Community Brag Posts

Over-sized 2x4 Letters

Submitted by efmolly on Sat, 01/12/2013 - 09:04

I've done a dozen or more of these letters now. Each letter has to be cut differently, but they are all made from 2x4s and pocket holed together using my Kreg Jig. I have also made some letters with curves (such as R, B, J, etc). I cut the curve out of a 2x10, left over stair stringer and then join it with some 2x4 for the rest of the piece. To make the base plates, I cut small blocks of 1x3 and rounded the edges with a palm sander. I used glue and finish nails to attach them. I have more projects like this on my blog http://pneumaticaddict.blogspot.com .

Estimated Cost
$4
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I wanted them to look very rustic, so I purposely didn't sand or use wood filler. First I painted them with 1 coat of acrylic paint a little brighter than my desired shade. I then glazed each letter with a dark brown glaze. Next, I white washed selected areas to add highlights. I distressed the edges with 100 grit sandpaper and sealed the whole thing with 2 coats of Polyacrylic in Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Maple and Walnut Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ChtistieH on Sun, 11/09/2014 - 09:48

We built this table from Ana's plans using only a circular saw.  Yea Ana's plans!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 10:44

Great beginner project. I needed minimal help from my husband. Everyone in the family now wants a bench like mine. Thanks a bunch for the easy to follow plans. Love your website! 

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X inspired coffee table

Submitted by williemac on Mon, 11/16/2020 - 19:54

I built my coffee table to fit my sectional sofa. My dimensions are 56x32x17 1/2. For the bottom shelf I used 2 rough cut 1x10s cut to fit and the top is rough cut 1x8s. The 2x4s are reclaimed from the trash pile of a local construction job.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Tung oil only on the top. We're repainting in the living room and will completely finish later to match.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Work Bench

This was my first project.

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

Comments

Jake

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 17:47

Great work and result for your first project. Something as simple as this bench/table still results in a thing of beauty, especially if it is square and level when you are all done.

How to get kids interested in woodwork...

Submitted by AndyH on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:19

This isn't really woodwork but was something made to get my step daughter interested in the art of making things from wood (and other materials)

Made from scraps of wood after an idea we saw on Pinterest.  She helped paint them and make the eyes and scarves for them.

It's the smallest project ever done but hopefully will embed the "bug" into her that making things with your hands is fun.

She has another 5 to decorate ready for Christmas.

Maybe she will be the next Ana, you never know!! :-)

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White water based paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ana White Admin

Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:24

Thanks for sharing a cute and fun project, it's never to early to get the kiddos involved!

Toddler bed & Compactum

Submitted by Isabellev on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 00:51

My little one refused to sleep in a cot so i sold it and made him a toddler bed with matching compactum. 

I used an old broken piano chairs legs on the bed.

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

Virtual learning desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/22/2020 - 13:20

Modified from the hutch and desk plans. Made for a friend’s daughter who needed a larger desk to accommodate all of her virtual learning needs.
https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desk-hutch-file-cubby-ba…
https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desk-drawers-and-file-cu…

Finish Used
Varathane Smoke Gray stain
Ultra white semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Planked Wood Sideboard

Planked wood sideboard without drawers, used as a media console table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner, pre-stain
Minwax Pearl Gray Wood Stain
White paint for "antique" look
another coat of Pearl Gray Wood Stain
Minwax Polyurethane coat over finished project
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DianeHibbs

Sat, 01/26/2013 - 13:47

I'm thinking of making this for a media console as well. How big is the TV in the photo? Did you change any of the dimensions?

Firewood Shed

When I decided to build a woodshed I was freaked out because I've never done anything even remotely like this.  I struggle with precision and patience, which made this project seem overwhelming as I knew I had to do a lot of prep work to properly level the ground, measure the wood, learn how to operate a saw, calculate angles to cut, etc...  I did a lot of research online and found this simple blueprint a great starting point.   I made some adjustments since i needed a much bigger shed, it's 11.5' x 7' x 7'.  Also, I already had the wood resting on pallets so I just build this shed around the wood with no built in floor.  Overall, I'm thrilled with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic x table

Submitted by V_garcia on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 19:37

Love my entry way table, plans details really easy to follow! Thanks you so much for this helpful website.

Estimated Cost
95
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut minwax stain and semi gloss minwax water basse sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed and Nightstand

Submitted by highwayk9 on Fri, 11/27/2020 - 19:53

I made the farmhouse bed and nightstand using 300 year old pine that was on a local home for 150 years. The bed rails I used 6/4 white oak and recycled pallet boards for the vertical boards. The bed posts I used two 2x4's laminated together and I wrapped them in the pine. The nightstand I used the same pine and pallet boards for the case. I then used 4/4 whit oak for the table tops.

Finish Used
Clear Gloss Polyurethane

Mantel Headboard with a Twist

Submitted by Linz on Tue, 01/22/2013 - 18:44

We followed the instructions for the most part. However, we did add 6 inches in height and the center of the headboard was larger. We completed a tufted upholstered insert that we added. It only took us about three days and we are very please with the results.

Only recommendation: After you sand, fill holes and other dents/dings in the wood use wood putty. Sand again. Prime. After priming, more "flaws" can appear. Take the time do fill again with wood putty and a light sanding. It is hard to do when all you want to do is paint...but the time will be worth it in the long run.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Semi-Gloss Paint in Glidden Dove White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Restoration Hardware Dining Table

Submitted by Rounders7 on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 07:08

Restoration Hardware Inspired Dining Table.  Got these plans from Shanty 2 Chic. 

Estimated Cost
$150 for the table and bench.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

13 ft Community Farm Table with extended Trestle base

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/21/2017 - 18:43

Began with supplied DIY plans from the www.ana-white.com and slightly modified them based on the length and width of the table. Table now resides in Haddon Twp, NJ as a community farm table for a small local business. The plans provide the foundation and cut list and depending on your experience, comfort level, and tools it is fairly simply to elaborate, expand, and modify.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Base cost $250 - materials, hardware, paint, finish, sandpaper
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
gloss black and clear poly seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sofa table

Submitted by adecesare4 on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 06:19

While browsing Pinterest I stumbled across this design and liked it. One of the links led me here, so I will contribute the photo to this site.

I used pine ands birch plywood instead of mdf to construct this. This was a pretty simple design, but I really like the way it turned out. I was looking for something that I can store some sad keys in to hide some kids toys that are in the living room from time to time and this will aid imaging it an easy cleanup at the end of the night.

This will take some time to build because see of multiple pieces, but is not a hard build. It is important to select better quality pine for the outside legs and edging so that it fits together easier (and looks nicer too)

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Octagon Table

Submitted by Avi8tor727 on Thu, 11/20/2014 - 07:28

Octagon table with metal chairs

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with a vinegar/steel wool oxidizing mixture-then with common tea. I then used rustoleum matte finish polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Two-Tone Adult Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 09:30

I wanted to make a black and brown picnic table, this one turned out really nice and it gets a lot of compliments.

 

I, also, reinforced the 2x6s used for the seats by boxing in 2x4s underneath.  I just cut 4 53" (probably could have been 54" honestly) and mounted them to the bottom of the seats and screwed them into the seat cross members.  This should keep them from flexing.

Estimated Cost
9 2x6 - 8' - $40,
9 2x4 - 8' - $30,
Screws - $25 (headlok and kreg),
8 cans of paint - $35,
(already had sand paper),

Total $130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
8x valspar project perfect paint + primer Gloss Black (1 coat)
8x valspar color radiance paint + primer Dark Gloss Toast (1 coat)

I will probably also put a clear coat on it to help protect it some
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entryway bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 06:58

Thanks Ana for all you do to help us find our inner wood worker. I took one of your designs and modified it slightly to build this entryway bench for my daughter as a Christmas gift and hopefully future keepsake for the grandkids.

Estimated Cost
>$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint and Espresso stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bathroom Storage Tower

Submitted by Quintin79 on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 08:53

I loved the look of the Craft room Storage tower but modified to suit my wife's bathroom theme/decor. The inside back (MDF beadboard) is painted a milk coffee color to lighten it up. The door inserts are plexiglass, which was more expensive than glass but with 2 boys 6 and 2 it is well spent, and the MDF beadboard. Covered the plexiglass with self-adhesive film for glass on both sides to hide the towels inside. This project took me about 12 hours to complete but over a 3 month period, mostly spent on finishing the project with my boys underfoot or at 12-2am. YIKES!!! If i keep this up she will want to buy instead of letting me build.
Price List:
wood: $100
Stain/Paint: left over from house reno. would have been $15 stain $20 Varnish 30$ quart of paint
Handle: $7
Hinges: $4 basic style
I wanted to use Eurostyle hinges but opted to buy the Kreg system instead of Forstner drill bits.

Will be building another just different dimensions for laundry room makeover.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100$ CDN for lumber everything is more expensive in Canada
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Saman's waterbased stain Chocolate Varnish applied
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Quintin79

Sat, 01/26/2013 - 12:18

Thanks! It was my first furniture building project! I did a huge reno that i did on my house but that is construction and 1/8th in isnt as big of an issue as in furniture.