6s.i stained in a red mahogany stain and gloss brushing lacquer. The top took 8 2x4s cut to just shy of 48" do i could get two from each piece. i shorted the table frame to match. if you are using green wood like i did on my first table the rustic x console table you will notice cracks forming in knots especially. using kiln dried lumber is recommended to ensure your project will last.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$38
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
red mahogany and gloss lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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