DIY Shoe Rack / Storage Shelf Using Cypress & Recycled Fence Posts
Introduction: DIY Shoe Rack / Storage Shelf Using Cypress & Recycled Fence Posts
Follow along as we show you how to make this sturdy and functional piece of furniture for your home! We initially designed and made this item to be a shoe rack in our tiny home. However, once we completed the item we decided to use it as a storage shelf for books, water & other random items. As always, make sure to use the proper PPE when woodworking and have the proper knowledge of the tools that you are working with. Let’s get started!
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Supplies
Supply List:
* 1 1/2” Diameter Metal Pipe/Fence Post
* 1 1/2” Hole Saw
* Kreg Jig
* 1 1/2” Kreg Screws
* 2 1/2” Screws
* Wood Glue
* Tape Measure
* Quick Drying Epoxy
* Matte Black Spray Paint
Tool List:
* Chop Saw
* Planer
* Table Saw
* Grinder with a Metal Blade
* Drill Press or Drill Set
* Orbital Sander
* Bar Clamp
Step 1: Choose Your Lumber
For this project, choose lumber that is 8/4 or 2” thick. We decided to use some 8/4 cypress. Cypress is a beautiful wood that is easy to work with and is readily available in Louisiana.
Step 2: Cut First Two Boards to Length
First cut a straight edge on your piece of lumber. Measuring from that clean edge, cut two pieces at 28 1/2” in length.
Step 3: Plane the Wood
To remove the roughness and get a flat surface, plane both pieces of wood. Both of our pieces ended up at 1 3/4” thick.
Step 4: Cut the Metal Pipe
You will need a metal pipe with a diameter of 1 1/2”. For us, we used a salvaged fence post. First cut a clean and straight edge on the piece of metal you are working with. Then cut four sections at 10 1/2” in length.
Step 5: Clean Metal
Using a metal file, knock down the edges of the pipe so that they are no longer sharp. Since our metal was a salvaged fence post, we sanded around the entire pipe to remove any rust and debris. 735
Once each piece of metal has been sanded, use a paper towel to remove as much excess dust as possible.
Step 6: Paint
Using a can of matte black spray paint, paint all 4 pieces of the pipe. If you don’t get full coverage the first time you paint, feel free to do a second coat.
Step 7: Cut Final Two Sections to Length
Cut two additional sections of lumber. Cut one piece at 21” and another at 26 5/8” in length. Regarding the piece that is 26 5/8”, your length measurement may vary slightly depending on how thick your wood is. The cypress for our project ended up at 1 3/4” thick once planed.
Step 8: Plane Final Two Pieces
Plane the two pieces you just cut. If possible, have them at the same thickness as the first two planed pieces: 1 3/4”.
Step 9: Cut Width
Once all of the pieces of lumber have a clean edge, set the table saw fence to cut the four sections of lumber at 9 1/4” in width. If the lumber you are working with is not wide enough, this is where you would need to glue up enough wood to get the desired width.
Step 10: Drill Holes
Measure 1 1/2” from the side of the board as well as the top. Place the center of the hole saw on the spot where these two measurements meet. Using a hole saw that is 1 1/2” in diameter, drill about a half of an inch into the cypress.
Drill two holes on each of the pieces that are 28 1/2” in length. Drill two holes on either side of the middle board that measures 26 5/8” in length; that means there will be a total of 4 holes on this board.
Step 11: Sand
Start at 100 grit and sand up to 220 grit. Sand both the faces and the sides of each of the 4 pieces. For us personally, we like to use the sander to slightly sand the sharp edges of the wood.
Step 12: Predrill
Using a kreg jig, predrill two spots on the board measuring 26 5/8”. 76