Community Brag Posts

I love the look of this bookshelf, thank you so much for the idea.

I definitely recommend to cut the crossing boards each at a time as they differ even if in milimiters.

We followed the plans for the A-frame chicken coop very closely, and then modified it a bit at the end.

1. Trim was added to two doors on each side, as suggested. They are secured with latches at the top, more to keep them from falling open than to keep critters from getting in. We used 2x4x10's instead of 2x4x8's on the middle horizontal rail, giving us foot-long handles on each side. My husband and I are able to move the coop about 15 feet at a time, which is pretty good considering it is STURDY!

2. We used 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, as suggested by one commenter (and lots of others in blogland).

3. I cut 1/4" plywood to fit the loft space and coated it with vinyl stick-on tile. This should make it easier to clean. We didn't screw down the plywood, so if we have to, we can remove it to hose it off/scrub it.

4. I cut a triangle of plywood to make an egg door at the end of the roost. It hinges at the bottom (with a 2x4 ripped into a 1x4 to cover the hardware cloth and provide a mounting spot for hinges) and latches at the top. I plan to use cotter pins or something to secure the latch. There is also a piece of untreated 1x4 held in place with tabs at the egg door to prevent bedding from falling out once it's converted to the nesting box (I'm planning to get pullets, not ready to lay yet, so they won't even have a tempting nest box)

5. There was no bottom door in the plans (to allow free-ranging), so I cut a piece of 2x4 to make a triangle against the bottom (same size as the egg door). It folds out (just like the egg door) and will allow the chickens easy access to the yard. We do have hawks in our neighborhood so free time will always be supervised. We also have a dog (who I coaxed into the coop for the main picture, haha!) who will need supervising. She's been around chickens before but you never know what will make her turn on them!

6. There was also no roost in the plans (although if you look at Ana's coop, there is a 2x4 across the middle of the side walls). I had a leftover closet rod, so I mounted that in the covered section parallel to the ladder. The ladder was shifted to the side. For the ladder, I just used a piece of cedar fencing and cut 2 48" dowels into 4 pieces each, and secured those with screws from the underside. I hope my chickens will be able to get up the ladder!

7. I also made a tube feeder from PVC and a dog bowl, and am working on a nipple waterer. Will update post when those are finished!

Now I just have to get some hens! I've been searching craigslist and can't wait!

I took the pony wall idea and went with it.

Not the prettiest but extremely effective. I think my entire kitchen will be all Ana White by the time I finish….what an inspiration she is! Thank you!

This was such and easy project. It went together in a few hours. The hardest (and most time consuming) part was finishing it. I detailed the build process on my blog if you'd like more info.

Flip down tray added for computer keyboard.

Wanted some easy storage shelving that didn't break the bank.  These were perfect!  $79 is what it cost for ours (which includes the $20 Kreg Jig).  Lumber was only $58.68 and I bought and extra 8 foot 2x4, so it could have been slightly cheaper!  

After finishing my boys' new John Deere room and tractor bunk bed (also posted), I saw this plan and thought it would be the perfect thing for some extra toy storage.

Yes, I know, barns are supposed to be red. Everything else in the room is John Deere green and I had paint leftover, which is not cheap. So green it is! I used my new paint sprayer for the first time on this project and am thrilled with it. I would recommend it to anyone who dislikes painting as much as I do. I bought the Wagner Flexio 590 which comes with a detail sprayer as well as the full size and I'm very happy with both.

Thanks to Ana for the well laid out, easy to follow plan and also for helping me create a big boy room that my boys love!

I wanted a table with storage, I added a couple extra "shelves" This was the easiest design to do this with. Just be sure to add from the top shelf to the bottom if you are using a Kreg Jig. You might want to pre-paint also . My shelves are 5 inches apart to fit perfectly my little flat style containers for art stuff and playdough.

We built three base units-each with different storage options and used the corner desk plans. Then created our own long desk top using a 6ft long board and using a jigsaw to create an open space for the sewing machine. 

This was my first project using an Ana White plan....Modified it a bit...quite happy with how it came out...it was very low cost to make and a lot of fun.

I made the countertop with 2 plywood boards screwed together and topped the stainless steel with heavy duty adhesive.  I adjusted the plans a little to accommodate my space.  Thanks for the plans!  It was a fun build!

When I decided to build a woodshed I was freaked out because I've never done anything even remotely like this.  I struggle with precision and patience, which made this project seem overwhelming as I knew I had to do a lot of prep work to properly level the ground, measure the wood, learn how to operate a saw, calculate angles to cut, etc...  I did a lot of research online and found this simple blueprint a great starting point.   I made some adjustments since i needed a much bigger shed, it's 11.5' x 7' x 7'.  Also, I already had the wood resting on pallets so I just build this shed around the wood with no built in floor.  Overall, I'm thrilled with how it turned out!

When I showed this kitchen island plan to my wife, she said she wanted it, but with a vertical drawer on the side...  Me, I wanted to modify the drawers and shelf to use the full width of the kitchen island.

I had to modify the plans a little bit more because it's built 100% from maple. Since my maple lumber is 1"1/8 thick after planning, I could not get exactly the 2x4 size obiviously.

The sides (behind the X), and the top are boards that I glued together (laminated).

The drawers have X "signs" to copy the X design on the sides of the kitchen island.  First I made a frame around the panel, and then added a X inside.  It may seems rough to get the right angle for the X, but I found a trick!  I measured the angle with a rope from side to side of the panel.  I set the mitter saw to this angle and never touched it again.  To make the opposite angle (center of the X), I cut a scrap of wood with this angle, reverse this piece of wood and cut the X decoration while holding it side by side with the piece of scrap wood. 

Another little modification:  the drawers have full extension sliders for smooth operation..

thanks for the plans :-)

Eric, Quebec, Canada

Made this coop in a weekend. $140 in material. Still a bit of work to do.