Community Brag Posts

Coffee Table

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 08/29/2014 - 03:06

My eldest son and his girlfriend just recently moved into their own home together and seeing as I like to build things I decided that as a house warming gift I would build them something.

I decided that a coffee table would be perfect!

I like the character in old timber instead of new timber so I went out and gathered some pallets and I got to work.

I wanted to use hairpin legs for the coffee table but soon discovered that they are crazy expensive to buy. Solution: make them myself. So I purchased a cheap welder, steel rods and some L brackets all to make the hairpin legs.

When staining the table top I used the same stain colour for the entire top but I used a extra coats to get different colour depths.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

naomi

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 07:34

Thank you. They do love it. The hairpin legs worked great and if I take out the cost of the welder the legs worked out really cheap - less than $30 for four legs.

Chunky Barnwood Farmhouse Table

Submitted by jgioulis on Wed, 12/14/2016 - 12:27

I was lucky enough to know someone who's property had 4 barns that were on the virge of falling over.

I removed wood from the barns I needed, some wood was just inside the barns. The thick pieces with holes going around the table were actually old telephone poles (horizontal section). 

 

The plans were straight forward, but prepping, cleaning, sanding the wood from an old barn was the most time consuming. Also hardly anything was straight or square! 

Estimated Cost
cost of tools I didn't have... pocket hold jig, belt sander, 36" clamps
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Home School Desk and Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/27/2020 - 12:42

We have the covid home school season in effect here in Texas. I built this for my grandson who is in kindergarten. He really likes it and I enjoyed building it. The table is made from pine primarily 2"x 3" boards and a 2' x 4' panel desktop. It is 25" high and 24"W x 48"L. I used the Ana White X Design for the frame.
The chair is 30" high with the seat being 15" high. It is 12" wide by 14 1/2 long. I made the rear legs from a 2" x 6" boarded ripped at 2 1/2 inch wide and the back rest angle at 6 degrees off center. The front legs from 2'' x 2".
I installed adjustable threaded glide felt pads to both the chair and table legs.
I painted and distressed for the older used look.

Estimated Cost
$40 with my 10% military discount for material.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded 120 grit and used Glidden white for frame that I had from an old job. Dark wax tabletop.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Upcycled Dresser

Submitted by naomi on Sat, 08/30/2014 - 04:18

After building my farmhouse bed and 2 new bedside table I still had my very ugly and old dresser.
It functioned really well so instead of building a new one I decided to up-cycle the old one.

I simply framed it up with some pine, painted it white, added pallet wood to the top, stained the pallet wood walnut, then added some fancy handles and now it's like a whole new dresser.

Thanks to Ana-White's website and book I have a whole new set of skills and I am not scared to give just about anything a go.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut and White Enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

In reply to by CSaintD

naomi

Sun, 08/31/2014 - 00:58

You're right, I had a ball doing this mainly because I was winging it the whole time.
This dresser was actually a hand me down when I got it about 15 years ago. I don't see the point in throwing out something that is still useful.

Rustic Farm Table

Submitted by RNorris11 on Sun, 12/18/2016 - 10:04

I've got a few years experience doing carpentry work . I was asked if I could build a farm table for a friend of mine. So I gave it a go. I think for my first table to ever build from scratch, it turned out beautiful . I'm extremely happy with the outcome. 

Estimated Cost
$170.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Used a flat paint ( teal & burnt orange ) bushed on randomly over the entire piece. Then I used some white semi gloss in places to add some high lights. ( stain wipes off of semi gloss paints and does not dull the finish) then stained over top of everything.
Stain color- minwax Jacobean
Then 2 coats of minwax semi gloss polyurethane .
Apply 1st coat after it completely dried I used 0000 steel wool to sand it all again for any impurities to get a clean smooth finish. Then apply another coat of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/31/2020 - 08:41

My first wood project. Had a blast! Learned a few things for the future. Instructions easy to follow - thank you! Stained in Jacobean.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
wood conditioner and stained Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ledges built for our travel photos

Submitted by MsMonet on Fri, 11/16/2012 - 07:50

Fastened together with Kreg screws, and glue. I chose to put the pocket holes on the inside and back so they wouldn't show on the bottom. This does make the ledge a little less deep. Easy project for a rainy day !

Estimated Cost
$25.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted one coat of quality Valspar semi-gloss in white, then distressed with chain and sandpaper. Finished off with coat of polyacrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

keirabride

Wed, 11/06/2013 - 06:30

Plan clothing for your trip so that everything can be worn together. This reduces the need to pack individual "outfits" and allows you to plan for the number of days you'll be traveling. If all of your clothes match, you don't have to worry about which are clean when you're doing laundry.
http://www.getbustours.com/

X coffee table

This X coffee table built from ana's plans. Fairly easy project. Used douglas fir for the frame and top and pine for the shelf. Finished with dark walnut stain and 2 coats of poly. The only thing I modified from the plans was the top. I added the breadboard style ends.

