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Big Kids' Picnic Table

This ended up being a very easy project to complete; Ana's instructions were very straightforward. I probably spent four hours altogether on the project, although that was spread over the course of several days. We had several 2x4s left over from other projects, and I was able to use a quart of exterior Behr Premium Plus Ultra (with primer included) that didn't get used for its intended project. So altogether, we spent about $20. You can't even buy a plastic kids' picnic table for that price! As for advice, I found that the best way to avoid wobbling was to firmly attach three of the legs while leaving the fourth leg somewhat lose. Upon flipping the table, you should be able to move that fourth leg into a place that prevents wobbles before firmly screwing it in as well. I painted all the boards before assembling the table, and I feel like that is the best approach, as the space in between boards is slim.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus Ultra, exterior, custom color
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Patio Table & Bench

Submitted by madore07 on Wed, 04/16/2014 - 18:47

Great projects for any beginner. Make sure you're working on a level surface for the table. I purchased simple planter boxes from a local hardware store, and worked around those. For the bench, my only suggestion is to verify you are square at each step- other than that it's pretty straightforward.

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

western boot storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 19:26

Altered plan somewhat to make it heavy duty seating when needed. 18" inside height is necessary for hubby's boots especially. Room for my lab coat too! It suits our 100 year old, nearly closet-less farmhouse well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
since I used mostly scraps/leftovers I spent as much for the hooks as the rest. Not even $30 in the wood but scrap collection is now depleted. Bench is 2X8s joined together on all sides, except bottom is 1X8s joined (love my kreg!)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My First Project: Farmhouse Table

Submitted by jtundra05 on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 20:51

Hafa Adai everyone. This is my first real woodworking project. I followed the plans for the Truss Farmhouse Table almost exactly as written. One thing I felt it needed was more support for the 10" breadboard ends. I added spare pieces of 4x4 cut to 5" with an 80 degree angle at one end to each corner of the tabletop base. This made the breadboard ends feel very secure and well supported.

Since I didn't have a table saw to rip the tabletop panels for clean edges, I used wood putty (not wood filler) to fill in the gaps from the 2x10 panels after I secured them together. Tip: I saw someone use ratchet straps to hold the table top tightly together when securing with screws in the absence of long clamps. Worked great.

The only thing I would do different is choose a wood without the treated staple marks for the table top. But since its an outdoor table its not too bad a look. Overall, it was a great learning experience and a very fun project to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Varathane Worn Navy stain for the table top; 2 coats, then used Varathane oil based (semi-gloss) spar urethane to clear coat both tabletop and base. Also 2 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Playhouse with Deck

Submitted by jwright on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 10:38

This project was started on spring break and I finished it at the beginning of summer. Total cost was about $900. I built it pretty much by myself and my wife painted the playhouse. Overall about 70 hours of labor went into it. Great plan and instructions. Thanks Ana! I love this site.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

2x4 out door couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/17/2016 - 16:28

Was made using 2x4 plans from Ann-white web page. Thanks for the idea

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Decking paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2+ Cubic Foot Raised Planter Box

Submitted by B.W.Martin on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 09:29

This is a cedar and treated lumber raised planter that holds over two cubic foot of potting soil and has a built-in drain out the back so your feet do not get wet. The treated lumber is used only for the frame, no dirt or water touch any wood.

The inner dimensions are 12"x12"x32", and it stands 24" tall. There is a seamless double layer of 4 mil plastic that opens into the drain only and is siliconed. There is also a seamless black mesh inside to keep the soil and nutrients from washing away.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish used, left cedar rough.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Play Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/08/2024 - 09:37

I made this for my two great granddaughters (6 and 2) I used the plan for One Piece Play Kitchen. I added some depth to the refrigerator. Made the Farmhouse sink from wood left over from a bed I took apart.
purchased from Amazon:
decals: $22
Peel and stick granite $8.50
Polycarbonate Clear plastic : $10
Cabinet Handles: $17
Facit: $19.99
8 hinges $13.50
Cabinet paint: $29

Wood materials were left over from previous projects. So total cost was less than $150

Pamela Grindstaff

 

Built from Plan(s)

Adirondack Chair for dolls

It was a fun project and it went well.
It took me longer to make than Ana, but I am still new at this!
The girls love it and my daughter is very pleased.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10 with the cost of spray paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
lagoon spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bailey Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 16:21
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $100, including reclaimed lumber (though I also used scraps I had on hand)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan chalk pain in French Linen, then topped with dark wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First thing I’ve ever built

Submitted by Nick.Olson on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 10:27

I stumbled across your videos via YouTube and I saw the video to make this coffee table. I was just browsing for things to do to keep busy during this pandemic. This is my first project and I could of done a lot better but I learned a lot from doing it. Thank you for your videos. I have since went on a shopping spree at Home Depot and Lowe’s Lol. I’ve bought Kreg jig, Miter saw, Makita drill set and circular saw and a Makita sander. I was like a kid at a toy store. I’m going to build your narrow console table next. Thank you for sharing your inspirational work. Nick Olson

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

Comments

Modern Farm Bench with a Twist

Submitted by GrahamD on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 20:22

I am new to furniture making and my neighbor and Friend showed me this website. I wanted a piece a bit more modern looking with a rustic flair so I picked this bench for the ease. I did however change the dimension of the bench to accommodate a Fallow that I shot last year and had tanned. I look forward to building the next piece.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
65.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats primer
2 coats black paint
2 coats poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Boys Dorm Bunks

Submitted by moonprysm on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 09:26

For starters, I apologize for the quality of the photo - the bed is so large and my sons' room so small that I had to splice together 4 different pictures to get a picture of the entire thing. Now, onto the project!

I found the details lacking in the instructions quite often. I definitely recommend having sketch-up installed on your computer so that you can turn the pieces around and see them from both sides - in many parts you're layering wood and attaching pieces on different sides. So being able to rotate the pieces in sketch-up was a huge must for us.

It took myself and my girlfriend about a week or so of working several hours a day to finish this up. Since most of the bed is made in sets of 2, the second set always went faster than the first, since we knew what we were doing.

I also found we needed different size materials than the instructions suggested. 1 1/2" screws were just long enough that they came out of the other side if they were countersunk at all, so we ended up switching to 1 1/4". The plans call for 32 3" bolts and 4 2 1/2", but we needed 32 2 1/2" and 4 2" - when we first put it together we had 1/2 of bolt hanging out of all of the holes - obviously not ideal for 3 little boys running around.

All told this project cost us somewhere between $250 and $300. I had to run out for new 2" screws at least twice, so make sure you buy a lot. We got lucky with the paint and found this super bright yellow/orange in the oops bin for $7, and decided to do a wash instead of painting so we could still see the wood grain. (And my 8 year old promptly took a marker and wrote each boys' initials on their beds - kids!).

All-in-all I'm incredibly happy with the bed - it fits the exact need we had, and unlike the only other plan I found online for a set of 3, it doesn't attach to the wall (which is important as we rent) and will be fairly easy to disassemble when we move.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mixed paint 50/50 with water, brushed on thin layer with sponge brushes
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/24/2016 - 14:50

Hi.   I'm I the uk.  I saw your video on how to make this sofa.  I showed my hubby. He said ( you'll never be able to do that).  Red flag to a bull. Ha ha. I. So proud of myself.  It was really easy your plans are very easy to follow . I bought the cushions from ikea . Just one problem . The gray British weather.  Rain Rain  and more rain.  I'm looking into something to protect the feet from the wet. 

Stephanie Harvey. Age 61

Estimated Cost
About £80.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My new Chicken coop

Submitted by cgerrells on Fri, 05/15/2020 - 13:58

My chicken house from plans

Estimated Cost
650
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

rockraptor5

Sun, 05/17/2020 - 11:41

I'm in the process of building mine without the planter box, extended the coop to the full 5'. I have it mostly built out but seeing yours is helpful.

Is the PVC going down from the planter bed a feeder? Mind sharing how you did that?

Country Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/14/2024 - 18:46

After too long fiddling around with other things, I finally finished the hall tree for my wife. Used a sheet of bead board for the backing and it didn't turn out too bad. Thank you for the plan and the inspiration Ana, very much appreciated!

Steve

Built from Plan(s)

Craft table from Michaela Island

I needed a new island for my craft room, so we used the Michaela's Kitchen Island plan and modified it to be 30 1/2" deep. First time with drawers...they were a booger!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top stained in Dark Walnut. Painted with Behr Mermaid Treasure and distressed and glazed with stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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