Community Brag Posts

Console Table

Submitted by ctummins on Sun, 07/12/2015 - 01:47

First table I've built. The Rustic X Console Table was fun and fairly simple. A little complicated since we live in Hawaii and decent cheap wood is difficult to come by. Makes my entrance way very inviting. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dress Up Center

Needed to get the girls Dresses out of the nursery, this will work.

Estimated Cost
100-150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

wider kentwood bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/31/2022 - 11:45

I made a wider bookshelf with reclaimed wood. Those wood slats 1*4 and 2*4 were from pallets .I used pocket hole to put them together. After painting, it looks much better.

Comments

JRSMRS's $50 Daybed Brag Post

The daybed took about 4 weekends, and started with a lot of trial-and-error. Around the 3rd weekend, and a lot of "redo-ing", it started taking shape! This daybed will go on our screen porch, along with the homemade outdoor pillows and mattress cover. This project was definitely frustrating at times, but has been well worth the effort.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pressure treated lumber for the frame, and 5/8" wooden dowels for the design.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Desk

Submitted by eralben on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 11:55

I made this desk for my wife's office space.  The plans for this desk are great and easy to follow.  The only change I made was I shortened the size of the desk top to fit in our space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Plus One Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 02/04/2018 - 08:29

This is one of my favorite puzzles so far. You are given 8 blocks that must be placed in a box. They will fit and the box will be "totally filled." Once you are done, slide the lid on the top to complete the puzzle. Your test subjects might feel pretty smart by knowing that they solved this puzzle within a few minutes. However, you have a surprise. Pull the extra piece from the lid and tell them to place it in the box. I've tested this puzzle with 20 people so far and the common response is "No Way!". But yep, it can be done.

This video shows the solution but doesn't answer the why. Do you see a difference?

https://youtu.be/D8V0wRFAoz8

 

Estimated Cost
Besides the box, everything was built with scrap wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Library Cart - Teachers Gift

Submitted by lollypoppy on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 09:32

The moment I saw this I knew it would be a perfect teachers gift for my daughters teacher. She loved it.
This was only my second project, the first being the 10 dollar ledges. I'm glad I tried a smaller project before tackling the farmhouse bed. I think it helped with just knowing how to assemble a project a bit better.
I used my Kreg Jig and it worked marvelous! Also I ended up not having a jigsaw so I just cut the top at a 35 degree angle with the miter saw and rounded the edges a bit with the sander. I was going to add handles but the top goes up enough that it's easy to manuever without. I also wanted her to be able to fit it in anywhere and was worried that the handles sticking out would just get in the way.
Overall I think it turned out great. Her teacher loves it. Thank you Anna for such wonderful plans!!

Krista

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy 2x4 Cubicle Shelf

This was the first project my husband and I attempted. I'm new to building but he has lots of experience. Went real well, I should have taken the advice though to measure and cut trim at the end. I did it at the start to get it sanded and we ended up needing to redo it all with new wood. So happy with the end result though, tons of storage for baby's toys.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

NannyGoat

Wed, 05/12/2021 - 20:02

Do you have the plans for this? It looks really great for my grandchild's toys.
THanks.
Nancy

Halltree

Submitted by worrow on Mon, 07/20/2015 - 11:45

My wife was dying to have me build her a halltree for the entryway in out house. She drew up some "blueprints" and we started building together. I know the finished project is dark but from the before pic you can visualize it.

 

I'm sorry for not having the plans up. I will get her "blueprint" scanned for everyone to use as this was our design.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

worrow

Mon, 07/20/2015 - 15:37

We used provincial by Minwax. My picture really doesn't do it the justice it deserves.

worrow

Mon, 07/20/2015 - 15:39

Finish is Provincial by Minwax, oh and satin polyurethane also made by minwax.

Console X Table

Submitted by Worrell16 on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 19:43

A lot of fun to try.  X’s were challenging, and used the pickled white washed stain for the first time.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Simple dark walnut with white wash stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x console table

Submitted by langlena on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 08:19

This was my first project! I love how it came out. Now my husband want the matching end tables. Can't wait to get started

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I followed the plans exactly. The stain that was used was minwax red mahogany and then I coated with a couple coats of polyurithane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Table w/ "Restoration Hardware" Finish

Submitted by AndyAlva on Fri, 09/06/2019 - 12:57

Loved how rad this table turned out. I wanted a mad beefcake table top -- so I chose 2x12s for a more industrial look. To get perfect seams and a completely flat surace for the table top, I planed each 2x12 multiple times, followed by many sessions in a jointer to get my edges to a beautiful 90 degrees. Once I had the top measured out to the length and width I wanted, I ripped the pieces down closer to a 2x10. Following that, I domino joined the pieces with a crap-ton of glue and clamped it for 2 days. To finish, I created an original 5-step stain process (including white wash) to get a weathered, Restoration Hardware-inspired final look. So stoked on it! (Wifey loves it too, so that's a huge win). 

-Andy 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Stains Used:
- Jacobean
- Classic Grey
- Weathered Oak

Varathane Stain:
- Briarsmoke

White Wash -- 80% Walmart Matte White, 20% Water
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Book ledges

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2022 - 14:54

I took your plans for the beginner book ledges and modified them for our 90 degree space. I had to learn about mitre and bevel cuts so that was fun.

I also learnt that when the wood is slightly warped it pays to be attentive to the eventual install and how stress will flow through the work.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Perfect Bookshelves

Submitted by BreBuskey on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 08:56

We were searching for the perfect bookshelves for our girls' room. We came across these bookshelves and decided to build them ourselves. In the end it worked out perfect! The book are easy enough for our 6 & 3 year old daughters to put away, they look amazing, and it was special building them with my husband as a gift to our daughters. You can find more info on the room and bookshelves on my blog www.brebuskey.blogspot.com

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

cooler for dads day

My dad made most everything I have ever had in life including the house I live in. So I wanted to make him something this dad's day that he could really use and enjoy. He just built a hang out place in his back yard that I call "his fort" Since he's in his 60's now and a little more mellow, he has a lot of little parties with friends, family, basically anyone who wants to come hang out in his back yard. lol. (He claims to have made the fort a covered stage for my 12 year old and his band. But I know the truth. hehe. it's his fort :) ) So I thought this cooler stand would come in handy. He saw me working on it a few days before fathers day and told me he was afraid I was gonna make his something girly. hehe. He's such a man's man. I love my pops and am soooo happy he likes my gift. Its already in use in the fort. hehe

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about $80 for wood, stain, polyspray and hinges and handles. I had the cooler and faucet spout and plastic tubing and screws already
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax "weathered oak" 3 coats on the pine 2 on cedar. Sprayed with Vurathane spray polyurathane in a spray can. I love it. The sheen is satin so you can hardly tell its there, no gloss at all.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sgilly

Sun, 07/21/2013 - 13:00

Turned out really nice! I'm sure he was very happy with your gift.
PS: I'd love to have a fort like your Dad's. What a cute little place to escape to!

In reply to by sgilly

Melodys socal …

Mon, 07/22/2013 - 20:43

Thank you Sue :) his fort is so awesome. both my sister and I have houses on my dads property. The picture of his fort is from my balcony and I can see my dad in his fort every day. It makes me so happy to see him over there just relaxing (with his cooler hehe) looking around the yard at the trees, creek and all of his hard life's work. Everyone needs a grown up fort in my opinion.

Adirondak Trio

Submitted by ricwit on Mon, 07/27/2015 - 10:09

New to building, but it went together fairly easily. I think next time I'll decrease the width of the foot stool, so I can just step over it and sit in the chair. Give it a try!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Locker

Submitted by Cjmoore27 on Sat, 02/24/2018 - 07:57

Thank you so much for the well explained plans! We had HD do all our 1x12 cuts so it would fit in the car (they were happy to help). We ended up painting it in Polar Bear White Semi-Gloss, and It turned out great! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$230 (had to buy the kreg jig and paint)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polar Bear White Semi-Gloss Behr Premium Ultra Latex
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Queen Size Farm Bed

Submitted by msts on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 12:54

This took about 10 hours, including prime and paint. I raised the side rails 3 1/2 inches to dado the posts to accept a 2x4 siderail on the inside of the post, with 1x8 covering it at the center of the post. The siderails are bolted with 4x5/16" bolts, washers and nuts. We chose to leave it more rustic, showing the siderails at the ends and the bolt holes. It is all pine, bought new and along with a 1" forstner bit to recess the bolts, cost $198. It can be repainted at any time. Tools I used were a compound saw for ease of cutting straight cuts, a cordless and corded drill, 1/2" socket and box wrench, easy square and a circular saw for the 1x8's. We painted it with left over paint. Because its pine, we primed with BIN,

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
BIN Primer Sealer, one coat on knots then another full coat.
Benjamin Moore Pearl Luster "
Butter" Finish Coat, two coats.
I sand all wood with an orbital sander prior to assembly. Then I use a block sander after the primer dries and between the first and final coat of paint. I only sand after the primer and paint to knock off anything that might be sticking up off the surface. I don't go crazy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

marlaandwilliam

Sun, 06/05/2011 - 18:27

Looks great! What did you use for the panels in the headboard and footboard? it almost looks like beadboard ?

Mark Shortt (not verified)

Sun, 06/05/2011 - 20:23

It is 1x5 bead board (pine). Some places call it match board. It is v-groove, tongue and groove and has a smooth (flat) side and a two inch flat, bead, two inch flat side. The plans called for a 61" wide panel but I made it 58" with the dadoed posts (1 1/2 inch each cut).
If you want to do the panel using the T&G bead board, make sure to lay your 1x4's out the distance of what ever height you want your panels and center the first piece of T&G bead board on both the top and bottom panel. Then you work your way out fitting the T&G and screwing in each piece. When you come to the two end pieces, they are going to ned to be ripped but by starting at center, they will be even at the end when ripped.
Another tip is when screwing the panel, you will want to get at least halfway into the 3 1/2" post. measure the distance you want to cut on the drill bit and put a piece of tape on the bit. Then drill until you get to the tape.

Side Table

Submitted by NickZed on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 04:33

I spent a few hours on a Saturday cutting the wood for this project and drilling the holes and putting it all together. It's a very sturdy side table....

I made two small errors -
1) When I bought the 285mm * 17mm pine for the centre piece of the top I neglected to check whether the board was dead flat - it wasn't and was bowed slighty, however, after the top has been attached to the base it's not noticeable.
2) The other error was my shelf - it wasn't quite long enough....I think that I made this error because my legs may have had a slightly different size to the wood/lumber from the USA (where the plans are from).

All in all, I'm very happy with the table. It looks great and is super sturdy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Top finished with:
1) One coat of Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner - applied with a rag and left to dry for about an hour, then,
2) I applied Minwax Wood Finish Stain - Dark Walnut colour. I left the stain to soak for about 4-5 minutes and then wiped the excess off the table top.
3) Finally, three coats of Minwax Water Based Wipe on Poly - Clear Gloss. I sanded this gently with 240 grit sand paper between coats.

Base:
1) I primed the base with a Taubmans white primer, then
2) I applied three coats of a Dulux low sheen acrylic paint.
3) As per the table top, three coats of Minwax wipe on Poly were applied.

Note: I primed and painted the base of the side table and then conditioned and stained the top. After both of these were done I screwed the table top with 50mm 8G self tapping wood screws to the base. I then applied the three coats of wipe on Poly mentioned above.

The wipe on poly rocks!!! No smell what so ever....

The cutting, drilling of the pocket holes and putting the tab;le together was reasonably quick - 1 to 2 hours, however, it's the painting, sanding, staining and applying the poly that takes the bulk of the time with this project.

The table is 42inches long in Ana's plans - I shortened mine to 37 inches to suit my room better.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner