This project was created by Brandon from Walkers Woodworks & DIY. With just a few materials and tools, he guides you through the process of building a custom boot rack that’s both functional and visually appealing.
Materials and Tools
- Hickory or other wood (1x6s or 1x12s)
- Pocket screws
- Wood glue
- Biscuit joiner
- Wood stain (ebony)
- Pre-stain conditioner
- Rubio Monocoat finish
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Clamps
- Sander (orbital or hand)
- Scraper
- Drill
- Measuring tape
- Painter’s tape
Step 1: Cut Your Wood
Brandon began by measuring and rough cutting the hickory boards he had on hand for the shelves. He cut them a couple of inches longer than the desired final size to allow for trimming later.
Step 2: Rip the Boards to Width
Using a table saw, he ripped the boards to the appropriate width, making sure to square up the ends with a miter saw.
Step 3: Prepare the Legs
For the legs, Brandon opted for a modern look using cutoffs he had lying around. He ripped them down to about two inches wide and trimmed them to a final length of 24 inches for the four leg posts.
Step 4: Assemble the Legs
Brandon used pocket screws for the legs, drilling two holes on each end of the cross braces. He emphasized the importance of clamping everything together before inserting screws to prevent movement during assembly.
Step 5: Install the Bottom Cross Brace
To ensure enough room for boots and shoes, he installed the bottom cross brace about five inches from the bottom of the legs, making sure the pocket holes were facing up.
Step 6: Prepare for Glue-Up
Next, he measured and marked for biscuits to align the shelves during glue-up. He used a biscuit joiner to cut slots in the boards, ensuring everything would fit together nicely.
Step 7: Glue the Shelves
Brandon applied wood glue to the edges of the boards and inserted biscuits before clamping everything together. He mentioned using painter’s tape on the clamps to keep them clean from excess glue.
Step 8: Sand the Legs
While the glue set, he sanded the legs to smooth out any rough edges and joints. He then applied a pre-stain conditioner to prevent blotching before staining.
Step 9: Apply Stain
Brandon chose an ebony stain for the legs to provide a nice contrast to the shelves. He applied the stain with a foam brush, ensuring to wipe off any excess.
Step 10: Finalize the Shelves
After allowing the glue to dry, he removed the shelves from the clamps and used a scraper to clean off any excess glue. He then flattened the shelves using a hand plane before cutting them down to the final size.
Step 11: Sand and Round the Edges
Brandon sanded the shelves starting from 120 grit to 180 grit and rounded over the edges for a smooth finish.
Step 12: Apply Finish
He used Rubio Monocoat, an oil and hard wax blend, to finish the shelves. This product bonds well with wood fibers and provides a durable finish without looking plastic.
Step 13: Assemble the Boot Rack
Finally, he attached the shelves to the legs using screws driven up from the bottom, ensuring they were hidden from view.
Conclusion
This custom boot rack not only serves a practical purpose but also adds a modern touch to any space. Brandon expressed his enjoyment in this project and encouraged viewers to try it out. With the provided steps, anyone can create their own functional boot rack.