Community Brag Posts

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by Rennie82 on Fri, 05/18/2012 - 12:12

Coped the design almost to the "T." I loved this design because I only have a small shed to work out of and this stand for my miter saw was much needed.

The major difference between the original and my design are the folding arms. I was working within a very small budget and couldn't afford the fancy folding arms so I was able to do a little creative thinking and decided to go with a removable piece of 1x3 that is wedged under the arms with a block installed on the "leaf" and the main table. I used the old pythagorean theorem to figure out how to make it a level 45 degrees. With a little playing around I have both arms completely level and the stand is perfect!! I am excited to get some other projects on the way now that I have somewhere other than the ground to work with my miter saw.

I didn't use any pocket holes, but am picking up a Kreg jig set from someone this upcoming week and am looking forward to putting that into some use on my next projects!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
30 bucks or so
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

stephanier (not verified)

Fri, 05/18/2012 - 19:04

I would like to see a close up too if possible. I am wanting to make the saw cart plus two more carts with the middle flush with the top so I can push the two together to use for a workbench. How much weight do you think your sides can hold the way you set them up?

In reply to by stephanier (not verified)

Rennie82

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 11:28

I honestly am not too sure how much weight it would hold. I havent seen any bowing or pushing yet. I have used this so far to cut a piece of 4x4 12ft long made of cedar for my next project and didnt have any problems. I think if I need more weight holding strength, I think I would just change out the 1x3 and maybe use a 2x4 in there. I am also not a 100% sure how much weight the hinge can hold, maybe someone else reading these posts can be a little more helpful as far as that goes.

2x4 Desk

Submitted by Livvyhill on Mon, 03/03/2014 - 18:40

I had fun with this project. I needed a long and narrow desk for my son's room, and this was perfect. It was sooo easy. I used countersink drill bit and filled in with wood filler. I sanded to smooth it out and make soft edges. I stained first with a black cherry stain, then spread teal paint around (was inspired by a lot of rustic wood and teal pieces that I saw at homegoods), then coated it with kona miniwax stain to darken it up. I put a clear polyurethane finish on it to protect it. Super easy and I love it. Got all of my wood for under $30.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Cherry miniwax, Teal paint, Kona miniwax, polyurethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 11:07

Simple and easy to build from plans provided

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish yet we are torn between a dark stain or a white chalk look.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Truss Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:54

2x4 Truss bench with some alterations.
My first project completed with help of your plans.
Made from pine and painted using a walnut water based primer and varnish to try and match it to our existing table.

Catriona

Simple Modern Outdoor Sectional

I had been wanting a patio sofa for a long time and while googling prices for the 1,000th time I found a link to Ana White's wonderful website. I can't say how grateful I am to Ana White. The fact that she puts all of these plans online for free and asks nothing in return speaks to her character and what a kind and generous person she is. Helping people build things and helping them learn at the same time! Anyway, I followed the plans explicitly and purchased the cushions at Ikea.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades Black Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s with high backs.

Submitted by ihoppoet on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 23:02

I built these chairs with the plans Ana White shared on this site, they are sturdy and beautiful, but they are also heavy. Heavy is what I wanted though.

I used water putty for the screws and other blemishes, then I primed and painted them. when the Homedepot pillows arrived my wife decided she wanted higher backs, I used an idea shared on here, but that back used 2 2x6s, when I tried that I felt they were too high, so I altered it to one, and found they look and feel a lot better. the angle of the back is 15 degrees from 90 or 105 degrees.  I will be altering the loveseat plans to build a concrete top bbq coffee table to use with the chairs. 

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Exterior primer and paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Table for the little one

Submitted by Rennie82 on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 05:36

Got my new Kreg Jig, picked up a brand new master kit on craigslist for half the normal price! The table went together beautifully and the chairs were simple as well!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about 25 dollars for all the lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar latex semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Bunk Bed with Storage Stairs

My husband and I searched at least a hundred plans to find a simple bunk bed for our girls and Ana's Loft bed was a perfect base plan with a few changes. We wanted a lower bunk, top and bottom, since our girls are young (ages 5 and 2.5). The youngest just moved from the crib so by putting the bed lower we are able to skip the side rails. Overall we cut 10 inches off the height of the original loft bed plan and still have plenty of room in the lower bunk. I can sit up comfortably on the lower bunk and the youngest can even stand. We went with another 8 inch board for the top bunk rail, it was simpler then the rail with cap but achieved the same overall rail height. We knew we didn't want a ladder in their room because our 2 yr old is fearless. So for the stairs my husband just ended up winging it, loosely basing them on the Storage Stairs plan, creating basic cubes so we can still let light in and have storage. We also didn't want the steps to be high up in case the girls fall from them, which is more common then them falling off the top bunk. At 32 in. high (the bunk is 61 in) both of them can still climb in the top bunk without issue. At first the steps didn't have the tall "cube" at the back but the platform just wasn't that big so the long cube was an add on and gave it the perfect size and heft. We couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Thanks Ana for your awesome blog and the great plans that you post. My husband also built the original play kitchen and it is amazing! I'll have to do another post with pics of that.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar white primer and top coat in one in satin finish. Decorative paint is Martha Stewart craft paint, our 5 year old chose stencils, the 2.5 year preferred to free hand her art ;)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cedar Planter Outdoor Speakers

Submitted by Hoosierdoc on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 10:53

We just put in a pool and I needed something to hide a pair of outdoor speakers. I used Klipsh AW-525 speakers.

Basically I raised the bottom of the planter enough to fit the speaker under and had to add a few framing pieces to secure the speaker mount to. The mount attaches to a vertical board and the weight rests on a horizontal board. The wiring comes up from below.

The front panel uses vinyl mesh from Sailrite.com to hide the speaker but allow sound out. Imm planning to hang it with magnets if it doesn't distort sound too much.

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

Comments

Rustic X Console table with Live Edge Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 17:13

Made this with my son for his new home. The only deviation from the plan was a solid slab of sycamore for the top with dark Minwax stain. Base was painted and waxed with Annie Sloan Old White paint The toughest part was getting the angles right for the X pieces. Had to eye the line and cut with a band saw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Old White paint, clear wax. Minwax Early American stain and Minwax clear satin acrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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