Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Table - No stretcher

Submitted by kevo on Tue, 01/22/2013 - 10:46

Loved the farmhouse table plan, but didn't love the stretcher and stretcher supports. If you remove those, you have to find other ways to provide support, which I did by way of a stronger apron and the use of pockethole screws.

Also, I shortened the table. It's about 69 inches long, plenty of room for 6 people, and just right for our apartment dining room!

Estimated Cost
<$100 if you have the tools already
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax American Walnut (water-based)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patio Table

Submitted by marcosdos on Mon, 02/20/2017 - 14:33

I loved Ana's 4x4 Truss Beam Table which was my inspiration for building this outdoor patio table Yesterday, I had a lot of fun. I used brown pressure treate wood because I wanted a table for my patio which would be weather resitant, a strong, great looking table that goes well with the rest of my patio anf I bet it wil last for a long time... Ready to entertain family and friends as soos as Spring comes!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
CAD $250 = US $190
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Madison Dresser with a new look :)

Submitted by lubsies on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 08:52

Hope you like it! We used Duck Egg Chalk Paint and a dark walnut stain for the top and legs. We also put in drawer slides instead of doing it the normal way the plans said. (That was harder than we expected but the pay off is well worth it.) Knobs are from Hobby Lobby and we wrapped them in twine to brighten them up!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350-400 total
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Duck Egg Chalk paint and clear wax

The top is Dark walnut stain and satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Chevron Headboard!

Submitted by Chrisboire on Sun, 04/23/2017 - 15:15

A friend asked me to make a headboard for him as he couldn't find anything online or in store that he really liked. 

I was up for the challenge and always love working with wood to make new and exciting things so, challenge accepted. 

This was my first attempt at a headboard and I think it turned out pretty nice. 

Knotty pine face with a cedar frame. 

Looking forward to my next project! 

Estimated Cost
CA 225
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Loft Bed

Submitted by dadto3kids on Mon, 02/16/2015 - 20:25

I used 2 x 6's because of the distance (just over 12') I still need to build the ladder but my daughter insisted on sleeping up there anyway as she has been waiting for a few days as I worked om=n building this. No paint or stain yet, not sure how she wants it finished> I will update the photos as I finish the project.

Estimated Cost
$100-$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

outdoor patio table

Submitted by dboy on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 17:31

Just finished my very first wood project ever . I think it turns out pretty good . But if I did it again I’d make some adjustments . This version is made from pine as cedar has been unavailable for weeks . Thank you for the plans

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Helmsman spar urethane satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fancy X Farmhouse table with 4x4 base

I used 4x4 post for the base.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I sanded the heck out of the table. I then applied a coat of wood conditioner with a rag. I let it dry for about 30 minutes. I then brushed on a coat of minwax Special walnut. I only let it sit for about 10 to 15 seconds, then wiped off the access with a towel and blended it in with the same towel. I let that dry 25 hours and then brushed on a coat of minwax weathered oak. I let this sit for about 14 to 15 minutes then wiped off and blended in with a towel. I let it dry for 24 hours then applied 3 coats of the urethane. Letting it dry at least 12 hours between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

aggielandma12

Sat, 03/07/2015 - 10:01

We are waiting on our slip cover chairs (on back order). I have built a matching bench that needs to be finished.

dadmandude

Tue, 05/10/2016 - 10:20

I'd also like to build this table using 4x4's.  Can you tell me how you came up with the lengths for the diagonal pieces?  Also, how did you attach the perpendicular end pieces to the top?  I've been looking to do that as well and on all the plans I've seen they used pocket holes and I know that will not last before the end pieces begin to sag.

Thank you!

Patriotic Cornhole Boards

Submitted by ae1ret99 on Fri, 07/16/2021 - 13:30

I wanted some Cornhole Boards and I wanted to make them myself. I used some vinyl stickers (distressed American flags) that I got on Amazon! I also bought the Cornhole Bag set on Amazon as well! I added some carrying handles from hardware At Home Depot. I found the link here on Ana's website! I love them!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained the base with Valspar Redwood tone from Lowe's. Then applied some water-based poly over the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Console Table

My take on the Rustic X Console.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish Oil-Based Slate Semi-Transparent
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sliding barn door entertainment center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/25/2017 - 09:17

Fun project, ordered the hardware for the rail system itself and the wheels were too big so I made my own rail system.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farm table for my sister

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 14:09

So my sister moved back to Southern California from New York. She found a great place but needed a table. I made one table and one bench. My sister then found two chairs for the other side. This is the second or third thing I have made/built from Ana’s site. Thank you for making me feel more manly with great instruction. I also built this pre Covid-19 when lumber was not so expensive.

Comments

Modified junior loft bed

Submitted by rfjjd on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 19:32

Modifications to Ana's original plan:

  • 4x4 posts instead of 2x4. 
  • Crossbars attached to 4x4s with biscuits and pocket holes for added strength. 
  • Modular build for easy disassembly, moving, and reassembly: 2x6 and 2x4 rails attached to end assemblies with knock-down bed hardware. Deck hung on 4x4 posts with angle iron. Bed breaks down easily into separate components (stairs, deck, 2 large end assemblies, 6 rails, slats and plywood mattress support).
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax espresso stain and 3 coats of satin wipe-on polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Our Thanksgiving Family Project

Submitted by loniwolfe on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:50

My husband, step father and I built these Thanksgiving weekend (2010) and my mom got us a half bushel of oysters to snack on and made awesome steamed mussels with bread for dinner. This was a very fun family weekend.

I modifyed the plans a little to make the arms angle in a bit instead of being straight boards and also created the curved front. Then after building the first chair, Pat decided to make the second chair's back rest taller and cut angles to match the arms.

I picked intermediate because of needing a miter saw for all the different angles needed for getting the front right.
Also, It took one day for each chair

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
To my knowledge, Pat has not yet stained them, but once he does I will take more pics and find out what he used!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sandbox with Benches

Submitted by cscottrun on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 10:33

We altered the original plan by enlarging the sandbox (approx 5' x 6') which made for wider benches that can comfortably seat an adult.  The benches and back rests are three boards deep instead of two.  We added 2x12 supports under the benches for additional support, as well as another 2x4 support in the middle of the backrest.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Fancy*farmhouse table and benches

Submitted by Michael M on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 08:52

Used pressure treated (copper) and will allow to fade to grey with sun and sea air. Built to enjoy PEI mussels, lobster and beer in the open air and not too worried about the finish or surface. The table took 3 hours, start to finish - benches x 2 took longer at about 7 hours. Am getting a little lateral movement with the benches so will replace the 1 x 3 spacer with 2 x 4 and may add a diagonal 2 x 2 support as well (to match the table). I don't have/didn't use a Kreg so that may be the issue...?
Plans on Ana White are fantastic - I made the see-saw this weekend too in about an hour....thanks!

Estimated Cost
$120 in wood and $20 in screws for table and benches
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor table and seating
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bar with zinc counter top

I used the "how to build" from the Shepherd Kitchen Island plan to help me create my own dimensions for this bar... 60" long, 24" deep, 35" high.  It has a space on the left for an under counter ice maker and the wine rack is built in inside the right hand cabinet.  

The counter top is plywood covered with a sheet of zinc I bought from rotometals.  Fairly easy to do after watching their videos on how to apply and how to patina.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General Finishes Milk Paint. Used 2 coats of the color Driftwood, then sealed with a coat of poly. Then applied 2 coats of the color Snow White and distressed. The poly helps keep you from going straight down to bare wood when sanding.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Closet Door with Storage

Submitted by kristen on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 21:07

This was my first Ana White project, and I learned a lot from making it since I was also a novice woodworker. I am very happy with the end result, but it was probably a good thing that this went on the inside of a closet :) It gave me the confidence to go on and build something more difficult with the skills I built along with the storage.

The $30 estimate is only for the wood. Wood putty, sandpaper, screws, paint, etc. will make this more expensive, but you will use all of the extras on other projects since this one won't use those up.

The time involved is a guess--it has been a few months since I completed this. Someone with experience could probably do it faster and someone brand new to building might go slower. So I chose 3-6 hours, a nice in-between number.

Watch your caster size with carpet. That was my only snag with the instructions. Ana has hardwood floors that the casters roll on. I have carpet so I wanted larger wheels in order for smoother rolling. That added height to the caster also, so you want to modify the length of the sides of the storage unit to reflect the larger casters on carpet.

All in all a great plan and useful end result!

**UPDATE--January 30, 2012** We removed the casters from the bottom of this just yesterday and the door opens SO much easier. I would invest in some high quality casters and not the cheap ones I bought if you are going to use these. Without the casters I am only putting light things (stuffed animals) in this. If you are using it for heavier items, I would use the casters but make sure they readily turn. The casters I had did not want to turn as the door moved and they dragged on the carpet instead. Also, the overall height of your unit will depend on the height of your casters, so buy them first if you are going to use them. I still love this though!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White primer and white paint over that. I used the Zero VOC paint you can get at Lowes--I think it is Olympic brand.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project