Easy to build workbench. I added an extra 2 1/2 inches (width) to the top plywood cut. This gave me a 1 1/4" lip to the front and back sides. I wanted to be able to clamp on all sides of the bench. Also added casters since I wanted to use this as an outdoor table for entertaining if needed and to simply have mobility with the bench. So far I love it!
I followed the Rustic X Tall Bookshelf plan to make a set of bookshelves for my husband for Christmas! It was my second ever woodworking project. The plan was really easy to follow and so fun to make! I ended up using an additional shelf piece on the very top for a more modern spin on it. I also bought a pocket hole jig to use on this project. I'm happy with how it turned out!
We do not have a garage yet, so this size works great to push out of the way when not being used and pull out for a workbench and also to extend the table top for the saw. The plans were easy to follow and easy to modify. I added a base made of 2x4’s to make it sturdier since it will be moved across a deck vs a level floor. I also added some boards behind the shelf to keep things from falling out the back and adjusted the height to match the table saw top. Next up will be a router table stand to replace the camping footlocker.
I made this shelf with hooks a few days ago. Modified the overall length.
Zenski Farm
We needed some storage by the back door for shoes and dog accessories so it would be easier for us to take our dogs out for walks. I saw the plan for the shoe dresser and thought it would be great since we would be storing shoes in it. I made it narrower to fit our space and also made it deeper. The cost was mostly in the hardware.
I recently moved to Boulder, CO and finally have a garage where I can actually work on projects. Since I moved here with practivally nothing, I decided I should build my own bed. This is probably one of the most ambitious wood working projects I've attempted. I also tend to be slightly anal, so I've probably spent way more time on this project than most people have or will.
After reading the plans and other Brag Posts, I felt I was ready to start. I ordered the Kreg Screws, and a few other supplies I would need for the Project on Amazon and was off to the races. Several trips to Home depot to get various pieces of wood, (since I wasn't going to fit it all in my Subaru in one go), I finally had most of the lumber for the bed frame. Let me tell you, it's not easy getting straight pieces of lumber (as mentioned before, I'm a little anal). I decided to go with oversized lumber, since I would have more usable leftover pieces for other projects.
I spent several hours after work during the week, and several more on the weekend, sanding down all the lumber with 60 Grit, then applied the first coat of Stain, to raise the grain. I was out of town for the weekend, and let the stained wood sit in my garage while gone. When I got back, I noticed a lot of marks which I didn't notice before staining. Some of these were from the belt sander I used to knock down really rough parts of some of the lumber. But most of the marks were because I put too much pressure on my random orbital sander.
Lesson learnt: Sanding takes time, and patience! DO NOT press down hard on the sander, if you don't want marks on your wood. These marks will be significantly more prominant after staining.
I decided to sand everything again, 60 grit, then 100, then 150. I gotta say, the wood feels so much nicer to touch and I'm glad I decided to re-sand. I spent a few hours after work to get most of the head board pieces done, but noticed that the 2x4 had warped beyond repair... I'm going to get the upper and lower 2x6 pieces ready to assemble with my kreg jig this weekend, and then decide if I want to add a 2x4 in the middle like the plans call for.
I decided to go with just 2x6s for the headboard, I used the Kreg Jig to put it all together, I also attached 4 supports made of some scrap Plywood I got from my neighbor for the headboard.
I stained it all with a Staining pad twice, then applied 3 coats of Poly with a brush. I didn't sand between coats since I was applying very thing coats and I had already sanded everything down with 150 grit.
Fri, 03/02/2018 - 19:17
Sick job dude! What stain is that? I like the color of it and might use it for mine. Did you notice a stain odor at all after applying the stain and covering it with the poly?
Fri, 08/09/2019 - 13:22
This bed is super gorgeous!! Thank you so much for sharing photos!
My wife and I were looking for a larger table for our deck and after searching and seeing that everything out there was 300 dollars and up for something decent I decided I would try building something. This table was perfect for our needs and looked easy enough for me to put together. The most time consuming part was staining all of the boards as I went but it was totally worth it in the end. I also deviated from using screws and used my nail gun along with some glue to put the top frame together and the slats on but I did use some 2inch deckmate screws to attach the legs. One problem I did run into was I was about half a board short on the slats which wasn't a big deal just ripped one on the table saw, not sure if I miss measured or what but either way. We love our table and will entertain around it for years to come.
Decided our old play set needed an addition, landed on these plans of Ana's. Sat on them and mulled them over for months. Once the wife said something about adding on to it I made the purchases needed. Connected the two platforms with a bridge. I used 4"x4"x10' for the runners, same boards as the decking for the platform of the bridge(5/4"x6"), 2x4's and 1x4's for the railing. If you look at the 3rd photo, I had to chisel out the 4x4 post to get the 2"x6"x12" support to fit correctly. This should measure 2"x6"x13". Another change I made was to cut the bottom and top trim pieces longer on the front and back sections so that the trim would cover the framing of the gable end walls (see last photo). my son wanted windows so I faked in some windows with scrap 2x2's. I used 2x6's as supports from the 4x4's to the 2x6 framing (see photo 3) I added the monkey bars about a month before deciding to do the platform/deck and playhouse. The ladder is based loosely off of a couple of plans I found online. I was able to do all of this work myself except for the roof. Need my dads help to lift the plywood, he then helped me with the rest of the roof.
My sister was in love with my 4x4 truss table i made and needed a patio table so we decided to take one day to make 2 tables, one for each. We convinced both daddys to take care of the kids while we made the table by telling them the tables were gonna have beer coolers inside! Attaching the to of the table was a lot a job. If you plan of doing this you really want to have a kreg jig. It works well, we love it. I made a bench to go with it. I made my how plan for it.
This was my first project at building some sort of furniture. we wanted a stool that really fits out toilet bowl shape, the height, etc. and 2x6's worked perfectly. I could have bought 2x12's for the sides, but it would have cost significantly more and with the inside support board it is plenty sturdy.
I bought 2# 2"x6"x6 foot coarse pine boards from Home Depot (not the expense Select Pine boards. They cost about $6 each. Then I bought a 100 count package of Kreg 1.25" coarse screws.
Cut lengths
2 @ 15 3/4" for lower sides
2 @ 10 1/4" for upper sides
5 @ 14" for steps and fronts
1 @ 12 1/2" for inside support
I used my Kreg Jig and connected all the pieces along with wood glue. I sanded the whole thing down after and tried to round/smooth the corners.
Tue, 03/01/2016 - 10:29
Does anybody have plans for a potty seat. I would like to build a childs chairs that has a ptty
This was my biggest build yet and these plans along with being able to see a few brag posts with modicifactions made this project less intimidating. I extended the coop in order to add a walk in door. The drop down doors on both sides will give plenty of access and help with cleaning. I've added door latches to all the doors since putting it in place. My dad provided the cedar so that greatly reduced my costs. This project took about six days to complete. The fun part was getting it out of my carport : ) This was built for my daughter's chickens and she is thrilled with it. So am I! Thanks for the plans Ana!
Followed the DIY changing table plan!
Solid garden lounger and side table to match our garden chairs and table.
Made from the Camp Loft Bed plans. Added some additional strength with 4x4 legs instead of 2X4 and added some additional supports underneath for the rambuncious kid that was going to be using it.
Also since the room was small, it was made to be dismantled with a ladder instead of the stairs.
Fun little project for a friend who is also expecting another. So it looks like we will expand this loft bed for future expansion.
Made a few adjustments to the farmhouse toy box. Made it a little bigger and added Xs out of 1x2s around it to give it a little extra something! I'm using it as a storage coffee table and I couldn't be happier with it! So in love!
Made this bed from Ana's plans. Modified it with rail so I can add my box spring. Cost was approximately $160 for lumber, screws and stain. Absolutely loved the plans and easy to follow or modify if needed.
Tue, 02/23/2021 - 20:12
This is gorgeous! Is there anyway you could post your modifications? Very nice work!!!
I built this A-Frame Chicken Coop using the Ana White plans. It turned out adorable, strong, and I am very pleased. Final cost was $250, and it took me 4 days (in real time, as a mom of 3). One Saturday at Lowes shopping, one Sunday afternoon cutting, and two days of assembly. Then a 5th for painting. Give or take a dozen extra runs to the hardware store! My brother-in-law helped cut the angles on his miter saw, and my uncle helped with assembly. I kinda doubt this could be done for $100 - maybe if you have a bunch of scrap materials and spare paint. We even have 7 or 8 hens in there! I only intended 3 to live in it, but my uncle added the extras and they all get along happily. I found the roof cap at Home Depot (didn't find at Lowes).
I would also like to point out that I was very afraid to do carpentry - I was afraid to even buy the lumber. But I asked for a lot of help from a lot of Lowe's and Home Depot people, and resisted the naysayers, and just got brave and did it. And it came out beautifully! If you are new to using power tools, get someone to assist, and you would need help anyway with holding things up while another drills.
Wed, 05/22/2013 - 11:59
As an extra note, I used Hardware cloth, not chicken wire. Wire will not keep dogs or predators out (and my dog immediately tried but failed to claw his way in). I bought I believe 36 inch tall rolls - the standard size that I could tell (not 30 inches like in the plans). But it fit perfectly, so I think maybe the plans had a typo? Lay out the lumber according to the plans and it will fit perfectly.
Wed, 05/22/2013 - 21:33
Very nice! Hardware cloth is definitely the way to go.
I built this set of cube shelves for my 3 yr old son's room. THANK YOU, ANA! I used poplar as I did not want to paint the wood and I love the irregular pattern of the wood grain. To save money, I used pine for the inner shelves and dividers. I stained it using the oxidized solution (http://www.friendly-home.net/2012/05/oxidized-x-console.html) that Ana recommended from the instructions of the Rustic Console. I added a cup of coffee to the solution to get a darker browner shade and unevenly sanded the wood for the distressed look. It matches the poplar wood more so than keeping the pine wood as is.
I also created a 5-tier version to match the 6 cube shelves but did not include the legs. I thought it would be more stable to keep the lower frame on the ground.
I purchased the storage boxes from Amazon It was around $20 for 6 boxes!
I am ready for the next project!
Thanks Ana, I built your planter box, actually built 2 of them, one for each mom. The were a huge hit and I already have people asking me to build them one.
So loved building this planter box. Thanks for all you do for your fellow woodworkers!
Dale G
Callahan, FL
Tue, 05/10/2022 - 07:05
Love these, wonderful idea for a mother's day gift, thank you for sharing!