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of dark walnut stain and 2 coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Handmade by Trenton

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/22/2016 - 17:45

These made the perfect benches for my first farmhouse table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
@ $55 Per bench
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Wood Classic stain and Target Coatings Emtech 9000 poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by ahkatie on Fri, 09/05/2014 - 10:28

After spending most of our budget on patios and grass this summer, we needed some furniture. These plans worked perfectly for our space and were so easy to build.

 

Estimated Cost
$150.00, not including the cushions.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Interior/Exterior High Glass Enamel - "Natural Gray"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Barn Door Media Console

Submitted by dlangford on Sat, 09/05/2020 - 16:19

Another weekend project this time built for my brother and his girlfriend. I lowered the console from 37” down to 31” to accommodate a more natural seated eye level for TV viewing. This one was left natural so that they could paint and distress themselves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$280
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My modified loft bed

Submitted by Mouse on Fri, 11/23/2012 - 21:13

After building a small dinghy, and a slightly longer pirogue, I was ready to build something else. I was looking at another boat, but to save my marriage my lovely wife suggested something more... practical. So my summer project was a surprise loft bed for my 12 year old son. He was staying with his grandparents for most of the summer so I had a month or so to work on it. This was my first piece of furniture and I'm very proud of it.

I did modify the plans a bit. I added a shelf to use as a nightstand, because you need a place for your water bottle, book, tissues, etc.

I made the desktop significantly deeper so that it was more useable.

I moved the ladder to the end of the bed and made it wider.

I added a towel bar to one end.

I added a drawer under the desktop.

and lastly I put corkboard on the side of the bookcase.

Estimated Cost
I think I spent about $350 for the whole project.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Two coats of Pecan stain, and four coats of spar varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Sat, 11/24/2012 - 03:48

What a great build! Love all of the mods and attention to detail! Was he beyond excited? I know, I would have been, ha!

spiceylg

Sat, 11/24/2012 - 03:50

What a great build! Love all of the mods and attention to detail! Was he beyond excited? I know, I would have been, ha!

In reply to by spiceylg

Mouse

Sat, 11/24/2012 - 09:23

He was excited. It replaced one of those cheap metal loft beds you can buy at Wal-mart. The old bed was kind of wobbly and made creeky noises every time he moved. he loves having bookshelves and a nightstand. I'd have posted his exited face photo but I ran out of photo slots. =)

I also made him a locker to go with it. So there were no excuses for not hanging up his jacket.

I love this site!

bbygrl78

Sun, 03/08/2015 - 10:20

I am getting ready to build my 5 yr old a loft bed. I have been searching for a design I want to use and I would like to more or less use yours, if that's okay? I don't want to use one of the kids designs because I want it to grow with her. I want to add stairs and a higher banister. I'll probably paint it white or something.

Long Console Table

Submitted by ceabrm on Sun, 09/07/2014 - 17:17

Modded the cheap, easy console table for a taller, longer and less deep table with bottom shelf. This particular table ended up being relatively expensive, though. I ended up using poplar since the pine at Big Blue was in horrid shape; pieces were cupped, bowed and splintered. If I was going to make a good looking table -- I needed to start with good looking materials. 

I needed a console table to go under a painting that hides my power box. At most, I could spare about 10" of space deep, but had plenty of space side to side, With just a few mods to the basic plan, I bought really nice poplar since knot free = less sanding :-)

I used my Kreg jig to make pocket holes to put this table together; even though it's very long and not very deep, it's very, very sturdy. I added a small shelf using some leftover hardwood plywood that I had from another job, then glued a little scroll on the apron for some extra oomph. I'll probably use some milkpaint, distress it, coat it with poly and it'll be done. I think it looks beautiful!

Estimated Cost
$100 using popular, much less if all pine
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2 Story American Girl Dollhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 11:57

I built this as a christmas present for my daughter.  Three stories was a bit too large, so I modified the plans a bit and cut out the bottom floor.

Estimated Cost
Wood cost around $100 and paint was another $30.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mueble para Lavamanos Sencillo

Submitted by Henry 22 on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 07:31

Fue un lindo proyecto sencillo en familia.

Estimated Cost
45.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Room Work Shelf

Submitted by nitechick on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 21:49

Liked the design, but I was looking for a shelf for my laundry room. This is my first project on my own.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tuxedo Adriondak Chairs

Submitted by Harleyhank on Tue, 09/08/2020 - 10:56

Just finished another set, this time I stained the frame in varathan black and the seat and back panels in varathan sun bleached white. Also ran a 3/8" round over on arms and seat/back panels.

Footboard cubby bench

Submitted by benhuard on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 06:13

This was basically half of the entry way palns (I didn't make the top piece). I am yet to have a cushion made for the top but it looks great at the foot of our bed.

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

They loved them!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 15:08

I'm a newbie and loved your doll bunkbed pattern.  I made 6 of them for my granddaughters for christmas. They loved them! Thank you so much for sharing your talents!!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner