Community Brag Posts

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

King Size Farmhouse Bed with Dog Stairs and Storage

Submitted by jkjackson on Sun, 05/30/2021 - 15:21

We have a frosty faced blind girl and an aging tri-pawed that we wanted to be able to continue snuggling with us so we adapted the Farmhouse Bed with Storage to make it a king size. We made the drawer boxes deeper which allowed us to get rid of our dresser to create more space in our room. And we added a flight of stairs for the pups.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes White Wash with Arm R Seal Oil Based Satin Finish top coat. (If you want the white wash to be more white and less amber, use water based.)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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

Playhouse big build

I went a little out of control on the week of the 4th of July - I set out to build a picnic table, 4 sling chairs, a deck and a playhouse - and I did!!!! I owe Ana a great debt of gratitude for these amazing plans and empowering me to do it! I built the picnic table and the sling chairs as I was waiting for primer and paint to dry on the frame, inside and outside of the house. For the shutters - I scrounged around the garage and found some leftover wainscoting, and put a leftover 1x2 on them. The door frame wasn't straight - so I added a piece of leftover trim from my daughters bed I built. My only next step is curtains for the windows. I even moved the full kitchen set I built the kids a few christmas's ago into their. They have only been playing with it for 2 days and I can't drag them out of it!!!

Estimated Cost
$500-$550
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Mudroom closet

Submitted by bozarthm1 on Mon, 01/04/2021 - 07:26

Converted this entryway closet to a Mudroom. Came out pretty good. Had to put a board stretcher on the top shelf after I cut it twice, to get it back to the original size. Still plan on making the rolling trundle drawers for underneath. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$70ish
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
primer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cedar Fence Picket Raised Garden Beds

I made these for my 81 year-old Grandma, and I will be making some for my own front yard soon. I followed the plans and ripped the fence boards instead of buying the optional 1x2s. My awesome dad showed me how to use the table saw, but the rest I did all by myself! We decided to leave them unfinished for a natural look. It took me about 7 hours total broken up to make all three, but this is my first project and I was slow. Thanks Ana, for inspiring this working Mom to pick up a hammer and get stuff done!

Estimated Cost
$13 per bed in fence boards
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Left unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Dog Crate with a twist...

Submitted by AlexO on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 19:08

I really liked the Large Wooden Dog crate but wanted the sides to be lower and wanted to make sure there was no easy chew escape.  Not sure if you can see from the photo but the cats have taken over... Will need to make a larger one for the dog!

I followed the plan pretty much other than lowering the panel on the side and replacing the wooden bars with rebar.  The rebar was a bit of a learning curve getting the holes lined up perfectly but I figured it out and I think it came out pretty good!

Used all pine 1x3 and 1x2s.  Picked up a pine panel for the top and the bottom is a 3/4 plywood. Made our own chalk paint for the finish and sealed it with wax.

Oh, forgot, added tongue and groove pine for the back and finished it and the top with Antiguing wax.

Lots of fun and I think I will make a double one next!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $100 if you don't count all the practice pieces for the rebar!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Chalk paint and antiquing wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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.....

Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/26/2023 - 15:26

We followed Ana's plans but went 1 ft taller on the pony walls to increase the height. We are so impressed with how it turned out. I'm excited to grow plants in Northwestern Ontario.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Rustic Queen Sized Wall Bed

Submitted by ldo2626 on Wed, 06/25/2014 - 09:09

Expecting our second child, my wife and I decided to do away with our guest bedroom and combine it with our office. The only problem was our queen bed took up way too much space and it didn't get enough use to justify the sacrifice. We looked at the wall bed options available for purchase and decided they were way too blah and very expensive. I then found the "A MURPHY BED YOU CAN BUILD, AND AFFORD TO BUILD" post on Ana's website (thanks for the inspiration)! 

 Using cheap pine boards, plywood, door hinges, vinyl upholstery and stain I constructed the wall bed you see here. It really wasn't that difficult but facing it took the most time. To give the boards a more rustic look I used a utility knife to shave off the edges/corners and stained them with the Minwax American Walnut water based stain and the Minwax White Wash Pickling. When this started we thought we were going to have to settle for something unattractive and less than desirable. Seeing it in our office now, we love our new bed and actually think it makes the room look much better!  I didn't keep track of costs, but it couldn't have been more than $150.

 

Estimated Cost
I didn't keep track of costs, but it couldn't have been more than $150.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax American Walnut water based stain and Minwax White Wash Pickling
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jwm816

Tue, 07/08/2014 - 08:08

Looks great! May I ask what the final outside dimensions were? Curious to see if this would work for me.

Thanks!

ldo2626

Wed, 08/06/2014 - 09:23

I would have to measure it when I get home... at work currently. Looking back, I think the best approach is to take the measurements from the plan, find the difference between standard mattress and queen mattress dimensions (check wikipedia for standard sizes), then add that difference back to the plan. I cut it real close on mine and could use a little more space. It would be nice to make it a bit deeper and with some head room to store comforters and pillows.

lopixy

Sun, 11/30/2014 - 18:10

I love this!  Could you give more details about how you did the facing?  Are the pine boards just nailed onto the plywood? 

chefrgk

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 12:59

I am dying to get started on this wall bed project. I keep getting this message when trying to open the Plans.

The page you are looking for is temporarily unavailable.
Please try again later.
can someone help me find them.

chefrgk

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 12:59

I am dying to get started on this wall bed project. I keep getting this message when trying to open the Plans.

The page you are looking for is temporarily unavailable.
Please try again later.
can someone help me find them.

nicolanala

Tue, 08/09/2016 - 15:24

Hi. I would love to try this. Looking to build in the next month before parents in law come over. Is there any working links to the plans??

josheli

Thu, 01/25/2018 - 13:06

click on the bed picture above and it will take you to the plans

 

Modified Corner Media Stand

I used the Tall Corner Media Stand plans as inspiration for this, but I didn't actually need it top be very tall, so I took off one of the shelves, and decided not to add the extra section for the cable box and what not.

I also liked the simplicity to it without all the trim, so I decided to leave the sides and top slats off and just stain it and add a 1x3 at the bottom for aesthetic purposes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85 (for lumber and stain. Already had screws/glue,etc.)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
MinwaX'S full collection: Pre-stain wood conditioner, English Chestnut stain, and clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DavidM1962

Sat, 04/16/2016 - 23:01

Any possibility you could have an option for metric measurements on your projects. I assume that there would be many more metric speaking nationalities besides me that would find this helpful. Your country, and a smattering of others, are among the only countries that still use the old Imperial system.

Kitty Outhouse

My first Ana White project. Built Ana’s awesome small cedar shed as an outhouse for our many cats. The have access to it from inside the house. Great way to keep litter boxes and the mess out of the house. It is stand alone, and attached to the house, in front of a bedroom window. There are two ‘entrances’ as well as two, one-way, escape hatches, if a cat in the outhouse is interrupted by another cat (I.e. a male cat comes in and the female feels trapped) they can exit to the outside (one way so no critters can come inside!). Ana has easy to build plans, great site! I plan on making the square table just posted today for my newly refurbished deck. Keep in mind, my estimated costs and time reflect a LOT of additional features on the inside. The shed itself, very easy, simple, inexpensive. Very little waste with Ana’s projects as well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
No finish, at least not yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Large Wood Storage Chest

Submitted by danicarby on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 07:25

I wanted a large chest to store toys, books or blankets. I wanted it to be cheap to build and be rustic. This project turned out perfectly! I used 2" and 4"-wide furring strips and rope for the hinges and handles. I used 1/4" plywood for the bottom and made a groove with the router for it to slide into while assembling. I helped 16 girls make these who had no previous experience and they loved it!

Estimated Cost
$20-$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Mixwax Stain and Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

benjaminrogers

Fri, 12/27/2013 - 06:21

Can you provide a lumber list for this? I know you said you used 2x4 but the lumber I see in the photo doesn't look like 2x4.

Thanks,

Ben

danicarby

Fri, 12/27/2013 - 07:17

Hi Ben!

I used 1x4's and 1x2's. I have a shopping list and cutting list on my blog. I can't post the link here but you can click on the link where it says "Blog Link" under "About This Project"

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Drop-Down Door Hutch Desk

Submitted by danicarby on Thu, 05/14/2015 - 13:47

I designed this desk from another desk I built. With this one, I wanted the overall foot-print smaller but still something that was able to organize all our office stuff and be able to close everything to keep it clutter-free. We have a small apartment, and although this desk is about the size of an up-right piano, it works perfectly into our living space!

I made it out of raw hardwood (Ash) and because I knew just the wood alone would make this desk heavy/bulky to move I made the top hutch removable. It's held in place by wood pegs (dominos). All the shelves are adjustable and the drawers are full-extension (something I've never had - wahoo)! The drop-down door is help up by 2 pull-out boards on each side (my first desk had chains). I spend a lot of money on this desk because I knew it was a chance in a lifetime to make and wanted it to be perfect and something that would last generations.

I built the main carcass off of plans/measurements I designed, but then all the insides, drawers, shelves, doors, etc where made as I built (because just a millimeter difference in building changes everything)!

If you want more pictures/descriptions of the building process I wrote about it in a 4-part series on my blog.

Estimated Cost
$1,000 for all wood & supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
To achieve the ash gray color I used "General Finishes" brand water-based stains (equal mixtures of Walnut, Antique Oak & Whitewash) with 1/2 ratio of Pre-Stain Conditioner (bought from Woodcraft). I did 2-3 coats stain, lightly sanded and sprayed 2 coats of Ceramithane clearcoat using HVLP sprayer (sanding with 550 grit paper in between).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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!)

Bubba's Modified Little Adirondack Chair

Submitted by Anneke on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 01:16

I built this chair for my son's second birthday this last Saturday! Even though it is not perfect I'm super happy with the outcome. :-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No Primer
Krylon Ocean Breeze Gloss Spray Paint
Sanded misc. edges
Made a mix of Minwax Jacobean stain with Clear Mixing Glaze - wiped that on for about 5 minutes and then wiped off
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Super Easy, Super Awesome! Thank you Ana & Ashley

Submitted by jhavinga on Tue, 03/18/2014 - 09:24

Loved this Coffee Table and wanted to suprise the wife for christmas, so being my first project I got started! had no idea what I was doing but they were great instructions, and the KREG JIG is AMAZING. altered the plans a bit to make it a rectangular coffee table (added 12 inches) instead of square to fit our living room better. Now to tackle the next project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used 2 different stains to get a brown/gray finish. just one coat of each!
Minwax Weathered Oak & Minwax Special Oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

MichelleC

Wed, 03/19/2014 - 07:39

I absolutely LOVE the finish on this, thank for sharing!!! For the estimated cost you put $100, is that without including the cost of the turned legs? Did you get the legs through Osborne? I think I NEED to make this coffee table and use that finish!

jhavinga

Wed, 03/19/2014 - 09:02

Now that you brought it to my attention you are absolutely right, I completely forgot about the cost of the legs. including the cost of those, it does come to $200 dollars, ill change that. I also did get the legs from Osbourne. As for the finish yes do it! I am really happy with how it turned out :) thanks again and let me know when your coffee table is done so i can check it out!

Cheers,
Justin

Mandybeck

Wed, 08/27/2014 - 21:35

This is absolutely beautiful!!!! Quick question... You said you used weathered oak and special oak for the stain. Did you mean special walnut? I can't seem to find special oak! Thanks!!!

usmcjeff7489

Fri, 07/17/2015 - 12:59

Being as yours is much lighter (and i like it more than the darker). Did you use the wood conditioner and how long did you leave the stain on for? it almost looks like once it was on you were wiping it off. Love it well done :)

Also, do any of you guys use the paste wax when finished? I was thinking about following the stain with some poly to seal it. any suggestions?

Thin Book Display Ledges

Using scraps I originally purchased from a Re-Use warehouse on my island (O'ahu), I put together two book display ledges for my daughter's bedroom. They are made with 2- 1x2s (lip and bottom) and 1- 1x4 (back). I was able to make two 28 3/4" ledges from first cut to installation in the 3 hours my daughter had gone on a "field trip" with my mom and brother and surprised her with new book ledges when she got home. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1.40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic (No VOC) Semi-Gloss White
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Easy and Fast DIY Garage Workshop

I used these plans and modified the height to create functional countertop and shelving in my garage. I added a little face framing too. Thank you for the inspiration Ana!

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

Comments

tarah

Thu, 03/26/2020 - 15:58

How do I access the plans used for this project? Thanks!