Community Brag Posts

Awesome! Thank you for the plans!!!

Submitted by Sherice on Tue, 07/15/2014 - 07:41

This is the second project I attempted and it was a huge undertaking for me, but it was fun and went well! I had planned to sew a cushion for it, but by the time I completed the project, I was DONE! So I bought some for now.

The only modifications I made were larger arm rests so I could put cup holders in them. The cup holders I made out of PVC 3" Male end and a 3" drain, which I glued together. I then scuffed the entire thing and painted them with acrylic paint (trying to get them to match the blue and green in the cushions) before spraying them with gloss sealant.

My family LOVES the new "swing bed". It weighs ALOT so I had to make sure to get proper hanging gear. It's obviously not hung yet when I took the pics tho.

Thank you for another beautiful project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
About seven layers of spar urethane, natural/clear, with sanding in between the layers.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Trash Can Unit

Submitted by djp33d on Fri, 10/21/2016 - 14:57

Double wide trash can unit, Fall of 2015. 

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

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Another super easy plan to follow! I was even able to make adjustments really easily! This table is 6ft by 33in, because I needed it a bit smaller for the space. The table went together in about half a day. My new paint sprayer and orbital sander made my life a little easier but the heat has been obnoxious so it took a couple of extra days to get the finishes done! I did end up changing my mind and decided to stain the table top to match the sofa & sectional which were done in Olympic Maximum stain and sealant semi transparent in cinder.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The table base is painted in Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Gloss Black General Purpose Paint. The table top was stained with Varathane in Summer Oak Premium Fast Dry Interior Wood Stain. Two coats of spar urethane to protect the table from the elements was also used.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kids Chairs

Submitted by ValBryant on Wed, 09/19/2012 - 13:30

So i made these chairs to go with the table i built. I actually built 7 of them at a time, three for me and four for a friend. I had a little over a hundred pieces of wood to put together which became a chore, so i don't recommend doing so many at once. I got burnt out quite a few times, hence why it took me a month to finish (couple hrs here every other day or so).
Anyways, the plans we very easy, the wood on the other hand was difficult. Using furring strips is inexpensive but i had more then i wanted split, and they wern't all the same thickness. Making the front legs stick out more (no biggy) and some screws went too far through even though they were the right size according to the plans. Two 1x3's furring strips sandwiched together ( side aprons) might not take a 1 1/4 inch screw. I had to cut off a few tips from the inside of the chairs.
All in all i am so happy with the end results, even happier that in total it only costed me less then $20 in wood! Would have been a little more because i got the wood for the chairs for free, in exchange to build my friend a table and chairs set like mine.
Link to the Chair Plans.

http://ana-white.com/2010/11/plans/four-dollar-stackable-children’s-chairs

Estimated Cost
Maybe $35 for wood
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut for stain. Valspar Sea Exposure? And Tint-able glaze for the distressing over the paint. Same a Ana's finish process - DISTRESSED TURQUOISE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

One Board Bench

Submitted by wabilinski on Fri, 07/18/2014 - 07:42

My wife was going to buy a resin bench from Lowes. I told her I would build a REAL bench out of wood myself. I found the One Board Bench plan and thought it was a classic looking bench that was not too busy and perfect for the spot under the pine tree she was wanting to fill.

I went with Cape Cod Grey Olympic Maximum Semi-Transparent Exterior Stain instead of the natural wood look using the Tung Oil originally in the plans.

This was my first venture into woodworking since middle school shop class. I've always wanted to get back into it and I thought this was a perfect project to get my feet wet and shake off the rust.

Thanks, Ana, for your amazing plans and the inspiration I needed to get back to a hobby I love after over 20yrs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cape Cod Grey Olympic Maximum Semi-Transparent Exterior Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2nd project from Ana.

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

My kids are loving this seesaw. Easy to make. I followed the plans, and completed it all in about 8hrs. Rounded all sharp edges to make it a bit safer. I recommend adding an additional hole on the vertical support if you have smaller kids. A tip, pre-tape the washers over the holes prior to final assembly. It'll save you a lot of frustration.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee Table

This coffee table was our first DIY project! We found the plan from Ana's website, and it was pretty easy to follow. We are so happy with the result and now we are itching to build everything for our house!

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

hobbywood

Mon, 09/24/2012 - 02:53

Looks very nice! And yes - you're right, Ana's projects - they give enthusiasm to dare to do smth. Keep on homemaking - your coffee table is great!

Rustic-X Coffee and End table

Submitted by kfbella on Sun, 07/20/2014 - 09:16

My wife and I got the idea of the two tone from one of the other brag posts and thought it looked great. The end table plans called for it to be 27 by 27.5, we thought this was a little to big for our home so I changed the plans to 22 x 22. Everything worked out great with the exception of some tool spacing issues. When screwing in the PHS my drill did not fit in the smaller space that was left after I shortened the length. Over all I am thankful for this website and all of the people who give back. We saved a lot of money doing these two projects and they turned out exactly how we wanted.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax red mahogany

Paint was a Valspar Eddie Bauer Shore
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planked Platform Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/27/2016 - 08:49

I love this bed in my son's room. They were wonderful plans that were easy to follow. The only change I made was to make the feet slightly taller so he could slide underbed storage containers underneath. My only mistake was not planning ahead for how I would attach the headboard to the frame. It ended up not being necessary because the weight of the bed pins it against the wall, but If I ever wanted to make this for someone else I would want to solve that piece first. 

Estimated Cost
Less than $150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
American Pine and Classic Grey blend. Distressed.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

maylostudio

Mon, 07/15/2019 - 13:53

Amazing job, I love the hanging light fixtures....and the matching side table....and the matching barn door.  A dream bedroom for a kid!  Thanks for sharing!

Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/22/2020 - 05:00

Hall tree I got off your web site, very simple to build, out standing plans I put my own twist into it. I had some cedar tree limbs on my property that I had cut down . I ripped down on my table saw and added to my project. it was a challenge to turn limbs into small boards but worked out well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Almost $200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a Minwax Red barn stain off the shelf at Lowes, brushed on and wiped off . Had to do three coats, sanding is a must and sealer recommended for uniform color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by uncrxchap on Tue, 09/25/2012 - 20:19

Built this bedside table to go along with the Farmhouse Storage Bed I built for my daughter. I added molding to the front of the drawer to match the molding on the drawers in her bed. I used a ratio based of the size of the drawers which left me using 1/4" plywood strips cut to 1" wide to frame out the box.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
white semi-gloss with water based clear poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Alternative top for Lego Bin

I didn't have a jig-saw since I am still pretty new at this, so I searched for alternatives. I found these plastic ashtrays at the dollar store, flipped them upside down and spray-painted them! Now my bin even says 'made in china' ;)

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Joshman010 on Sun, 10/30/2016 - 18:36

First piece of furinture I've tried to build, went surprisingly smooth. Raw table only took 5 hours to construct; an hour or two to sand; and then the waiting game after two coats of stain and 4 coats of poly. Used southern yellow pine for the top, dark walnut stain, and spar pro series semi-gloss poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut and Minwax Spar Pro Semi-Gloss Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Karl B

Tue, 11/22/2016 - 05:18

How did you attach the top to the base?

There is only 1 support board.

Joshman010

Mon, 01/16/2017 - 19:16

I used the pocket hole jig to drill pocket hold along the center support that runs parallel to the top boards and also drilled pocket holes on the top supports of the legs that run perpendicular to the top boards. Alternating pocket holes on both inside and outside faces of the top support boards gives it some added strength.

btw, sorry for such a delayed response. 

X-brace Farmhouse Dining Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/23/2020 - 11:59

I used this awesome plan from Ana White and tried to add my own touch on it. After painting the legs, I then routed the edges and stained them to match the table top. Thank you for this plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Ultra interior paint- Black Magic
Varathane stain- spring oak
Minwax finish- polycrylic (gloss)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pottery Barn Wide Camp Dresser

My husband and I did this together. It took him about 4 days to get the dresser built and then I did the finish. It is SOLID and we absolutely love it. It's in our 10-year old daughter's "horse" room and goes really well with the barn wood on her back wall and her barn door (closet).

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
steel wool/vinegar
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entertaintment Center

Swiss coffee Entertainment Center... Distressed. All Trim work made by me.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Swiss Coffee , Dark Walnut Stain, polycrylic sprayed with air gun
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Farmhouse Console Table

Submitted by katprausa on Sat, 07/25/2020 - 12:55

Pretty impressed with our first project! Thanks for the excellent plans!! I can't wait to start on the matching side table and coffee table!!

Simple Outdoor Loveseat

Submitted by mhineman on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 13:33

Did this project for a friend. Super easy and instructions are extremely helpful! I didn't have a jig to create pocket holes so I left the screw holes exposed. I then covered them with wooden dowels and sanded it down. I kind of liked it better than hiding the screws underneath!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Shellac
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My dogs new home!

Submitted by spustay74 on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 06:17

Built this project for Mindy, our dog who needed a new crate. We used metal screen for the front door, and probably would use it fo the sides too for the future. Lessoned learned, be more accurate in cutting pieces! I also didnt find the door plans! So i had to wing it!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used semi gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn Project

Submitted by Hookster on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 12:10

 Hi Ana & Hubby

 Completed the shelving unit this past summer in my Barn, great plan and really easy to put together,

Thank's for the plan and step by step instructions, Going to build another unit in the barn come spring time here in Upstate New York.  I made mine only eight feet wide by eight feet high givin the space I had 

it's eight feet between 4x4 upright polls. I went with a center 2x4 for added strength to avoid possible sagging from heavy weighted items I will be storing. I left room inderneath as you can see, I store my saw horses and my push mower under it well.  

Warmest Regards

 Steve

Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
bare wood
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic Hall Tree with a Few Tweaks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 07:52

Made a few tweaks to support using some leftover wood from a previous project and hide a seam in the beadboard.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate