Community Brag Posts

Saw Horse Work Bench

Submitted by jsquires3 on Thu, 07/26/2012 - 23:34

This was my first project off of Ana's site. I followed her simple sawhorse table plans verbatim. The only thing different I did was use a self-made chalkboard paint for the top (instructions under the finish section) and added screws to the left side to mount my power strip with (easy on and off for everything on the bench). I made the top a chalkboard top so that I could write notes on the table and mark measurements for various projects. Costs were $30 for wood (some leftover), $8 for paint, $2 for screws, and $5 for surge protected power strip. If you have any other questions please let me know.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso stain for legs and a self-made dark blue chalkboard paint for top (mix about 1 cup of paint with 2 tablespoons of non sanded tile grout).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Keepsake doll crib and highchair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/22/2016 - 12:54

We were trying to figure out what to give our granddaughter for Christmas when the great grandparents arrived with our 2 kids old maple crib from the 80's. After much debate(well, not really, apparently the crib now breaks every law in the book!)  we decided to repurpose it into keepsakes. Enter Ana White!  We settled on a doll crib and doll highchair.  After many design changes trying to best utilize the old wood we came up with these. As you can see they were a hit and luckily very sturdy!  There are now 2 doll cribs, 2 high chairs and 4 granddaughters, each family has a set as a keepsake.  There are a few scraps left just in case a grandson happens along! Should be enough for a logging truck!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Original finish plus Danish oil and clearcoat on cut ends
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

School Library Cart

Submitted by dmfinet on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 19:11

My 11 year old son made this library cart for our homeschool books. He followed Ana's plans with a few changes on dimensions. I love how it turned out, and it is a perfect addition to our school room. We kept the cost low by using some wood and paint that we already had.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$23.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pine Farmhouse Table

Submitted by jaykruger on Fri, 08/26/2016 - 07:45

Simple pine farmhouse table, top is 2x6 Pine cut down to 5" wide strips top was joined with pocket screws and glue

Base is 4x4 pine joined with lag bolts

Longest part of the buld was sanding the top smooth, special care was needed in measurig the notches to fix the X-Brace legs

 

Tools: Drill, Table Saw, Circular Saw, 1/2 socket drive

Estimated Cost
$150 all in for wood, bolts, screws and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax espresso and poly clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chairs with matching table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/07/2020 - 12:08

My dad and I spent 2 weekends making his and her Adirondack chairs for my husband and I and a matching side table!

Estimated Cost
$140 total for chairs; $9.96 for table
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cubby Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/29/2016 - 07:56

I modified the plans so the top was 2 ft x 4 ft, more suitable for a college student like myself. I also used a full sheet of 3/4 MDF and used that for the top as well as all of the 3/4 plywood pieces. MDF was much cheaper but next time I would spend the extra money on plywood because the MDF cracked a bunch and was not as easy to work with. Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Shellac based primer and latex white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pony wall work bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/10/2020 - 09:22

Had to shorten plan due to garage size. Added drawer under miter station. Pined weather wash.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Pined
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee table with toy box trundle

This was my second project ever, so I know it is far from perfect, but I am so happy with it. It is super useful since I have 3 little kids that are so far the only grandchildren from both sides of the family and I have the impression that toys come to our house to reproduce.
I made a mistake on choosing the stain for the top, and had to adapt to what I wanted, but I kinda like the end result, although it is more formal than what I had wanted at first.
It is a gloss mission oak, from miniwax.
I built this without the Kreg, but I have bought one since, so my next project should be better!
The paint is Antique White from Glidden (DUO), distressed until my shoulders could not handle it anymore.
Building is so empowering, I am so happy I found this site! Thanks Ana for all the great work!

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Mission Oak Gloss Polyshade for top and inside the trundle.
Glidden Antique white and distressing with sandpaper and stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by normansm on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 07:17

This build was done with all pocket holes. I used some pre-made project boards for the top and joined them with pocket holes and glue. Also I used all pine for this project. The chairs are just old chairs from my previous table. Stained with special walnut and finished with semi-gloss poly and finishing wax. I rubbed and buffed the finish to get the nice shine. This project took a while because I decided to let the poly cure for about a week before finishing and placing in my dining area.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut and Minwax Polyurethan (Both of them were Oil based)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chairs

Here are some of the outdoor projects that I do to make extra money, Adirondack chairs...adult and kids sizes....patio tables....garden benches, used old pipes for the slats!!!

Estimated Cost
$15-$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Red Toner..with water repellent, good for seeing the wood grain!!!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

6 cubby book case - nursery

This was my first project. It is for our nursery. Painted white to match the crib and dresser. So much fun. Plan was great and very easy to follow. Thanks to the other brag post which mentioned there was a missing cut for the box (bottom shelf). 28 3/4. I used countersink screws with a 1/2" countersink drill bit. I also used shelf pins to secure the shelf. With the paint I noticed the shelfs were very snug. I would probably take off 1/4" off the shelf size if I built it again. Can't wait for the next project! Thanks.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
130
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint. Eggshell finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Personalized vintage ammo crate

Submitted by OWJ3 on Sun, 09/04/2016 - 16:43

Created this as a gift for my uncle. I recycled an old pallet for the material. I used his birth date to create the ammunition shell specs and his name as the manufacturing company.  I found the vintage hardware on eBay and added a sliding shelf inside.  Lettering was created with stensils and spray paint. I distressed the lettering to match the vintage feel of the piece. 

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

Comments

Roger C

Sun, 01/12/2020 - 15:33

Hiw can i see instructions  or dimensions  for this crate . id like to try it

Modern farmhouse console table

Used Ana’s modern farmhouse console table plans to make this pet food station 😍

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

Comments

Kitchen Helper

This project has been one that I've been putting off for a while now. My wife was threatening to just go out and buy one so I figured it was either now or never! Our little girl loves to help in the kitchen and standing in one of our old wobbly dining chairs just wasn't cutting it anymore.

I knew that I wanted to build something that would be more like an heirloom piece of furniture instead of one of the cheap knockdown types that you see in stores. I am sure that I could have possibly come up with my own design, but Marc already had already come up with a good design in the arts and crafts style, which is my favorite style of furniture. I saw no reason to come up with a "new" design just to say I did, plus I was lazy, and Marc already had plans hahaha. In all honesty, I think sometimes as woodworkers we get in our own way trying to be "original", when at this point, it's pretty much all been done before.

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

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

This is my first project and I am so happy with it! Thanks for the plans!

You can see my step by step process here:

http://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com/blog/category/table/

I'm especially happy with how I was able to attach the top to the bottom without drilling through the top. I describe that here:

http://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com/blog/2012/08/my-table-is-done/

Thanks for the inspiration!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
< 150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean (2 coats)
1 coat polycrylic satin finish on top followed by 3 coats of wax
3 coats polycrilic high gloss finish on base
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bar Height Patio Table

Submitted by VincentP on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 12:24

Built this from a couple of the plans on here and ideas I have seen around the web. This is the very first project I did and with plans from Ana White I found it pretty easy to get through the whole thing. I built this to be bar height and now that it is done I might cut it down to be regular table height just because I didn't realize how big it would actually be. But first I will build a couple chairs and a bench to go along with it.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Sikkens Cetol 123 system, 3 coats and the colour is dark oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

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