Community Brag Posts

Kids Seesaw

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/02/2017 - 07:15

Hi I made this seesaw for my great nephew's 2nd birthday off plans on your website. I painted mine and covered seats with yellow vinyl. I found the plan really simple to use and not an expensive project. I delivered it to the party at the farm and it was an instant hit. Linda Byron (great aunty), Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
R200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted red, blue & green with yellow vinyl on the seat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Therapy sand box

I had a therapist that uses sand therapy asked to build this. It's all made of oak.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood conditioner and then clear coated with polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Triple Pedestal Dining Bench

After completing the table and being very happy with it, I had an overabundance of confidence making this bench. That probably is why it was so frustrating when things didn't go so well.

I made a few errors but two really stick out to me. The first was making the pedestals too much like the table pedestals. I screwed and glued an extra piece of wood on top of the bench pedestals (just like there is on the table) before I returned to the plans. This was not an easy fix and involved crowbars, chisels and cutting the heads off of stripped wood screws. Lesson: READ THE PLAN!

The second error relates to why the bench is a shade or two darker than the table. We used the same can of stain, but neglected to use wood conditioner. It appears that the wood conditioner (or our failure to mix the stain well enough) on the table made the stain much lighter than we expected. We have since fallen in love with the table's color; however, the bench came out the color we had originally expected for the table, which is much darker. We are going to do a test at some point to determine whether it was the wood conditioner or just the poor mixing that lightened the table. One other possible explanation is that we got the wood from a different place. This wood did seem a bit softer, in case that makes a difference. As a result of this color difference we are going to literally sit on it (the bench) for a while and decide whether we will strip and re-stain the table. It seems easier to re-do the table darker than lighten the bench since all we would need to remove is the poly. We're not in a hurry though. We might end up liking it well enough like we did the table. The bench almost matches our son's highchair, so it almost looks intentional. Lesson: TEST THE STAIN FIRST!

Fixes and stain-color aside, the bench was not terribly difficult to make and the plans (when I bothered to read them) were very easy to follow. I'm looking forward to bringing these lessons to the next project. My wife is requesting Adirondack chairs. Fortunately for us both, Mrs. White has shared some very good looking chair plans. Stay tuned.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by kmlimoges on Mon, 01/05/2015 - 06:39

First DIY. Took roughly 17 hours completed over 3 days. Used untreated pine from Home depot for top and untreated cedar (the only 4x4's available) for legs.

Total cost $270

Top stain: weathered oak (2 coats)

Top finish: Rustoleom polyeurothane clear satin

Legs: undercoat of Behr's Nautical blue and two thin coats of a white paint we had on hand. Then we distressed with an orbial sander and a 220 grit paper.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Loft Bed with Desk & Bookcase

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2017 - 12:47

Created but Modified from the plans found on here, my daughter has a great new bed. This bed saved a ton of space in her very small room. PLUS it allowed her to have an area to do her homework and all the art projects she does! Very easy build. Took a day to build and another to paint. 

Estimated Cost
$250.00 CDN
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Marquee Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Convertible Shoe Rack

Submitted by tfox on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:41

A few weeks ago I was getting ready for work and was excavating my shoe collection in search of my brown wingtips. Although I had managed to curate a pretty respectable collection of dress shirts, slacks, suits, and shoes, I still relied on a cheap coated wire shoe rack that could likely double as a grilling grate for my bbq. This was amplified by the fact that is was meant for about half the number of shoes I was using it for. I know, first world problems. It’s tough out there. So, I decided to build a two piece unit that I could stack atop one another or use it side by side in the future.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany Stain with Robin's Egg Blue stripe (in eggshell finish). Finished with three coats of Minwax Wipe-On Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

zendup

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 09:12

That looks great! I need something like this in my front entry closet. I could probably use some in the master closet too. Thanks for posting!

Apothecary coffee table with toy trundle

I found the original plans and LOVED them, but my house is tiny, so I was forced to re-work the plans to fit my space! This is a good bit smaller, but every bit as awesome! ;) I decided not to distress it, but I may down the road if it starts to scuff up! ;) Project took about a week long including finishing time. Actual build time was 9-10 hours over two days.

Estimated Cost
Total cost was $60-75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Finished the top and inside of the box with Minwax stain and the outside with Kilz primer and latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Printers table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/07/2017 - 12:26

I used your printer cabinet plans however altered them  a bit.  Wood is various  including gum, cherry,pine, etc.  Enjoy and thanks

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$74
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Counter Stools

Inspired by Ana White's Farmhouse Counter Stools. I contoured the seat tops and added supports just below the the seat. I used dowels and glue for joinery rather than using pocket screws.

Estimated Cost
$20.00
Finish Used
Stool frame was painted with Benjamin Moore Select Soft Gloss White and stool seat was stained with Minwax Gunstock (231) stain and top coated with Varathan Satin Polyurethane.

Comments

modified version of X Desk with Drawer

Submitted by JMBower on Mon, 03/04/2013 - 15:47

I was looking for a desk with sort of a "campaign furniture" style feel to it, and came across Ana's plan for the X Desk with Drawer.

I made a lot of changes from that starting point, some of which worked well, some of which didn't. In the end, my desk varies pretty drastically from the original, but I definitely have to give credit for lots of helpful tips and inspiration from Ana's plan!

It's a little rough, but it's one of my first real builds, so I'm pretty happy.

Note: picture does not show spreader on back legs, added afterwards. Drawers are out while guides dry, they normally sit flush with front face.

Made from pine, with poplar edging on front. Mostly pocket hole joinery. Finish is a light version of the Minwax Dark Walnut (looks lighter in picture than real life.) Lacquer coating. Pulls are from Home Depot.

To give it an antique, campaign look, the edges are roughed up a little, the finish is left a little streaky/worn, and the holes for the drawers were cut out of the board by hand, and then hand-fit to the drawers.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shiny AND antique

First project built using plans from Ana White.  Loved completing it.  Take the time to sand and prep for finish.  Makes it sooo much better.

My glossy finish adds a lot of luster to the project.  I trimmed the inside edges of the 2x4 peices on the outside trim to make a smooth surface.  

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut. Spar poly. Offwhite semigloss, sanded and antiqued with stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Too cute not to have one for the 18" dolls! Hubby tweaked the plan, I "had fun playing!"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 15:09

I fell in love with your stand, and showed it to my husband (who is not a carpenter, but holds his own with making doll furniture).  I forgot to mention to him it was for real girls, but he figured it out quicky when he saw the size of wood pieces, hah!  So I begged him to use the basic idea, and so he tweaked a plan and this is what he came up with.  The signs are laminated, and 8 signs fit into the slot he made on top.  We have  a lemonade stand, a market, a theatre, a boutique, a candy shop, a bakery  and a frozen treat shop.  Our granddaughter is beyond delighted!  We don't have a blog. We craft and sell 18" doll items and have Facebook page.

Finish Used
Just sanded, primed and painted white.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planter Boxes

Submitted by Doc54 on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 22:31

Hi,
I made these planter boxes from Ana's plans. The plans made it an easy project and we also decided to paint them white.

Cheap and very effective in the garden.

Thanks Ana...

Estimated Cost
Approx. AUD $40 per box
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We simply used an outddoor paint - low sheen - white and applied 3 coats to each box.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cutting Board

My Dad made a few cutting boards for christmas.  I've added a few additional photos and tips on my blog -  http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/more-cutting-boards.

thanks for looking.

 

Ian

Finish Used
mineral oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

dbermolen

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 04:28

Hi Ana! Love your site!!!!!! Please tell me, did you use just mineral oil in order to make this non-toxic finish? I guess you would have done some posts including this kind of information, but I can't find it. Regards from Argentina! =)

Big kids picnic table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/14/2017 - 10:58

I followed the plans to a T with this one. I wish I had made the seat supports longer so I could have the seats sit a little further from the table for bigger kids. I drilled a hole for the umbrella in the table top and the cross support. Sanded for hours, primed, and painted 3 coats. I will add feet to the legs so the legs aren't sitting flat on the ground, with the potential to rot. 

Took 2 hours to build, 2 hours to sand, and many hours to paint multiple coats. Very solid and should last a long time! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 with paint and screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of Zinzer BIN primer. 3 coats of Valspar Duramax in Lime Candy (6011-8) from Lowes
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Queen Bed

Submitted by Dudley193 on Mon, 03/15/2021 - 11:06

I got this bright idea that we should change the basement into a master suite. However, we could not get a box spring down the stairs. This gave me the perfect opportunity to take on the biggest project of my woodworking life. I absolutely love how this bed frame turned out and it looks so great lined up here next to the fireplace!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Grey Thompson's Water Seal

Comments

Window Coffee Table

Submitted by searcyb on Sat, 03/09/2013 - 19:09

We needed a new coffee table in the family room, one that went with the ever changing decor. One of my neighbors threw out a rather nice, but older wooden framed window that they had been holding onto for who knows how long. My wife actually grabbed it out of the garbage with both the kids sitting in the car while she loaded it into her SUV in dress clothes.

Anyway, I broke down the window into two sections and used one of the sections to build this table. The area around the window is made out of 2x4 and the table skirt is 1x4. I bought the turned legs from www.osbornewood.com (colonial coffee table leg). This project was made a lot easier by using my kreg jig to attach the skirt to the table legs as well as the top to the skirt. Knowing that I would have two young kids playing around and setting things on the table I placed the glass panes with plexi that I bought from Lowes. This will be safer as well as more durable in the future.

Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Royal Blue Satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Childs Adirondack Chair

This chair is for my son and is a first build. The plans were super easy to follow and the whole thing went very smoothly. I used my jigsaw to round off the top edges just a bit and I really like how it turned out. Thanks for the free plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Greener Grass
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grandy slider built in attic cabinets

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/17/2017 - 08:49

I have a gambrel style barn roof in the house I built. Space is tight and the double pitch of the roof made for having to get clever. Saw the plans for grandy sliding door console got out the graph paper and went to work. There were lots of cuts and had to rip some wood with a table saw but was not terribly difficult just time consuming. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
700 dollars.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tong oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate