Community Brag Posts

$10 Shelves

Submitted by mgesinel on Tue, 07/17/2012 - 11:36

As soon as I saw this I had to try it! So cheap and so easy! Makes for a fun piece of art work/ practical storage for books.

Estimated Cost
$10 per shelf
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

X coffee table

Submitted by fresh5150 on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 17:46

I really love this table! Thanks for the plans! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
This was free! I visited the dumpsters at construction sites for wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax grey stain and satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Potting Bench

Submitted by Ronin on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 23:52

I built this for my wife, she loved the design and it was something we were able to do together. I did use 2x6 instead of 2x4 that the plan called for, it really made the bench extra sturdy.

Estimated Cost
130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Patio Table

Submitted by stephanief on Wed, 07/18/2012 - 18:29

I built this outdoor patio table in about a weeks time working on and off. There are mistakes, it's uneven in places and it is not perfect! That being said, the plans for this are very forgiving and nobody would ever know without looking for these things.

You can get the breakdown on the build, the finish I used, chair solutions and other suggestions here:

http://legosecretagent.blogspot.com/2012/07/outdoor-patio-table.html

This beautiful table only cost around $60 total to build!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax, specifics at http://legosecretagent.blogspot.com/2012/07/outdoor-patio-table.html
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kentwood side table (Restoration Hardware Kenwood nightstand)

I DO NOT have a Kreg Jig. If you don't have a Kreg Jig, I recommend purchasing small mending plates. I got mine at Walmart, they were $1.77 a 4 pack. I do not recommend using 3 inch nail screws and trying to get them in super straight. While it worked for 3 face frames, the last frame I just could not get to work (maybe I was getting tired). Speaking of tired, I mostly build in the middle of the night while my family is sleeping. If you look closely, I put the 1x2 26 1/2 inch pieces on the front and back frame. Wah wah.... I had to add an extra 1x2 across the top and re-size the 3/4 inch plywood on the bottom.

I'm pretty sure everything went wrong for me with this build but I wasn't going to let a nightstand beat me!

In case you are wondering, the cabinet pull is from Anthropologie. I haven't decided whether or not it's too fabulous for this piece.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ha. I stained it with Minwax Gel Stain in Aged Oak and then my husband wanted dark dark dark so I did 2 parts Minwax Wood Finish in Dark Walnut to 1 part Minwax Polyshade in Bombay Mahogany. Then somewhere along the lines I sanded it all down, put mineral spirits on it and stained it with Rustoleum Dark Walnut. I touched it up using Minwax Gel Stain in Dark Walnut. Then finished with Minwax Polyurethane in Satin.

TLDR: I could never reproduce this color again. Ever. That is all.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

2 x 4 sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/10/2016 - 09:30

Made from wood salvaged from a renovation.  Cushions from Improvements Catalog and Target.

 

Pin For Later! 

2 x 4 sofa

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Marquee exterior
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Night Tables

Submitted by Aisha on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 09:40

I used the plans for the Reclaimed Wood bedside tables but I didn't want to make all those drawers (being a beginner) so I settled on one. It took me fairly long to complete but really it should have been only a weekend project. I love the way they turned out.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
One coat each of Varathane's Early American followed by Red Mahogony. Two coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debi_G (not verified)

Fri, 07/20/2012 - 20:16

I too fear drawers.
Your bedside tables have turned out beautifully!

Simple Entryway Bench

Submitted by eulysses on Sun, 05/11/2014 - 19:46

This is my second project. I based it on the "simple easy storage bench". I made this for my wife, she requested an entryway bench as you enter the house from the garage. I'm glad I was able to finish it just in time for Mother's Day :).

I learned a lot by doing this project (e.g. hiding nails, wood fillers, warped wood, sanding, to name a few). There's still a lot of things to learn, I'm hoping to be able to practice more.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear Gloss Polyurethane (minwax)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Outdoor Table

Submitted by MrThompson on Sun, 08/14/2016 - 08:30

I was inspired by Handymommy's set, using the arm chairs instead of the standard ones, so thanks to you!

The wood I had was all rough cut 1 x 6's so I had to adjust the plans a bit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Helmsman clear gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

Little planters

Submitted by HOWsMom on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 13:36

Used the flower box pattern from the $10 Cedar Tiered Flower Planter, and added hanging loops and wire to make planters to hang on our fence !

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Hanging flower planters.
Nothing edible, as we used pressure treated lumber.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

$2.00 Scrap Lap Desk

This was a really quick and easy build. I built it with two bucks and two hours with some scrap wood I had laying around. The only thing I bought was a package of 2 standard hinges ($2). Also, I deviated from the plan a little by not including the lower storage compartments (didn't want it to get too heavy), making the legs 4" shorter (so it's more comfortable to use in bed), and not building the storage dividers under the flip-top lid. Check out more info by clicking my blog link!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
A quick sanding and a coat of Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

This was my first woodworking project. Thank you Ana for providing the plan and making it easier for me.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax oak and fast drying poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

14 person farmhouse table

Submitted by Udeyhawk on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 16:49

My wife wanted to seat 14, so I basically doubled the plan with a few extra inches on each side.  We also wanted umbrellas, so drilled  holes where they would just meet.  The stain is the Behr semi-transparent deck stain and sealer in Harbor grey.

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

Modern Adirondack Chair

Submitted by rendall28 on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 10:59

I made 4 of these chairs for around our fire pit. I chose to sand stain and poly before assembling and plan to add another coat of poly now that they are assembled. Sanding was the longest part of the process for me, but if you aren't as particular as I was about the finished project the time investment would be substantially reduced. I also of course had drying time for the stand and poly. Assembly itself was simple and the finished chairs are comfortable and sturdy without being overly heavy and bulky.

Estimated Cost
130 (4 chairs including finishing)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain: special Walnut

Double Desk

Submitted by mtroutman on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 09:28

This was our first project! We built it exactly like the plans. We finished it with a clear satin poly and we are thrilled with the results. Next we plan to paint the room.

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

Husky Farmhouse Dining Table

I love building my own wood furniture so that I can have beautiful pieces of furniture in my home while saving money! And while this project definitely cost more than the others I have done, I am so glad I splurged on the table legs. They ran me about $260 after tax and shipping costs, but I really think they give the table that extra OOMF! So a total of about $300 is nothing compared to a price tag at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware!

I chose this stain because I really wanted something to contrast with our dark leather couch and white dining chairs and this stain was even more perfect than what I expected it to be.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Early American with Helmsman protective coating
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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