Community Brag Posts

Cabinet with doors and shelf

Submitted by AndyH on Tue, 09/06/2016 - 12:26

White cabinet made from some doors and hardware left over from my built in book case project and other wood left over from the book case and closet projects.  All I bought was the wood for the top and the legs.

 

 

Estimated Cost
$30 (as used leftover wood)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained gray and then two coats of white satin paint sanding between each coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ryobi Nation workshop and shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 15:48

I bought a whole workshop full of Ryobi tools second hand from my brother over a year ago. I started researching workshop plans and came across Anna White’s Ryobi Nation Dream Workshop. I downloaded the plans and spent about 2-3 months working on it in my spare time. I made a lot of mistakes along the way but I’m pretty happy with it overall!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

rcjones4

Fri, 08/11/2023 - 11:50

Do you still have these plans for the project? can't seem to find them anymore

Garage Workbench

Submitted by jbonham on Sat, 09/24/2016 - 12:35

Altered the original plan only enough to accommodate the materials I had lying around without going to buy more lumber. The workbench I built is not as wide being only 48" instead of the 55" noted in the plans. For the top of the workbench and the lower shelf I used 1x4 furring boards again, because it is what I had for material at the time of building.

Once I made the basic frame, I squared it and then installed the supports for the table top and the lower shelf. Once the supports were in I cut the 1x4's to the appropriate length. As I laid each respective board, I also laid a good dose of wood glue down and then clamped them in place. I let those boards set with glue for about 5 minutes before going back and using a 2" brad nailer to finish them off. Once the nailing was done, I removed the clamps and moved to the next series of boards. Because I had several clamps I was able to lay about three boards at a time and let the glue set for another 10-15 minutes. Working slowly and methodically got the whole job done in a couple of days of a few hours a piece before completion.

Easy project and something that will last a long time when done correctly.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Two passes of 80 and 120 grit sandpaper respectively.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

2x4 Modern Adirondack Chair ❤

I LOVE this project!!!! Great directions! Amazing results. It makes a very comfortable, and sturdy chair. So far, I have made two. Three more to go. 😄

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
the first one, I painted and used an aging process on the seat. Then sealed with outdoor poly. The second one still needs finished. Not sure what color to make it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by disneynut on Tue, 07/22/2014 - 11:04

This was not my first build, but it was the first time I have done miter cuts. It was an easy to follow plan. The hardest part was trying to decide on the stain color! I am thrilled with the way it turned out. This table will easily seat 10 people which will be perfect for parties and dinners.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $100 (including wood, sandpaper, stain, poly)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean and Helmsman Spar in satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic farmhouse table

Submitted by AustinM on Thu, 07/24/2014 - 19:03

I built the Rustic Farmhouse table and I only had to make minor changes because I got the wood rough cut milled in my neighbor's backyard. I built the bench with the left over pieces without any plans, just tried to make it match the table. We love it and it is definitely a step up from what we had before! I just have to browse your chair plans now because these chairs in the picture are from our old table.

Estimated Cost
$95
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Used a standard red stain and varnish on the table top/bench top and a semi gloss in the legs/skirting.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

LSU Builder

Wed, 08/13/2014 - 13:07

Are you willing to divulge your exact paint color and stain? Is it white? Looks kind of bluish. Love the contrast. Great job.

Beginner Farm Table and benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/25/2020 - 21:02

We built a larger version of the farmhouse table. It’s always been a dream to have a massive table for family dinners. I loved the look of the table and have wanted to attempt it for a couple of years. I finally got the courage up. We kept the legs the same size and just used 10 ft 2x6 and stretchers. It’s extremely solid and heavy! We are exhausted, it took all day! But we are so proud of ourselves. It’s definitely not perfect but it was our first and we love it!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered burn effect stain For the legs and runners and an antique white for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Adjustable pipe stools

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/31/2020 - 14:38

White chair was made first mostly based on the original plans, but my pipe flange broke immediately. So I just bolted the top on and then made red chair with a pipe and harbor freight pipe clamp instead of all-thread and nuts. It allows easy instant adjustment and a better fit with the pipe flange.

The reason I made the change is that pipe threading has a tapered angle, so when used with all-thread which is a strait cylinder, it doesn't make proper thread contact. On top of that, the only all thread I could find had a different threads per in (10 vs 14) than standard pipe and cross threaded my flange, causing it to break on the first use.

I used 3/4ths pipe because I was trying to avoid all possible problems from the first try (which used a 1/2 in pipe flange) and this took too much material out of my cross supports for my comfort. So I added 45 deg right triangle scrap to the corners to beef it up. Probs would be much cheaper and still work fine with 1/2 in pipe.

Finally both chairs have much shorter legs than suggested in the plans because I needed regular chair height stools, not bar stools. And they still get high enough to be usable at counter height (but not ideal).

Estimated Cost
35ish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of random paint, sanded down a bit to look worn.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bed with drawer storage

Submitted by SE-Mark on Sat, 10/20/2012 - 22:56

I had to come on here to thank you all for inspiring me to build this bed! The thought of building such a big piece of furniture never really occurred to me until I saw the Farmhouse queen plans, which really got the gears turning.

I wanted to add some storage to the bed, though, and so I kept looking at other projects on this site. I don't know which plans are all combined into this one, but you can see the one side table in some of the pictures which is based on a hutch plan here, and the concepts there are used in the drawer fronts on the bed. I still plan to build a matching side table for this side of the bed and also a dresser unit to complete the bedroom set.

This entire project was built on my deck as I don't have a garage. Started at the end of September and working by flood light on nights where I could find the time. It was finally moved inside to paint. The bed is built into four sections for disassembly - headboard, footboard, and a base section that is split in half with knockdown fasteners. The headboard and footboard are also attached with knockdowns, so the entire bed comes apart with an allen key.

The cost was incredibly low. My biggest cringe costs were for the 4x4 posts, which I had to buy in cedar, and the birch 3/4" plywood for the drawers. All in costs are still under $200, though I did own a Kreg system which got used a fair amount.

I did modify the footboard / headboard construction since I had the Kreg system. Rather than using a 1x4 backing board with 1x verticals and a 1x4 front board, I used a Kreg'ed 2x4 as the backing board, flush to the 4x4 post... no 4 1/2" screws required! The 1x verticals were then glued and nailed onto the 2x4s, and the 1x4 front board was glued and nailed to it.

The drawers are huge! 29" wide x 26" deep x 14" tall (more or less). Also, they are positioned so that when a side table is placed beside the bed the drawers can still open. The panel at the head of the bed is a door with a magnetic catch. I think of that area as 'deep storage' as you would have to move a side table to get in there. The door is there to get there if you want to though.

One cost not accounted for... my 'work bench' patio table sustained an injury. I still maintain I did not drop anything onto it. In fact, I was using a tape measure to measure a drawer length when the glass shattered out from under the piece I was measuring. It was cold in the morning, so maybe that had something to do with it. But now I just have to add 'fix patio table' to the project list.

Thanks again!
Mark

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tremclad / Rustoleum semi-gloss white.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

5 tator tots (not verified)

Tue, 10/23/2012 - 19:04

I can't wait until we have time to build a farmhouse storage bed. Yours looks great!.

jaimej

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 19:35

Very smart placement of the drawers - I too am aspiring to build this some day and wondered about a fix on that - do I just store things in that drawer I rarely want to get at? No, I like your idea better. Beautiful job on the bed - it looks nice.

niki

Sun, 11/10/2013 - 17:49

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I love the drawers. Would you be willing to share more on how you did those, vs the plywood boxes in the plans?

SE-Mark

Thu, 03/20/2014 - 11:40

Sorry for taking so long to reply to your question! I missed it.

I don't have any pictures / details on how it was done, but I can explain it. The front face is built as a 2x4 surround with 1x6 inset boards. I then put a dado in the bottom side 1/4" up from the bottom.

I then made a drawer box from 5/8" plywood, kreg jigged to the front face. A 1/4" piece of plywood was used as the drawer bottom, and inset into the front face of the drawer.

This all sounds a bit difficult and confusing, but it isn't. Maybe I should take some pictures. Let me know if you'd like to see them.

briankerr

Wed, 07/30/2014 - 10:55

Great build! I'd love to see some more photos of the drawer surround/frame with the drawers out. Is it all 2x3 stud construction? Any problems with warping or the drawer slides not square/plum?

omegatek

Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:22

Racking my brains out trying to figure out how you laid those slats across the top of the drawers...  If you wouldn't mind posting a few more pics, I would really appreciate it.  My daughter wants this for her birthday. 

Thanks!

Outdoor Farmhouse Table

I've been wanting to build an outdoor farmhouse table for quite some time. Getting it to look old with new materials was the idea.Using notches to hold part of the base and experimenting with finishes got the 'rustic' look. I took a few ideas from the Gaby Kitchen Island and implemented my own; it turned out to be a great weekend project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Stain, Poly-acrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Juanita_r

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 23:43

Love the table, especially the finish you used, it looks amazing. just have a question about if it is waterproof...i know it is an outdoor table, but is it protected by a veranda or is it completely exposed to the elements. i want to make one but am hesitant as it will be completely outside! Thanku!

Truss Dining Table

Built this table for my wife a few weeks ago. Pleasantly surprised how it turned out. Love this site and it has sparked a real joy within me in woodworking.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
125ish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outhouse

Submitted by Speedbump on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 21:04

I built this outhouse for beside our barn. My first large project and I’m really pleased with how it turned out!

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

Comments

Shoe and storage bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/27/2020 - 07:21

I love your designs and could spend hours browsing here! But that doesn't get things built! ;)

I used your general plan to build this cute bench as my first project for my new Handywoman Business

I was easily able to adjust and customize it to my customers specifications and it is very sturdy. Also my first adventure in pocket holes and I am in love!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Oak
Minwax satin varnish
Beauti-tone interior Latex, Semigloss in Cloud White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Children's Adirondack Chair

Submitted by JamieLynn on Mon, 11/17/2014 - 12:40

Made the super cute Adirondack Chair for my nephew Brady.  He loves it. Now i'm making 2 more for my two nieces as well.  

Estimated Cost
<$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Firepit Swings

Submitted by hwallace on Tue, 03/07/2017 - 09:45

This was a real challenge as I did the whole project alone. 6x6 pressure treated lumber was used as posts and support beams. 120 lbs of quickcrete was used for each post and the support beams are bolted onto the posts. The swings were all made with pressure treated

lumber and I bought heavy duty mounting hardware for the chains. I bought the firepit kit at Lowe's and did the 4 block high enclosure. I had a lot of fun with this!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My First Bed

Submitted by toolman81 on Wed, 01/20/2021 - 12:10

This was my first bed since we can not find any in stock due to the pandemic. I switched up the headboard legs to 2x6s for a slightly wider base. This helped with the mattress in a box we ordered. I built a simple frame using 2x8s, all basic lumber from the big box store, and used 2x6s for the footboard legs. I built the bed frame just about two inches shorter in width to give it some variation in sight lines. I finished it with basic white enamel paint and put 1x4 slats under the mattress. My wife loved it and it turned out well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$380
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Floating bench for entryway alcove

Submitted by msantos116 on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:20

I was looking for some inspiration to clean up our small entryway room in our Cape Cod style home in Worcester, Massachusetts that was typically used for recycling and dirty shoes. These plans were very easy to follow and really spruced up the room quite a bit.

I used standard pine 2x4's for the frame and 1 inch boards for the bench platform and upper shelf features. The platform consists of four boards (3 1x6 boards and 1 1x5 board) that were glued together and sanded down. This was finished with Minwax Colonial Maple stain (a few coats), a couple coats of satin polyurethane, and then sanded down for a nice smooth finish.

I used a couple of 2x4's behind the vertical face below the shelf, giving it some depth and better stability.

Cast iron hooks were found on etsy, ebay, and Amazon.

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Colonial Maple stain
Minwax satin polyurethane
Automotive turtle wax for a smooth shine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Drop Zone/mudroom

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 07:10

I used ShelfHelpNow which I LOVED! Got it delivered at the start of a snowstorm! Would never have made it then if I had to go get the wood myself!
Got so many compliments and requests
To build this.
Thank you for your easy plans and wonderful ideas!
In hindsight I would have either connected the two units or separated them more. I’m more a wing it/see how it goes type of builder for myself rather than a planner. 🤣
Diane

Estimated Cost
600 for carcass
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Putting it together took a couple hours. Painting and waiting for things to dry took a lot longer!
Hopefully this will free up some room in my house for more utilitarian closet/pantry.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Adirondack Chairs & Outdoor Side Table

Submitted by j_bowman on Sun, 04/11/2021 - 11:35

These modern Adirondack chairs were my first wood working project ever and they turned out awesome! I wanted to build a small table to complete the set and Ana’s new side table plans were exactly what I was looking for. I am truly amazed at how easy these projects were to make and how great they look on our front patio. Ana’s step-by-step plans make it so simple. My wife and I can’t wait to build some more of these projects for our backyard lanai and pool area.

Finish Used
General Finishes Red Mahogany stain
Spar Urethane

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday
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