Community Brag Posts

Pet Stairs

Submitted by alli2410 on Tue, 03/13/2018 - 06:26

I needed sturdy stairs for my 2 60lb dogs.  My bed is 33 inches from floor to top of mattress.  So, this is my very first project completed by myself!  Custom size pet stairs 24inx24inx24

Estimated Cost
$40-50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades Espresso gloss (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Cedar deck box

Submitted by JMG on Wed, 07/06/2022 - 19:47

I had to modify these plans to use what I had on hand. I used left over cedar fence pickets (planed down and sealed) and adjusted the size to fit all my outdoor cushions. Overall dimensions are 49" wide x 28" deep x 26" high. I also used 2x4's instead of 2x2's because that is what I had in my shop. I added 1x3's around the top to fit snugly instead of using hinges (again trying to use what I had on hand). We get A LOT of rain in the summer so hopefully the cushions will stay dry. I also added some screen left over from the screened in porch to the bottom before adding the "floor" to keep bugs out. I just stapled it to the frame before adding the floor boards. I did add a piece of treated 1/4" plywood under the top in hopes of keeping the rain out.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Corner Desk Build

Submitted by eahodges on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 12:15

This was all my husband - he did a great job using the modular desk plans to customize (its a bit larger) this desk for our office. He finished it this past weekend so not much on it yet!

Comments

Chestwick Bed

Submitted by thairese on Sun, 10/20/2013 - 18:44

Changed the dimensions to fit a King size bed. Also lowered the 2x4 support studs so that they were flush with the bottom of the frame in order for the bed to sink in more. What should have took only a day was spread out over a week. I'm more Al Bundy than Tim Taylor. NFL break here, NFL break there.. two kids, etc etc. Anyways, I rushed the moulding part because it was Sunday and now I gotta go back and fill in gaps caused by rushed measurements. Still looks pretty good though. Thanks Ana!

-Thai

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Martha Stewart Black paint from Home Depot
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bunk Bed Shelf

Submitted by Medickep on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 13:11

I made this simple Bunk bed shelf so all the stuff my son stored on the headboard, wouldn't keep falling off. It was easy to make and I painted it while working on another project. and I used spray paint to get the orange on a little easier!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint, primer and color. Waited 20 minutes between coats and did the whole thing in one setting.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

dkkachik

Mon, 10/21/2019 - 19:12

My daughter asked for a shelf for her bunkbed—something to hold her glasses, IPad, and retainer case.  And maybe a book or two.  Thanks to Ana White and free plans...I made the shelf that others have made.  thanks!

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/26/2023 - 12:25

I used treated lumber for my project. One chair took me 2 to 3 hours from start to finish and the 2nd chair went a lot faster! The plans were so easy to follow, Thanks Ana!

- Built by Kara

Comments

4x4 Truss and Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/15/2023 - 09:53

4x4 farmhouse beam table using pressure treated lumber, made a little longer to accomodate 6' church pews, so pleased with the build, best part, it took me 3 hrs to complete!

Corrina Kelly

Built from Plan(s)

Our Daughter's 7th Birthday Gift

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/21/2016 - 10:30

We used the site plans and then added on more trim (front, around the roof and the corner pieces - plus "crown", "baseboard" and "chair rail". 

Estimated Cost
I purposefully did not keep track so that I could be in denial when we were done :).
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Goose1078

Sun, 11/20/2016 - 17:26

Hi,  the house looks great!!  What did you use for the crown and base? 

 

Thx, 

Frank 

Kids Loft Playhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/06/2023 - 09:11

My Kid loved his new bed, I made an extra storage for his toys in the space under the bed so he can play.

Juan Carlos C.

Built from Plan(s)

Garden Tool Storage Rack

Submitted by kwildman on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 20:45

This isn't an Ana White plan but I've learned so much from this site that I designed and built this garden tool rack. Its pine 2x4 construction. I love it!

It is 84" tall x 72" long x 26 wide (opening) and 48"wide for garden tool hangers.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Podium for My Wife's Classroom

This is my first try at building furniture. I've built larger things in the past like decks and a fort for my nephews, but never furniture. Even though I used the plans to build the main box, I did change up the bottom and added some new stuff. I added wheels to the bottom my wife could easily move it around her classroom. I didn't want to put a square base on it because I thought it might hit her ankles when she was standing close to it. So I sort-of notched it out to give an opening for her feet and I used some scraps to create a short shelf at the bottom. I also added more trim that the plans call for. I cut strips of the pine plywood for the base molding and topped it with quarter round. I used corner trim for the front corners, the self inside and the bottom notched shelf. I also used screen trim for the back of it. I think it came out nice and I've very pleased with it. I used 2 coats of Minwax PolyShades American Chestnut on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax PolyShades American Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My version of the small chicken coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/07/2016 - 12:58

Plans for this coop were fantastic. It was a lot of work, but really fun to build.  As hard as I tried to keep the cost down, it cost probably close to $300 in materials, but it is well worth it compared to the quality of similar priced premade coops.  I did not want the garden bed, so I enclosed the run fully with hardware cloth. I also added a 2" lip around the cutout in the floor so they wouldn't push all of the bedding down the hole. 

Estimated Cost
~$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Lady Goats

Wed, 09/07/2016 - 13:17

I just got your email and had to run over to check it out. Looks great!! That was a great idea to add the lip to the opening (am I weird for not using bedding in the coop? We just have the painted floor that we scoop out every day). 

The red roof and the flower box are making me swoon <3

Tapered Wood Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:53

Made this for our patio area very fun build, my wife loves it so of course she wants another one! Back to the wood stove.

Blair K

Built from Plan(s)

Tapered planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/13/2020 - 07:40

Next time, I will cut the 1x2 and 1x3 at the 5 degree angle to match the top and bottom planes...
Thanks for the idea! It is great

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
30.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded with 80 grit and clear polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wooden Sandbox with Convertible Bench / Cover

I make and sell kids picnic tables on craigslist and a buyer asked about making one of these. I took it on and found the plans on here very easy! I now list these on craigslist also and hope to sell more before the summer is over.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none, until PT has dried
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sectional and Pallet Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/20/2016 - 17:56

Hi Ana! 

My husband used your plans to build the 2x4 outdoor cedar sectional :) He did it in 1 day and it couldn't have been easier! He even tried first time working with pallets to make a small table and it came out perfectly too! Can't wait to enjoy family time on our new back porch.

Thanks Again & Love From Austin ❤️

Kathleen 

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

meredithl

Thu, 10/24/2019 - 16:35

Hi, your furniture is beautiful.  May I ask:   Where did you find your cushions?  And what color/ brand stain did you use?  Lovely job.

Seasonal And Holiday

Work Bench Wall!

Submitted by JoanneS on Wed, 08/27/2014 - 16:23

Built a whole wall of work benches for my garage! Instead of one giant bench this is made as 3 separate benches, plus a rolling bench for the table saw. They are a combination of elements from 3 plans - - the Sturdy Work Bench, the Workbench to Get the Job Done, and the Simple Rolling Bar Cart.

The heights allow for the long pieces cut with the miter saw to rest on the side tables, and when using the table saw (it’s on wheels) the tables can catch the pieces as they push off from the back of the table saw. The bench top surfaces are at 36 ½” tall, which is the height of the “deck” of the table saw, and the miter saw table is 3 ½” shorter. The side table widths are sized to fit the wood on hand (one at 36” and one at 40”), and the center lower one is 40” wide to allow plenty of elbow room for cutting miters on the sliding miter saw. The table tops are 36” deep, which allows plenty of working room and space for the sliding miter saw. The table tops overhang 2” on the front and back.

The leg assemblies are made from scrap and left over wood from multiple projects we’ve done over the last couple of years, which includes regular and treated lumber (1x, 2x, and 4x4 pieces, and even some reclaimed 5/4 decking boards ripped down). The legs are a mixture of 2x4’s and 4x4 posts. The only lumber that wasn’t already on hand was some more 1x4’s for the shelf slats and the plywood for the tops. Since this is a work bench, the finish will remain au naturale. It does need some additional sanding on the sharp/pointy edges on the table tops though.

The blue caddy at the end of the left shelf holds my newest power tools – Ryobi One Plus 18V Airstrike nailer and compact drill/driver, with extra batteries. Woot!! Those came in really handy on this build!

For now the shelves have open bins and baskets, but the plan is to get closed (clear) bins with lids for all the things on the shelves, to protect everything from the sawdust.

The shelves are slatted so they wouldn’t gather such big piles of sawdust since the tables are open. I can just vacuum or use the blower at the bottom to remove the sawdust that falls through.

The table saw bench was an afternoon project, and the 3 benches took several hours spread out over 3 weekends. I'm delighted with how these turned out, and can't wait to use them for more projects!

Estimated Cost
$175 for 1x4s, sanded plywood and screws (the rest was already on hand)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Leaving this unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

HD

Thu, 08/28/2014 - 11:35

If you go to lumberjocks.com or any woodworker website, you can find shop tours by the hundreds. Of course, most of these shops are used by really dedicated amateur or professional woodworkers. It's been great to see inside the shops of "average jolene" woodworkers like me.

I have a garage that can maybe accommodate a shovel or a rake (but not both) so this workshop layout wouldn't work for me. BUT it's a great use of some of the designs on Ana's website and would be excellent for a double car garage or a "garage and a half" layout.

JoanneS

Thu, 08/28/2014 - 13:26

Thanks HD! Our garage quickly morphed right into a workshop shortly after we moved into our house. It's a single car width. Since we don't park vehicles in there, we use the whole front of it as a workshop. It started out with old tables and repurposed furniture pieces from the house as our workstations. My DIY dream would be to have the folks from that show "Garage Mahal" come over and do an awesome climate controlled space with a mega dust collection system, *sigh* :)

MrBroctoon

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 14:52

This great! I'm going to try to replicate 3 of those pieces. Thanks for the inspiration - awesome!

 

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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