Balin Console Table
My husband built this in his spare time and I stained it, makes a great addition to my foyer!
My husband built this in his spare time and I stained it, makes a great addition to my foyer!
Step stools I built for my kids to use. The second one I actually used glow in the dark paint for the lettering and the stars. Took me longer to paint since everything was hand drawn / written. Total time for the project would have been a few hours if it wasn't for the paint and poly added.
This was my first indoor woodworking project, where it mattered if the corners were 90 degrees and the colour matched and the wood was not warped.
Even when the lumber yard gave me the wrong width of board, did all the cuts and I didn't notice until I was home, laying out my pieces and measuring everything, I will still able to complete it.
I went with the 10" (9 3/4") wide top instead of the 12" (11 3/4") rather than go back to the lumber yard and have it recut. I was anxious to make my project and it was a hassle to drive that distance. it didn't have the 1 1/2" overhang that the larger width would have had but it fit in my tiny space better.
The next time I visited that lumber yard for more wood, I got my money back and I learned a valuable lesson - just because the lumber yard staff are picking up the wood for you, you need to read and check. I didn't go closer to see it because of Covid-19 restrictions but next time I will ask to measure it and check it before I bring it home. I've learned to carry my tape measure with me, just in case!
We used Ana's plans from her dining room banquette bench and made a bench for our boys' toyroom. We didn't put a back on because the bench sits in the middle of the room. We love the way it turned out! Thanks, Ana!
Sat, 01/26/2013 - 21:27
Woodworking part was for beginners but the sewing part was a bit challenging. I had never done box cushion corners before but I got the hang of it after the first corner.
I loved the look of the DIY Stocking Holder, and decided to use it as inspiration to design my own. I basically built a box using scrap 1x6.
The front and back boards were cut to a length of 22" (that was the length my scrap would allow), while the side pieces were cut to a height of 6 1/4" to allow for a 3/4" legs on ends. The bottom piece for the box was cut to a length of 20 1/2". I then sanded all pieces 150 and 220 grit sand paper.
Using 1 1/4" inch finishing nails and wood glue, I attached the 6 1/4" side pieces to the 20 1/2" bottom piece (allowing clearance on the bottom for the 3/4" legs), and then attached the 22" front and back boards. I then cut trim to fit the front of the box. Finally, to keep a rustic look, I applied one coat of a dark burgundy paint. I really wanted the grain of the pine to shine through. After allowing the paint to dry, I attached the hooks.
It turned out to be a quick, simple, and fun build. I can't wait to hang our stockings and fill the box with pine branches and other decorative christmas items.
A pallet wall shelf unit that I made for my bathroom for my wife. There are four shelves, with the top and bottom around 8.5" deep, and the middle two around 5" deep. I planed the edges of the boards for joining, but just lightly sanded the faces to preserve the rustic look of the boards (so they are smooth to the touch, but still have texture). The back is edge glued and pocket screws, and the shelves are glued and pocket screwed into the back, and screwed in from the backside for extra strength. I finished with Minwax Water Based Wood Stain in Ebony and Satin Polycrilic.
I made this out of primarily reclaimed lumber. This project had to be modified in size to fit in a certain space.
This was my second project. I am very happy with the way they turned out. The plans were very easy to follow. I did add L brackets to the legs as others have suggested. I added handles to my trundle because I could not get the cut-out handles consistent.
Used the great plans from this website. Very easy to follow. Painted white, sanded, stained to give the weathered look. Very happy with it! Made two of them.
Fri, 11/28/2014 - 09:46
Hey there friend,
I must ask for detailed instructions on how you painted/stained your table. It is gorgeous!
Thanks.
Ed
I took the plunge last year and started woodworking. This was my first build. I definately have learned alot since then. But I am pretty proud of this table.
I am SO excited to show off my first build, thanks to Ana White and her amazing book!! This console was on the cover and I fell in LOVE LOVE! After I finished it I tried to find out the paint color with no luck....can't stop a woman on a mission...I googled looking for an iPhone App to match colors. BINGO! Benjamin Moore has one. I took a pic of the table in the book, and...you tell me...it sure looks like a match!
Thank you Ana so much for your generous help showing girls like me...YES WE CAN!
Thu, 01/31/2013 - 15:34
Beautiful build, you did a wonderful job, congrats on your first project! Looks just like the book cover! Happy building! :)
Joanne
Thu, 01/31/2013 - 19:42
Beautiful first build and yes, it does look like the one in the book!
I skipped the X part, I had a few issues with alignment. I also used the oxidizing mix reccomended on the page. Mine turned out very grey, I'm not complaining. Could be because I only let the mixture sit for a few hours? I really dont know. It was a fun project though and I plan to try more for sure.
Note: The 1x12s didnt oxidize much at all. Neither did the wood filler I used (must make much better cuts next time).
The table is one that I have been waiting for my husband to retire from the Marines to make me. We moved so often while in the military that I knew there was no need to buy expensive furniture just to get damaged. When I found the plans for this I was thrilled.
The edges of the table have been sanded to resemble the worn weathered look.
Please forgive the pictures. I will retake soon.
For my birthday I asked for power tools. My boyfriend followed your video of beginners tools and got me a lot of them.
For my first project I decided to do the Lighted Chalkboard Sign. I accidentally nailed my working table and I was drilling the holes with the wrong direction on the impact drill but I managed. Rookie mistakes :)
Everyone loved it and I´m super exited to build new things.
Thanks for the inspiration and easy to follow instructions!
Thu, 12/04/2014 - 22:54
This is a super cute story! It sounds like you have an awesome boyfriend! I love your sign too!
Since everyone else is making them, I had to jump on the bandwagon. Typical console, but I left off the metal trim (for now at least) and used a wire brush on the top boards and the face of the legs to eat away at the wood and raise the grain. It gives it tremendous texture and really makes it look more like old reclaimed lumber.
Built a number of wine caddies with/without the stake. Stake useful for an outdoor environment, yet not useful for an indoor table top setting. Provided a simple alteration by inserting a t-nut into the bottom of the caddy & a hanger bolt screwed into top of stake. Simply screw in stake as needed.
I built this for my daughters for Christmas. I also built another for my friends daughter. Ours is made putting 3 pieces of wood together with pocket hole screws and our friends is just one solid piece. I definitely recommend doing it with just the solid piece. It makes it easier for coloring! It took me about a total of 5 hours to make the 2 tables and 4 chairs not including paint.
I looked at the doll bed plans forever trying to decide which one to make our daughter. I settled on the camp style bed that Jamie from "that's my letter" made from Ana's plans. There was one error in the cut list, you do not need 7-20" 1x2 pieces, unless I really messed up! You only need 5. It was fun and surprisingly easy to build. The sanding and painting took far longer than the actual building. It took me less than two hours to build, including dry time for the wood glue on the rails (hot glue would be faster) I found craft paint brush #16 (3/4 inch) worked the best and fastest for painting all the rails. Any bigger brush and you'd get runs at all the corners. I put on one coat primer, and three coats of paint, probably about 6-8 hours total time in sanding, painting and applying the finish wax. I made the bedding with some cute fabric from Joann's Fabric, also harder than the building! All said and done the extra hours were worth the finished product, it is beyond beautiful and I am so happy! I can't wait to see Elena's face on Christmas morning. (You can build it in 1-2 hours, I put weekend project b/c of the time to finish it) I worked on it for about an hour at a time over a two week period, as I couldn't let her see me working on it!
Sun, 12/07/2014 - 17:09
I wanted to add that I ripped a 1x2 to get the 1x1 pieces and it was so easy! Don't be scared to try it.
Thu, 12/11/2014 - 16:58
I used diamond-double-faced-quilt-fabric and it really held the foam down tight, it looks like a real mattress! The white was too bright next to the paint so I used a light pink cotton sateen for the top layer, you can still see and feel the diamond detail. (I followed the plans on "that's my letter" for the mattress construction)
Comments
Ana White
Mon, 11/24/2014 - 12:06
Very nice! I love the
Very nice! I love the handles that you chose! Nice work!