Community Brag Posts

I built this in a full size.  Took some time to adjust all the measurements.  I used cheap lumber since I was painting it and it cost a little over $350.  Then I spent another $75 because I screwed up measurements.  :). This was only the 3rd thing I ever built, so I think I did alright.  The plans were great!  Watched several videos on YouTube about squaring drawers and that helped.

I love the look of these shelves. I needed something for the wall space to either side of the kitchen window and sink. The ceiling slopes down at least a foot on that wall so there's less space for cabinets and putting up cabinets that fit the space wasn't working. Shelves were the answer. The pictures show only the left side of the window/sink, but I did put up a matching shelf on the right side. I used a 1x8 for the shelf and 1x6 for the back.

This bench was perfect for our front porch, but after I bought all the lumber I realized how big and substantial it would be. So, I slimmed it down and swapped out the following: seat slats 1x2, posts and supports 2x2, arms 1x3, backrest 1x6, aprons 2x3. Looks great and feels like a better fit for our porch. Enjoying the afternoon sun in style now, thanks!

Thanks for fantastic plans Ana!!  My 12yr old son and I knocked these out in an afternoon.

He learned new skills and we got a key project done.  The best thing was his statement of "these are awesome!!"  

I wanted to make this porch swing ever since seeing it in the plan catalog (Large Modern Porch Swing). Just a matter of setting aside a weekend to get it done and then to find A frame to support it. I made the A-frame from a combination of this post:
http://www.buildeazy.com/newserve/swing_seat_support_dec07_1.html
and this one:
http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/custom-a-frame-childrens-swing-set…

I made the back a bit higher on our swing... and not quite as wide.

Reading several other blogs on this- I chose to attach the chains to the top back of the swing to keep it from tipping backwards...

Now just get to enjoy it!!

I had a wonderful time making this toy box and learning new techniques. Having access to a table saw really made this project turn out awesome. I was able to get 1/4" shims made that allowed for easy, precise offsets. The family just loved it!

Modified the design to allow me to roll lawnmower directly in the end. Fun project.

This was my first attempt at building anything....ever. It was so incredibly fun and I certainly learned a lot. My 8 little chickens are loving their new home and I can't wait to build my next project!

There was some deviation from the original plans..  We made the storage boxes a bit taller and the headboard has several new features.

First off, the under-bed storage takes up the whole size of the bed.  So the drawers (six of them) are nice and deep.  One of the drawers is actually the dog's bed now.

The picture doesn't show it but behind the headboard there are cubbies for storing books, tablets, phones, glasses, etc.

On both sides of the headboard there are four electrical outlets plus two USB charging outlets for charging tablets, phones, etc.

There are two reading lamps on the headboard as well.

I did the construction portion while my talented wife did the amazing paint job.

Saw the other project and based everything off of that. I made some adjustments on the shelf side to ensure I could lay down 3 layers of 2x6's without it hanging off too far. At first I wasn't going to go with the rail shelf system, but I couldn't find anything that I liked at the store to make actually shelves. I did cut a 2* angle on the bottom and top of the shelf framing. I figured if I put enough weight on those shelves, I woudln't want it messing with the frame of the cart too much. On the bin side, I decided to just do different heights instead of angled because I know I'll have plenty of 3' plus. I chose to put a scrap bin on the end for anything smaller than a foot. Many of those joints were done with my Kreg setup, but not all of them. The last fix I did was add a 2x4 to the insde of the shelf frame. This was to move the shelf hangers in so that an 8' board wasn't just edge to edge (I found that to be a problem when I put some of the 1x4's on there...they would be on 2, but not always all 3). So moving each side in around 1.5" gives you about 3" to play with as far as 8' lumber goes. This enabled me to turn my old storage into bench and shelves and I'm ready to get moving on projects!

I wanted a place for a flag pole, but I didn't want to put one in the ground or screw into my siding, so I modified the cedar planter to hold a flag pole. It was a fun project!  Check out more here!

So after my husband and I conquered the headboard, we decided that we were geniuses at furniture making and we would just build the two side tables. Well, the two side tables are much more difficult than the headboard. The side tables are definitely do-able but make sure that you leave plenty of time for them. We built most of them on a Sunday and then finished them up in the evenings the rest of teh week. We do not have a Kreg Jig and were able to build them without it; however, if you have a Kreg Jig it would make thing 1,000 times easier. We did end up buying a miter saw because we were building the Old style Workmen's Bench bar at the same time (crazy, I tell you). It is CRITICAL to make sure that your inside drawer measurements work. If you are off just by a little, your drawer pulls are not going to fit. We ended up buying bottom mount drawer pulls. The drawers are a little less stable and can hold less weight (up to 35 pounds) but it worked for us. I think the real key to finishing this project are choosing the right drawer pulls. I really believe that spending a little bit more on the drawer pulls makes the piece look more expensive. We spent about 6.50 a drawer pull but they look really nice in person. TIPS **Stain drawer faces off, then attach hardware, then attach to drawer base **If you are going to use wood filler (I wouldn't), make sure that you use the least bit possible - the stain does not take to it the same