DIY Life

DIY Ladder: Clever Uses For An Old Ladder

Jaime Derringer — 2011-09-14T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, in the kitchen, organization and storage, Crafts, wood working, Storage & Organization, Crafts & Celebrations

Take an old ladder to new heights with these fun craft-it-yourself ideas.

I'm willing to bet that you have an old step ladder in your garage or basement. You know the one -- covered in old paint with the wobbly leg. Too bad it's useless, right? Wrong! You can reuse that old ladder without stepping on a single rung. Here are a few fun ways to re-purpose that ladder and put it to good use around the house, without spending a dime.

Photos: Charles Walton IV for Southern Living/Deborah Ory for Woman's Day

If your ladder is a bit dingy, clean it up, scrape or sand off the old paint unless you're going for that shabby chic look. Tighten up that wobbly leg, and try one of these nifty ideas:

1. Bookshelf. You've seen ladder-shaped bookshelves, right? Well, obviously, they were inspired by the real thing. You can use an old ladder as a bookshelf and save yourself a lot of cash while still getting the same look.

2. Pot rack. How fun is this idea we spotted over on Woman's Day? Just take an old ladder and place it on its side, affix to the ceiling and use it to hang your pots and pans!

Do these photos inspire you to dig up your old ladder? Photos: This Old House/Living, Etc

3. Towel rack. You know those ladder towel racks that run upwards of $50 or even $75? Why not use your old ladder instead and save that money for some new bath salts or a towel upgrade?

An instant purse rack! Photo: Holly Becker, decor8

4. Plant stand. You can actually buy ladder plant stands, but why spend $99 when you have a free one collecting dust?

5. Closet organizer. Ladies, do you want somewhere to hang or rest your purse collection? What about sweaters, or maybe you need somewhere to hang your pants or rest your shoes? An old ladder in the closet is a great place to organize your clothing and accessories.

6. Nightstand. If your ladder has flat rungs that are like small shelves, you can use a ladder as a nightstand. Simply place the ladder next to the bed and use the rungs to place your alarm clock, books or magazines and phone (or whatever else you keep next to the bed).

7. Wall decor. Hang an old ladder on the wall as art! Paint it a fun color to match your room, or affix family memorabilia to the rungs and use it as a wall display.

Want more repurposing ideas? Check out 5 things you can do with an old t-shirt.

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Daily DIY: Craft an Elf Bowling Set

Erin Loechner — 2009-12-16T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Crafts, wood working, Holidays, Crafts & Celebrations

The Long Thread

Your little ones will bowl over for this crafty gift, and you'll have a ball making it!:

Step 1: With a hand saw and miter box, cut wooden dowel rods in 6″ lengths.
Step 2: Sand bottoms until they stand flat.
Step 3: Wrap painter's tape in 1/2″ increments around each pin and paint red stripes. Remove tape when the paint it just barely dry by pulling straight up.
Step 4: Paint faces.
Step 5: (optional) Spray dowels with polyurethane.
Step 6: Sew decorative stitching onto edge of felt pieces (ric-rac would be nice).
Step 7: Make little pompom by wrapping yard in loops and tying it around itself. Then trim ends and fray them a bit.
Step 8: Lay pompom on right side of felt, fold right sides together and pin in place. Sew along seam with 1/4″ seam allowance. Reinforce the end with yarn. Turn right side out, using closed tip of scissors to gently push out the tip.
Step 9: Insert a small piece of pipe cleaner into the top of the hat so it will bend. Adjust all of your hats to the desired position.
Step 10: Put a bead of glue on the top edge of the dowel rod and carefully place the hat.

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Daily DIY: A Chair Made From Pool Noodles? Yes!

Erin Loechner — 2009-10-12T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, Crafts, Tools, wood working, Crafts & Celebrations

Re-purpose those pool noodles into a sleek, modern chair. Photo: Instructables

It's time to pack up those pool accessories and face the facts -- cooler weather is here to stay, whether we like it or not. Still, you can have a bit of a last hurrah with those old pool noodles you've got scattered around your back patio. Why not transform your average noodle into a fabulously unique chair with this tutorial from Instructables?

