Community Brag Posts

Barnwood Frame - Variation

Submitted by Joni on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 08:48

Have you checked out prices at framing stores lately? Since I didn't want to pay $250 for a frame, I decided to make one out of some spare 1x4 Douglas Fir that I had. It's a single board with a router cut at the edge for detailing. I routed a rabbet onto the back, and kreg-jigged it together. I distressed the wood by beating it with a hammer and chain.

Prior to completing the frame, I took a sample piece to the framing store (who would be matting it) to make sure they could work with my rabbet size. I ended up having to make it deeper and wider to accommodate them, so I would advise doing this if you're taking it to a framer.

I never dreamed I could actually make a frame, much less a piece of furniture. Thanks so much to Ana for sparking all of this. I've found my creative calling thanks to her!

Estimated Cost
Free (spare wood!)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1. Minwax water-based wood conditioner. 2. Minwax mix of Onyx & American Walnut water-based stain. 3. General Finishes Glaze in Van Dyke Brown. 4. Bartley's Satin Polyurethane (4 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Becky Smith (not verified)

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 04:32

That is really beautiful! I've been considering the same build for the same reasons. Framing costs are outragous! I've never used a router before and I guess I'm a little intimidated by them. What do you think? Are they too hard to use? Worth investing in?

Thanks!

Joni

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 08:11

Becky -- thanks for the feedback. The router is hard for me, but I don't think I know all the ins and outs of how to use it. For making the rabbet on the back, I've found out that a table saw works SO MUCH BETTER than trying to use the router. I believe that a dado blade for the table saw could make the decorative cut (and much easier, faster, and cleaner than trying to use the router).

Wood block pyramid

Submitted by Lsh108 on Sat, 12/21/2013 - 06:35

What a great little gift idea and made this in about 4 hours. HD had 2x2 poplar turning blocks that were perfectly straight and pretty smooth to start with. Required minimal sanding. Each board was $1.98 but was 32 inches long. So you have to buy 15. Start with the larger cuts first. The end of each board will produce one or two of the smaller cuts. Used the food coloring and also coconut oil on the blocks.
Great project, had fun doing it.

Estimated Cost
$32
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Food coloring and coconut oil
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

2x4 Truss Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/29/2016 - 18:07

I made my bench a little shorter (54") and did not need the center support.  I also cut the top and bottom of the leg horizontals 3/4" shorter so the legs tucked under the bench top more.  It was a great bench and looks good with the Fancy X Farmhouse Table I also followed from Ana White.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Frame: Off White Paint
Top: MinWax Early American stain with a Spar Urethane gloss finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/10/2019 - 17:26

A lot of fun to build and not that hard at all. Thank you for the great plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polycrylic Semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Toyboxes!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/29/2023 - 09:54

I love the toy box plans!! I've done some woodworking previously, but this was my first larger project. The first one was so simple and easy to make that I decided to make more!

Tiffanni

Built from Plan(s)

x bench

Submitted by sidman on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 02:41

I loved this bench when I saw the plan and had to try it. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red oak stain on top and painted the botton black.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Fire Pit Benches

Submitted by tsmonson on Mon, 12/23/2013 - 21:24

This was an easy plan to follow! We built these for around our fire pit. The finishes is what took the longest. The tops are stained American Walnut.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tiny House Ontario

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 12:43

I looked at all the sofas that people built and took bits out of a lot of them to decide what I needed to fit my needs. I am in a tiny house and I wanted the sofa to be super versatile as well as being good for storage. I decided to build it the size of a double bed, but to divide this into three sections so that it can be used as a sectional, a seating area for meals and a bed for overnight guests. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Thank you for this, I would not have known where to begin.

I decided on brightly printed outdoor fabric because the interior of my tiny house is all wood and I though the bright colours would be a nice addition. The outdoor fabric was chosen so that it would resist water and stains as well as pet hair.

Estimated Cost
$487.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
water proof outdoor fabric
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Built in dining bench

Submitted by aahmad79 on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 09:14

I used the mudroom bench plans and modified them slightly to account for the wider space and air registers underneath. Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Daybed Mash-up of Plans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/03/2023 - 12:35

I mashed together several twin bed plans - farmhouse bed, simple twin bed and Hailey Storage bed to create this farmhouse style daybed. It's a very sturdy and heavy piece of furniture.

Built from Plan(s)

Cedar Garden Bed

I made this garden bed in one evening. I love it! I bought 6 6' cedar fence pickets and two cedar 1x2s. I don't have a table saw, and they wouldn't rip a fence picket for me at the store, so I had to buy the cedar 1x2's but the project was still very affordable. I wanted it a little wider than the original plan, so I just cut the 6' pickets in half for the sides.
It is 6' x 3' and I didn't bother to cut the dogears off. You probably wouldn't even be able to tell they are there. I didn't trim the top out because that would add on about $6, and I like it just the way it is.
Now, lets see if I can actually grow some plants in it!!
I'm a beginner, and this project was really easy.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Lisa P (not verified)

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 08:08

This is exactly how I was going to modify Ana's plans as well. Have you started growing anything yet? Looks great!

Tara Kirkland

Tue, 04/17/2012 - 20:55

Yes, I've started "trying" to grow a few things. I don't usually have much luck, but maybe.... just MAYBE this will be the year!! :)

Lindyer0523 (not verified)

Mon, 04/23/2012 - 07:13

What would you have used for the top trim?

counter raised beds

2 - 2x12x8

2 - 2x3x8

2 - 4x4x8 (cedar, fur is cheaper and will work fine also)

16 - 5/16x4 lag screws 

16 - 5/16 washers

3x10 feet 1/4 hardware wire

20 - 3inch wood screws (outdoor rated, deck screws or the like) 

you will have left overs if you buy extra lags you can make some other boxes depending on how high you want these, or set them on ground without legs. and use the wood screws 

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
no finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Nesting Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/18/2019 - 08:34

First real furniture project. Used pocket screws for just about everything and added some decorative 2" bread boards.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American Stain with Polyurethane finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Square Picnic Table with Umbrella

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/07/2023 - 11:06

Used your plans to make a sturdy, durable hardwood picnic table for a friend. Top is black cherry (1 1/4") and base/seats are white oak (1 1/4"). The seats are one piece, 11" wide from a white oakoy cut and sawed on our property! Sealed with two coats of Spar Urethane.

Chip McCoy

Built from Plan(s)

Mimi's Hall Tree

Submitted by Erik on Fri, 02/24/2012 - 06:33

This is my first ever build (so be gentle). My fiance has always wanted a Hall Tree and her birthday was comming up so I posted a request for a Hall Tree and that afternoon there was a post from Ana with Mimi's Hall Tree, so I figured that was a sign I HAD TO BUILD IT! So I took the lists went to the local Home Depot and bought all the wood, plus a Jig Saw, Kreg Jig, Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Circular Saw, Clamps.... a few weeks later just in time for her birthday this is what I had. I have to admit its flawed but we love it!

I can't thank Ana and company for turning me on to my new hobby and I am looking forward to my next build!

PS I will be putting the hooks on tonight, I will post more photos when the hooks are on and there is stuff on the Hall Tree

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

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/24/2012 - 06:38

The stain is minwax mahogany.

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/24/2012 - 09:18

I BET YOUR FIANCE LOVED IT...GOOD JOB KEEP BUILDING!

Cottage style bookcase

I modified the original plans by making the book case low and wide so my 5 year old could reach all of her books. I also added some 1x3's to the back of each shelf to keep the books from falling off the back and everything square. I have quarter round moulding on my baseboards, so it doesn't sit flush against the wall.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic interior satin Scandinavian Sky
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Caroline's double loft bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 19:18

We made this a double bed and lowered the height by 3 1/4 inches because we have low ceilings. We added an extra support under the mattress since it's a double. Plan to add the desk and low shelves later. Followed the plans very closely, worked out great. One thing I would suggest is to do the slats after the guardrail. Otherwise you can't stand under the bed and it's hard to get a good angle when screwing it on. Many happy hours of reading Harry Potter up there in the first week :).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gel stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Chaise Lounge

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/08/2023 - 10:13

Modified lounger, made from 75mm x 38mm (cls) timber, sealed with 3 coats of exterior varnish.

Had great fun making this one, already on with making my second lounger.

A bit of wood

Rustic Planked Wood Sideboard

Check out my blog post for more on building this giant, hardworking piece! It took me about 45 hours to build it from start to finish (I work slowly) and cost about $400 in materials.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General Finishes water-based stain, milk paint, glaze, and Staples Crystal Clear bowling alley wax. More details on my blog post.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Icepickman

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 07:21

hey, great build, i'm going to attempt a similar project. i could not get to your blog post?

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