Community Brag Posts

Small Cedar Fence Picket Storage Shed

Submitted by Pembat on Sun, 10/06/2013 - 20:37

Built this in a weekend, took about 1.5 days. I ended us using 2x4's instead of 2x2's, I think it resulted in a much stronger frame. I also built a base for it to sit on. I got pre-stained cedar fence boards, and overlapped them 1" instead of a 1/2". Pretty easy project, I ended up siding the back on the ground, installing it, and then adding the side walls without the siding (just the framing), and then sided them in place. The doors work perfectly. I took my total inside dimension between walls, made sure the opening was square, and then divided that by two to get the width of each door. I then took another 1/4" off that, so each door had an additional 1/8" gap, it worked perfectly. When I set the doors, I put them on a piece of roofing closed as I screwed in the hinges, and then opened them and removed the roofing. I opted to run the door siding horizontal to use up a bunch of waste wood. I'm happy with the outcome. I also found some 6" self starting lag bolts and lagged through the back of the shed into studs (through the siding) into the garage behind it.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double Wide Cedar Fence Picket Storage Shed

Submitted by moosmani on Mon, 11/11/2013 - 03:12

I read and studied every comment and brag post about this shed. I must have read the plans a hundred times before I got up the courage to tackle it. It’s a very attractive and affordable shed design. I thought a double wide version would be perfect for our long, narrow side yard, and it is! I mostly stuck to the plans except for a few things. I made it 10” taller overall so there would be plenty of head clearance under the doorway. That was a very easy modification. I used 2x4s for the walls instead of 2x2s because we have high winds in our area. That modification was a little bit more challenging, but I planned it out and it worked! Also I used 2x6s for the headers instead of 2x4s. I also added 2x4s at the thresholds because I couldn’t image making it stay square without them. I basically made two sheds joined by a common wall in the center. I did not increase the depth, mostly because I was afraid to mess with the angles and how that would change the pitch of the roof. Joining two sheds together meant that I didn’t have to put the exterior pickets on the middle wall. But it also meant that I had to build 4 doors. Yuck. They were difficult to get lined up and level, but I was amazed it actually worked and that all the doors operate properly and smoothly. I was questioning the wisdom of my decision to do 4 doors while I was in the thick of it, but now that all the work is done, I love that I can open all 4 doors and have easy access to absolutely everything in the shed. Very convenient! I told my dad I was building a shed and he recommend that I add cross braces. It seemed sturdy enough without them but it certainly can’t hurt. My dad knows everything about building and I know nothing, so I took his recommendation. If I were to do this again, I would overlap the cedar pickets by 1” instead of ½”. My pickets were not quite wide enough. I could swear they shrunk after I applied the stain/uv protection. I used liquid nails along each lap but it didn’t hold. Where the glue DID hold tight, the wood split lengthwise. Anyway, for whatever reason, gaps appeared and I spent a fortune on clear silicon applied on the interior walls to make it water tight. I had to keep going back for “just one more tube.” So with hind sight I would have been better off just buying a few more pickets and increasing the overlap. Another thing I might do is make it deeper. I decided against it initially because I was worried that increasing the depth would make it flimsy. Now I don’t think that would be a problem. This shed is sturdy. I can’t say thank you enough. Great plans and a great website! I am completely hooked.

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

Comments

moosmani

Mon, 11/11/2013 - 14:56

I kept every receipt from caulking gun to stains and brushes. I just now added it up and it came to (cringe) just under $900. But I have lots of left overs for another shed and it's still a huge bargain. Other sheds that are similar to this plan are much smaller and start at $1,999 and up! I think it was well worth it to have a sturdy bargain shed that's also beautiful.

t0mpr1c3

Sat, 01/22/2022 - 23:01

It looks great with the stain. I think your Dad's advice was good. Also I like that the heavier timbers add rigidity to the frame.

Seasonal And Holiday

modern outdoor lounge chair

Just finished this beauty, entirely made with 2x4, plans were modify to match our outdoor sofa and coffee table. I think our best looking project so far ;) Thank you for inspiring me to build !!!

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

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Rustic X Desk

Submitted by bozarthm1 on Sun, 04/19/2020 - 07:57

I built this L shape desk based on Ana White's rustic X desk plan. I would not have attempted this without her guidance. Love how this turned out, probably the nicest project I've ever done. Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tops are Watco Dark Walnut with wax finish, prime and paint the legs
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mfromo

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 09:34

This is awesome! My son and I are looking to build an L shaped desk for him and this looks to be the one. Any thoughts on how I would mount a computer tray beneath? Think there is enough clearance below the 2x4 without hitting knees?
Thanks!

Modern Sectional Sofa

Submitted by reinkense on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 17:22

I looked all around my town for a sofa that meet my needs. I wanted something with tall legs, modern lines and fit my living room. I did not have $3,000 to buy one online so I said to myself why not???

 

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

reinkense

Sat, 05/31/2014 - 15:58

Thank you! I am really proud of it. I was thinking of putting together some plans.

Samigdal

Fri, 12/25/2015 - 17:48

Are there step-by-step instructions for building this posted anywhere?

walthoca

Fri, 01/06/2017 - 11:06

I am so impressed. We recently spent a small fortune on a sectional, but yours looks equally beautiful. You are incredibly talented! 

Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Insert

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 10:43

Modified these plans slightly for my needs. I kept the table saw open for easier dust collection and only had one side of shelving on the other bench to allow for storing larger items. I can’t get over how much storage in a small space you get with these and how multi functional they are.

Essential Laundry Room Organization

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/17/2024 - 08:46

We built this bench using Ana's Entryway Bench Plans. We modified it by adding adjustable shelves for additional shoe storage. We added the back with hooks for coats and backpacks. We’ve made this small space feel so much bigger by adding storage and utilizing the space that is in the room. We can’t wait to finish this project.

Built from Plan(s)

Tilt Out Recycling Center

Submitted by ppavel on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 07:36

Tilt Out Recycling Center to match the floating desk and barn door in the same room. Great project from the recycling center plans. (slight modification)

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso Stain (Minwax)
Polyurethane Finish (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sliding "barn" door from reclaimed pallet wood

I saw many different sliding door projects online, so I did my own spin on one. I was able to get several old pallets for free (pine and oak). I went to Lowes and bought a few 2x3s which I used as the frame, and the track hardware which was only $13! Most doors I see are mounted from the wall, but since I have 7' ceilings downstairs I mounted mine from the ceiling. This project only took about 4 hours total and cost about $40 when you figure in costs for screws, stain, etc. The most difficult part was taking apart the pallets. Using a reciprocating saw with a 12'' demolition blade is the best way to take them apart. Thanks for the idea Ana.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

BREATHESMILEBE

Mon, 05/13/2013 - 20:00

Hi!!
This looks so awesome! I came across this and was hoping to repeat it. You mention that you found the door hanging hardware at Lowes for $13. I can't seem to find it. Do you happen to remember the name of it? I'm entering "hanging door hardware" into Lowes and Home Depot and can't seem to find any hanging door hardware at all. I'd appreciate the help. Thanks!
Tina

DIY Rustic Bathroom Vanity

I really like vessel sink vanities, so I did some research and found a couple of DIY projects I liked on Pinterest. I showed them to my husband and after telling him that I wanted a hybrid of about 3 vanities I liked he came up with the vanity that we (we as in he) built :)

Estimated Cost
Roughly $100 for the wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained and varnished
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Chicken Tractor

Submitted by Cliffhorn on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 07:26

A friend of mine got two baby chicks and needed something for them to live in. She also wanted to be able to move it around the yard so they could have freah grass to be on. It uses 2x4s, 3/4 plywood, chicken wire, and plastic roofing. It was a fun build.

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

Comments

Wedding Arbour

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:43

Hi, I built this wedding Arbour for my daughters wedding a while ago and unfortunately, I have no plans as I built from my head. It now sits in pride of place within thier garden as arch for thier garden.
I built this with a drop saw, hand saw, router, drill and hammer only.
I follow Ana's plans every release and save her plans for when I retire in two years to build for our house as well as try to run a small business from my shed.
Thank you Ana for you continued plans and wonderful advice.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Kids Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 04:46

This was my first time building a chair. The plans were so easy to follow. The kids size fits an average child up to about age 5 or 6. If I were to build again I would add a bit of height to the backs so they could fit them even longer. My granddaughters aged 3 & 5 just loved them.

Built from Plan(s)

Sofa table

Submitted by kgclark31 on Sun, 01/02/2022 - 18:33

I built these sofa tables for my wife’s client. She has a interior paint business. Her client was talking about wanting she sofa tables, so she volunteered me to build the tables. I didn’t have a design for the tables, so I looked at several different designs and talked to the client on what she was looking for. So I just did some rough sketches and got some ideas from my wife. I used mostly 1 bys for the build, just depends on the size on what width and length of board you are going to need. The top of the large table is a 5/4 preglued board that Menards has in store, again depending on width and length on the size of board you use. I used the 5/4 board for better stability and strength. I used a red oak stain then applied several coats of poly to finish. On the top I used a 200 sandpaper after a couple of coats of poly to get the top smoother for more coats of poly. Over all the build was pretty easy if you have good woodworking knowledge. Used pocket holes (Kreg) to attach sides and frame to top. On the large top side I used two 1x8’s to get the width i needed. Joined them with pocket holes (Kreg). If you can dream it, you can build it.

Comments

Outdoor sectional couch with reclined back

I designed and built this sectional for some friends, and then wrote a how-to about the process! There are free plans for it, and a time-lapse video of it being built at http://www.iliketomakestuff.com/outdoor-sectional/

Estimated Cost
$150 in Lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Will be painted once the wood has time to dry out
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern outdoor 2x4 chair with modification

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/08/2019 - 13:31

This chair was made off Ana white'smodern outdoor chair with modification to add back support. Without the back support the back pillow would keep falling off.  The cushion are 25x25 but very thick for comfort.

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

Comments

Brittsiana

Sun, 08/16/2020 - 10:03

Does anyone know what degree angle this is for the back support?
I would like to add it to my newly finished chairs I made over the weekend. The pillow keeps falling down.

Outdoor loveseat

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/17/2023 - 01:31

For this loveseat, I added a slight reclining angle to the back. I've also made this design with a reclining angle to both the back and seat slats.

The main alteration I've made to the plans is on the bottom. I added a bottom slat and beveled feet by subtracting 3" from the leg length. After attaching the feet to the bottom slat, I taped around the bottom of the foot. I then added a small layer of acrylic resin. This helps prevent splinters when moving the loveseat and helps to keep moisture out.

Comments