Community Brag Posts

Pottery Barn benchwright TV stand

I altered the dimensions from the plans slightly to meet my needs. I added self-closing, heavy duty hinges for the doors because a basic euro- hinge from home depot would not hold the weight of the doors with glass. For the finish, I sanded the edges slightly after painting and used a minwax stain maker to stain the sanded areas giving a clean, distressed look. I used gel stain for the first time on this build. Softer woods such as pine or alder are prone to blotchy finishes when stained. I built the top out of Alder and stained it with gel stain from general finishes. I am very happy with how the top turned out after using the gel stain. I did not have to use a pre-stain conditioner either.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$230.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Crème brulee by Behr, Nutmeg gel stain by General finishes
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Inspiring First Woodworking Project

Submitted by WomanPower on Sat, 06/27/2020 - 21:52

**From a Woodworker First Project Perspective**

Power Tools: I used a circular saw (Ridgid, lifetime warranty) for all of my cutting because it was the easiest tool to use once I got into a rythem for cutting plywood and other materials.

Other helpful tools: I had 2 height adjusting saw horses that made it easy on my back made by Kobalt. There were some mistakes in the beggining with keeping the lines straigt but a circular saw track (kreg) easily fixed that problem for most of the cutting. After awhile it got easier to steadily cut following a drawn line with no track (hubby was impressed). Overall, this project was a process of trial and error but I learned from every hiccup along the way. Next up, chicken coop... :D

**How It All Started**
While deployed I had a lot of time to imagine my very own personal workspace to complete DIY projects and when I saw this design I could not wait to get home and begin my new hobby. This project inspired me to really get serious about woodworking. Never in my life had I ever built anything from plywood and 2x4s, much less had I ever used a circular saw. I'm proud of myself for completing this from start to finish as a first project. Thank you Ana!

Peace and Blessings,
WP

Estimated Cost
420
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Purse / Bag Holder

Submitted by karahart on Sat, 08/25/2012 - 08:27

Make your own hanging coat / purse / bag rack with scrap woods and some inexpensive hooks. To see more details, please go to : http://mekhart.blogspot.com/2012/08/tutorial-hanging-purse-diaper-bag-r…

Estimated Cost
$10 for hooks
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I used minwax's water based stain tinted in red, white, and blue. I taped off where I wanted each stripe to go and waited for the stain to dry before re-taping. Please see my blog entry for more pictures!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Octagon Kitchen Table

Submitted by rmaenza on Tue, 06/17/2014 - 22:44

I used Ana's plans and modified the top, I used 3/4 MDF with hardwood flooring. I then used 2" door casing for edging.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with a Spar Urethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern Porch Swing squeezed into suburban porch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/17/2016 - 08:24

This is a super easy build, but it cost us WAY more than the estimate. By the time we painted and hung it the total was closer to $150. 

 

We we squeezed the swing into the crack between the pillar and wall of my back porch. It barely fit, but we are a family of six so I wanted it to be as big as possible. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Channing Desk

Submitted by ecsorah on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 11:11

I followed the plan almost exactly, I just made it to fit the space that I had. It was super easy and I love the way it looks! And I used contact paper from target to decorate the drawer face and the shelf. I also made the shelf a pull-out shelf using the same type of drawer pulls as the drawer. i made that shelf the same width that I made the drawer and it fit perfectly!

The longest part of this project was drying time for stain and paint and such. I did not include that time in estimate for time to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a mistinted paint from a local paint store and minwax provencial stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Distressed console

Submitted by dmather82 on Sat, 06/21/2014 - 17:33

This project was nearly the emotional equivalent of pure hell. I began this as a buffet for someone who decided midway that they no longer wanted it. Secretly I was happy because I fell in love with it. The problem was it was started in late fall and this winter in ohio was more Ana's norm than ours. My I heated garage created a warped piece and an untenable workspace for a few months. I'm pretty happy all and all.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600-$700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Antique white pine distressed and stained over with rustoleum cherry and walnut. The top is some crazy mix of stains and finishes.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Cedar chest with black walnut

Submitted by mike - c on Sun, 07/05/2020 - 11:32

My first furniture project. My daughters birthday gift. Made my own patterns and sized as I went. With the materials I had. A few learning mistakes but it’s personal and she loves it. The sides and bottom are 3/4 stock but the top and the base is all 1 1/2 stock.

The Cadar was all ripped from 2” stock and planed to suit. The black walnut was rough, resawn and planed to suit.

Was a many Saturday winter project as my shop is at my camp, had to heat up with the wood furnace each weekend , especially for gluing and finishing.

Estimated Cost
$50 worth of hardware, had the wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural stain and spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mission Style Side Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/29/2024 - 09:36

Red oak mission-style side table with deer footprint inlays, golden oak stain.

Bob Zink

twin farmhouse beds

Our girls had made do with hand me down room furniture and decor( youngest 2, out of 5 girls). It was time to give them a space they love. I have never built anything other than slight upcycle projects. Slightly modifying this or that , never just starting with lumber and a plan. They picked the farmhouse beds and my husband was gone for 3 weeks backpacking, so off to buy lumber. Not as easy NO ONE HAS UNTREATED 4x4 posts!!!!! i called 3 counties, almost cried, to order was 3 weeks, or just cant get them. Finally found a cedar and cypress mill 1 hr away. Hopped in the car and off i went to load up.I had 2 beds to do so the second one went faster. What i learned?
1. even after predrilling you will do best hand screwing screws. Cypress was really hard in places and a stripped screw equals stress.( just like there is no crying in baseball, there is also no crying in carpentry)
2. the 2x4 that is under the 2x6 on headboard and footboard should be cut AFTER you assemble the 1x6 and 1x4 base. Much easier than making cuts with a circular saw on 1x6
3. your hands will feel like they were run over after day 1 of sanding, it will pass and get better.
4. perfect is not possible. It probably not even preferable. You want perfect? That is a machine
The room still needs some special touches, lamps, nicknacks, etc. cannot paint , rental. so sad. oh well

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300( for both)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and then hand rubbed wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sgilly

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 09:55

Your girls must be so happy to have these cute beds. And, proud of their mama who made them!

In reply to by sgilly

sambenedetto7@…

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 10:09

Really hard to find common ground for a 15 yr old and 12 1/2 yr old. Tried to go for sophisticated beach side cottage. Dark wood bookcase and side tables , jute rug, cotton quilt coverlets....also i did add six inches to the height for added storage. Lots of girls equal lots of shoes

Playroom Tents

Submitted by macymoon on Thu, 06/26/2014 - 10:34

I built these fun and easy tents for our playroom. They are perfect for reading, or for an indoor camping trip.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $10 per tent
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No stain. Just light sanding.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

A different take on the Brandy storage bed.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/26/2016 - 12:25

Made this storage bed but altered it some.  Still a queen size bed, changed the depth of the side boxes to accomate a suitcase so we could get luggage out of the way.  Built this for our cabin in Maine.

Estimated Cost
150-200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lowe's chalk paint and antiquing wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

small shed

so i put this storage shed on the outside wall of my garage and then i put my dust collector inside it and cut a hole for the pipe to into the garage. It's nice and out of the way now. I adjusted the size a bit to make it fit more of my outside tools like the trimmer and blower. Its not in the picture but I also extended the roof about 30 inches over the side to park the lawn mower under it. If I were to do it again I'd make it even bigger.

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

Second Build - Six Cube Storage Units

Submitted by seiseman on Sun, 06/29/2014 - 12:17

Very excited to have finished my second build! My daughter was so excited about these shelves, too. She even helped pick up her play area so we could get a nice picture. I only have a small wagon, so all the big cuts were done at Home Depot. Best part of this project: with the cuts completed in-store, this project took about the same amount of time to put together as a similar IKEA shelf, only no Allen wrenches were involved.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80 and some leftover paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor chairs

Submitted by carlablock on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 10:14

My first project. Good learning experience and they turned out great!

Comments

Completely Free Workbench!

Submitted by MrsVwal on Tue, 09/04/2012 - 07:31

2 wood pallets, 1 2x4 from an old wall teardown, and an old door we were going to pitch = 1 free workbench!

(used the extra pallet wood to make the decor sign. I wanted to make it girly. :) )

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tailgate Bench

Submitted by K Brown on Wed, 07/02/2014 - 14:38

I want to give a big THANK YOU!! to Ana. I found your website a few years ago when I wanted to move my toddler to a big girl bed. Since then I have built several things but this is the first that I have shared on the site. Long story short this is a bench that I made for my father in law for Father's Day. It was a pretty simple build that I believe came together pretty well. Next, a tailgate bench for my own dad for Father's Day. Luckily he doesn't mind that it will be late.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Weatherproofing Stain in Valise
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grandy sliding door console

Submitted by dkarinen on Wed, 10/05/2016 - 18:01

This was a perfect build for my brother's farmhouse style home. The build itself wasn't too difficult but getting to doors to slide properly was definitely challenging. We had originally spray painted the hardware oil rubbed bronze but found the it kept rubbing off when we slid the doors so we ended sanding everything back down to the original color.

We also bought multiple pulleys based on the tutorial we found but they really didn't work great. We finally found these 1.5 inch pulleys (http://store.riggingcentral.com/15-in-2-in-25-in-3-in-35-in-sheaves-p36…) and used (2) 5/16 bolt nuts inside the pulley to center the cleaves pins and secure. 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Burnished Clay paint and Atlantic stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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