One tip from our expert designer? "The chair's joints are cast aluminum, made using the lost styrofoam process. I know most people don't have access to a foundry, and getting custom work cast is expensive. However, the joints could just as easily be made out of wood, hopefully something that provides a nice contrast to the plywood"

In other words, get creative with a few inexpensive and crafty materials to keep the bill low and the work unique. Sometimes having a budget is the best way to ensure you have a one-of-a-kind piece!

Happy crafting!

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Wood-burn a beautiful clock

Anna Sattler — 2008-07-18T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, Crafts, wood working

Every week, I eagerly look forward to Wednesdays and head over to Design*Sponge to see what has been created that day. Derek and Lauren never cease to amaze me, and this week is certainly no exception. Once again they have come up with an excellent DIY project.

A simple piece of wood, a clock mechanism kit, and a wood-burning tool are materials necessary in making this gorgeous little clock. Derek and Lauren provide complete and detailed instructions and pictures describing the process of putting the clock together.

If you read my wood-burned tray post, and tried your hand at using a wood-burning tool, you should have no problem making this easy gift.

I am surprised to see I have almost the same piece of wood hanging on my wall. I think it would look even more beautiful if I turned it into a clock!

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Build a bird bath with found items

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-18T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: weekend projects, outdoor, wood working, nature

Attracting birds to your yard can bring so much enjoyment. They are so much fun to watch, and my son loves naming the different types he sees at our birdfeeder -- goldfinch, robin, sparrow, blue jay....

We've shown you how to build a bird house with scrap wood; now I'll share some ideas on how to build a bird bath with materials you may have around the house.

You could use some chicken wire and cement for the bath part, some metal for the support post, and rocks for the edges, suggests Las Pilitas. Or how about an old cake pan, an old garbage can lid, or even a beat-up hubcap? If those are too crazy for you, a soft, flat rock or even a terra cotta pot's saucer will make an effective birdbath.

Las Pilitas shares some tips on where to place your bird bath so the birds feel safe and comfortable: away from brush, not in full sun, but in afternoon shade.

I love that these bird bath ideas give new uses to old items you may have considered junk before reading this post. Talk about reduce, reuse, and recycle!

So enjoy creating your own bird bath with "found" materials, and be sure and tell us in the comments how you made your masterpiece!

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Learn to skateboard

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-18T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation, seasonal, wood working

Has the summer bug bit you yet?

If it has, you may be itching to try a new outdoor activity. Hiking and biking may have become passe, so get yourself a skateboard and wheel off to enjoy the great outdoors.

Expert Village has created a skateboarding video series that will teach you the basics, like how to stand, push, and turn on your new board. When you are ready for the fancy moves, watch their videos on the Ollie tricks and how to skate on ramps.

Heck, as a self-proclaimed DIYer, you just may want to build yourself a skateboard ramp. There are lots of free ramp plans available on the internet, and wikiHow even gives you step-by-step instructions on how to build your ramp based on your own plans.

So fire up that enthusiasm for your new hobby and learn to skateboard in style!

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Electric drill depth-stop on the fly

Kelly Smith — 2008-07-15T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: fix-it, household hacks, Tools, wood working, Know-How

There are many times when you need to drill a hole only so far -- and no deeper. Either it's a "break-through" issue, or you're doing some production holes that have to be the same equal depth. This is easy enough with a drill press fitted with a dial-in depth stop.

But what to do if you don't have a drill press, or just as bad, the workpiece won't fit in it? This can easily be the case with a tabletop drill press.

You just have to DIY. All you need is your hand-held drill, the proper drill bit, and a roll of tape: electrical tape, duct tape, or masking tape -- your choice.

Simply measure the depth of the desired hole from the tip of your drill bit, and make a couple of wraps of tape around the bit. When your drill bit is spinning, the tape will blur into a perfect line. All you have to do is drill slowly, and back off just as you approach it!

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Cupcake tree for your wedding

Ilona Peltz — 2008-07-11T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, wedding, wood working, entertaining

Cupcakes have come into vogue as a sweet alternative to the traditional wedding cake. No fussing with cutting the cake, and guests can choose from a variety of flavors. Besides that, a well-decorated cupcake is just plain adorable!

If you have a couple hundred guests, though, that's a couple hundred cupcakes, at least. Where on earth do you serve them? Cupcake stands are the norm, but generally these hold only a couple of dozen.

If you're an enterprising DIY bride, however, you might just want to craft a cupcake stand to beat all cupcake stands, and put a solid 375 cupcakes on the one, enormous tree! You could consider it the centerpiece to the reception hall!

Standing at least six feet and change, this tree's largest tier is 40-inches in diameter, and the smallest, topmost tier is nine inches. The layers are made from half-inch medium-density fiberboard, with edges rounded and the whole disk painted white. Remember that fiberboard is known for off-gassing pretty copiously when cut, so wear a mask when cutting, and be sure to seal the cut edges thoroughly.

The dividers between layers are Styrofoam cake dummies covered in glossy white paper. The tower is settled on a Christmas tree stand (too bad we can't see it in the pictures!), and stacked on a curtain rod which went up through holes bored through the center of each segment of the whole affair.

For more pictures and information, check out the post on Craftster.

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Build a "Jungle Cruise" playhouse, Disney-style

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-04T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: kids, weekend projects, remodeling, wood working

My three-year-old loves playhouses. Even if it's really just a cardboard box that he can fit into, it qualifies as the coolest toy in the northern hemisphere.

In fact, we have finally found the right plans to fit our yard, and we plan on building a playhouse for our fanciful child soon. We were actually steering clear of themed playhouses, so that Owen could let his imagination run wild; knowing him, it will be everything from a firehouse to the Hall of Justice.

If you have a little one who adores Disney's many jungle-themed rides and movies, though, this may be just the playhouse for you to try building.

Madhatter1138 has thought of every detail, and he's chronicled his project on Instructables. From jungle masks as decor, to a replica of Disney's sign created on his computer, this dedicated dad has surely won the hearts of his kiddies with this labor of love.

Tell us about a themed playhouse -- or even a playroom -- that you designed for your kids. We'd love to be inspired all over again!

[via BoingBoing]

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Build a birdhouse from scrap wood

Debra McDuffee — 2008-06-23T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal, weekend projects, Crafts, wood working, nature

The birds are back. I know this, because every morning at 4:30, they sing me awake. Hundreds of them. It was cute at first, but now I am thinking I really need to stop sleeping with the windows open....

I jest, because I really do enjoy having a yard full of birds. Our bird feeder is crowded daily with goldfinches, robins, sparrows, chickadees, cardinals, and other species of feathered friends. The conservation land our house borders has special houses just for the bluebirds, which are always a spectacular sight.

You can build a bird house from scrap wood for your yard, and hopefully attract some of the fascinating and colorful birds pictured in the gallery. You'll need a hammer and nails, waterproof glue, scrap 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch plywood, and some dowels.

The step-by-step instructions at All Free Crafts are very clear and there is a helpful diagram included. A good tip they mention is to think about the size of the hole you make, as that will determine what type of birds you attract.

Happy hammering!

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Stair runner weekend painting project

Anna Sattler — 2008-06-20T20:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, weekend projects, remodeling, wood working

Summer is here, and about this time, you should be sending the kids off to summer camp. That means free time to get the house spruced up without little tykes underfoot. That doesn't mean lazing around on a hammock all summer, though; it really means getting out the paint brush.

If your stairs are looking beat up from constant foot thrashings, you can give them a makeover by painting a stair runner in vibrant colors that will be sure to have the kids tiptoeing around for a time. Domino says this is a project that will take you a few days, so it would be great to get started on the project this weekend, so you have extra time to let the paint dry between coats.

Over on AOL Decorating, the readers thought this was a huge waste of time, but I disagree. I think that the stairs look much more modern and cheerful with the red and white paint, instead of the drab, dreary wood. I also think that the paint is much safer than a carpet runner. My favorite color is green, so of course I would pick Hunter Green instead of red. What colors would you pick for your painted stair runner?

To keep your weekend project mess-free, use the tips in this video:

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Furniture touch-up, not refinish

Kelly Smith — 2008-06-19T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: fix-it, home decor, weekend projects, wood working, painting

Do you have a piece of wood furniture or two that's got a few dings? Not quite enough to warrant the effort of stripping, puttying, sanding, and refinishing? Been there, done that. Well, there's an elegant solution that you can DIY in just a few moments (say, right before the company arrives)!

This little bit of touch-up magic comes in the form of a marker; it looks kind of like a magic marker and you can pick them up at most home improvement centers. I know, it sounds lame, but it really does work. The brand I'm familiar with is Mohawk, which is a company under the same corporate umbrella where RustOleum resides. That says quality to me.

The real trick is in matching the shade. I learned how to do this when I worked for a major hotel chain where guests seem to get a sardonic pleasure in abusing furniture the way they would never do at home. Anyhow, they only come in a certain number of shades. Here's the trick: swipe with a shade slightly darker than your finish and quickly wipe with a cloth. After wiping it'll be lighter than the marker says.

Repeat with the swipe 'n wipe until you've got a match. Each swipe will get you closer. Using the chisel edge of the marker, you can even match grain patterns with practice.

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Log Swings recalled due to fall hazard

Anna Sattler — 2008-06-11T20:00:00+00:00

Filed under: seasonal, outdoor, recalls and safety, wood working

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Far East Brokers and Consultants Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about 750 log swings, due to a fall hazard posed to consumers if a missing nail connecting the back of the log chair to the seat separates from the seat while in use. Far East Brokers has received six reports of the log chair separating, including three reports of minor injuries.

Manufactured in China and sold at Grand Union Family Markets, Ingle's Markets, VG's Food Center, Plumb's Valu-Rite Foods, and Central Shoprite stores from February 2008 through May 2008 for about $150, the recall involves a log swing that hangs from a log frame. The swing seats two people. Please see the CPSC press release for more details.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled log swing and return the disassembled parts to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, contact Far East Brokers and Consultants at (877) 695-8354 or visit the firm's website at www.fareastbrokers.com.

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Turn chairs into a bench for two

Anna Sattler — 2008-06-04T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, household hacks, Crafts, staying green, wood working

My husband and I have a habit of picking up furniture and other stuff that ends up at the end of someone's driveway. What one person thinks of as trash, we happen to think it is an ugly treasure that can easily be converted into something useful and beautiful.

Salvaging is just as nice as shopping at the thrift store, except it is free, since someone put it out for the trash. Over on Craftster, Sharon S. made a bench built for two from two beat up chairs and a headboard she managed to salvage. She cut the rickety chairs apart and used them for each end of the bench. The back of the bench is the headboard.

Although she doesn't really have any instructions on how to make the chair bench, or what hardware she used, Sharon's project is genius and a perfect way to salvage old chairs and a headboard that otherwise might be adding to an already clogged landfill.

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DIY safety gates

Francesca Clarke — 2008-06-04T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, kids, wood working

I find safety gates inexcusably ugly, so I don't use them. Just kidding: of course I use them! I curse their dreadful sight every time I pass, but I still use them.

With our older ones we had white plastic gates. These weren't just an eyesore, but were incredibly awkward to use. Now, we have wooden ones. They are much more convenient and attractive, but are hardly a compliment to interior design.

These homebrew safety gates might be just the answer, keeping your adventurous little ones safe without compromising your style. The design isn't available, but Joel lists the materials and method in his post comments. Looking through the pictures and reading the conversation following the post is probably all you need to reproduce this innovative safety gate.

If you're using the gates to keep animals to a designated area, these safety concerns don't apply, so you can build the basic design and enjoy your stylish gates. If you're using it to keep children off the stairs, you'll find the conversation in the comments about safety and the various solutions helpful.

It's hard to believe with all the trendy tot-type merchandise out there, nobody has developed a better baby gate. It just goes to show that if you want something done right, you'll have to do it yourself!

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Do a wheelie with the picnic table

Billy Robb — 2008-06-03T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: household hacks, outdoor, wood working

This is a simple project that only takes 15 minutes; it took me longer to take and post the pictures. If you have a wooden picnic table and an abandoned lawnmower laying behind the garage, you have the ingredients of a rolling table. Adding a set of lawnmower wheels to the legs of the table makes it easy to move it around the yard, while not dragging the legs and tearing up the lawn.

Tools: A wrench and drill.
Parts: Two 3-inch lag screws with washers and two small lawnmower wheels.

