DIY Hockey Scoreboard

Why I Built this Project

My kids love knee hockey.  They get their mini sticks out and disappear for hours.  Friends come over and they have tournaments and shootouts and series.

We tried using an iPad app as a scoreboard, but this takes set up time, batteries must be charged, and the screen lock has to be turned off so the screen doesn't keep timing out on them.  Such a pain.

We tried an electronic scoreboard, but the problem was it had a tiny remote that always got lost, and took setup time and use.  So the kids just wouldn't bother using it.  

The kids needed a scoreboard so simple to use, that it was worth using.  And if it looked like a big time scoreboard, they'd want to use it.  

With some scrap wood pieces, black spray paint and a kitchen timer, we made them this!

 

 

How I Built this Project

Here's how I built this project -

I cut 1x2 boards in 24" and 14-1/2" long and made a frame.  I used glue and 1-1/4" brad nails.

I cut a 1/4" plywood piece for the back and glued and nailed it on.

I spray painted the frame, back, wood wheels and rods with black spray paint.

The wood wheels I cut from a 1-1/4" wood dowel and drilled the centers out.  You can also purchase wood wheels and use them instead.  I painted all but two wheels black.  The center wheels I painted red.

The metal rods I found at my hardware store.  You could potentially use wood dowels, but the metal was more appealing to me since I wanted this scoreboard to take some use (and abuse).  I painted the rods black too.

Okay, now for the vinyl lettering - this is what makes this scoreboard!  And the good news is you can customize for however you like!

I have a Cricut Joy and I used it with white permanent vinyl to cut the lettering out for the header.  

For the Home and Guest score boxes, I simply made a white vinyl block 5-1/2" x 9" and then cut out the "home" and "guest" lettering, so I didn't have to paint the white boxes on the black frame.

Then we drilled out for the rods, hot glued them in place (with the wood wheels on of course), and mounted the kitchen timer to the center.  

So how this works is the top bar is the "game" scoring.  When a team scores, simply slide a wood wheel over to that teams white box.  When the time clock runs out, whichever team has more wood wheels is the winner.  Alternatively, you can play the first to seven, with the red wood wheel being the seventh score.

The lower row of scoring is for a series.  When a team wins a game, they then get a series point on the lower abacus.  I put seven wood wheels on our series scoring, the first to win four games wins the series.

Our goal with this scoreboard is for it to look like a real scoreboard and add an arena feel to the room, for it to work simply and without much setup, and even without power or batteries, so there are no barriers to using it.  

The kids are loving it, and it's a fun decor element to their playroom!

Watch!  Build Video for This Project

VIDEO COMING SOON

 

Free Plans to Build Your Own Personalized Home Scoreboard

The only way to get this home scoreboard is to make it!  Here's the free plans with links to the materials I used.  Thank you for using my plans, I'm glad we can help!

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/Qj8bmGR

DIY Hockey Scorboard

Why I Built this Project

My kids love knee hockey.  They get their mini sticks out and disappear for hours.  Friends come over and they have tournaments and shootouts and series.

We tried using an iPad app as a scoreboard, but this takes set up time, batteries must be charged, and the screen lock has to be turned off so the screen doesn't keep timing out on them.  Such a pain.

We tried an electronic scoreboard, but the problem was it had a tiny remote that always got lost, and took setup time and use.  So the kids just wouldn't bother using it.  

The kids needed a scoreboard so simple to use, that it was worth using.  And if it looked like a big time scoreboard, they'd want to use it.  

With some scrap wood pieces, black spray paint and a kitchen timer, we made them this!

 

 

How I Built this Project

Here's how I built this project -

I cut 1x2 boards in 24" and 14-1/2" long and made a frame.  I used glue and 1-1/4" brad nails.

I cut a 1/4" plywood piece for the back and glued and nailed it on.

I spray painted the frame, back, wood wheels and rods with black spray paint.

The wood wheels I cut from a 1-1/4" wood dowel and drilled the centers out.  You can also purchase wood wheels and use them instead.  I painted all but two wheels black.  The center wheels I painted red.

The metal rods I found at my hardware store.  You could potentially use wood dowels, but the metal was more appealing to me since I wanted this scoreboard to take some use (and abuse).  I painted the rods black too.

Okay, now for the vinyl lettering - this is what makes this scoreboard!  And the good news is you can customize for however you like!

I have a Cricut Joy and I used it with white permanent vinyl to cut the lettering out for the header.  

For the Home and Guest score boxes, I simply made a white vinyl block 5-1/2" x 9" and then cut out the "home" and "guest" lettering, so I didn't have to paint the white boxes on the black frame.

Then we drilled out for the rods, hot glued them in place (with the wood wheels on of course), and mounted the kitchen timer to the center.  

So how this works is the top bar is the "game" scoring.  When a team scores, simply slide a wood wheel over to that teams white box.  When the time clock runs out, whichever team has more wood wheels is the winner.  Alternatively, you can play the first to seven, with the red wood wheel being the seventh score.

The lower row of scoring is for a series.  When a team wins a game, they then get a series point on the lower abacus.  I put seven wood wheels on our series scoring, the first to win four games wins the series.

Our goal with this scoreboard is for it to look like a real scoreboard and add an arena feel to the room, for it to work simply and without much setup, and even without power or batteries, so there are no barriers to using it.  

The kids are loving it, and it's a fun decor element to their playroom!

Watch!  Build Video for This Project

VIDEO COMING SOON

 

Free Plans to Build Your Own Personalized Home Scoreboard

The only way to get this home scoreboard is to make it!  Here's the free plans with links to the materials I used.  Thank you for using my plans, I'm glad we can help!

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/XJxcTSy

Minimalist Modern Nightstand (Narrow) - Free Plans

Why I Built this Modern Narrow Nightstand

Well, it's a long story!

A couple years ago I built this dresser -

It turned out so awesome, really has been one of my all time favorite dressers ever.  We are still using and loving it! So much, that my older daughter asked for another dresser in the tall version! 

 Because this building process for this collection is so easy and fast, I built the matching bed and standard sized nightstands for a short term rental property.

So when my daughter asked for a new nightstand, I was excited to get an opportunity to build this narrow version!

 

 

Why We Love this Narrow Minimalist Modern Nightstand

• Fast and easy build!
• Modern design
• Drawer and shelf combo great for storage
• Paint or stain any color!

 

How I Built this Project

Steps coming soon

 

Watch!  Build Video for This Project

Here's a quick reel of building this narrow nightstand.

REEL

And here's a longer video showing how I built the standard sized nightstand - it's the same build process in just a different size format.

 

Free Plans to Build Your Own Narrow Minimalist Modern Nightstand

Ready to build this yourself?  Here's the free plans, enjoy!

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/vGSc3tu

Charlie Dresser Plans

Video tutorial coming soon!

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/yDfaErM

Rotating Standing Photo Display

Why I Built this Project

I wanted to create a fun way to display my daughter's senior photos. I love the natural wood look and the added spinning function!  

 

Why We Love this Modern Standing Photo Display

• Beginner friendly plan
• Inexpensive and quick project
• Beautiful photo display
• Easy to change out photos 
• Paint or stain for different looks
• Customize names and dates
• Great gift idea

 

How I Built this Project

Cut all boards according to the cut list. I lined up the two long boards, found center and clamped it. I shot a couple of nails in to hold it and then I unclamped the boards to shoot more nails in. Take your time and make sure you are shooting the nails in straight!

 

Before attaching the bottom board, I stained the project and added the lazy susan hardware before attaching the very bottom piece.

I used double sided tape for the photos and made some cutouts of her name and graduation year to customize it!

Watch!  Build Video for This Project

 

 

Free Plans to Build Your Own Modern Standing Photo Display

Ready to build this yourself?  Here's the free plans, enjoy!

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/vkJYQS9

Vintage Wood Riser

Why I Built this Project

I have a large kitchen island.  Whenever I set something on it, it feels out of place.  So I decided to try using a wood risers to group items together, and make the items appear grounded, and intentionally placed. This riser will also help with cleaning underneath the grouped items.

Think of it like setting things on a coffee table, instead of on the floor.  The riser is a mini coffee table for your surfaces!

Why We Love this Vintage Wood Riser

• Adds function to countertops and surfaces
• Groups smaller items together
• Acts like a tray, keeping spaces feeling less cluttered, but items are more accessible than in a tray
• Makes a GREAT gift, just top with candles, cheeses, baked goods - this one is sure to be loved
• The vintage details make this riser appear as a found object
• It's very pretty and adds to the overall decor of the space!

 

How I Built this Project

It's super easy to make a riser, but I wanted this one to have some character and a vintage feel!  So here's how I made it:

 

I cut a 1x6 board to 15" long.

Then I marked 1-1/2" upward on each end, across the board (to be cut down in later steps)

Then I drew out the vintage shape for the footed ends with a pencil.  I only drew half.

I cut out the half, saved the piece and then used the piece to transfer the cut marks to the other side.  Another way to do this would be to make a paper pattern (probably more professional too)

Then I cut the second side out with a jigsaw.

I did use a scrolling blade on the jigsaw to make the tight corners.

I didn't want to cut the decorative feet from tiny pieces of wood, as that gets very difficult to clamp down.  So now I'll cut the feet off from the main piece with my chop saw.

I positioned the feet on the bottom and added with glue.  Then I flipped it over -

And nailed the top to the feet.

 

To give the wood riser a little more character, I went along the outsides with a jigsaw and cut randomly at the edges.

I also damaged the top surface with a chisel and other distressing tools to give it a worn look.

Then I sanded the edges with a sanding blocks.

I applied stain with a foam brush.

And then wiped the stain off with a shop cloth.  I let the shop cloths dry isolated outside before disposing as they can be combustible.

Here's how it turned out!

 

Watch!  Build Video for This Project

Video Tutorial Coming Soon

 

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/VcF3yJY

Scrap Wood Cheeseboard

What is a Cheeseboard?

First, let's discuss what is a cheeseboard?  I wasn't entirely sure myself, but about ten years ago, I had some scrap wood and decided to make up some "decorative" cutting boards to decorate my kitchen with.  But little did I know, I these wood decor pieces ended up being so much more useful!

Whenever I would need a quick spot to rest something - so it's not on the countertop or table - I'd reach for the cheeseboard.  Whenever we entertained, I'd start with the cheeseboard.  Years later, we are STILL using those original cheeseboards!

A cheeseboard is a piece of wood, cut into a decorate shape with usually a handle, that is designed to serve cheese off of.

Related: Footed, Pieced Cheeseboards

In this post, we'll just do simple cheeseboards, but do check out this fancier footed cheeseboard (pieced together with smaller width wood pieces too, so you can use up 1x3 and 1x4 scrap wood!)

 

Why We Love this Scrap Wood Cheeseboard Plan

• Any scrap wood piece larger than a 1x4 can be used!
• Just cut in any shape to fit your needs (or scrap wood piece)
• Great gift idea for hosts 

 

How I Built this Project

The scrap wood cheeseboards are very easy to make!  You'll just need some pine or "whitewood" boards, a 1x4 would make a very small, narrow cheeseboard, 1x6 a good size for end tables or longer runners, 1x8 is what I did in the pictures, 1x10 or 1x12 starts getting really good sized, almost charcuterie board sized.

First, you'll cut the board down to size you'd like.  Remember the handle should be about 3-4" long, so figure that in when you choose the size board.

Then mark out the handle as desired.  The straight lines like this are easier to cut than rounded lines, so I opted for that.  It's a more modern look too.

Then with a scrolling blade, fine toothed, I cut the lines with a jigsaw.

Then I drilled out the hole for the handle with a Forsner Bit.  This bit drills a very clean hole in the wood.  TIP: Drill most of the way through, then flip over and match the center point and drill all the way through.

I used a sanding sponge to clean up the cut marks and sand the entire cheeseboard.

Now for the finish.  I choose to use a butcher block oil, but since a cheeseboard isn't usually used as a cutting board, you can use a stain and polyurethane topcoat for more color options.

I didn't get photos or video, but I added with my Cricut the graphics to one side of the cheeseboard.  I'd love to add a personalized name or monogram to make an extra special gift too!

 

Watch!  Build Video for This Project

Video coming soon

 

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/nYgDqU7