Community Brag Posts

We built our kitchen cabinets and hood!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 16:50

It took us awhile but we built these white cabinets from scratch. It turned out great and looks better in person. Thank you for your articles!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White acrylic latex.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Eric's Cedar Shed!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2020 - 21:35

Thank you for the plans, shed turned out great! My association required me to match the siding color, roof color, and anchor to a concrete slab. So I poured 25 bags of 80lbs concrete to make a 9x5 slab. Redid the plans for an 8x4 shed, built the frame with 2x4s and not 2x2's, installed flashing, ice/water shield + felt + matching shingles since I'm near Chicago, and used a flexio finishing sprayer to paint the shed. Saved some $ by using 2 Redwood Grain Fiber siding panels for $22 each at HD.

All in all very happy with my shed and all my dangerous yard tools and woodworking tools can be put away from my toddler.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus exterior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wagon

Submitted by gbyrne on Sun, 12/21/2014 - 17:22

Based this wagon on plans found on Ana White's site. I built this for a 2 year old girl of a co-worker. She is right now using it to pull around her dolls.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern craft table inspired desk

Submitted by Pdkennelly on Sat, 03/20/2021 - 18:30

Your craft table was the kicking off point for this desk. Pine cabinets, plywood drawers, maple top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I already had the materials, the paint was about $50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Pro Classic White paint & Minwax wipe on poly for the maple top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Bench

With lots of leftover wood from previous projects (farmhouse table and sideboard), I decided it was time to start another project. (I did head out to Lowes to get a piece of 4x4 for the legs...they only had Cedar. My friend found some Fir at Home Depot for a buck more).

Found the plans for the Farmhouse Bench, looked at other brag posts and their suggestions...then got to work!

Cutting the pieces was fast and relatively easy. Predrilling the pocket holes also went quick. Putting the pieces together was also very fast (though I did have to add extra pocket holes here-and-there so that the legs and two end-aprons were more sturdy).

Sanded the piece, then added a coat of Rustoleum Dark Walnut Stain, and then a couple coats of Deft Satin varnish.

Estimated Cost
$20 (for extra lumber and materials). Already had leftover lumber from previous projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Dark Walnut
Deft Satin Clear
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

King Size Farmhouse Bed with Dog Stairs and Storage

Submitted by jkjackson on Sun, 05/30/2021 - 15:21

We have a frosty faced blind girl and an aging tri-pawed that we wanted to be able to continue snuggling with us so we adapted the Farmhouse Bed with Storage to make it a king size. We made the drawer boxes deeper which allowed us to get rid of our dresser to create more space in our room. And we added a flight of stairs for the pups.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes White Wash with Arm R Seal Oil Based Satin Finish top coat. (If you want the white wash to be more white and less amber, use water based.)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kids Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 04:46

This was my first time building a chair. The plans were so easy to follow. The kids size fits an average child up to about age 5 or 6. If I were to build again I would add a bit of height to the backs so they could fit them even longer. My granddaughters aged 3 & 5 just loved them.

Built from Plan(s)

Modern Outdoor Chairs (2x4s & 2x6s) w / Matching Tables

My mother had a cheap particle board sofa style table on her back porch that was coming apart. She said she'd like to replace it, so I told her I would her one.

I decided to make her a few end style tables to go with it as well.

Finally, I had seen these chairs and decided to make her a few of these also. I liked the Ana White plan, but I didn't like the idea of seeing all the screw holes, so I developed my own method using Kreg and my own assembly method that allowed me to make them strong, without seeing all the screws.

I (and my mother) were very pleased with the final project.

Estimated Cost
~$200 (Cushions cost me ~$80)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Stain (1 coat white), slight sanding, wiped down with Minwax Dark Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TerDickison2

Mon, 06/10/2019 - 18:49

Thank you for posting this! I built the chair as is from the plans but I realized it really needed a backrest. I like how you added one and if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to “borrow” your idea. I lucked out on the cushions-I got mine from Home Goods for $40. I don’t think everyone has a Home Goods near them though. Love the tables too!

Farmhouse Writing Desk with Turned Legs

Submitted by kwildman on Mon, 01/07/2019 - 08:53

I modified the Small Old English Style Farmhouse Dining Table plan to build a writing desk.   I used five 1x6 boards for the top for a width of 27.5 inches.   I made my desk 56 inches in length.  I put the drawer on the long side like a pencil drawer.   I did use the legs that Ana recommended in the plan.   I love how it turned out.  I used dark walnut danish oil and dark wax for the finish.  

Estimated Cost
225
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Watco dark walnut danish oil and Minwax dark paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kwildman

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 21:46

Thank you!  I used Watco Danish oil and I used Minwax dark wax.  I've tried alot of different wax brands and I always come back to Minwax.  It dries the hardest in my opinion.

dog kennel night stand

For my son's new black lab pup. Started with rough cut maple.

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

Comments

Industrial Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 12:24

I was seeing this coffee table everywhere so I knew we had to make it. It's the easiest build ever. I think the only tricky part is the painting near the edge. We like a more sanded/finished top. We tried spray painting the base and then attaching the top, but then we sanded the top and the spray paint on the base near the top came off, so I had to cut in and I'm not good at that.

So we're still working on a way to do this properly. We tried making the top on the ground and then sanding & attaching it. But the top needs to be completely exact/square in order to do this. We live in a old farmhouse, so we prefer to attach it as we go - then sand. We also plane the top for a more exact and modern look. 

Estimated Cost
Under 50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Top stained in our custom beachwood mix. A mixture of Minwax stains, Bottom spray painted in Oil Rubbed Bronze & semi-gloss polyurethane ( two coats )
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Potting Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/11/2023 - 08:03

Had tons of fun making this potting bench from Ana used a few different boards but, overall had a great time

Built from Plan(s)

Oak Mirror

I recently refinished an antique oak dresser. It originally had a mirror attached to it but it was long gone by the time I bought it. My wife asked me to take an old mirror from another dresser and to build a new mirror to hang above the newly refinished dresser. I wanted this new mirror to look as if it came with the dresser which was built in the early 1900s.

The front of the mirror frame was built using red oak 1" x 6" stock. I did rip it to measure 4" wide. The mirror is 38" x 24" so I designed the frame so that a 1" lip was available to adhere the mirror to the mirror frame. The corners of the mirror were mitered at 45 degrees. I attached the corners of the mirror frame together using 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

My next step was to flip the frame over. I then used red oak 1/2" X 6" stock which I ripped so that a 1" lip was available for the mirror. I did not miter this and I attached this using wood glue and 1" finishing nails.

I then used red oak 1/4" x 2" stock and made a frame for the outside of the mirror. This was mitered. I attached it using wood glue and 1" finishing nails. I did set the nails and fill the holes with stainable wood filler.

I then did all my sanding using 120, 220, 320, and 400 grit sandpapers. I rounded the edges a bit.

The appliques were then attached using wood glue and a few 1" finishing nails. I did set the nails and used stainable wood filler.

My next step was applying two coats of gel stain. I then applied 3 coats of fast drying polyurethane. I did some minor sanding between coats.

I then attached the mirror to the frame using mirror adhesive. Next the backing from the old mirror was cut to fit down covering the mirror within the lip. This was secured using "points". Finally the back was covered using paper and double sided tape. A 200 lb. mirror hanger was then attached. It actually contained a bubble level on the hanger. I purchased this at Hobby Lobby.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax aged oak gel stain (2 coats) that I applied with a brush. I wiped it off after a few minutes using a cotton cloth. And three coats of Minwax fast drying polyurethane. It was applied with a brush and I did very minor sanding between coats. I will apply clear Briwax eventually for added protection.

Note: The gel stain was nearly out and I should have added a little mineral spirits or paint thinner to thin it out some. I didn't do this and I ended up with some blotchiness due to this.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by rachelmlee on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 20:23

This was my first real woodworking project and was so much fun! I use my deck much more now and am excited to build more!

Estimated Cost
$500 (with cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Jacobean stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding Door Console

I modified the plans to have three compartments instead of four. Also, the hardware was a challenge.  Tip: use a wheel that has an internal bearing. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
pre-stain and golden oak by minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cubby Organizer (Pottery Barn Inspired)

This cubby organizer is great for storage, displaying collectibles or as an advent calendar. I'm using mine in my mini-workshop for storing tools and supplies I use frequently when woodworking. Tutorial can be found at my blog here: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/build-a-cubby-organizer-pottery-barn-i… Thanks Ana for supplying the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Sherwin Williams Dover White paint for a soft white. Stain would work great for this piece, too.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rolling saw horses

Submitted by Craig P on Mon, 07/04/2016 - 07:26

Your saw horse plan worked great for a wooden boat project I'm doing -- the 3" wheels (with one locking) enable me to move the boat around the workshop or even outdoors for heavy duty sanding. 

I added blocks of 2x4 to the legs for more surface for the wheels and I extended the cross pieces to 4-feet long as the old AuSable River (MI) guide boat is about 40" wide.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00 (a lot of the cost is in the 3" wheels..)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None, though thinking about putting some finish on them as they'll be getting wet when I wash down the boat...
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Custom Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/27/2024 - 11:30

Your plan for this toy box was sooo easy to follow, but I added the feet. My grandson loved it. I have 2 other projects from your plans for him as well.

Charlene

Built from Plan(s)

Converted TV wall niche

Submitted by Vol4Life1 on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 05:35

We bought this house about a year ago and we finally got around to removing this pointless niche!  The center divider and bottom were removed.  The cabinet and hutch were assembled seperately.  

 

This is still a work of progress.  I am looking for a nice decorative molding face for the top.  If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!  We will most likely paint it white to match the fireplace mantle.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cedar planter

Submitted by Shayed on Sun, 09/07/2014 - 11:55

I used your "cedar planters for less than $20" plan and modified it to create two beautiful planters for my house. I framed out the top of the planter to give it a more complete look. Also, I added a "C" for our last name. -Shaye 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20, I used a lot materials I had on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
mahogany stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner