Community Brag Posts

Library Book Cart

Submitted by Terukosan on Wed, 09/12/2012 - 22:54

I built this book shelf for my daughter.

I made both the top and the bottom shelves an angled.
I used a finishing nail punch to emboss the name.

I mixed 3 different color stains to match the other furniture.

Used 2" caster wheels from Home Depot.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood finish (Golden Pecan, English Chestnut, Red Oak), Minwax Wipe-On Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tommirhea

Fri, 09/14/2012 - 09:39

This is so pretty, I love the name in it! How wonderful. When you mix your stains, how do you know how much of each? Is is just a trial and error type of thing?

Terukosan

Fri, 09/14/2012 - 12:06

Hi tommirhea,

Thank you for your nice comment!

Mixing stains is just a trial and error. Pour into empty yogurt cup and mix with form brush. I like rustic looks, so, I don't care if color is not even ;-)

Have a nice weekend,

Sunny

tommirhea

Fri, 09/14/2012 - 12:14

Okay, thanks. I think I will try it on the desk I am going to make. I don't always love the color of stains, but never thought I could just dump different ones in to make my own :) I like rustic looks as well, makes it more unique.

Using Ana White’s Garage Cabinet Plans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/20/2022 - 09:23

Thank you so much for the two videos we watched of you and your husband explaining and demonstrating how to build garage shelves. We used your plans as a guide. We chose to add shaker style doors to create cabinet shelves. We absolutely love them. We are not handy as you can see we had a living room lamp for a work light and a lifetime table as a work bench. Thank you!
The Paulsons

Comments

Family Cabin with Flip up bed

Always wanted an Alpine lodge, we live in London so a Garden cabin for the kids (and Dad) will have to do! 

flip up bed and storage cabinet (for mattress)

sofa bed, foam cushions with leftover curtains  

mini storage boxes from wine boxes

inspired by tiny house (especially the sofa!)

Still more to do. Desk on its way and bulk head lights fitted soon. 
 

no real plans just rough sketches and trial and error

Estimated Cost
£300 for interior
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Old white paint and fence paint

Barn for Tractor Supply animals

Submitted by jonbaty on Tue, 02/18/2014 - 11:13

I built this for a friend's daughter who collects the Tractor Supply farm animals. This is the first time I have cut on angles to make the roof. The directions say built it from bottom to top but I found it easier to start for the top and work down. Then attach the whole roof where it marched on the barn... Hope this helps. I did not finish it cause the friend wanted to stain it herself...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My city farm

My friend and I bought all of the materials for about $350. We started Friday afternoon and he worked most of Saturday on it. The plans were super helpful! My four little silkies are enjoying their new home. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams exterior paint in Alabaster. Lots of pumpkins and mums from Lowe's.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Smaller Dog Crate with a drawer!

Submitted by imalearba4 on Wed, 01/06/2016 - 14:02

You may remember my green stratton day beds that I built a long time ago- finally I have another project to post- I am soo happy I found Ana White's website. We just got back from a 2.5 week vacation in Israel and my dogs were staying with my sister. She told me they had been sleeping in the same kennel together instead of separately. Their kennels are too small so I decided to build them one using wood I already had. But since they are small dogs, I decided to size it down- but I wanted it end table height- so I built a smaller kennel- 20"H x 19"W x 28"D. but... I added a drawer to the top to bring it to the right height. You can read all about it on my blog- link below.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 - for drawer pull, stain, drawer slides, and hinge hardware- I had the 2x2s and plywood in my stash
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

KryssQuinn

Sat, 04/11/2020 - 15:17

I really like this idea. We have a repurposed dresser currently housing two crates, but this is cleaner.

First project--Updated Simplest Console

I'm pretty proud of my first project even though it does have some flaws. I learned a lot. I made every cut with a handsaw! Don't do this unless you want to have some seriously sore arms. I'm ready to graduate to a circular saw. I also used a hammer and nails instead of a nailer, so this project took me a little longer than it should have. Thanks so much, Ana, for the opportunities!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain conditioner, Minwax dark walnut oil stain, Minwax polycrylic clear satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

LannyBananny

Wed, 07/09/2014 - 21:15

From one newbie to another-- your table looks great. Talk about handmade, you went the extra mile by hand cutting and using the "arm and hammer" technique!

Jake

Tue, 08/12/2014 - 14:43

Using only hand tools? You did a great job. Ana offers great suggestions on what you need to start but here are my comments on some tools for Christmas or sooner:

Choose the miter saw over the circular saw. So much more useful and safer. For those times you need to cut sheet plywood invest in an inexpensive small circular saw. Lighter and easier to handle.

Orbital sander
Basic Kreg jig kit with drills , clamp etc.
Several lengths of pocket hole screws. You will use hundreds of them.
Square
Power drill
Clamps (Harbor Freight clamps are great and inexpensive) Get a lot of them and none less than 12" capacity. Miminum of six to start.
Eye and hearing protection
Titebond II or III glue

booksnotbombs

Tue, 08/12/2014 - 15:01

Thanks, Grandpa Jake. :) (I'm just going to call you that since so many of your projects are for your grandkids!) I was sorry to read about your problems today but glad you are so persistent. You weren't kidding when you said that checking for square is super important! I'm currently in the middle of my second project (the step up table, plans here on Ana White--actually done building but need to finish), and I took it apart/redid it twice to make sure it was square.

Thanks for building my Christmas list for me! I'm definitely itching for a fancy kreg jig, but I really need to get those clamps.

My new and amazing outdoor bench

Submitted by ישראל on Sat, 11/16/2013 - 21:57

Thank you for the easy and fun bench plan.
It was really easy to install.
Even my 2 little daughters had fun (-:

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Bondex walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Chachamation

Thu, 10/02/2014 - 07:21

This is absolutely amazing!

This "ישראל" person is super talented comes to the final touches!!  From now on, I will start following your work...

Dog/Baby Gate

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 11:53

Inspired by Ana White's $25 Wood Baby Gate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPV6XfheqgA), I needed a gate for my miniature schnauzers. They loved going into the basement unattended ... and well ... potty accidents happen without me being the wiser. So, I modified the hardware used, and so far so good! The puppies and my little nieces and nephews are protected. 

Modern Adirondack Chairs using reclaimed pallet wood

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 06:20

The plans were easy to follow and the finished result was perfect! We subbed 1x6s for the 1x10s, because we were using some reclaimed pallet wood. We cut, sanded, and stained/weatherproofed all pieces before assembly, which I would also recommend.

Estimated Cost
$20 per chair (we used some reclaimed pallet wood)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Canyon Brown Transparent Exterior Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corner Shelf for Nursery

Submitted by wojo1 on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 07:21

Super Easy.. I like it better without the doors. Recommend getting a KREG Jig. I have the Jr and it was perfect for this project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DIY Learning Tower / Kitchen Helper

Our little one may be happily playing independently but the second I go to make dinner she demands to be held and refuses to be put down, making cooking impossible. To help keep her occupied but still involved I've been eyeing a learning tower / kitchen helper on Amazon for months now, but at $200 it just wasn't in our budget. My sister-in-law had made a learning tower from a plan by Ana White and suggested I try to make one too. I was unsure at first, I've never made anything more complicated than a birdhouse, but I decided to give it a go!

Please see my blog post for additional photos and lessons learned during this project.

Built from Plan(s)