Shoe rack (merbou, silvertop, oak)

**Hangmans Noose** · 29th September 2019, 06:59 PM

Hey all,

After lurking here for a few years, I've finally started making things which I feel can be presented without feeling... overwhelmed with feedback.

This project has taken me a few months mainly because I work full time and have a pretty active social calendar. I tell anyone that wants me to build anything for them to expect a long wait but on the flip side, it only costs them materials; so they're pretty happy to wait. As I said earlier, I'm still learning and this project was no exception. I'll go through what I would do differently below. I had the merbou and silvertop sitting around my shop and picked up the oak from the big green shed.

First up was making the sides: no biscuits as I didn't have the machinery at the time and no dowels as I didn't trust myself with getting them right yet; just straight up glue (and lots of it) and pressure over a week. Afterwards, I tried routing in a channel to fit the oak, but for some reason, my bit kept slipping and by the time I figured out the problem, it was too late. So I implemented Plan B and just cut slots for the oak to sit in. It also gave me a bit of time on the bandsaw and what not to do! I glued and clamped everything together, fixed up some gaps with filler and threw some linseed oil on it.

One thing that I'd do differently is to maybe put a band of silvertop around the edge to tie everything in together instead of rounding over.

**BoneInspector** · 30th September 2019, 09:57 AM

I always like to see how people get around not having the tools to do it the "correct" or accepted best practice way.
These posts also help me to live vicariously through others when I cannot do any projects myself.

Thanks for sharing.

**Fuzzie** · 30th September 2019, 10:21 AM

I like the idea.

I reckon there are many homes/hallways that are in dire need of one!

I think I might have covered such a mistake by gluing on vertical cover strips to hide the shelf ends.

**orraloon** · 30th September 2019, 11:54 AM

A good practical project. We all need someplace for the shoes. Been thinking so some kind of rack for the bottom of the wardrobe for years now. As to the woodworking side you are making things and learning as you go and that's the important bit. No amount of video or books can give you the learning that making sawdust does and of course having a plan B. Lot of my creations have some plan B in them.
Regards
John

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 30th September 2019, 03:47 PM

I like it! I agree with Orraloon that it's a good, practical project.

I'd be quite happy with the ends as they are, perhaps using sliding dovetails instead of plain rebates just to make the point that they're intentionally that way.

Being a rural household (which means "less than spotless" foot wear and similar abuse) the design would work well... and it is something I really should've built years ago.

**Hangmans Noose** · 30th September 2019, 03:59 PM

Thanks to all for the kind words. Yep, there's only so much that you can learn from the comfort of your armchair. This has given me the confidence to move onto other larger and/or more complicated projects.

@Fuzzie: I was thinking it, and it's still something that if I was to do over, I would certainly incorporate. However, I'm ok that I've made it a feature this time 'round.

@Skew ChiDAMN!!: Yeah, that thought crossed my mind, but after the fact. I wasn't prepared to spend too much longer on the project and especially with decent bits of timber. If it was a bit of pine, I'd be more inclined to mess around as I've plenty of that around the shop.

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