Instagram story viewer> @buildtomade> Posts

Sanju Patel | DIY from a Dad

@buildtomade

237.7K

followers

989

following

Be curious.
Build. Test. Mess up. Fix up.
DIY projects with questionable dad humor.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Do you find it tricky to store tables, benches, and chairs? I built this storage box for under $100, and here’s how I did it:

I started with 2x4s to create sturdy “turkey legs.” By joining two pieces along the edge with wood glue and screws, I formed each leg. Then, I rotated two sets of legs to create an opening for a 2x2 crossbeam, made by slicing 2x4s vertically to save on weight. After that, I joined the two sides on a stable surface for a solid frame.

From my trusty scrap pile, I grabbed some subfloor sheathing, cut it to size, and attached it to form the bottom. For the sides, I used a $40 sheet of engineered treated wood siding, cutting four panels to fit. One area came up short, but the shiplap edges overlapped perfectly to cover it.

I filled in gaps with caulk, built a door, added hinges, and finished it off with leftover exterior paint. The next day, my son helped me roll it into the backyard. It turned out slightly larger than I imagined, but now I have custom storage for the tables and benches we use at every gathering.

I hope this inspires your next project! Talk to you soon! by @buildtomade

26k

158

2 years ago

Have you ever seen how @quikreteconcrete fast setting concrete works, especially without mixing. I received so many questions from folks wondering if I was setting the post correctly for my curb appeal series. Honestly, it got me wondering too.

The instructions say: pour about a gallon of water per 50 lb bag and allow the water to saturate the concrete mix. The mix will set hard in 20 to 40 minutes. Wait 4 hours to begin construction. And that’s really it.

As you can see, the water pentrates through the mix. And since I did this last night, I waited more than the suggested 4 hours. I was rather excited this morning to see the results of my test. The top was slightly soft and will need more time to dry, but check out the inside. It is near rock solid.

Now keep in mind these are the instructions for setting a post. And I have say, with a healthy dose of skepticism, the instructions were right. Anyway, talk to you guys soon.

(p.s. check out my stories on how I setup this bucket for the test!) by @buildtomade

50k

304

4 years ago

Alrighty guys I need your help with this one. I’m at my mom’s house and I pulled out these plastic inserts from her lanterns. They’ve turned yellow from the elements.

I’m back at my lab on a remote island, plotting to take over the lantern business. Anyway, I read about using household supplies found @walmart to reverse the yellowing.

The first test is just pouring 3% hydrogen peroxide, the same kind use for minor scrapes, and leaving it in the sun to activate a reaction.

The second test is 2 parts all purpose vinegar and 1 part water.

The final test requires creating a rub out of baking soda and water. This was a little messy, but we’ll see where this one lands.

I’m going to leave this here for 24 hours, but what do you think will happen? Which one will win. I’d love to hear your thoughts or recommendations. Talk soon.

(p.s. I suspect the plastic is polycarbonate but there’s no indication of manufacturer to further research.)

#diy #homerenovation #garden by @buildtomade

134k

1k

4 years ago

My daughter’s closet had become a storage room with barely enough space to walk inside. So I gave it a makeover for under $100 in new materials, using leftover flooring, DIY MDF shelves, and a dresser we already owned.

The shelves made it functional. The little lotus-petal edges made it hers. Those took considerably longer than expected 😂.

Somewhere between a shop-vac mishap and finishing before nap time, we finally gave her clothes a proper home and freed up space in her bedroom.

Four shelves, some bins, and a little creativity. Now I just have to keep my stuff out of it.

#ClosetMakeover #DIYStorage #BudgetDIY by @buildtomade

235

25

3 days ago

My wife wanted something behind the sofa, so I took a simple furniture design I’ve used before, changed the dimensions, and built this for about $40 in lumber.

And because apparently I can’t leave a finished project alone, I ended up adding a book ledge.

LUMBER USED:
(1) 2x12x10’ ~$20
(1) 2x10x8’ ~$12
(Optional) Pine for book ledge

CUT LIST:
Top: ~64”
Legs:~23” with 10° cuts
Center support: trace opening between legs

The center support was necessary after it failed the dad test 😂.

Lumber prices vary, and the final cost depends on what screws, stain and finish you already have.

Now I need a verdict: book ledge or no book ledge?

#DIYFurniture #WoodworkingProjects #DIYHome by @buildtomade

11k

88

14 days ago

Last year, this little $15 kids picnic table became one of my most popular builds.

After reading so many of your comments, I made a few updates:

-Hidden supports for extra strength
-An umbrella holder
-Crayon storage
-New colors!

It still uses $3 furring strips, takes just a couple of hours to build, and is a great beginner woodworking project.

Which version would your kids choose?
Watermelon, Lemonade, or Strawberry

#DIY #Woodworking #kidsprojects by @buildtomade

18k

137

3 months ago

Built this kids mud kitchen for about $30 using cedar fence boards.

Super simple cuts, nothing complicated - honestly one of those builds that might actually get used every day while the weather is good.

The “specimen jars” and kitchen sinks might be my favorite part 😂

I also put together a full cut list to keep it easy.

If you were building one of these…what would you add?

👇 Curious what people would do differently

#diyforkids #budgetbuild #backyardideas by @buildtomade

11k

2k

6 months ago

I built this outdoor coffee table from inexpensive 2x3s last fall, and after actually using it outside, there are a few things I’d change.

The biggest one is the tabletop.

I glued the entire top together at once, which made flattening it much harder than it needed to be. If I wanted a cleaner finish next time, I’d glue smaller sections first and run them through a benchtop planer before joining everything together.

I’d also seriously consider a slatted top for outdoor furniture. A solid glued panel can dry unevenly outside and begin to bow, while gaps between boards give water and dirt somewhere to go.

The second lesson is my cutting setup. I sometimes prioritize being able to see my cut line over properly supporting the saw and workpiece. That’s something I’d correct immediately. Better support, better clamping, and using the miter saw for repetitive or angled cuts would make the process safer and more consistent.

And finally, I preferred the figure-8 fasteners I used on the coffee table over the angled screws I used on the side table. They keep the fasteners hidden while still giving the tabletop room to move.

The table still works. The point isn’t that the build failed.

It’s that inexpensive projects are a very good place to learn what you’ll do differently on the next one.

#diyfurniture #woodworking #outdoorfurniture by @buildtomade

192

21

24 days ago

I’m going to show you how to build this $25 outdoor Leopold bench using just 3 boards.

Simple cuts, minimal tools, and you can build it in a few hours.

Quick Breakdown:

-2x6, 2x8, 2x10
-6 total pieces
-All leg cuts ~35°
-Seat: 45”
-Back: 48”

Save this if you’re building it later (link in bio to Iowa State plans).

#woodworking #diyprojects #outdoorfurniture by @buildtomade

69k

296

6 months ago

I found a solid outdoor coffee table for almost $800 and loved the simple design, but I didn’t love the price.

So I grabbed seven inexpensive 2x3 studs and built my own version for about $24 in lumber.

I simplified the original design: cleaned up the edges, angled the legs (10 degrees), added lower stretchers, and glued the remaining boards together for the top.

A couple things I’d change next time: construction lumber isn’t going to give you the same perfectly flat top as properly milled lumber without some extra work, and for an outdoor version I’d probably leave small gaps between the top boards to help with drainage.

And no, pine isn’t teak. This isn’t THE $800 teak table for $24. It’s a budget version inspired by one. Hopefully you get to build one.

For seven $3 studs? I’m pretty happy with where it landed.

Cut-List below 👇🏽

#DIYFurniture #OutdoorDIY #woodworking by @buildtomade

275

21

2 months ago

I built this LARGE cedar planter for $30 using just 9 fence boards.

The build is surprisingly simple. The legs are made by joining two cedar pickets into an L, then the sides are built with straight-cut fence boards. A few small support strips hold the bottom slats, and 3½” cedar pieces finish the top with a simple lip.

Cut List (save this👇🏽):

-Legs: 20” tall
-3½” pickets for the legs/top lip
-5½” pickets for the sides
-3/4” narrow crown staples
-1” strips support bottom
-Lumber may vary based on location

One thing I like about using fence pickets is that you get the look and outdoor durability without buying much more expensive dimensional lumber.

You can also add a liner or removable planter insert to help protect the inside.

Would you build this one?

#DIYPlanter #Woodworking #DIYProjects by @buildtomade

1k

35

2 months ago

For years, this area was just a pass-through to the backyard. #sponsored

The more I looked at the space, the more I realized it only needed one simple focal point.

After removing some old concrete, I built this two-post arbor using the Outdoor Accents Essentials hardware from @strongtie , including adjustable post bases, post caps, L-angle connectors and color-matched fasteners. I really like that the exposed black hardware becomes part of the design instead of something to hide.

Now the shed has a defined home, the olive tree balances the opposite side, and hopefully this Peggy Martin climbing rose will eventually cover the arbor.

Always review the applicable load tables, product specifications and installation instructions for your specific project.

Now I need your opinion...would you plant the climbing rose directly in the ground or build a cedar planter for it?

Paid partnership with @strongtie.

Learn more about the Outdoor Accents Essentials hardware through the link provided (in bio).

#oaessentials #strongtie #backyardmakeover by @buildtomade

705

62

2 months ago