User Posts: Philo
Sorry. Author have no posts yet
User Articles: Philo
Sorry. Author have no articles yet
User Deals: Philo
Sorry. Author have no deals yet
Browsing All Comments By: Philo
  1. I am a colonel in the United States Air Force Medical Service and am stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Florida as the medical group commander.
    In December 2009, I left Tampa for a deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
    My first real deployment in 24 years of service in the Air Force.
    It hit home in mid-December that I was leaving for Iraq when I had to pack away my work shop at the house.
    I have been a serious woodworker since 1999. My forte is mostly clocks, shadow boxes and pens, but I’m willing to venture outside my comfort zone.

    When I arrived at my deployed location, I was please to find out that there was an expeditionary (aka austere) self-help shop on the installation and in fact it was located right around the corner from the hospital I would be working in.
    After establishing where my office was located and seeing each of the executive offices on the south side had patios, I decided one or more Adirondack chairs would be a nice addition to the space.

    After “Googling” Adirondack Chairs on the net, I reviewed several options that popped up until I settled on the design I found on Thingstobuild.com.

    Editors note: http://www.thingstobuild.com is a subsidiary of https://www.buildeazy.com/

    I printed the design and then contacted the self-help shop to gain access for my project.
    I was told by the enlisted manager that I was welcome to come over, get safety certified and have access to the shop to build the chairs. He explained that I could make the chairs out of any material I wanted as long as it was pine. Yes, the only building material in this expeditionary self-help shop was pine.
    I told him my preference then would be to make them out of pine.

    Over the next three Sunday mornings, I was able to produce three of the chairs with only minor modification from the original design (pictures attached).
    The chairs have been a big hit and they are in fact much more comfortable than I had anticipated.
    Even the Air Force Surgeon General who was visiting thought they were fantastic.

    This project was a great way to get my woodworking fix while spending six months 7,000 miles away from family and home.
    My first project when I get settled in back in Tampa, FL will be to make some not-so-expeditionary Adirondack chairs for my wife and me.
    Thank you very much for making these designs available.

    DENNIS L. BEATTY, Col, USAF, MSC

  2. Great experience, thoroughly enjoyed it.
    I have used a hand saw a few times but never power tools. My reluctance to use power tools was because I was intimidated by them-never used them in my life and always thought I wouldn’t be able to cut the wood properly.

    The initial project that I was going to complete was an outdoor bench, but due to time constraints halfway through we had to change the project to a chair.
    The project was pretty easy, however due to my lack of confidence in my ability to use power tools, I still found it challenging. I also had to get used to reading the building plans.
    Les’ calming attitude helped a lot with calming my anxiety.
    The first session I was dropped in the deep end and I learned how to use the circular power saw, we both thought I wasn’t able to use the mitre saw due to my small hand span. We later found out that I could… but more of that adventure soon.
    The first step was to create the legs, using the circular power saw the progress was slower-me being a perfectionist also didn’t help.
    At the start I found it difficult to cut a straight line using the circular power saw. If your initial cut into the wood is straight, then generally the rest of your cut is straight. If you push the saw through too fast it will vibrate a lot in your hand. You just need to guide the saw, with hardly any pressure. Slow and steady wins.
    Halfway through the first session we realised I was able to use the mitre saw, however I was still scared to use it. The second session Les was having none of that and encouraged me to try it.
    I thought why not, I came here to challenge myself.
    I loved it! You don’t have to worry so much about cutting a straight line. You line up the cut before you start, make sure the piece of wood is flush against the back, release the safety and start by guiding the blade down and gliding the blade towards you if the wood is thick.

    The mitre saw made it so much easier and faster! I have been converted.
    The best way to describe the drill driver is temperamental. I didn’t realise that with driving it is all about being in line with the screw not the drill driver itself being straight. If I wasn’t in line with the screw it would make a horrible noise. If I was in line with the screw it would work smoothly. Funny when I thought Les wasn’t watching is the time that I drilled perfectly.
    I have to say my favorite tool was the jigsaw, and no not because I love completing jigsaw puzzles. I think this was the only tool I knew the name of. As soon as I made the first cut I knew this was my tool.
    The blade in a jigsaw is more flexible than other saws, which can be a bit strange. I had to cut a rounded edge on the arm of the chair. It is not easy to manipulate the blade, again it is all about guiding the blade. It takes a lot of cuts to get what you want, you need patience with this tool. But the patience pays off with the finished product-a cut that you can be very proud of.
    Unfortunately due to time constraints, I wasn’t able to complete as much as I wanted of the project. Les had to complete a lot of it. The parts I did complete I am very proud of. Completing these sessions has given me the confidence to say yes I can use power tools. I can’t wait for my next project. One that I will complete 100% of it!
    Cheers
    Jess

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNUlRHWShcE&feature=youtu.be

  3. Here is a photo of the wishing well I made this July 2016. I used pressure treated deck lumber. I’m not very handy with wood , but after promising my Wife a wishing well I finally had to do something after putting her off for 16 years. I found this quite easy to make and didn’t cost a lot of money . My Wife loves it.
    The buildeazy plans were easy to follow .
    Robert Almond

  4. Thank you so much for posting this!! My husband has been promising me for years now that he would build a TARDIS for me as my 50th birthday gift (I’ll be 56 in June), but used the excuse that he wants it to be just perfect and can’t do that without either seeing one in person ( not too easy in Colorado) or having plans//blueprints in hand. You’ve made my year!!! ?
    Thanks so much again! You’re fantastic!

  5. Had a blast with this project. Very simple with your instructions! Thank you.

  6. This chair that I modified from the plans for “How to build a simple garden chair” was made to go with a patio table that I had built with cedar.
    The width was adjusted to suit the table. I now will build 3 mote. I did not use bolts and nuts as in the plans. I used deck screws and glue and a kreg jig for the back and seat boards.
    I did not want screws on the seat and back boards.
    James Gabrielson

  7. Fernando Oliveira, Brazil

  8. For the frame I used 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood (actual 1.25 x 5.5). I don’t have a power miter saw so I cut each length with a circular saw then ripped into two identical pieces with a table saw. Cut the angles for each piece with a table saw. The top and seats are T&G pine. This may not hold up outside so I didn’t glue them. I can always replace them with the same pressure treated wood. If I do this I will edge dowel them together rather than use a rod or a batten as shown in the plans.
    Thanks for the plans.
    Reed

  9. After a few initial explanations and a couple throughout the project, Les left me alone to read from the plans and get on with it.
    I felt I handled the electric saw and drill with confidence and ease. I wasn’t at all intimated by the drop-saw as I read some of the
    first-time girls were and I soon learnt to hold the drill-driver in proper alignment with the screws. There were only a couple of instances (maybe more) where I had to call on Les for some assistants.
    It was such a lot of fun and I thouroughly enjoyed it. I think I could just about do another one by myself although Les said for safety reasons I would probably need supervision for the next one or two. It took about six hours to make over a couple of days.
    I would recommend anyone to give such a project a try.
    I am very proud of my bench seat with it’s little table.

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS20IoA46II&feature=youtu.be

  10. Hei.

    Har laget noen av disse benkene, men har gjort noen endringer.

    Del “D” er 5 gr. i forkant og ca. 10 gr. i bakkant.

    Dette gjør at setet heller ca. 5 gr. mot ryggen. Mye bedre sete.

    Legger ved et bildet av den jeg har laget.

    Arild

  11. Here’s an easel we made off your plans while on holiday in Spain.
    Things were a little different for me here, so had to change a few things!
    I don’t know if they even have lumber yards here in the city (Barcelona) or close to it, but found a carpentry store just around the corner from where we are staying and asked what they had to offer.
    They had a few spare pieces of lumber and offered us four 2m (80″) lengths of 50mm x 15mm ( 5/8″ x 2″) for 5 Euros (8 U.S. Dollars).
    After measuring off the plan we realized it would be a little small for me (Yes I know it said kids easel!) so we followed your plan, just added some length.
    Found the screws and bolts at a local hardware store. easy as! Total of everything including timber was 9 Euros (14 U.S. Dollars) spent.
    We also added a piece of timber on top of the horizontal piece, so we could have a ledge for my canvas and pencil / paint brushes to rest on. We dug out a trench thingy for my pencils/paint brushes. You would cringe – we had no tools so just kinda dug it out with a screw driver and hammer. Good enough though – the pencil doesn’t roll away!
    Everything bought, made and painted all in one day:)
    Rose

  12. Hi all,

    I’ve bought the premium plans for the X legged table and found them really useful – thanks Les!

    I wasn’t able to get the exact wood sizes in the UK and so have got 100x47mm instead of the 90×45 for the rails, brace etc and 200x47mm for the table and bench top.

    I was wondering though if anyone could help with the X measurements given the different size wood.. I’m assuming that given the wood is thicker, the measurements for the cut down legs at 36 degrees (normally 885 for table leg and 512 for bench leg) and the measurements between end and cut out x section will differ (normally 518/93/274 for table and 332/93/87 for bench)..

    Before I start cutting I wanted to run this by anyone that might know to see if they’re able to help with what the measurements would be/suggestions..

    Thanks
    Callum

  13. This racing car bed was made by Roger from a buildeazy plan.

    The plans can be seen here https://www.buildeazy.com/kids-racing-car-bed/

    Roger says

    Hi

    Attached photo of my bed to your design. Made slightly wider so I could use Ikea slats for base.

    Many thanks – great fun.

    Hope Grandson likes it!

    Regards

    Roger D Stonham

    Eastleigh, UK

  14. Two questions please:
    1.) Any recommendations for finishing on the sides regarding weather proofing? Would a Kiltz style primer followed by a finish coat of white acrylic be best for moisture proofing (with caulk as needed)?
    2.) Any recommendation for whether to use pressure treated wood to prevent termite issues? I do plan to raise it off the ground with concrete but still concerned as I have lots of mulch in neighborhood of shack. Plan to use it on bottom runners, but is it a good idea at other locations? Seal bottom, ground facing portion with vinyl? Thanks!

  15. hi, thank you for the updates, email. I made the kids picnic table from from wood. also the adult one. Wife , over the moon.
    I not very good, writing plans, on pcs, not know how to. lol. 2 tips. one buy large parasol.
    When it lowered all way down, it a tent, den, hide away, only kids, allowed. We to big to get under. they love it.
    I going to another kids one. next one. don’t use a centre , brace/spreader. use two out side ones. make it into, box. plywood , bottom, removalable, centre, tops. that way, it a sand pit, also. with seats. the removalable, tops keep the cats, out. yo, know what they. like to do in sand. thank you for the update, regards, Tony kelly.

  16. Dear BuildEazy,
    I was looking over your site last month and came across the “kids desk” plans.
    I thought it was an excellent design and since my son’s birthdays were coming up I called up my dad to see if he would be interested in building them, since he’s the carpenter in the family.
    He was delighted and jumped right in. He used mahogany paint grade plywood, added some edge banding, painted the tops and seats my son’s favorite colors and then finished it with a clear coat of spray shellac First they tried a water based clear coat over the water based paint, but the paint wrinkled so they had to sand it all off and start over.
    The paint did wrinkle a little bit with the shellac, so they think maybe next time (when my daughter is old enough for her own desk) they will try verathane. Then he and my mom put some decals on to finish them off. My sons were delighted with their gifts. Please enjoy and feel free to use all of the included pictures.
    Sincerely,
    Sarah Adamo

  17. Hello. I made a pair of these saw horses last summer , using your plans.
    I used tanalised timber – 95 x 45 for the legs, 145 x 45 for the tops and 18mm ply for the ends. 75mm ring nails to attach the legs , 50mm ring nails for the ends and lots of P/U glue.
    They are very sturdy , you can stand right on the ends and they will not tip.
    I made a pair of saw horses years ago but did’nt splay the legs in both directions (probably put off by the compound mitres) – Don’t go down this route, these are a lot sturdier and more stable.( Traditional designs always work the best) .
    Very easy to make if you own a compound mitre saw. (for the leg cuts and the cutouts) .
    I glued and nailed the legs on a flat bit of concrete, then put a concrete block on top while the glue set overnight, (in case the legs were a bit out) ,trimmed and cleaned them up the next day. Turned out alright.
    Edmund

  18. ‘Thanks.
    Wasn’t that bad…
    It was a good peaceful project to spend quality time with myself’
    J

  19. Where is the list of materials needed and instructions? I am here because I clicked on “free plans” but there’s another link to download pdf plans for $5. Where do you have the free plans?
    Can youmprovide guidance, please?

  20. Good day
    My wife wanted me to build her a chair so she could sit outside and watch our daughter while playing on the jungle gym.
    So she search the internet for picture of chairs and found your plans. And handed me the plans.
    This is the product of the plan.
    Thanks, she is so impressed with the results that it has ended in the entrance hall of the house.
    Kind Regards Ian Stanley

  21. I really like your plans and like that its all made from 1×4’s
    What type of wood did you use or recommend.
    Thanks Carl

