Community Brag Posts

Littler Helper Towerr

Submitted by Cuppy on Sun, 02/16/2014 - 10:42

My precious second granddaughter loves her tower!

I made a few mods:
1. Eliminated the curvy top: no band saw.
2. Used piano hinges for strength.
3. No need for anti-tipping legs; just lower the platform to lower center of gravity.
4. Kreg-Tool a MUST. Didn't like the KregTool white plastic hole plugs.

PS I built my precious FIRST granddaughter a toy box to match her bedroom furniture.
And a Cradle Boat:
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/rowboats/dinghies/baby-cradle-pram.h…

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
+/- $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1. LOTS of sanding!
2. Primer. More sanding,
3. High gloss exterior white paint; many coats with lot's of fine sanding. Not a great choice.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table

Submitted by AngelaJB on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 14:41

Prior to making this table I had never used a power drill in my life, and I was scared to death. I was intimidated by the power and scared to death to mess up, and in making this table I messed up A LOT! It was a big undertaking but I was determined. It’s rustic and authentic and full of mistakes and I LOVE IT!! Thank you Ana for modeling how to make such wonderful things. Up next is the raised flower bed.

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor bar table

Submitted by hueybp on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 20:06

Not quite finished but love the table already. Trying to decide how to stain/paint it. The Kreg jig was a must for this project. It was my first of hopefully many! I used cedar for the 4x4s and 2x6 top pieces. The 2x4s are treated lumber (only because there were no more cedar ones....apparently lumber is getting hard to get lately!!!). Anyway....thanks for the great plans and motivation for this project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Lumber was about $150 bucks (I bought mitre saw and kreg jig, too)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Will probably use semi transparent stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Family Heirloom Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/14/2024 - 14:25

Dear Ana, thank you so much for your excellent plan! I have now made four of these toy boxes over the last eight years for my four granddaughters. Initially, I was tempted to modify your plan and make it out of thicker material such as three-quarter inch plywood instead of half inch plywood, but I decided in the end to stick with your plan and I’m very glad that I did. It is still just as strong and yet it is much lighter in weight this way and easy to move around, which happens quite a bit with toy boxes over time. I’m pretty sure these will be treated as heirlooms in my extended family for many years to come.  - Chris Kairys, Franklin Park, Pennsylvania. RetiredWoodworker.com.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Farmhouse Table with Industrial Hardware

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/17/2021 - 11:26

My hubby and I used the tressle table plans to make this awesome table. We changed it up, adding the turnbuckles like a Pottery Barn table that we wanted. I think this turned out way better!

We used yellow pine for the lower portion and poplar for the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)

Comments

A twist on Modular Family Entryway Mudroom System - Pullout Rolling Bench Cart

This is a twist on the Modular Family Entryway Mudroom System - Pullout Rolling Bench Cart . There have been many posts on the net for a mudroom locker set such as the one I have. In our case we had a mudroom with a closet, not much room to move when sliding the doors open, and as well we have kids that need a place to sit in order to put boots/shoes etc on. I took advantage of my husband's work assignment out of the country to rip back the closet,to 20 inches deep and open it up and added a bench for seating, baskets above for out of season/rarely used stuff, and used rolling cubbies below, but in my case I wanted storage bins instead. My thinking was so that I could make it look clean pretty quickly by just chucking every thing in to the bin... These are tall enough for our boots. In the bottom of the bins I put a piece of outdoor carpeting, then a plastic grid, and over that another layer of outdoor carpeting so if the footwear is wet it will drain and dry-no biggie to vacume or sweep out. Best deal: I can simply roll them out of the way when I want to sweep underneath! I measured cubby space to basket size above, and made the bins below after doing the bench and middle supports, to ensure a good fit. The bench top is an old piece of pine board I sanded, stained and used 4 coats of marine varnish so it would take lots of wear and tear.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax walnut stain, and marine varnish benchtop
behr marshmallow paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Large Old English Style Farmhouse Dining Table

My wife and I were wanting a large outdoor farmhouse table that looked stylish, and like it could have been bought at Pottery Barn or another high-end furniture store. We found this plan that Ana white had made "Small Old English Style Farmhouse Dining Table". We often host groups from our church and will have 15-20 people on our patio or around our pool area, so we needed a bigger table... I just made some modifications to make it longer (7ft) in length to better fit our space and allow for more people to sit.

To make this plan longer, I simply adjusted the cut-list on the long 1x2s, 1x4s, and 1x6; and added a crossbar to prevent the longer tabletop from sagging. I also added the diagonal corner struts to make the table a little sturdier.

Adjusted Shopping List:
4 - 1x2 @ 8ft
5 - 1x4 @ 8 ft
6 - 1x6 @ 8ft
Waterproof 1 1/4" Kreg screws (for outdoor use)
Minwax Weathered Oak
Minwax Vintage Grey

Adjusted Cut-List
• 2 - 1x2 @ 26.5"
• 2 - 1x2 @ 76.5"
• 2 - 1x2 @ ~33.25"
• 2 - 1x4 @ 26.5"
• 2 - 1x4 @ 76.5"
• 4 - 1x4 @ 7.25" w/ 45º miter (diagonal corner supports)
• 1 - 1x4 @ ~28" (Crossbar - I forget the exact measurement)
• 6 - 1x6 @ 82"

For seating we just bought some inexpensive farmhouse weather resistant chairs from Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Yaheetech-Metal-Dinning-Chairs-Stackable-Cof…

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American (base), Minwax Weathered Grey (2nd coat)
(See more on outdoor use of stains: https://ana-white.com/blog/2019/05/outdoor-wood-furniture-finishing-secrets)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My first build!

This locker cabinet was my first build and I learned a ton. For example:

1. Use the Kreg face clamps while drilling into the Kreg Jr.
2. Buy straight wood.
3. Buy wood that is not warped.
4. Do not try to buy wood with grouchy kids in tow.

Are you seeing a theme? Yep, your project will only be as square and perfect as the wood you buy.

I modified the locker plan to include apothecary-style drawers for our cell phones, sunglasses and chapstick. I also drilled through the back of one of the drawers to turn it into a charging station for our cell phones.

The locker has been super useful so far and is such a great way to keep my kids' backpacks and lunchboxes organized. The baskets are designated for my purse, stuff I need to return to stores, the dog's leashes, and library books. It's so nice to have all this stuff near the front door and never wonder where any of it is!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ralph Lauren "Aged Mint" in flat. Distressed and coated with Minwax Polycrylic in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ana’s Rustic Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/03/2022 - 17:42

I used Ana’s plan to build this great bench for the Master Bathroom. It works out great!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Treehouse/Playhouse

Submitted by Bigbill99 on Sun, 01/10/2016 - 00:07

Thank you! You've helped me look like a true carpenter who knows what he's doing! My whole family is impressed with my woodwork lately, and now I'm addicted. I've done your seesaw, bar table and stools plus the treehouse in 2 weeks. Thank you for sharing your plans!

Estimated Cost
$500.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Spar urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Free- Standing Faux Mantle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/15/2019 - 19:25

I added a 1x12 as a base so that it could be free-standing, in case we ever want to move it to a different spot. I also added an insert by gluing slices of tree branches to a piece of plywood . This was a fun, quick and easy project, even for a relative beginner. I love the character it adds to this room!

2x10 Step Stools

Submitted by msyoung22 on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 07:26

My kids needed a step stool and I had some scrap wood (2x10) left over from a previous project

Estimated Cost
20 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax (weathered oak stain)
Minwax polycrylic protective finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

kristyzed

Wed, 08/17/2016 - 20:40

These are great.  Can you share dimensions and if there are any angle cuts on the legs?

msyoung22

Thu, 08/18/2016 - 20:12

Thank you! The dimensions are the same as the Ana White "Simple 1x10 Single Step Stool" except I used 2x10's instead of 1x10's like the plans called for. I also used some scrap pallet wood to make a design on the top of the stool. 

- Stool height: 7 1/2" for legs, 1 1/2" for top, and 1/2" for scrap pallet wood; which gives a total height of 9"

- Stool width: 9 1/4" x 16"

- 5 degree angle cuts were made on the legs

Pallet hope chest

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 15:12

This is a hope chest I made for my step daughter this Christmas it is made intirely out of pallet wood except for the frame which I used 1by4 by 8 pine board 

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glossy polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Holiday Fireplace with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/18/2024 - 10:10

We wanted a electric fireplace with mantle and TV home above but needed storage shelves on the side for all of our electronics and blankets. Came up with this plan. Need to add trim around the shells still and can't decide what color to paint the fireplace. Other than that we are in love with it.

Seasonal And Holiday

Basement Shelving....

Time to get organized in 2017....and what better way than with some custom shelving. This was not too bad of a project to complete. It only took about 6-8 hours to cut, frame, and assemble everything together (thanks to an interruption or two). 'Twas nice to have a project for once that I didn't have to care about finishing the project with wood filler, sanding, painting. I am sure my wife thanks me more as I would have been another week getting things just right​​​​​! 

A few changes that I made from the original plans:

- used 2x8 for the shelving runs as I only was dealing with a 10ft run and was a few bucks cheaper to buy 8 boards vs 16 boards. Plus less cuts!!! 

-installed adjustable furniture feet in the supports to deal with sloping basement floor. Unexpected side effect was it was easier to slide the unit around in the basement as I assembled it. 

Outside of those changes I remained faithful to the original design. I didn't bother filling the screw holes as we will be hiding the shelving unit with a curtain once  we turn the room into a TV/Office area. 

Also as it wasn't 100% clear from the original plans, but the height measurements for the shelf supports are to center... not sure why it didn't register with me right away... but just in case anyone else didn't realize that as well. 

Estimated Cost
$150 for wood, screws, wood glue, and adjustable furniture feet
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

cabin bunk system

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/14/2017 - 07:59

this project was pretty easy over all, I had a little trouble getting the drawers level, but that was about it. I did have to change the measurements to make it a full size bed but it came out fitting perfectly!!

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Three Bin Laundry Sorter

Submitted by Meyer1120 on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 21:10

Modified the original plan to meet our needs of a laundry sorter. Had problems with the hinges so ditched them. I used dowels with a combination of a chamfer cut on the bottom of the door. Dado-ed the trim on the doors and slide the bead board panels in. The face frame is all held together with pocket hole screws, which I highly recommend because it eliminates nail holes and keeps the face frame square. This was my first wood working project, took me a little long to get it done. Thanks for looking.

Modified January 28

So here are some more pictures of my project. I don't really have any good pictures of the dowels. But what I can tell you is, I drilled holes through the sides of the face frame and the trim pieces and then measured where the holes would be in relation to the "drawer". I then drilled holes in the drawers at those measurements, I was careful to not go to deep. I think I went in half an inch. After that I started at one end and placed the dowels in, then put each drawer in. It wasn't easy but with a little patience it worked. The key is to wax the dowels so they will last longer as well. I also am including pictures of the top and bottom trim. On the top the original plans called for an overhang piece and I didn't like the way that looked. I ran the top board an inch long on each side and then wrapped it in quarter round trim. I did this because I plan on adding the Mimi Hutch Top. The bottom was built per the plan, but I ran into a problem with my bottom trim not being level and you could tell. So I raised the whole unit on 1 1/2 legs then placed it on a level surface and again wrapped it in a decorative trim. The key on both trims was a nice miter joint. Last picture I added was of my stoppers. I took scrap from the 1x2 trim and cut them to an inch and a half or two (can't really remember), then using the Kreg Jig drill bit drilled recessed holes. I then opened the doors until the side 45s were level then mounted the blocks on each side. I feel that it is better than a chain or string catch. Again thanks for looking and I hope I answered all of your questions.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primmer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

moosmani

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 11:29

Dowels! What a great idea! Would you mind sharing how you did it? Could you possibly add some pictures showing the dowels? You did a great job. It looks beautiful.

mullid1

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 09:27

I love what you have made! Could you post pictures of the top and the bottom trim? I'm very impressed that this is your first project!

mullid1

Tue, 01/29/2013 - 09:12

Thank you for the photos and new instructions! You're awesome!!!

VLT

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 12:05

This is lovely; I like the trim job you did. Is there a way to post the plans so we can all get to them. I cannot believe this was your first project!

Liz82

Sat, 11/16/2013 - 18:23

I am a little confused. I love the three bin laundry sorter, but everyone is mentioning plans. I am not finding plans for it on the site. Also, what goes in to hold the clothes? There may be obvious answers, but I am not seeing them. I'd appreciate any help you could give.

towering inferno

Tue, 12/02/2014 - 02:58

I've been thinking of working up one very similar to this, also with 3 bins, but I didn't want to use chain either.  Those stoppers will be ideal - do you put them on both sides or is one enough?  Thanks for the share!

Karahd

Sat, 01/24/2015 - 11:29

Hi-

Im not sure if you still have the plans to this awesome project, but if you do, would you be able to share them with me? Ive been looking to make something like this forever, but just couldnt find any help!

thanks,
karah
[email protected]

petemoore

Mon, 02/08/2016 - 07:46

hi im the same as everyone can you send me the build plans with dimensions etc

many thanks

virginie D.

Wed, 03/02/2016 - 14:49

Hi

It's exactely what i need. so amazing. Someone can send me the plan please? I'm so newbie to do tat all by myself without plans. Thanks you.

virginie D.

Wed, 03/02/2016 - 14:49

Hi

It's exactely what i need. so amazing. Someone can send me the plan please? I'm so newbie to do tat all by myself without plans. Thanks you.

ajbreaux

Mon, 05/02/2016 - 14:22

My wife loves this . if its possible could i get the plans and hopefully have time to build it to give to her for mothers day ? thanks 

Kimhubbell

Fri, 12/02/2016 - 11:01

I would also love to have the plans for the 3 bin sorter. I am barely an intermediate so more specifics would be a huge help! Thanks to anyone who could help.

lworthy

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 04:19

 I absolutely LOVE your laundry sorter!!!! You did a fabulous job and the TRIM, WOW amazing!!!! I've searched Ana's website and cant find the plans' could you please email me the plans to [email protected].  I started building my own furinture back in October 2016 and the reward is amazing... Keep up the good work.

Happy Building,

Lisa

woodmama

Tue, 01/16/2018 - 22:18

I'm too new at woodworking to be able to tackle this right now, but would love to download the plans for future. My most successful project so far is a pretty standard bookshelf. I got a free plan, with lots of guidelines and explanations, at https://tinyurl.com/ydeup8lo -- it came with a 440 page guide, "The Art of Woodworking" that has tips and techniques, and am plowing through that right now.

momto3

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 12:53

This is amazing.  I am very new to woodworking.  Could you send me the plans please?  I would be most appreciatative 

Ljohns

Wed, 03/11/2020 - 23:27

I would love to have the plans for the three bin laundry sorter to build for my laundry room. Are the plans available? Awesome work!

Ava's Play Kitchen

Submitted by tcalford on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 09:10

We really wanted to give our 2 year old a play kitchen for Christmas. We also didn't want to spend the money on the likes of the Pottery Barn set, and weweren't sold on the lesser-expensive options. Fortunately, a quick internet search led me to Ana White's website and plans for this play kitchen. As someone who has never built anything before, the plans seemed very doable. All of the brag posts were also inspirational and sold me on starting this project. I worked on this an hour or so after work for a couple of weeks, and then a few longer nights running up to Christmas Eve (always a bit of a procrastinator!). As neither my wife or I know how to sew, we decided to turn the space underneath the sink into a cabinet. The paint color was left over from painting our kitchen and family room, and we decided to stain the stove and counter tops. Overall, we are very pleased and proud with how this turned out, and our 2 year old loves playing with the set!

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

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 12/31/2014 - 13:15

This looks awesome! Love all the details and the green color with the stained counter. Great job!

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