Community Brag Posts

Fancy Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by aennali on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 00:08

This bed has been a true labour of love over the last few months!

I made all cuts with a hand saw, and mainly used a kreg jig to assemble the bed.

The 'insert' in the headboard is made from macrocarpa window trim and tongue-and-groove panelling, which was leftover from when my parents built their house. The rest I bought from a local supplier as rough sawn timber, which I got dressed by a woodworking guy who lives nearby. Had I bought all the timber I used, the cost would have been closer to $400.

I didn't add the moulding that is included in the plan - it's just my preference.

It took a bit of work to convert Ana's plans into metric measurements, but I got there in the end! I love my bed

Estimated Cost
NZD$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I started with 2 coats of Danish Oil. After deciding I wanted a deeper colour, I applied one coat of Briwax furniture wax, in Rimu, with super-fine steel wool.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Debi_G (not verified)

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 05:36

Your bed is fantastic! Love everything from the clean style to the finish. Congrats!

From Scrap to Sweet!

Submitted by Jake on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 11:12

A friend wanted a small box for her cosmetics. She gave me the dimensions of her present container but my mind and my saws envisioned a different end. My only promise was that she would get three drawers. To keep cost low I used only scrap lumber I found around the garage. I added oak dowels for strength and decoration.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finished only with a lot of sanding, two coats of Danish oil, and two coats of poly. Also once it was completely dry a coating of Johnson's paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

booksnotbombs

Tue, 08/12/2014 - 11:51

I happened across your profile this morning, and I've spent a good part of the afternoon looking through your projects, as you've posted more brag posts than most people I've seen on Ana's website. I loved seeing all your projects and experimentation! Your sense of humor doesn't hurt, either. :) Keep it up, and I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

Jake

Tue, 08/12/2014 - 14:32

Over the past four years I have learned a lot. The most important lessons are experiment and don't let the frequent screw ups get you down. Lately I have been concentrating on learning to weave seats (reed and rush), build small boxes, and turning wood. Today was terrible. Nice bowl blank I cut from a Hackberry log turned out to have cracks and a really nice scoop built up of poplar and walnut broke into two flying pieces when my gouge caught at 1200 RPM. Only thing to do is start over and hope you learned something.

If you are new to woodworking check for square at every opportunity and be safe. Accidents happen in milliseconds.

I HEART Ana White Outdoor Chaise

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/24/2016 - 19:57

THANK YOU ANA FOR ALL THE GREAT PLANS!!

 

I am in southern california (mild weather) so i just used pine and coated them with urethane. 

Estimated Cost
$60 each
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Park Bench

Submitted by Tim PIZZ on Sat, 05/16/2020 - 06:17

This was one of my first projects. I just used a circular saw but a mitre saw would be better. I’ll look for one soon. It was rewarding, fun and we love how it looks on our back patio.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I primed the pieces with Sherwin-Williams exterior latex primer before assembly then painted with Sherwin-Williams Resiliance exterior latex. We chose “Retreat” as our color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Workbench and Hutch with modifications

I decided to do some modifications to the original plans to make it more like the Pottery Barn original. I made the legs 4x4s like the original, as well as the horizontal bases of the legs. The major change that this entailed was in the bottom shelf. I notched the edges of the 1x12 so that it would fit flush, then connected it to the legs with pocket screws. The lowered ledge on the table top is two 2x4s on the bottom, a 2x4 on the front and back, and a 2x6 cut to size for the ends. I then attached it using pocket screws on the front, and just 2.5 inch screws from the back. The rest is pretty much the same as the plans. For the back of the hutch, I used 1x4 carsiding to give it a more finished look. It only cost a couple cents more for each 8 foot piece.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax wipe on poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Getting Started, slow on posting

Submitted by pondrider on Fri, 04/25/2014 - 09:42

Thanks to our daughter who gave me plans from Pintrest for the popular locker. This is my first project in a long time. It has been followed by a few projects which have been inspired by plans or skills from the site.

Thanks

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My first real project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/26/2016 - 12:56

I started woodworking about 6 month ago and I love it! 

I made our kitchen table and nightstands.

 

This was a real test! The drawers took as long as the frame, if not longer.

It's all worth it when it turns out this good though!

 

Thank you for all the wonderful plans, my wife practially has all the furniture in our house in line to built by me. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Scrapwood wooden houses

Submitted by Kate_14 on Mon, 05/18/2020 - 13:49

I built these cute little houses with scrap wood. They are easy to customize!

I used 1x6 boards for the house and 1x2 boards for the roof. I attached the roof with bradnails.

Estimated Cost
0$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Small Day bed

My niece is here for the summer! We needed a guest bed fast, that didn't take up an entire room! She chose this day bed!

Her bed is in the computer room, so there isn't enough room for a twin size bed. I modified the plans to fit a standard crib mattress. Now, when she isn't using the day bed, it doubles as a lounging spot to read. It is soooo cute!

For the storage baskets, I cut shipping boxes to size and mod podged fabric to them, and added some cute little knobs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American by Rustoleum followed by 2 coats of satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Easy Built in Triple Bunk Bed Plans

The Basic Process - Triple Bunk Bed Plans

More info on these Triple Bunk Bed Plans on my blog: http://myhomedonemyway.blogspot.com/2013/03/triple-bunk-bed-finished.ht…)

1. Build the Bed Frames: (I will explain the process for one bed...do it three times if you want three beds)

2. Add Side Supports: ( Also do this step three times for three beds. We did it later but would be easier to do now)

3. Add Roll Guard: (do twice...once for each top bunk. We did this later but can be done now)

4. Build Ladder:

5. Paint desired color (you don't have to paint the sides that will be screwed into the wall).

6. Install into the wall in desired bedroom

7. Add Supports (do three times for three beds)

8. Add Plywood (do three times for three beds) 9. Finish

 

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Rustic Modern 2x6 Platform Bed

I recently moved to Boulder, CO and finally have a garage where I can actually work on projects. Since I moved here with practivally nothing, I decided I should build my own bed. This is probably one of the most ambitious wood working projects I've attempted. I also tend to be slightly anal, so I've probably spent way more time on this project than most people have or will.

After reading the plans and other Brag Posts, I felt I was ready to start. I ordered the Kreg Screws, and a few other supplies I would need for the Project on Amazon and was off to the races. Several trips to Home depot to get various pieces of wood, (since I wasn't going to fit it all in my Subaru in one go), I finally had most of the lumber for the bed frame. Let me tell you, it's not easy getting straight pieces of lumber (as mentioned before, I'm a little anal). I decided to go with oversized lumber, since I would have more usable leftover pieces for other projects.

I spent several hours after work during the week, and several more on the weekend, sanding down all the lumber with 60 Grit, then applied the first coat of Stain, to raise the grain. I was out of town for the weekend, and let the stained wood sit in my garage while gone. When I got back, I noticed a lot of marks which I didn't notice before staining. Some of these were from the belt sander I used to knock down really rough parts of some of the lumber. But most of the marks were because I put too much pressure on my random orbital sander.

Lesson learnt: Sanding takes time, and patience! DO NOT press down hard on the sander, if you don't want marks on your wood. These marks will be significantly more prominant after staining.

I decided to sand everything again, 60 grit, then 100, then 150. I gotta say, the wood feels so much nicer to touch and I'm glad I decided to re-sand. I spent a few hours after work to get most of the head board pieces done, but noticed that the 2x4 had warped beyond repair... I'm going to get the upper and lower 2x6 pieces ready to assemble with my kreg jig this weekend, and then decide if I want to add a 2x4 in the middle like the plans call for.

I decided to go with just 2x6s for the headboard, I used the Kreg Jig to put it all together, I also attached 4 supports made of some scrap Plywood I got from my neighbor for the headboard.

I stained it all with a Staining pad twice, then applied 3 coats of Poly with a brush. I didn't sand between coats since I was applying very thing coats and I had already sanded everything down with 150 grit. 

Estimated Cost
$100-150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain: Minwax Oil based Dark Walnut - 2 coats with a staining pad
Varnish: Satin Water based Indor Polyurethane by Varathane - 3 coats with a brush.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Minwax-1-qt-Wood-Finish-Dark-Walnut-Oil-Based-Interior-Stain-70012/100376185

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Clear-Satin-Water-Based-Indoor-Polyurethane-200241H/100169146
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

username.

Fri, 03/02/2018 - 19:17

Sick job dude! What stain is that? I like the color of it and might use it for mine. Did you notice a stain odor at all after applying the stain and covering it with the poly? 

My first build

Submitted by Angmic74 on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 23:31

Ana- I can’t thank you enough this was my very first build-EVER. With guidance from my hubby, I was able to build this beautiful pottery bench/ bar. Definitely wish I would have stained some pieces prior to assembling but live and learn. I’m officially hooked on helping in the shop and doing some of my “honey do’s” myself!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Sam's New Loft Bed

Submitted by blouden on Fri, 07/13/2012 - 23:18

Built my daughter the day bed, and my son needed his own bed. But with a 2 bedroom house they have to share a room for now. So I seen the loft bed and well this is what I came up with. I stained it cherry, and routed the edges to give it a little touch.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cherry Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

TommyHawk

Fri, 12/20/2013 - 07:57

This looks great! I like the way you kept it simple yet more rustic type appeal without adding the top board (laying flat).

TommyHawk

Fri, 12/20/2013 - 07:57

This looks great! I like the way you kept it simple yet more rustic type appeal without adding the top board (laying flat).

Twin Panel Bed

Submitted by Luckysme on Thu, 05/01/2014 - 12:45

Thank you so much for these awesome plans. When I saw the original twin panel bed, I knew this was exactly what I wanted to build for my two daughters. I love super high head boards, and these are exactly that. I am in love. I did make some changes to the plan. I went with taller side rails, and used metal bed rail brackets. The brackets were super important. We move every few years being in the military, and I wanted something that would with-stand time and moves. I am also quite impressed how solid these beds are. I could never find anything this amazing in a store. I would also like to thank my husband for his help. It was our first build, but definitely not our last. Thank you!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200 per bed.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Annie Sloan Chalk paint. Paris Grey, and Old White. First I Clear waxed it, then finished it with a dark wax. This gave it more dimension.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Thu, 05/01/2014 - 18:02

These came out beautiful and especially for a first build! Seriously impressive. Love the whole ensemble. Really pretty.

Danib

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 13:31

This bed is beautiful. You did a wonderful job on it. Could you please tell me where you got the big base molding for the inside of the headboard and footboard? Would love to try this for my granddaughter.

In reply to by Danib

Luckysme

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 17:27

Thank you for your very nice comments:
Here is some info, let me know if I can help further more.

This is what we used for the base molding and the headboard molding at the top. http://www.homedepot.com/p/House-of-Fara-5-8-in-x-4-in-x-8-ft-MDF-Base-…

For the the inner molding we used two pieces of molding: This is the style (link below) we used, but ours was a little bigger, 5 1/4 inches. Couldn't find it on the home depot website, but this is exactly the same style.

The addition molding below is a finishing molding that we had to use since the above molding was not flush to the back board. It finished really nice. Glad we added this addition dimension. You can easily skip using it with different "above" molding.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Wood-Moulding-LWM47-9-16-in-x-4-1-4…

http://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Wood-Moulding-WM100-11-16-in-x-11-1…

For the side rails we also used 10 inch boards. I thought it made the bed look more proportioned. I will add additional pics of the molding, so re-check pictures. Again, let me know if you have further questions.

In reply to by Danib

Luckysme

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 17:27

Thank you for your very nice comments:
Here is some info, let me know if I can help further more.

This is what we used for the base molding and the headboard molding at the top. http://www.homedepot.com/p/House-of-Fara-5-8-in-x-4-in-x-8-ft-MDF-Base-…

For the the inner molding we used two pieces of molding: This is the style (link below) we used, but ours was a little bigger, 5 1/4 inches. Couldn't find it on the home depot website, but this is exactly the same style.

The addition molding below is a finishing molding that we had to use since the above molding was not flush to the back board. It finished really nice. Glad we added this addition dimension. You can easily skip using it with different "above" molding.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Wood-Moulding-LWM47-9-16-in-x-4-1-4…

http://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Wood-Moulding-WM100-11-16-in-x-11-1…

For the side rails we also used 10 inch boards. I thought it made the bed look more proportioned. I will add additional pics of the molding, so re-check pictures. Again, let me know if you have further questions.

Laundry Sorter

Submitted by CPeezy on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 20:17

My wife had begged and begged for something like this, so I took the plunge. This was my first build and I’m getting the itch to try other things! We built the ship lap wall and sign together as well!

Comments

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