Looks like we are on a theme this weekend. As with yesterday’s free plans, today’s free plan is for an outdoor play structure. Maybe a fort tower plan wasn’t for you. Well, today’s free plan calls for something a little more rustic.
The following plan is a simple log cabin
- 12 Pressure Treated 2x8x8′—1 for ridge board, 11 for floor joists
- 18 Pressure Treated 5/4x6x8′ decking boards—This is 2 more than you need
- 60 4x4x8′ Pressure Treated (or 3 1/2x5x8′ landscaping timbers)—Walls
- 15 2x6x8′ Pressure Treated—Roof Rafters and Ceiling Joists
- 3 4×8′x1/2″ Pressure Treated Plywood—Roof Sheathing
- 1 Square Roof Shingles (3 Bundles)
- 20lbs 3-3 1/2″ Galv. Nails or Screws for wall, roof & floor construction
- 5lbs 2 1/2″ Galv. Screws for deck board installation
- 5lbs Galv. roofing nails
Free Log cabin play house plans
One thing that I want you to keep in mind is that this is not an inexpensive project to build. To be frank, any cool outdoor structure that is built to stand the test of time (and kids) will cost a couple of dollars to build properly. This free log cabin play house plan will set you back around $1,000 depending on the lumber prices in your area.
This really is a unique structure. One thing that you should keep in mind when building a play house project is the future use possibilities. If you will be storing lawn tools inside once your kids are out, be sure the door is wide enough to fit your lawnmower. If you will be using it as a garding shed, or potting shed, consider a little taller plan now so that you have the headroom in the future. Food for thought.
Have fun with this great, AND FREE, play house plan (log cabin style).
The following set of woodworking plans is, in one word, Awesome. Who wouldn’t want their own FORT in their back yard This plan is right out of a movie set and can be built in a couple of days. It is not a small scale playset / tower. The height reaches above 10′!
One of the best parts of this 2 story tower plan is that it gives you MANY avenues to build off of.
- Build a swing set off of one side
- Build a climbing wall off of another
- Attach a rope ladder wall to the third
Click the picture for your free 2 story fort / play house plans
Free Fort Plans
Whatever options you choose, this plan is a good foundation. This plan comes from the folks at areaguides and was produced by ubild.
Tags: back, fort, free, plans, play, playset, set, tower, yard
The following plan might require some advanced knowledge of building techniques since it isn’t much more than a set of detailed illustrations. However, if you are handy and looking for cool shed plans, this should inspire you. These shed plans incorporate a covered area that could be used for a garden or potting area or even as a bar for outdoor entertaining. Good luck with this great outdoor shed project.
This plan is from the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: WRCLA.ORG
Free Shed Plans
http://www.wrcla.org/cedarprojects/gazebos/pot-gardenshed.asp
Tags: cedar, outdoor, plans, shed, woodworking
These free woodworking plans will help you to build a garden bench that will last for generations. The garden work bench will add beauty and function to any back yard space. This garden bench can be built using a variety of materials. As always, choose your material based on availability and climate. The wood that is more abundant, and suited to your area, should be lower in price. These plans call for treated lumber, but might not be the best material, or the most attractive.
If I were building it (and cost wasn’t an issue) I would select redwood. Redwood and western red cedar are terrific for most outdoor wood plans and are naturally resistant to insects and rot.
One of the unique features of this garden bench plan is the roof/rain cover area. It calls for a corrugated steel product. This is a classic product that will weather and eventually look like it has been there for years. I don’t think that I would settle for anything other than galvanized for the corrugated roofing product. Galvanized will give you the best look over time. A vinyl product or fiberglass product will probably last longer and maintain its original appearance for quite some time, but the look of a galvanized barn roof can’t be beat. This garden bench project could turn out as rustic, or not, as you choose to make it.
Free Garden Bench Plans
Garden work bench plans download
At Woodwork City, we have many other Free Garden Bench Plans for you to view and use. Take a look around before you start building your project. Select the plan that suits your style and your skill level as a woodworker. Good luck and have fun!
If you are like my wife, you are always looking for ways to store the kids toys that are strewn about the house. A blanket box, shelving unit and or cubby storage unit usually come into play. For this free project plan, we are focusing on storage using a blanket box, (otherwise referred to as a toy box, toy chest, blanket chest, etc.).
If you are new to woodworking, or an old hand, this is a fun project. Building something out of wood that will last for years and provide an immediate purpose (out of sight toy storage) always feels good.
This free woodworking plan comes from the “Canadian Plywood Association” and features plywood (go figure). The plan is very well laid out with a complete material list, cut list, and sheet layout diagram. If you are looking for hardware such as hinges and safety hinges (so fingers don’t get slammed) take a look at Rockler Woodworking.
These Free Toy Box Plans are great for a rainy day and can be a terrific project to work on with the kids. If nothing else, let them handle the paint job.
Free Toy Box Plans
If the link fails to open, please let us know. We have a local copy of the plan file.
Tags: box, free, plans, toy, woodworking
3 Free and fantastic Gazebo Plans!
When May rolls around we get a lot of call for plans to build an outdoor Gazebo. We published a set of Gazebo plans back in 2007 and wanted to provide an additional selection so that our readers have multiple choices. If you are like me, you enjoy browsing multiple plan sets and taking the best elements from each. Here are 2 free gazebo plan options for you to consider.
The new Gazebo plan is from the California Redwood Association. If you are selecting a wood for your gazebo, or any other outdoor project, there might not be a better selection than a quality redwood. Redwood is naturally resistant to insects and rot and has a beautiful grain. Over the years, the wood will turn to a nice silver gray if left completely untreated. If redwood is too expensive in your area, you could consider Western Red Cedar. The grain isn’t as clear as redwood, but the cost reflects that.
Free Gazebo Plans
Tags: choices, free, gazebo, outdoor, plans, shed, wood, woodworking
Time for that new sandbox? Here are some terrific, and free, plans for a sand box that is simple to build and has a feature that will keep the pests out. After all, you don’t want your child’s sand box to turn into the neighborhood litter box.
Simple Sandbox Plans
It is the time of year to break out the power tools and get to work on those fantastic outdoor woodworking projects. If you are like me, you love working with wood outdoors and building a play structure in the yard can be a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather and work with your family or friends.
The free sandbox plans below is something that I used when I built my son’s sandbox 7 years ago. The beauty of a sandbox is that you can build it any size you want without altering too much. This plan has a simple corner seat design and also calls for a top to keep animals out. We purchased the material to make the top, but never completed that portion of the plan since it didn’t become an issue in our neighborhood.
When selecting the lumber to use, keep it safe for the kids! If you are using a pressure treated lumber, you might want to rethink it. There can be some harsh chemicals used to treat the lumber and not all pressure treated is safe for children. Keep in mind, this sandbox won’t be used forever, so a material that will hold up for 10 years with direct soil contact might not even be necessary. I used Western Red Cedar for ours and it was as solid as the day I built it 5 years later when it was removed.
You also need to be sure that you purchase “play sand” for the box. Don’t simply use sand that is used in construction since it is not suitable for use by children due to some of the material added.
Visit the link below to find the complete sandbox plans. There is a nice diagram along with step – by – step instructions. Good luck and have fun… I know that we did.
Free Sandbox Plans
Free sand box plan
Tags: box, free, plan, plans, sand, sandbox, wood, wooworking
If you are like me, you would want something that has more style and is a bit more substantial, in appearance, than a 4″ x 4″ porch post. Too often, I see a porch post that is a simple 4×4 that looks like a toothpick compared to the structure that it is supporting. Rather than going to the expense of a store bought column wrap product, you can build your own in a few hours.
I built this simple model using Google Sketchup. This design will give you a quick view (from any angle) of the layout. Here are the basic construction steps:
- Wrap your 4 x 4 post with 1x stock lumber. If this is going to be painted, pine is fine.
- Rip your corner pieces (stiles). You can glue and assemble prior to attaching to your post, or assemble (nail) once each piece is in place.
- Size and attach your lower and upper dividing pieces (rails) to the framework.
- Once every thing is in place, sand pieces to knock down any high spots and take out any saw marks
- Optional: Route a nice detail on the inset panel and on the outer edge of the column. If you nailed the pieces off… look out for nails.
- Fill, caulk, and paint.
I’ll have add some column design project photos to this article shortly. For now, here is the complete 3d design plan in Google Sketchup.
Free porch post design plan
Full 3d Sketchup model of a panel design for a 4×4 column
Tags: 3d, column, design, google, panel, plan, porch, sketchup
Every so often a simple woodworking plan can be the most rewarding. Do you have a lot of projects that are backed up in your garage or workshop? If so, it can be very nice to find a “gimme”. A simple project plan that you can knock out in an hour or two. In fact these are great projects to work on with your family members or children.
This simple outdoor bench project only requires lumber that can be picked up at your local home center. Why don’t you head over to Lowe’s since the bench plan comes from their site:
2 boards, 1 x 4 x 6
1 board, 1 x 12 x 8
1 board, 2 x 8 x 8
1 treated board, 2 x 12 x 8
Good luck with this simple bench plan. Get creative with some of the cutouts or apron pieces. This is where you can have some fun. A stencil pattern on the apron can make this simple bench plan pop.
Simple Bench Project Plans
These bunk bed plans are from Lowe’s and have a terrific style. This is an intermediate to advanced level project, but could save you hundreds of dollars and provide you with a custom bunk bed that you will be proud to pass on.
One of the nice things about plans from the major retailers such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, is that you can simply print the material list and ask them to help get everything together for you. If your child wants a bunk bed, consider this woodworking plan.
http://www.lowes.com/cd_Bunk+Beds_520456777_
Bunk Bed Plans
Tags: bed, bunk, plans, wood, woodworking
