Community Brag Posts

Garage Shelves - Freestanding (Modified)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 20:45

First project ever! I have been planning to build this for at least a year, and I finally did it! I had to modify the plan to fit my space, but it worked out well. They cut the wood for me at the store, so I did not make any cuts myself, just assembled all of the pieces together. I used all 2x4s, 8' and 10', cut down to my measurements. I did not finish the shelves since it is just for the garage, but I did sand rough board edges and some of the faces. I just used an palm sander and coarse sandpaper (80 grit). Please double check all measurements and lists because I forgot to add my shorter shelf supports to the list and had to go back to the store. I also forgot to add the width of the top shelf to those two shorter supports, so the shelf boards are resting on the top instead of nestled into the supports. It turned out not to be a functional problem, but a good lesson to learn. I also learned to make sure my driver battery is charged fully before starting - that took a large chunk out of my first day building and I had to finish the next day. My husband helped with some lifting and holding, but I mostly did this on my own in one weekend, so you CAN do it! Don't wait like I did - it is soooooooo useful and it looks great! All of my friends are really impressed and it feels so good to have made something like this! Thank you Ana!!

Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
N/A
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Second Project: table saw/ miter saw work bench

Submitted by jamesjill on Sat, 01/30/2021 - 20:34

Used part of the Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand to just build one of the roll-away workbenches to work with my miter saw and table saw. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patio cooler/Grill cart!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 14:06

Great project! I'm new to wood working and have been looking for simple but challenging builds. Needless to say this fit the bill... This grill cart was a great starter build and ultimately became a Father's Day gift!  My Pops loved it! 

I did add a couple of custom pieces: a foldable table top extension and towel bar... things Dad will undoubtedly need as he's an outdoorsman who loves to BBQ!

Thanks for the idea/design plans! 

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss spar urethane (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by danicarby on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 06:59

I built these side tables with a friend. We under estimated the time it would take by a long shot! We estimated that with the both of us it took 15+ hours to complete. We spent $120 on all the wood, paint and hardware for both. It was a lot of work and the most time consuming part was the finish (sanding, painting, sanding, painting, clear coat, sanding, clear coat, sanding, clear coat). In the end, it was worth it! They turned out so cute!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Creme Spray Paint, Ebony Minwax Stain for top and shelf, and Spray Polyurethane. We sanded in between all the layers for a smooth finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kids Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 04:46

This was my first time building a chair. The plans were so easy to follow. The kids size fits an average child up to about age 5 or 6. If I were to build again I would add a bit of height to the backs so they could fit them even longer. My granddaughters aged 3 & 5 just loved them.

Built from Plan(s)

Planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/26/2023 - 07:47

Hi Ana. Been a fan of yours. My name is Ed. Wood working is my hobby. And its always nice to look at your plans, and put my own spin on it. My wife wanted a planter for our deck. So I tweaked your plans and made them a little bigger. I Also built her a herb garden too. With these new planters; it should put a stop to the rabbits eating everything.

Thanks for your inspiration.

Comments

Composite/Plastic Wood Little Kids Picnic Table

Submitted by katonca on Tue, 03/20/2012 - 15:49

I used some leftover boards from our composite deck for the surface part of this picnic table. I used a lot of Kreg joints to screw up into the boards from underneath, so I didn't have many exposed screw heads. I did have to redesign this plan slightly for me because of my composite board width. Ended up costing $5 for the 1x3 spruce, and I finished it with primer and exterior latex paint leftover from painting our garage doors.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and exterior latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

adirondack chair of Ana

Submitted by pattyitaly on Sun, 04/13/2014 - 03:28

Hi
I am still working on my portico furnitures..but as we have changed the colour of our Home, I have decided to change the colour of sofa ( terrible decision) and than to build the adirondack chair for Home depot of Ana to be part of the ensemble.
Thanks Ana. I love it.
I used the same project just changing two small things ( a small support under the arms and making the arms more similar to the original adirondack chair. I used the oxydizing solution to paint and it is a great stuff!
ciao patty
p.s. I already posted the sofa is always Ana's project.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
oxydizing solution
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

$12.00 Cedar Fence Picket Planter

I followed the plans exactly. The only difference is I used my Ryobi Airstrike brad nailer instead of stapler. Lowes was slightly higher in price than the $10.00 on Ana's post but at $11.97 it wasn't too far off!

Estimated Cost
11.97
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Shoe Dresser

I had this space in my mudroom that was a perfect spot to make a custom shoe dresser. I adjusted the plans I found on this website to custom make storage for shoes. Now this weird little space is functional.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum chalk paint Serenity Blue, classic grey and special walnut Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Penney's Sewing Table

Built the sewing table for my wife Penney. It has a work surface that is 36" x 60" and is 32" high.

Used 3/4" Baltic Birch and used premium pine to add edge banding. Used 1/4" plywood for a back to the sewing table to add strength and I think helps the look of the table. My Kreg Jig was used everywhere possible when assembling the case. Used full length piano hinges with #6 x 5/8" screws to attach the leaves to the table. Made the doors using premium pine with a plywood panel. For the legs, I used folding, locking leg brackets from Lee Valley to attach the 1-1/2" square poplar legs. The casters are 3" double-locking from Woodcraft. 

Went a little over budget, but it turned out very nice and she loves it. 

Thank you for the easy to follow plans. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$275
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Advance Paint semi-gloss. Sprayed 3 coats using HVLP sprayer of both white and green. Used Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primer - 2 coats sanding between the coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wife's Kindergarten Classroom

Been a while since I had time to actually build anything worth posting about! My wife wanted some items for her Kindergarten classroom this year, so built several items, most inspired by the Farmhouse family.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sido17

Thu, 07/18/2019 - 15:27

I would love the dimensions or plans for this. Would love to make it for my classroom.

dlee69

Tue, 07/30/2019 - 12:07

Hello

Can I please get the plans to the u shape table?

Thanks

Linguine

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 12:09

I am guessing the corner posts are 2 x 4s, the top is 2 x 10s.  It looks like the width is 6’ (looking at the floor carpet tiles being 24” square). So 2 - 2 x 10s side by side for the main part of the desk top and 2 - 2 x10s perpendicular on each side of the chair.  I guess the height is subject to choice and the length of each side would also be subject to choice or to the length of the 2 x 10s to be economical.

 

an educated guess would be 4 - 8’  2x10s for the top and 6 - 6’ 2 x 4s for the legs?  

 

Anyone else have any input here?  Open to suggestions.....

Added a board for higher beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/26/2017 - 13:09

I added a board on the height of the beds to make it easier for an older person (me!). The plan came together beautifully, and I did all the work myself.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Garden Trellis

Submitted by mtairymd on Tue, 05/12/2015 - 17:38

Video of the Build:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH3ABM3X3uE

Build Instructions:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Garden-Trellis/

This adjustable garden trellis for cucumber/pea/bean vines is a quick project for the vegetable garden. The trellis gets the vines off the ground and is more productive in less space. No giant rotting cucumbers to find three weeks after the rest have matured. It is made from small lumber and twine. Paint is optional but gives a nice pop of color. Just in time for the rapid growth of summer!

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Wooden Play Parking Garage

Submitted by DMax2010 on Fri, 06/21/2013 - 14:23

I was looking for a wooden parking garage plan for my little guy, but couldn't find one! I looked a bunch of the dollhouse plans for inspiration and found a wooden toy garage online that I based my plans on. I still need to add the ramps and a few more parking spots, but my son loves it! It has an elevator (need to refine it) and helicopter landing zone!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalkboard paint for parking levels, regular orange craft paint for the elevator
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DMax2010

Sat, 06/29/2013 - 09:53

My son loves little cars and parking garages, so it was fun to do.

terdickison

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 11:26

I love this! I want one. Better hide this screen before the kid sees it and gets some ideas :)

snoopy369

Tue, 02/25/2014 - 10:05

Hi, curious if you ever finished the project. I'm planning to do something similar next week and would love to see the finished project (and plans if you made them!)

Modern slatted bench

Submitted by Whimwhams on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 11:51

I made this for my sister the day before her house warming party. It was a pretty easy build. I used wood glue and 2" nails. Using a nail gun, this came together pretty quickly. I do wish that I had wide enough clamps to hold everything in place while it dried, because there were a few gaps due to some imperfect boards. I used 104" stud length boards, so I only need to purchase 7 instead of 9. this was enough to make the cuts for the top and both leg pieces from each board. the price was the same and we had limited space in our van for boards, so this was a better option for us. I used a sprayer hooked up to an air compressor to apply the stain and was able to get in between the slats fine with this method, brushing over it as I sprayed. Luckily I chose the same color as her deck not knowing, so it matches great. Now I need to make one for myself! :)

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

doll high chair

doll high chair with movable tray

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1. prime
2. tray: Behr swiss coffee
3. chair: Behr frosted lemon
4. seal Minwax clear stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Country Desk

I wanted a good solid desk for my office and I thought these plans were perfect. The wood, screws, paint, and stain all cost less than $30. Instead of using 2x4's for the top I used a solid piece of aspen. I then stained the top and painted the bottom white.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple 2x4 Bench

Submitted by jennibee on Sun, 09/14/2014 - 17:03

I made this in an afternoon. Loved this project. It is made with 2x4's using a Kregs Jig and mitre saw (plus additional tools like a drill and square).  This was my frist time using the Kregs Jig and I am sold!!

The free plans were taken from another website. They are very detailed and there is even a video (I recommend it as he gives a great tip for making sure the back stays equal/level to each other before putting the back on). Even though you can build this by yourself, I did have help for the heavier sides once they were assembled.  I plan to build the additional side table soon and finish them both with sanding and staining when the weather seems less iffy for rain.

If you are looking for a good beginner project that doesn't take forever or have complicated steps, this is your project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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