  22. We built 3 Kentucky Stick Chairs for our grandchildren (11, 9, 4), using your paid pattern. There are several big Jake’s Chairs on our dock, so we wanted lower profile chairs that could be used for dock-fishing, but otherwise would be inside for TV/games, etc.
    Safety Design Change for Young Child
    The Stick Chairs were quick and easy to make but we did have one design issue. Caroline is 4, and while tall and thin her legs do not touch the floor when sitting in this chair. The seat/back right angles and couplers make the Stick Chairs sturdy and comfortable, but they are VERY forward TIPPY when enter/exiting the chair. An adult, or even our older grandchildren, automatically compensate with no problem. We showed her how to enter/exit to the side which worked fine until she forgot :(. Not only did the chair tip forward, it folded up and the entire chair weight slammed into the back of her head. A few minutes of tears and a popsicle brought back her smile, but we knew we had to have a safety modification.
    We tried adding 9″ forward-facing feet to the inside of the two front legs, but that was not enough to prevent tipping. Ultimately, we added 17.5″ legs to the outside front seat string, cutting the top flush/angles with the outside seat pieces. The front seat rod was tighten enough that the support legs follow gravity down when unfolded, but are still loose enough to fold up. After many enter/exit test, they have prevented tip-overs without further attachment. When she gets older, the two legs can easily be removed.
    Finishing
    We wanted bright, fun, colors but stains tend to be more house/deck conservative. We found our solution with Behr’s new water-based, tint-to-paint-colors stain. We loved Behr’s new Seasons, Home Decorators Collection of bright, beach-resort colors. Home Depot personnel had to custom match to the paint sample color due to the differences in stain/paint base, but they were happy to do so for ANY of their paint colors (thank you Margaret)! One 8-oz sample size was enough for two coats on a single chair. One coat gave good coverage, but we want a more painted look that would wear like a stain considering all the moving parts.
    Pattern Layout
    Am also passing on our cutting layout for using ONE 2x8x10 board, in case you think would be helpful (see the cutting layout above). We will make others, so did not want to forget and have to rethink it when we do more. Cutting smaller lengths first made ripping quick and easy for those of us who hobby-build.
    We all LOVE our new chairs and thank you for the pattern & instructions!
    Jerry Doty

  23. Wooden wheelbarrow made off a BuildEazy plan by G.A. Miedema

  24. For the frame I used 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood (actual 1.25 x 5.5). I don’t have a power miter saw so I cut each length with a circular saw then ripped into two identical pieces with a table saw. Cut the angles for each piece with a table saw. The top and seats are T&G pine. This may not hold up outside so I didn’t glue them. I can always replace them with the same pressure treated wood. If I do this I will edge dowel them together rather than use a rod or a batten as shown in the plans.
    Thanks for the plans.
    Reed

  25. Hi, Love the plans which worked a treat.
    I made this during the 1st year of my daughter’s life in 2009 and I highly recommend it for any new Dad. It’s one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done and I had nearly zero building experience.
    Edie absolutely loves it too and gets more use out of it as each year passes.
    Thanks for making it available on your site.

  26. Hi,
    thought I’d send you a picture of my attempt at your plans for the K2 Telephone Box.
    I’m not quite finished – still got the ceiling, light fitting etc.
    Regards, Dave McKay

  27. I had a stroke of luck in that our B@M store have just started stocking black plastic containers that I estimated would fit the planter. On inserting it into the planter I found it fitted perfectly with just 3 inches of it’s height to be removed. I pinned the top edges of it with small wood screws and cut and fitted a top covering strip. The planter was then painted with the fence pain we use and the top and bottom with black gloss paint for contrast. Of all the planters on the net this is the one that has most style.
    Keith Baker

  28. Thank you for the design!
    We adjusted the size to suit our two dogs and made the roof removable (by installing two extra cross-beams instead of nailing to the frame) for easier cleanup inside.
    We kept the cutout for the door so that we can keep out any neighborhood cats, squirrels, raccoons, etc that may want to nest on the dog bed inside.
    We still need to weatherproof the roof ridge, but there’s no huge rush here yet.
    Because we wanted taller sides, but not a very tall dog house, the roof angle was adjusted to 60 degrees. And, as you can see, we left the bottom plate so the door has something to stop it and the bed doesn’t work it’s way out.

  29. This is a really great plan. I managed to recycle all the required wood from past projects-gone-bad and the salvage bin from my local lumber yard. Took a little extra work with an orbital sander but well worth the effort. Total cost came to about $20 over the course of about two weeks to complete, but this could be done in a few evenings or easily in a weekend provided you don’t have to travel back to the store.
    Pay special attention when drilling holes for the bolts. A mistake here can make the table go wonky in spite of the painstakingly accurate measurements taken at the start.
    Take your time, measure carefully, don’t be afraid to go back to the store to get the proper tools and you’ll be pleased with the result when it’s sitting in your living room. Vast improvement over the usual IKEA swag…
    Sean, British Columbia, Canada

  30. Summer of 09 we built my greenhouse from the plans on this site. We modified a bit for the height and made it fit the foundation that was in place. It was a lot of work but it came out so good, I have it filled with plants now and loving my time inside. Thanks for posting the plans
    Janet

  31. Many thanks for the article on the laminated bridge. My daughter had asked me to build her a bridge to go over her pond, and after looking at many plans I decided that I could cope with your plan. I had been given a lot of mahogany by a friend who lives near by from a conservatory they had pulled down…
    Harry from England

  32. Thank you for posting your on-line carport construction plans. They were helpful.
    Craig

  33. Hi there

    This project took me about 11 months and I still have to lime plaster 3 interior walls
    It’s a great setting to relax with friends, play cards and drink some wine

    Best wishes for an enjoyable project building 2019

    Doug

  34. Dear Sir, thought you might like to see these items that I made with your plans last year. The well is in my garden and the bench is at my sisters.
    Yours sincerely
    Mike Turner Burntwood Staffs, England

  35. Hi, I purchased your plan and build this playhouse for my two grand daughters.
    Attached hereto a pic of the end result.
    I will add railings for the deck later.
    Thanks. Good plan and easy to build. Regards
    PC & Nici Groenewald

  36. Olivia Redding in Sophia N.C

  37. I really needed a shed and decided to build it myself and thanks to your plans I was able to accomplish this project. I made some modifications and did make some mistakes but over all I am really please at the outcome. By the way this was my first attempt at building anything. I think I will try some of your other projects.
    Frank

  38. With respect !!!

  39. I have been a fan of your site for a few years, but have no woodworking experience. Two years ago we purchased a farm.
    My first project was a work bench, although I didn’t use any specific plans, I did use skills I read about on your site.
    When we acquired two chickens it was time to put my limited skills to use!
    This chicken coop is my first big project. I made it 4′ x 4′ x 4′ and insulated it for a Canadian winter. It didn’t need a roof, being in our barn, but I wanted to build one anyway.
    The picture shows the coop before it is insulated and outer plywood put on. It often reaches -15 C even inside the barn

  40. I would just like to says thanks for the help. Your site is great it helped find the perfect storage solution for my small backyard. Your site gave me great info on where to start and what to do as this is the first building I’ve ever built. You may use the following photo (if you wish) to show a finished product.
    Bill Griffin, Groves, TX.

  41. I used the angles cuts and basic design, but added depth and length to the seat and table. I used a different design for the arm rests, mostly for aesthetic reasons. I also had to put another 2×4 under the bench for extra seat support. The surface material is the gray composite deck material.
    Sean B.
    Boise

  42. Great plan for a picnic table.
    I used treated deck boards for the top. The last board needed to be ripped and rounded over with a router, but it kind of adds a trip effect to the finished project.
    Also securing the spokes of the table to a piece of plywood prior to installing the seats or tops helps to ensure they will stay in place during construction.
    The distance between spokes is equal to the radius of the table. My kids love the large table.
    The extra blocking on the lower spoke and blocking under the table allowed drilling a hole for and umbrella.
    Robert Boone

  43. Here a some pictures of my finished doll house. As you can see I added some shutters to the windows. I want to give you some feedback of my experience doing this build.
    1. When I had finished the build, the roof did not fit. I had to saw away part of the frieze board to make it fit. The reason for this was that in placing the frieze board in 2 inches from the outside edge of the frame only leaves 10 1/4 inch of space (14.25 minus 4 equals 10.25). The doll house is 9 inches wide plus the back (1/2 inch) plus the board added across the top front for stability (3/4 inch) which totals 10.25. To solve this problem as I build my second doll house, I am putting the frieze boards in by only 1 3/4 inches. This will allow plenty of clearance for the roof to fit.
    2. If the two piece 3 pieces are cut as shown on page 6 of the plans they will not work since they are identical. I plan to move the lower piece 3 to the upper right hand corner of the board as a mirror image and I think it will work fine.
    3. This one you are already aware of. That is the incorrect length ( 26 vs 29) on the first board I cut on page 7 of the plans.
    4. On page 9 of the plans you show the inside of the dormer being trimmed for readiness for the front wall. This would be much easier if you marked the dormer on the front of the roof and trimmed out what is necessary prior to gluing the dormer in place.
    Started my second doll house today and hope to have an easier time based on my experience of building my first one.
    E. Stevens

BuildEazy
Logo
Enable registration in settings - general
Shopping cart