Community Brag Posts

Family Organization

Submitted by red98dawg on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 09:39

I loved the post from Lady Goats on the PB inspired daily system and the modifications from debandtom25!
I knew this was an answer to clean up our counter, before items even make it to the counter this is right at the door when you walk in our house!

I didn't use a picture frame but used plywood with molding of my choice for the "frame." I selected paint at Home Depot and just purchased the sample paint in three different colors. The wording was done on a computer and used as a stencil (cut the letters into contact paper, stuck contact paper on and painted).

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Purchased the sample paint in three different colors, will post colors later.
Final coat in Rust-Oleum clear gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Treated Outdoor Beverage Table

Submitted by Niemann04 on Wed, 06/04/2014 - 12:03

This project was inspired by the post I found on Ana-White.com however I changed some of the dimensions and cut list to make it my own. I built one of these for my Mother and her and her friends keep talking about it to this day.

Estimated Cost
$145.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor entertaining
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sliding Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/06/2016 - 10:42

Our own mix for the sliding door console.  Stained the entire unit with Jacobean stain, then light grey chalk paint.  Distressed with 150/220 grit and waxed.  Top and shelves are Jacobean with 4 coats of satin polyurethane.  Absolutely love how this came out.  Roughly $300 spend at home depot on all supplies.  Wife and I finished in about 17 hours this weekend.

Estimated Cost
300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Light Grey Chalk paint
Jacobean Stain
Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Painters shelf

Submitted by Krissymia on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 06:47

Whew! I am a total novice. I have never used a saw in my life, but with a little bit of instruction from my husband i was able to do it almost completely on my own. Even as a beginner i could have finished it in a full day, but i was trying to work on it during my daughters naps so it took almost a week!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

5th Project - Tilt Out Trash Can

This was my fifth project and it went pretty well. I ended up having to trim a little off the top of the door after I had it assembled because I wasn't paying attention to detail and built it to fit the back opening. It was pretty simple to size it down, though. I finished it off with some leftover black paint that I used for the top of my workbench last summer. Super happy with the way it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr black
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Potting Bench

I haven't put the finish on it yet, gonna leave that up to the recipient. Added a couple of modifications, most noticeably the top shelf, grated workspace, and "side panels" for extra mounting /hanging space. Great design! She's sturdy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I think the plan is to put a nice stain on it and then I'd like to give it a few coats of spar varnish. I'll try to add a picture once it's complete.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn Style Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/02/2024 - 10:05

Started the project last fall and finally finished it this Feb. Check out the cool weather station!

Built from Plan(s)

Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Dreifk08 on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:14

This site as ever so helpful and vital to the completion of these chairs. Honestly,this project was the first time I had taken stock lumber and constructed something from it. I am handy by my own account,but never attempted anything like this before. Great site. If not for Ana white and this website,I'd have 2 less chairs. It is very rewarding building something from scratch. I'm sure this was the 1st of many projects and ideas I will get from this site. A+++. Thank you very much.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and outdoor spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Children's chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/10/2016 - 09:44

Our son is learning cello and we were told he needed a 14" chair for practice, so this plan looked perfect. 

Other than tweaking some of the dimensions as the plan didn't seem to quite work, the only other change I made was to use wooden dowels instead of screws to give it a cleaner finish. 

Seems stable enough for me to sit on.

Estimated Cost
£10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet, but son wants it painted red
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Backpack Locker Cabinet

Submitted by jwerne2 on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 09:04

Thank you so much, Ana, for posting these plans. My husband built the storage locker in a few hours last Saturday. Our only modification was to use beadboard for the backing instead of plywood, and to switch out the 1x12's for 1x16 project panels to add depth so the backpacks will fit. I love how it turned out and now there is no more tripping over backpacks! I can't wait for our next project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Latex Paint, Furniture Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Family tree nesting bird sign

Submitted by JoleneE on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 16:34

I had a girls night in and we each made out our art using the nesting family tree sign. I put together the cedar fencing signs per Ana's instructions and we all brought supplies we had in the garage and we painted away! Thank you so much!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American (bike one), walnut (2 trees), chalk paint (moon)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Learning tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/12/2016 - 17:30

Built one for my niece, my daughter's is next!

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

Easy planter for first father daughter project

Submitted by johnpkuly on Sat, 06/27/2020 - 09:05

Determined to get back into woodworking, and teach my daughter some life skills, we set out to build something easy... and it was! She did almost all the measurements, cutting and nailing. I tried staining, thought we got a nice wood color but got grey instead. Still looked great. Thanks for the plans! So excited for our next project!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax waterbased stain and protectant.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Dresser Bed with Trundle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/15/2024 - 10:07

My wife and I were looking for a "Big Girl" bed for our 3yo. After searching online and in-person and coming up more disappointed each time, I found your website and plans for the captains bed with trundle and I knew it was something I could build! I've built 3 dining room tables with benches and other furniture before, and so I started getting materials together. I took a solid day to make sure my measurements were on point and a week later, we had the bed constructed. I couldn't stop there so I built a book shelf on top of an old cabinet we found to repurpose. Thank you for allowing us to share our projects with you!

Robert E. Lee King

Built from Plan(s)

Reclaimed Fence = Free Benches

These are made from the 4x4 posts, 2x4 rails, and slats from an old wooden fence that weren't good enough to re-use when we repaired the fence.

It's close to the Simple outdoor bench, but I simplified the plan even more to take advantage of the pile of free lumber. Or maybe it's the Simple Outdoor Dining Table ... but a lot shorter.

CAUTION: Be careful to remove ALL nails, screws and bolts from the lumber you are reusing. If you can't get the metal out, mark that area and figure out a cut that won't hit it.

TIPS FOR RECLAIMED LUMBER:
* Trim the ends of the lumber square before you measure.
* Don't try to salvage split or rotted wood. Trim it off and see what you can do with the good bits.
* Plan your cuts so you have the least waste.

TOOLS:
10" Miter saw
Wood glue
Nail gun, with 2 1/2 and 1 1/4 inch 16gauge nails for gun (You could use deck screws if you have them)
Surform Pocket plane (wood rasp from Stanley tools)

CUT LIST:
For one bench, 21x36

NOTE: To cut a 4x4 cleanly with the 10" miter saw, put a thin shim behind each side of the 4x4

4 4x4 post scraps, 18 inches long (legs)
2 2x4 18 inches long (sides)
2 2x4 36 inches long (front and back rail)
10 fence slat pieces, 21 inches long (cut to fit the top after it is assembled)

ASSEMBLY:
See the picture of the underside of the bench:
1 - Square up the legs with the end pieces, glue and nail.
2 - Square the sides with the legs, so the legs are inside the 2x4 apron, glue and nail.
3 - Align the 2 end slats with the edges of the bench and nail through them into the 2x4 apron
4 - Space the rest of the slats on the top, leaving 1/8 inch or so etween the boards for drainage. Nail them to the 2x4 apron.

FINISH: Use the wood rasp to round the cut ends of the slats and 2x4s. Rasp with the grain to avoid raising splinters. Lightly rasp the tops of the slats to smooth any really rough spots.

A table or maybe a buffet is planned, with the same construction method, but a bit taller. Tables are 26-29 inches, most buffets are 36". It depends on what will make best use of the remaining bits.

Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tilt-out recycling sorter --Modified Build

I attached the tilt out portion using a Kreg jig and eventually removed the brace (it wasn't necessary and removing the brace gave it a cleaner look.

I used 2 x 2 as a trim around the outside which also allowed me to hide the hinge.

Other than that -- followed the build pretty closely. I used a cable on either side to stop the tilt out from falling to the floor (which allows me to leave it open as well.

This was my first project and it was a battle to figure out how to install the hinges and I did not love my jig saw work with the plan feet so I bought and installed furniture replacement feet which turned out much nicer (IMO).

Good luck!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Java Gel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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