Community Brag Posts

Weatherly Benches

We used the Weatherly plans for this project amending in a couple of places. The two seat version was attached to the three with using just one set of legs and then we added a 2 x 6" upright at the join and put another 2 x 6" on top for a drinks tray! Rather than 8 individual 24" cushions we went with 48 x 24" seats and did the same for the backs.

The cost for materials was only about $70 and the outdoor fabric was twice that amount. As it is under a covered deck we just used 4" foam for the seats and 2" foam for the backrests, costing about $100. All Canadian Dollars.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We coated everything twice with Benjamin Moore Cloud White external paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dartboard Cabinet

I had a big empty wall in my den/man cave, so I decided to build a dartboard cabinet instead of just hanging a dartboard on the wall. No plans for this, I just made it up as I went. Measured twice, sketched it out and cut as I went.

I use pine 1x4's for the frame and back. 1x3's for the accessory box, 1x2's for the door frame, and poplar strips for the doors and door braces. The darts are held by 6" long 2x2's with holes drilled.

Wood screws, finish nails, and small brads were used to hold everything together.

The chalkboards are simple MDF's cut and sprayed with chalkboard paint. Overlay hinges are used for the doors, and the dartbord is held on with screws from the back so it can be replaced when needed.

The Alabama A is hand-painted.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Gray with light coats of spray glosscoat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My work table

Submitted by ewebrat on Fri, 07/24/2020 - 13:19

Started to renovate hubby’s bathroom, got annoyed with lack of space on his work bench, built my own. Since this pic, I’ve added locking casters, a power bar up one leg, and a plain metal tool holder on one side. Still have some thoughts rattling around in my head about various other upgrades. Super plans, easy one-woman job.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish. I want to add a 1/4 or 1/2 MDD top, but that’s the only not-naked original wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ottoman

This is my 3rd completed project. This has storage, individual hinges was used.

I am still on the sofa after 9 months could not decide if I wanted to make storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
estimate cast was $55 dollars, and that was due to the coast of the fabric covered top with plastic covering.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sand the piece with 120, 220, 500 grit. Then stain/protection, it was suppose to be walnut, and it turn out this color. Can't complain, the cats are happy about it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy kitchen island

Submitted by JoseO1998 on Fri, 07/25/2014 - 02:15

I built the cherry stained easy kitchen island for my own kitchen... After friends and family looked at it, my daughter' smother (of course my ex) asked if I could buiild her one... we love both of our "islands" even though we both have them along walls in our homes... I added a second shelf for extra storage but it's great for what I call a grocery drop off point... Very sturdy and they both compliment our kitchens... I don't have a picture of it in her home (both of these were in my home on different floors of the house) but she says it matches well with her oak cabinets... Hope you like them :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx $150-200 depending if you stain and polyurethane
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The first pic I used a medium oak stain and polyurethane... The second pic I used a cherry stain without polyurethane; however I have decided I'm going to add polyurethane to it for a nice shine ;)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry way cubby

Submitted by mmaixner06 on Fri, 11/04/2016 - 16:57

My dad helped me build this. I wanted to make one out of crates similar to another post but we decided on plywood and my dad wanted to play with the portable saw he bought me. We customized it for my space and didn't use any plans. I think it turned out nicely though I may need another for all my other shoes!

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat matte indoor Behr paint in a light grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by BPJacobs on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 06:39

I built these a couple of weeks ago - very easy. I did not have a pocket hole jig so I added a 26" 2x4 to attach the pieces behind the back-rest. I don't think is makes it look bad, and it adds some weight which is nice.
I have built 6 so far - 4 for myself and 2 that I gave to friends. the first couple took a while to get the process sorted out but after that they came together in about 30-45 minutes per chair. I did make a couple of mistakes in the cutting initially (forgot to cut angles so I wasted a lot of wood), and then of course the additional piece of 2x4 added to the price.

Estimated Cost
About $80-$90 per chair
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior wood sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

iSideTable

I bought my first home in July, and have been looking for furniture to fill it with. Then I found this site, and decided I would build what I want. I plan on making the iTable as well, but for my first project, I thought about starting a little smaller. I also needed side tables for my couches more. So was born the iSideTable ;)

23 3/4" high
10 1/2" wide
22 1/2" deep

Materials used:
1 4x4x8
1 1x4x8

All told materials alone for this project is a miserly $23!!

I have just finished my first coat of Varathane Kona (it's what we have in Canada). I want it nice and dark so I am leaving it on to dry, then applying a second coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Table 4x4 truss

Submitted by ayoung82 on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 15:40

This is my first attempt to build anything since the age of 17 (school!). I have recently bought a house and tried my arm at installing skirting (base boards in the US I think?) and it piqued my interest. The family needed a table, so I built one..

Its not perfect, but I'm looking forward to many family meals with our young family :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€162 euro in wood (white deal) and left over stain and varnish from my floors
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustins Medium maple & satin varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bclute

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 19:48

Great job! ... it looks great. I know you are not in US, but did you just use the cheap pine? I made a farmhouse bed with it this past fall and I have had problems with it shrinking on me. I want to do this table, and I know that the kreg will keep it tight ... I just need to buy one. Good work!

ayoung82

Fri, 08/01/2014 - 08:32

Hi bclute... thanks for the comment and the compliment. As for your question about the type of pine, I’m so new at this I’m not sure really. I understand there are grades of timber, but I went to my local timber yard and got what they had. Construction grade I believe. The bed is my next project so it's interesting to hear about your project. I suppose letting the wood dry fully is an option, but that takes a lot of time. I used the Kreg HD, it was great and easy to use, although clamping it each time makes for a slower job than the standard jig. Thanks again A

Simple Bed, Simple Plan!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 20:04

Total cost was around $170. I used western red cedar for 4x4 posts and 2x4's, all the rest is carpenter pine. For the slats I decided to go with .375" dowel pins and drilled holes to hold slats in place. I sunk 3" screws through frame to connect head and footboard, if I decide to move it one day, I will just remove screws and do the same again. The finish is Milk Paint, i absolutely love it, mostly because it is 100% non toxic for my kiddies :-). The bed is for my two year old who is delighted with it! Thanks Ana for once again saving the day! We have such great and solid furniture because of you!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Milk Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm Table (Pocket Holes)

Submitted by egm on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 18:03

First time I have ever attempted something like this. Made this table for my wife's birthday. Mistakes were made. Lessons were learned.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1 Coat Natural Danish Oil
1 Coat Medium Walnut Danish Oil
1 Coat Dark Walnut Danish Oil
3 Coats of wipe On Poly
Base is painted with Benjamin Moore "Black Panther"
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Our version of the Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by Jeepmommy on Sun, 10/07/2012 - 20:30

We LOVE this Rustic X Console table! We used a Kona stain and we took the iron hardware and rusted it up with heat, vinegar, salt and hydrogen peroxide.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Twin in Weathered Grey stain

Submitted by kymbarylee on Wed, 07/30/2014 - 09:27

This was for my 5 year old son and it was much easier than we thought it would be! We didn't have a nailer when we did this and wish we had one! Get a nailer for this project!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Stain in Weathered Grey and Valspar Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Annie E

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/12/2016 - 22:38

Our fireplace only had a  granite surround and was lacking personality. The wall that our fireplace is built into is kind of a strange size and all of the mantle kits won't fit our fireplace. It wasn't until I ran across Ana's plans that I knew this was exactly what I wanted around our fireplace!  We adapted the plans a little bit, and created a ladder up the sides of the fireplace  to attach the front plate onto. I couldn't be more thrilled with how it turned out 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss paint to match kit trim
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

First Ana Project - Modified 2x4 Potting Bench

Submitted by Tracy HNG on Sat, 08/01/2020 - 23:01

I have built several garden boxes and was lugging my gardening tools back and forth from the garage every day. I found myself with some spare wood and a tall, skinny pallet that I'd gotten from my work when a new conference room TV was delivered several months ago that I'd been trying to find a use for. So I decided to build a potting bench and found the one on Ana White's website and thought I could use what I had to build it. And it worked! I cut the pallet in half that I used to make the back wall and had a small piece of it leftover that just so happened to slide in between the two pallets walls. So I added some leftover scraps and made it into a small shelf for things like twine and plant markers. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out and how it looks in my garden! Looking forward to building more of Ana's projects!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Farm Bench

Submitted by Mikia on Wed, 10/10/2012 - 00:43

My 8 year old daughter and I decided we wanted a bench to the kitchen. Found this plan here and went to the local lumber yard. My daughter drilled and screwed about half of the bench. So much fun doing this together.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200 SEK
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our outdoor sectional

Submitted by djsaffer19 on Sun, 08/03/2014 - 19:45

We wanted a sectional for our patio but did not want to pay the high price so I went out and built it. Used scrap 2x4 from construction sites and Thompson Waterseal to finish. Cushions and pillows purchased on sale from Old Time Pottery

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