Community Brag Posts

Rustic X end table

Submitted by Seth Cheek on Thu, 12/13/2012 - 14:51

Thank you for the idea for the rustic x end table. My wife is extremely happy with her new end table. Happy wife = happy life!!! I constructed the end table of 2x4 douglas fir rough sawn material I salvaged from a project where we removed a trellis from the house. My son helped me remove all of the nails and we let the wood dry out from the rain. I cut the 2x4 to the lengths described in the directions (I had to modify the x braces in length), sanded the wood and applied natural finish stain. We also added 3 coats of polyurethane to the table top to give it a nice finish and hopefully help with wear and tear over the years.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a natural stain for the first coat. On the actual table top we used 3 coats polyurethane. I was told today by a cabinet maker that I should have used laquer instead because it holds up better and drys quicker speeding up the process.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Girls Storage Bed

Submitted by jbknakal on Wed, 09/24/2014 - 20:16

I modified the plans (took out the top set of drawers) to make it a little shorter so my daughter can climb on it easier.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X after sanding with 120 grit paper
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified Chicken coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 00:20

We live in a termite infested area and as such were nervous about putting wood in contact with the ground. We modified these plans to sit on top of a welded bar frame that is moveable and stands a meter high. The measurements are custom to our welded frame but the shape was based on these plans as was the construction process followed. We dont have a worry about predators so have used a design that doen not have a closed floor - our girls can simply fly or walk up the ladder to the roost and are able to leave the coop when ready in the morning without us opening doors. We are also in a warm environment thus an enclosed coop is not needed.

So far they are happy and are happily laying in the two egg boxes (We left the remaining space closed internally so that we can use it for storage) and as there is no bottom to the coop they poop straight into the run and onto the sand floor.

They are not free ranging yet as we are nervous of our dogs chasing them but once we are happy to let them free range we will use the gate built into the welded run.

Thank you Ana and lady goats for this design - I spent hours (and hours) researching and reading and looking at coop designs before deciding that this cute number was the one we wanted.

From me and my happy hens, thanks again!

 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior was painted with a water based exterior paint over wood primer
Inside was varnished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by rhern053 on Tue, 12/18/2012 - 17:20

Rustic X Coffee Table. Stain is wet in the photo, so a bit glossier than I'm anticipating. Kept diagonal "X" cross-beams whole and staggered to create more depth in the look of the structure. One coat Minwax "Ipswitch Pine." Changed mind and went with 2-3 more of Minwax "Driftwood." Would have been more grey, less red had I gone with "Driftwood" from the start.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toy Storage + Cubbies

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/13/2017 - 13:47

We LOVE how functional this toy bin is!! My husband built it in 3 hours, and then the stain took me 2 days (typical the finishing stain takes the most time! Ha ha) I did a 4 step process after looking at dozens of websites of how to stain- since we used pine board I didn't want the grain to stand out as much. 1: homemade vinegar solution stain 2: rustoleum weathered grain stain 3: minwax special walnut 4: 3 coats of poly 

I found the label holders at houseofantiquehardware.com 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Corner hutch

Submitted by Soni_max on Sat, 09/26/2020 - 03:06

This was challenging, but that made finishing it, so much greater. Ana's plans are so easy to follow.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by bashir007 on Sun, 12/23/2012 - 07:52

Used cedar wood so I applied a few costs of oil based polyurethane to compensate for the softness of the wood.

Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool and vinegar solution with an oil based polyurethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

100 Sq. Ft. Gable Shabin with Loft

Submitted by Emillie on Thu, 10/01/2020 - 11:45

We built a bunkie-style shabin for our off-grid vacation home. We wanted to keep it under 100 sq ft so we wouldn't have to worry about planning permission. This tiny shabin is 8ft x 12 ft with an 8ft x 7ft loft. It's perfect for our family of 4!

The whole thing (roof and all) cost around $6000 to build and we finished it in about 2 weeks. Phew! It was the perfect project for the summer.

Estimated Cost
6000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sleeping bunkie for a family of four.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

End table with drawer.

Submitted by dtmagnet on Mon, 10/06/2014 - 17:24

Used the plans for the Rustic X End Table on this site, modified them a bit to fit the space I wanted to fill. Also changed the design a bit to incorporate a drawer. I wire brushed each piece with a wire wheel brush drill bit to give it texture and make the grain come to life, then after assembly I went over the whole thing with a blow torch to add some nice colour and make the grain further stand out. Finally finished it off with minwax classic grey stain. I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wire brushed and burnt with a blow torch, then stained with minwax classic grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wifey

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 20:57

Looks nice. Any notes as to how you incorporated the drawer?

Rustic X Desk

Submitted by PoppaZotch on Mon, 10/05/2020 - 13:31

Rustic X desk but finished with a propane torch and wipe-on poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
charred with a propane torch
wipe-on poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Large Covered Sand Box with Seats

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 20:03

Followed the plans for the sandbox for my granddaughter. She absolutely loves it and so do I since I have a seat I can sit at! I did enlarge it a little so added some supports. It works so great. - Sandy

Built from Plan(s)

Whale cottage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/22/2017 - 09:46

 Thanks! I was able to use your plans for all the cabinets. Real easy to follow! 

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

Comments

No-Sew Upholstered Bed

Submitted by a_wolfe on Sun, 12/30/2012 - 16:34

Ok, so I was looking for a new headboard and stumbled on the plans for this Upholstered Bed.

Being without my full compliment of work this winter, I figured, what the heck. I'll try it.

Off I went to Home Depot, bought the supplies and got started.

I should mention that this was my first time doing any sort of carpentry, I have never used a jigsaw, and I had to borrow all the tools.

I found this SUPER easy! I had the headboard support finished in under an hour. Then I took my time cutting the plywood, just to make sure I didn't make any mistakes.

**I should mention right now, if you are planning on using a heavy upholstery fabric like I did, when you cut out the headboard insert, make 2 cuts! I wasn't able to get the insert to lay flush because the fabric was so thick! (I have since taking the picture added decorative trim to hide the little gaps)***

Once I had my plywood cut, I had no problem attaching it to the frame. The upholstery was a 2 person job that took a little time and a lot of staples, but not difficult.

I chose to tuft the headboard insert, and am so happy I did. It was time consuming, but worth it in the end.

All said and done, this took me a little over a week to complete. I had the construction done within a day or two, but the upholstery was very time consuming.

I love my new bed!

Estimated Cost
$275.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Heavy Upholstery Fabric:

DAWSON: OATMEAL

WIDTH: 55"

FIBER CONTENT: 43% Olefin, 42% Cotton, 10% Eco Cloth, 5% Acrylic


Painted legs with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

European farmhouse table

Submitted by jenzopr on Tue, 10/14/2014 - 06:04

When I first saw the original plan on ana-white.com, I knew that this table and the bench would fit perfectly into my place. Since in europe we measure mostly in meters, I adapted the plan to a table top of 1,0 x 2,10 meters (or for 8 persons) and made the bench fit between the table legs. Luckily, a friend (he is a carpenter) could get me solid beech wood and helped me to get it into the right size (it took a weekend, since we started from raw tree trunks). Assembly was done in two days and I stained it twice afterwards (3 days, with rest ;) ).

Estimated Cost
400 Euros (~500 dollars)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Surface was just sanded, treated with hard oil and sanded again on the next day. You should repeat this procedure at least once a year.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Our.family.morgans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/24/2017 - 07:18

Thanks ANA for the plans!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer & paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor bar and stools

Submitted by stevendaun on Tue, 01/01/2013 - 09:34

I built a 15" wide by 8' long outdoor patio bar with locking casters. I modified the stool design on Ana's website and stained both to match. I finished the top with stone tile and grout. This area has become the main gathering point in our backyard when entertaining.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Baer outdoor brown stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

In love with this!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/26/2017 - 15:12

This is one of my favorite projects I've done! Very easy and fun! 

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white paint and semigloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rollaway Workbench

Submitted by Indiri on Sat, 10/17/2020 - 18:26

I have a one car garage for my "shop" which means I can be really short on space. This build is perfect for saving space!

I made a few adjustments for the bigger saws (it's deeper and the center part is wider). I also used screws more in places that it called for nails but I wanted to be sure nothing would budge and also I didn't put the shelf backing on the one part where the table saw is in so I have better access to the saw while it's in place. I tried to use leftover wood I had in the garage wherever possible but I still had to buy 2 sheets of 3/4" and 1 sheet of 1/4".

Since I used more screws I may pretty up the front later with trim, I don't know. TBD

Estimated Cost
$150 because I used a lot of leftover wood
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments