Community Brag Posts

DIY Folding Workbench

Submitted by suzeet305 on Mon, 10/18/2021 - 18:32

I'm a beginner DIYer and I knew one day I was going to have to make a workbench. I made mine 24x48 so I wanted a little more support to hold up the drop down leaf. I searched your site and found another plan with these gatelegs and knew this is what I wanted. I love the way it came out. What do you think?

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Farmhouse Table TOP repurpose

A big thanks to Ana for the original plan and to Kelly Hurt's brag post. Between the two, I got up the courage to repurpose my old table with Ana's farmhouse table. All was done with the Kreg jig so no holes to fill!

Estimated Cost
$50 for wood and screws...had everything else
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I spray painted the base of my old table with satin black paint and spray poly since it was hard to get into all the grooves. I used wood conditioner on the top, followed by some leftover stain (not sure what color) and then 5 coats of polycrylic.

I used the kreg jig for all my joinery. This is my first major project and only the second using the kreg. I found attaching the bread board ends a little tricky and so the ends sag down a little bit. They're very sturdy though. Rather than making the table in Ana's order, I actually made the entire table top first and then connected it to the table base. I added 5 extra supports under the tabletop to handle the extra weight. Now that it's finished and altogether, I wish i had gone ahead and used 2x boards. I thought it would look to heavy for the base but now I don't think so....there's always next time!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rolling Side Table

Submitted by Bradnag on Sat, 02/03/2018 - 13:04

I had a bunch of scrap 3/4" MDF, so I used that instead of wood. The result is still as sturdy but a bit heavier than if I'd have used pine, which has added to the table's stability. I added a cup holder, but otherwise kept to the base instructions with no extra mods. I put an extra thick layer of polycrylic on the top surface, to protect the MDF from absorbing any spills. This was just a test run, so I didn't bother filling any of the visable pocket holes. Given how cheap and easy this was to build, I imagine I'll end up making 2-3 more.

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dutch Boy primer+paint, Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s

Pretty simple and straight forward, just time-consuming without the right tools.

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

Comments

Recessed cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/02/2022 - 14:14

My bathroom has very little storage space. So during our recent remodeling of the room, I decided to add this cabinet. Changed the plan a little to make it recessed in the wall. I love how it turned out!

Comments

Small Garage Workbench

Submitted by dmozer74 on Fri, 12/18/2015 - 21:17

Easy project. I needed this bench a bit smaller due to space constraints so this is 28" x 42". I kept the height the same and finished the surfaces with some thick polyurethane. It should be noted my cost was a bit higher due to buying a sanded plywood, coated self-tapping screws and a more expensive polyurethane. I also went a bit slow on this project and it took about 2.5 hours including application of the single coat of poly.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mostly Cedar Vanity for the New House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/04/2023 - 09:49

After looking at some terribly overpriced particle board vanities, I found the lovely Rustic Farmhouse Double Bath Vanity plans and decided to go for it. I think this vanity turned out much better than anything I could have bought with the same amount of money, and it will last much longer too!! Thanks Ana!!

Comments

Hall Tree with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/29/2023 - 09:35

The first real project I have attempted. I don't have any real experience with woodworking outside of shop class in junior high school.

My mother has been asking for one of these for many years. Mission accomplished.

Todd North

Built from Plan(s)

Lattice Fence Extension- with video!

Submitted by brittanyj on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 14:34

Lattice Fence Build Video
I built a lattice fence above a masonry wall dividing us from our neighbors after they cut down a bush that had formerly blocked the view. I time lapsed the whole thing, and thought you might find it of interest (or humor)

It took me 3 days instead of the 1 that I expected- am I the only one who greatly overestimates their speed at home projects? : )

Anyways, really happy with how it turned out. That’s the thing I love about woodworking. It always looks janky to begin and doesn’t show much promise, and then suddenly, it’s a work of art. Tis a thing of beauty.

There are a good amount of tips and tricks in the video of how to overcome difficulties in the build.

View on YouTube

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$265
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish- redwood is lovely on its own!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Football Lockers DIY

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 11:27

Here are a few pictures of the football lockers I built for our school. I used your mudroom locker plans and changed the dimensions to accommodate the boys' football gear. It worked great! I built 6 sets of 4 lockers, for a total of 24 lockers. I also used one of your plans to build 6 benches for the fieldhouse. Three for the home locker room and three for the visitor locker room. Each locker is 30 inches wide and 6 feet tall. 

Melinda Glenn

COVERED SANDBOX WITH BUILT IN SEATS

Once we hade the frame of it built, we stapled landscaping fabric and chicken wire to the bottom to keep weeds and moles/gophers from coming up through the bottom.

Other than that... We followed the plans as given.

The kids LOVE it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Twin size Farmhouse bed with storage drawers!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/12/2016 - 10:12

This bed was made from Ana White's plan for the farmhouse bed with storage drawers (twin size). I made this bed for my daughter as her first "big girl" bed. I did modify the plan somewhat to make the footboard taller and act as a bed rail on the end of the bed. This bed came together really well! Plans were great! 

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Mud Kitchen

Submitted by Noyehx4 on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 12:48

This was my first build, like ever. I am very proud! Props given to my hubby who is a carpenter by trade. I went back and forth on stains and paint colors at home depot. He didn't rush me and was awesome the entire time! He actually picked up the supplies, and is now a fan of the self tap screws! He thought he knew where everything in home depot was, but he had to ask to find those LOL. He wanted to use his new nail gun, but I wanted to follow the plans. The plans are awesome! We decided not to add an oven door just yet. Likely will soon. (Avoiding pinched fingers for now) I also have the knobs for the front, but it was hot and since I had only just stained them, they needed time to dry and second coat yet. (I kind of forgot about them once I finished them with my new dremel) We purchased the hose kit from the kitchen section at home depot. It came with everything, I searched market place and even posted asking if anyone had a used one for sale. No luck. This was $20 and came with everything, the guys at home depot showed me what adapters to get to ensure that it would hook up to our garden hose, and we grabbed those too and they worked perfectly! I messed up cutting one of the angles for the shelf the wrong way, but there was enough scraps for my husband to help me fix it. It was a fun build, and so rewarding to see our kids playing with it! I used my dremel 4300 and it wasn't powerful enough for the thicker wood, so my stove tops are thinner, but he actually enjoys setting them up and spraying them off the table with his hose! I painted the brass hooks green when we were painting the kitchen so they would match. The pots and pans came with the little tote and the apron chef hat and pot holder. It was a perfect finishing touch. *Edit to add photos kitchen hose kit from home depot, reading comments, others had a hard time finding adapters. I suggest taking what you have with you to home depot so they can show you what adapters you need. We needed three because we have a quick attachment on the end of our garden hose, (for our sprayer) now little mans mud kitchen can be connected and disconnected easily!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X Enamel Spray Paint and Behr Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mantel Moulding Headboard

Submitted by Jon Moore on Sun, 04/07/2013 - 20:16

While browsing I ran across Ana's Mantel Molding Headboard (Pottery Barn Addison knockoff) and had to have one!

I stuck to her plans except that I used 3/4" boards instead of the 2x4's, made it wider (81") for a King size bed, used some different molding elements and gave it a professional looking finish with my airless paint sprayer. Most people who see it cannot believe it is not store bought.

This of course kicked off a whole remodeling effort including two additional DIY projects that came out great. Looking in the photos they are the boxed shells above the bed and the grass-cloth framed mirror. The bedroom is now one of our favorite rooms in the house!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Clear Moon
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

BABY SHOWER LEMONADE STAND

Cutest plan ever

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used everything the same as Ana's plans except for the sign is chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Drop-Down Door Hutch Desk

Submitted by danicarby on Thu, 05/14/2015 - 13:47

I designed this desk from another desk I built. With this one, I wanted the overall foot-print smaller but still something that was able to organize all our office stuff and be able to close everything to keep it clutter-free. We have a small apartment, and although this desk is about the size of an up-right piano, it works perfectly into our living space!

I made it out of raw hardwood (Ash) and because I knew just the wood alone would make this desk heavy/bulky to move I made the top hutch removable. It's held in place by wood pegs (dominos). All the shelves are adjustable and the drawers are full-extension (something I've never had - wahoo)! The drop-down door is help up by 2 pull-out boards on each side (my first desk had chains). I spend a lot of money on this desk because I knew it was a chance in a lifetime to make and wanted it to be perfect and something that would last generations.

I built the main carcass off of plans/measurements I designed, but then all the insides, drawers, shelves, doors, etc where made as I built (because just a millimeter difference in building changes everything)!

If you want more pictures/descriptions of the building process I wrote about it in a 4-part series on my blog.

Estimated Cost
$1,000 for all wood & supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
To achieve the ash gray color I used "General Finishes" brand water-based stains (equal mixtures of Walnut, Antique Oak & Whitewash) with 1/2 ratio of Pre-Stain Conditioner (bought from Woodcraft). I did 2-3 coats stain, lightly sanded and sprayed 2 coats of Ceramithane clearcoat using HVLP sprayer (sanding with 550 grit paper in between).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Grill table with stainless steel top

Submitted by krochelle on Tue, 08/20/2013 - 08:00

I made this table to go next to an outdoor grill to be used as a food prep area or just a surface for holding ingredients (instead of using the deck railing!). The top is stainless steel which fits tightly over 2 3/4" pieces of plywood laminated together. The bar/handle in front is made out of galvanized pipe. All wood was treated.

Legs - 4x4 posts
Bottom shelf - 1x6's
Sides - 1x4's
Top - 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood laminated together with a stainless steel top (custom fit) over top
Towel bar - galvanized pipe (cut and threaded to size at Lowe's), floor flanges and 90 degree elbows

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Kona stain but since it was over treated wood the stain did not take as dark as it should have. I will have to restain this piece after it has completely dried out.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 08/20/2013 - 09:07

Love this. Where did you get the stainless steel top? Did you have to special order to fit?

In reply to by spiceylg

krochelle

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 10:33

Sorry about the late reply! Yes, I just gave my dimensions to a local steel supplier and they made the top. I think I have about $40 into the stainless. They didn't weld the corners but I've never had an issue with them.

krochelle

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 10:46

No...I didn't have any plans when I built it but it's a very simple concept. I chose to use all treated wood since I knew it would be sitting outside unprotected. However, my 4x4 posts weren't square so this caused a lot of problems and everything was built to fit. I believe I just used 4x4's, 1X6s (for the bottom shelf) and 1x4s for the sides (top and bottom). For the top, I just laminated 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood together to bulk it up and then had the stainless top built to fit. It fit perfectly so I didn't glue it to the plywood. This makes it easy to remove and clean, if necessary. For the galvanized pipe (towel bar), I bought it at Lowe's and had them cut/thread it to fit my dimensions.

ClubHouse Minecraft

Submitted by MrDanDHN on Mon, 02/08/2016 - 20:02

Built this for my son that we adopted from foster care. He is into Minecraft and we need an extra bed for future foster. Thus the Full over Twin and the twin is removable for a play area underneath.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Chalk Paint with a brushed in accent
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jasminemary

Sat, 03/05/2016 - 11:45

Can you take a picture or explain what you did for the bed support to make it a full? I fear without a board running down the middle to the head and foot, crossbars may not be enough. I love the full over twin idea. I want to make ours a full as well.

MrDanDHN

Tue, 04/26/2016 - 19:44

I did use a 2x4 support down the middle with Metal L brackets to ensure safety. I put this directly under the crossbars. After he has been in it about 9 month I think I would have put a solid piece of plywood to support the mattress better. We have had as many as 5 sleeping on the top bunk with no problems though.

MrDanDHN

Tue, 04/26/2016 - 19:44

I did use a 2x4 support down the middle with Metal L brackets to ensure safety. I put this directly under the crossbars. After he has been in it about 9 month I think I would have put a solid piece of plywood to support the mattress better. We have had as many as 5 sleeping on the top bunk with no problems though.

Storage Cupboard

Submitted by sophie on Wed, 05/23/2012 - 23:44

My cupboard is quite a lot bigger than the one in the original post but is super sturdy.
It was a relatively easy project to build. My main issue was that I used chipboard for most of the cupboard and ironed on veneer on the cut sections which threw my door frame measurements out of whack and I had to shave a bit of my door off with a plane to get it to fit in neatly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White 2 in 1 primer and matt white
Silver hinges painted with high gloss black
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Amandahaslip (not verified)

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 11:47

Hi there. I love this!!! I was wondering if you remembered the dimensions of wood used or what not? I want to make one or two of these for my basement laundry room for storage but am new to this so not sure how much I would increase all of the wood etc from the original plans. Thanks!

sophie

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 02:48

Hi! So glad you like it! I used SketchUp to create my dimensions to fit my space. Have you ever used it before? It's a free designing tool and really helps me to visualise if the wood's all going to fit together or not.
Here are the wood measurements I used:

Chipboard, white, 19mm
Part/Length (mm)/Width (mm)/Amount
Top:1200/436/1
Side x2:2000/400/2
Bottom shelf:1124/350 /1
Shelf x4 :1124/350/4
Frame top & bottom:1162/100 /2
Frame side x2:1800/100/2
Door frame top & bottom:476/100/2
Door frame side x2:1594/100/2

Door backing MDF 3mm
Part/Length (mm)/Width (mm)/Amount
Back:2000/1162/1
Door back:1700 /360/2

If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to help. Good luck!

Doll Crib Gift

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 07:38

I built this doll crib for a girl we are helping make Christmas special for this year. It's all materials I had on hand (thanks scrap pile!). I love how it turned out. Loosely based on the fancy doll crib plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Back