First, prop up the legs on something and place the wheel so it hangs 1/2 inch below the leg. You'll also want to have the wheel sticking out 1/2 inch on the outside of the leg (see pictures in the gallery). Mark your hole location and pre-drill the hole for the lag screw; do this on both table legs. Attach the wheels with the lag screws, but don't overtighten. That's it!

Now you can pick up one side of the table and roll it around like a wheelbarrow. This only works on lawns, not hard surfaces. The wheels can't support people weight on patios and other hard surfaces, but on the lawn they'll sink in a little so the weight rests on the legs. You could double the wheels for extra strength; then you would need long bolts instead of lag screws.

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Fix a stripped screw hole with a golf tee

Kelly Smith — 2008-05-22T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: fix-it, household hacks, weekend projects, doors and windows, Tools, wood working

Don't you just hate it when a hinge on a door or cabinet just won't stay put because the screw hole is stripped out? Sure, you can use a bigger or longer screw, but then it won't match. Frankly, that just looks tacky. But don't lose hope; here's a trick I use.

The first thing to do is remove the offending hardware. Next, dig one of your golf tees out of your golf bag. Apply some epoxy glue or wood glue on the pointy end and sides of the tee. Tap it in with a mallet or hammer as far as it'll go. After the glue is completely dry, use your coping saw to cut off any excess tee and sand as needed. Presto! New wood!

Now you can replace the hardware and it's as good as new - maybe better. The hole is too small for a tee? Use as many toothpicks as will fit in the hole. The ones with flat sides work best. The great thing about this hack is that it really doesn't have to be pretty; the hinge covers up your handiwork.

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Make your own stilts

Francesca Clarke — 2008-05-12T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: recreation, weekend projects, wood working, entertaining

If there is one circus skill I'd love to master, it's walking on stilts. Being hopelessly clumsy and a bit of a coward, I'm not sure it's in the cards for me, but if you're looking for a fun construction project and a new skill, try out these DIY stilts.

The wooden stilts are adjustable, increasing your height by one to three feet. Here's what you need to construct them:

Wooden 2×4, 15.5" long
4 3/8" wing nuts
4 3/8" ID flat washers
4 3/8" x 4" carriage bolts
2 Wooden poles, 8′x1.5"x1.5"
Table saw
Drill

The instructions don't seem too complicated, but considering that you'll trust the final product to support you in the air, you'll want to follow them carefully, paying particular attention to the safety tips. I'm guessing that the moderate danger rating has more to do with the difficulty you'll have learning to walk safely on stilts than it does with the actual safety of the stilts.

Even if you're not looking for a new career as a busker, you'll love showing off your new skills and your homemade stilts.

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Make custom pegboard tool hangers

Anna Sattler — 2008-05-12T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: organization and storage, Tools, wood working

Pegboard can be a lifesaver in a workshop, sewing room, or the garage. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to retrieve a favorite tool because the hanger wants to come out of the pegboard along with the tool. While using pegboard can keep a workspace neat and tidy, sometimes reinforcement is needed to keep your tools from elongating the holes.

Popular Mechanics has a great article teaching us how to make our own custom pegboard tool hangers, using aluminum and steel from the hardware store, a hacksaw, a drill and a pair of pliers. Cut, bend, and shape the aluminum or steel, screw it to the wall, and hang up your tools.

With these custom pegboard tool hangers, we really have no more excuses to let our precious tools clutter up our workspace. Not only are the tool hangers perfect for a man's workshop, I think they are also perfect for a sewing/crafting room pegboard too.

via: Curbly

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DEWALT recalls table saws due to laceration hazard

Anna Sattler — 2008-05-02T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: recalls and safety, Tools, wood working

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., has issued a voluntary recall of about 13,000 DEWALT DW744 Jobsite Table Saws. The pivot bracket on the saw can seperate, causing the blade and the fence to misalign, causing kick back. Although no injuries have been reported, DEWALT has received one report of the table saw's blade misaligning.

Manufactured in Mexico and sold at major home centers and hardware stores from April 2007 through January 2008 for about $500, this recall involves DEWALT 10 inch yellow and black jobsite table saws, model number DW744. Please check the CPSC press release for more information on the table saws.

Consumers should stop using the recalled table saw and contact DEWALT at (888) 742-9178 to find out the location of a service center to obtain a free replacement table saw. For more information, visit the firm's website at www.dewalt.com.

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