Community Brag Posts

New counter height planters in use

Submitted by jrbdmb on Fri, 06/20/2014 - 05:05

Using the counter height planter plans from Janettx. Thanks!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Janettx

Mon, 09/20/2021 - 13:24

Nice job!!! I'm still using mine. I ended up putting 12"x12" pavers under each leg to extend their life. After the 2nd year now we get bumper crop out of ours each season.

Workbench with pegboard

Submitted by bredbu on Wed, 07/01/2020 - 18:37

I made a workbench for my garage it was pretty easy. I also made an instructional youtube video if you want to learn how to make it. #diy #workbench #bench

Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Outdoor Sofa and Loveseat

Modified the loveseat plans and created a sofa as well. No one that sees these thinks I built them. They look so much nicer than anything you can buy!

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
First coat SW New Ebony Stain
second coat Varathane Briarsmoke
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

8 foot picnic table

Submitted by Abby721 on Sat, 07/18/2020 - 08:40

This picnic table was a quick build and turned out amazing. I modified the center base support by adding an extra table top support and seat support board to the opposite side of the center legs to give the table symmetry to accommodate an umbrella hole. I also shortened both cross supports by an inch to make sure the base wouldn’t be longer than the top boards. The space between the center table support boards and seat support boards is the perfect size to fit a standard umbrella. I used a 1 3/4” hole saw to make the umbrella hole. The build and stain/paint took me about 5 hours but additional time is needed to properly seal the table. I used untreated pine. Treated pine may give the table longevity but it would also add a lot of weight to an already heavy table. This was a relatively easy and quick build and is a great size to fit my whole family plus a couple guests! I’m happy with how it turned out and would recommend this build to anyone looking for a budget friendly and simple patio table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke for the top and Rustoleum Canyon Black Satin for the base. Sealed with 2 coats of Varathane Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Hall tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 19:24

This is the third hall tree I made from this site. Love how easy the plans are to follow!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and stain

Comments

Modified Grandy Console with inset doors

I wanted to switch things up. I have made and sold many of the Grandy consoles with barn doors but my current new (to us) home was more modern traditional, definitely not very farm house. The Grandy plan makes a solid piece of furniture which is exactly what I need for it to survive amongst the giant teenagers that we are raising BUT I wanted to switch up the doors and add some traditional elements with a pop of modernish hardware. Make sure that your face frame openings are square. Add some non-mortise hinges, latch bolts and L brackets and this plan appears transformed!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz primer, sw Dover white with a poly clear coat for added durability. Sand between all coats (time consuming but it adds a professional edge to your finishes).I use a critter sprayer from Amazon for the exterior and for poly. Foam rollers for the inside. Stain color for X doors was kona and lighter toned doors was a process (see Instagram post) but involved white wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outhouse Plan for Camping Property

Submitted by UncleMike on Wed, 04/28/2021 - 10:50

I built an an outhouse for my camping property in the PNW. The plans were great and easy to follow.

I did take the liberty of extending the the front wall to 8' still using the 15 degree roof line. I also wanted the option to shower during extending camping trips so I extended the floor and added one more back and side wall to create a shower house. With this design, I basically duplicated the side and back wall. Since I am in the middle of the woods, the Dutch doors were a last minute embellishment that I'm glad that I implemented in order to take advantage of the view!

For the shower, I used composite decking with 1/2" gaps for drainage and lined the inside with 6' lengths of corrugated metal roofing.

One additional note: I did build this on my back patio over a couple of weekends since my property is a fairly long drive from my home and about 2 hours round trip from the nearest hardware store. It broke down easily in about 30 minutes with 2 people and fit perfectly in the back of a full size pick up truck for the trip.

In summary, great plans and I love this site. Much appreciated and happy building!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
1200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used primed T-111 siding and finished with PPG "Cabin in the Woods" base (PPG1021-7) with "Mountain Forest" trim (PPG1130-7). For the redwood decking, I just used a Behr clear protectant and hit it with 2 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table 1

Used the plans here to make the table. Modified the dimensions slightly to fit my space by re-drawing the plans in AutoCAD 3D. Added stainless steel adjustable feet to the legs for leveling. Wanted to keep the wood up off the ground since this table sits on my back patio. Amazon link for feet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VRPCDNL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title…

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$220.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Espresso Stain on top
Minwax Satin Polyurethane on top
Sherwin Williams Exterior Latex Paint - White on base
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Restaurant High Chair

Submitted by mplauger on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 15:32

highchair is finished! I used mostly 1x3's instead of the 1x2's and had to adjust the measurements accordingly. This project talked me into buying that pocket jig.. and I LOVE it! This is only my 3rd project but it took longer than "20 minutes to assemble". I have to build after my son goes to bed so I completed it over two evenings.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$38
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Ipswich Pine stain by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Church Pulpit

Submitted by BBLinda on Sat, 06/08/2013 - 10:34

A good friend of mine, a pastor of a local church, asked me to build a pulpit for their recently finished church up in the countryside of Grenada. She showed me a picture of what she had in mind and based on that, I drew my own plan in SketchUp, and then built it out of Yellow Pine boards and Plywood.

Note to the dimensions:
After I drew the plan, and just when I was at the lumberyard to have the plywood and boards cut, I thought I might have had it estimated not wide enough, so I decided on the spot to make it 2" wider and the top panel 2" wider and deeper too. So if you'd like to build based on my plans, please consider if it's wide enough for your purposes.

This is what I used (corrected measurements here):

2x 2x8 26" long YP Boards (Base)
1x 18 1/2" x 6 1/2" Plywood (Base Support Panel)
1x 26" x 16" Plywood (Top)
1x 18 1/2" x 9" Plywood (Shelf Panel)
2x 45" x 9 1/2" Plywood (Side Panels ) - these are cut angled, see plans
1x 44 1/2" Wood Moulding (for the "stopper" on the top panel, and the "back" of the top shelf.

Estimated Cost
~ US$ 115 (material is very expensive here on the island, and I guess you could build it for about half or 2/3 of this in the USA)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MINWAX Polyshades / American Chestnut Satin (375)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Swing and arbor

Weekend swing project

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Tue, 05/07/2019 - 10:42

We don't currently have this plan available, although I'd be happy to draw it with the author's permission.

I have linked a few plans above that could be used to create this plan.  Just make sure you bury the arbor uprights underground on concrete pier posts or similar (like building a fence)

DIY Convertible Bar / Pub Table

Submitted by susanshamp on Thu, 07/30/2015 - 16:38

This rustic modern version of a pub table has multiple uses - it can rest along a wall to make a 16 foot long bar, or rolled together to form an 8 foot long pub table. It is standard counter height 36" and will accomodate seating for 8-10 counter stools. If you don't have live edge wood slabs, you can also use construction lumber (2x8s or 2x12s) to achieve similar dimensions and versatile use in a more cost effective way.

Estimated Cost
Using construction lumber, approx. cost is $50 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly on slabs, distressed black paint on base
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

kev117s

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 04:10

Awesome idea! I think I will have to try for a dining table version of this table. Do you happen to have a way to lock the 2 pieces together? 

Outdoor sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 04:17

Made the outdoor sectional. The coffee table was made out of left over pieces!

Estimated Cost
$260
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a semi transparent stain applied with brush. We would recommend a hand sprayer instead.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Great plan - added to make it even bigger

The plan is great, I followed the instructions exactly.  Then altered the plan to build a second rack that would fit the bottom of the door, with foil, saran and bag storage at the bottom.  Consequently it was heavy and I was very skeptical of the hollow core door anchors, but I installed 3 at the top and 2 at the bottom of both pieces.  It's very solid and secure....would probably have worked fine with even less. This door is only 32" wide but has plenty of room for this project.  Thank you, looking forward to trying more of your plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by nikkiice on Sat, 05/28/2016 - 17:40

I had so much fun building this! I got a little creative with the corner section and decided to make it a table. I built a small hatch so that I could put in a container for ice and cold beer. When the hatch is not in use, the container can be removed and the hatch can be closed to provide more table space. I also added drink holders! 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
none yet
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Board & Batten Inspired Headboard

Our guest room finally has a headboard! I put together this queen size headboard using what I had learned building my daughter's headboard (and consulting the plans for the Reclaimed Wood Headboard) using the remainder of the plywood sheet from her headboard project, 2x3s for the legs, a 2x4 to join the legs (and connect to the metal bed frame), furring strips, and a 1x3 to top it off.

Our plywood had been cut to fit our car, so the first vertical furring strip was placed to hide the seam where I joined the two pieces back together. Then we evenly placed them from center as just looked right to us.

We had a great time seeing this come together as we didn't follow a specific plan, but were able to be a bit more creative inspired by various plans.

Estimated Cost
$45 including hardware & paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We painted with Martha Stewart's Stratosphere in a flat finish, distressed and rubbed on Minwax Provencial stain. Unfortunately, the stain gave the headboard a very green tint, so after a lot more sanding, we were able to finish the project with two quick coats of Minwax water based Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Adirondack Chairs. Thanks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/19/2020 - 16:16

Ana,

Thanks for making the plans available. Was looking for a simple plan and here is it. Needed to replace 4 aging chairs to match a pine table and a bar. Looking forward to another project in the fall. You definitely made a good choice on the pitch of that chairs. Very comfortable.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Converted TV wall niche

Submitted by Vol4Life1 on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 05:35

We bought this house about a year ago and we finally got around to removing this pointless niche!  The center divider and bottom were removed.  The cabinet and hutch were assembled seperately.  

 

This is still a work of progress.  I am looking for a nice decorative molding face for the top.  If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!  We will most likely paint it white to match the fireplace mantle.

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

2x4 (and 2x6) Modern Adirondack Chair

Submitted by HR Dad on Mon, 12/28/2020 - 15:43

Been wanting to make some Adirondack chairs for years; have about 10 different plans saved that one day I could get to. These 2x4 modern plans made getting them done quickly possible due to simplicity of the cut list and cheap cost of materials. The only real change I made was to use 2x6 for the arms; I cut a taper along outside edge and increased the length of the arms by about an inch and a half to overhang the front legs a bit. Since I just used basic framing lumber, I milled all of the boards first with table saw and planer to make square consistent edges. And, I chose to use pocket screws in as many joints as I could so I wouldn't have screw holes on any visible faces. Add in a lucky find at the big box store paint return; scored this blue exterior paint for $2.00 a quart, and my weekend project turned out pretty good. Now I've got two neighbors that want 'em.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 qrt Glidden Exterior Semi-Gloss; got it so cheap, I used the whole quart. Multiple coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner