Just a Shoe Rack

Video - February 18, 2019

We needed a shoe rack for a spot in our bathroom that always seems to collect shoes. Other than being narrow and having as much capacity as possible, I didn’t have any restrictions on the design. So I decided to have some fun by designing something different and maybe a little weird. Made from African Mahogany and Curly Maple, the rack features four shelves held to the legs via through mortise and tenon joints. The rack tapers upward and the shelves get proportionally narrower as they go up. The wood is doing most of the visual work on this piece and the little details might go unnoticed. I found this to be a fun exercise in joinery and designing on the fly. And thankfully, it actually works quite well as a shoe rack.

Product note: I used to use a lot of epoxy for long glueups. Since working with Titebond, I’ve had an opportunity to sample their hide glue and this just might be my new go-to glue for complex assemblies. Check it out.

Discussion

Zac T. February 18, 2019 7:57 pm

I really enjoy this kind of build. It is actually my preferred method. Would love to see more projects like this!

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- CF Brause February 23, 2019 7:10 pm
  
  A project like this opens many horizons for consideration including my favorite “Lost Horizons”.
  You revive the fun in “fundamental”. Thanks!
  
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Don Trust February 18, 2019 8:52 pm

I personally like this type of video. Probably because I like to build this way. Gets me into trouble at times, though. Plans are great, but freewheeling is fun for a change.

That curly maple is hot stuff!

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Curtis Knight February 18, 2019 10:44 pm

Nicely done Marc!

I built a bar for the family room with no more than an idea in my head. it was a fun project and I learned a lot (as is obvious if it is inspected too closely :) ) talk about running into unexpected problems! Yikes! in fact I still have one that I’m trying to figure out how to fix.

Extraneous Information:
I built cabinets and did some construction work in my youth and then got into computers out of greed :). That began a ~30 yr hiatus from woodworking for a variety of reasons, and then bought a house with a nice sized shop on the property.

I worked for a remodeler at one point and when he remodeled his own basement, he gave me the bar top on the condition that I take then entire bar, cabinets and all. I scrapped the cab’s and the bar top went into my parents garage for about 30 years. the contractor told me it was ironwood, but I later found out it’s Honduran mahogany, but I hung onto it with the intent of some day building my own bar and that’s what I finally did. looking back it was too ambitious for a first project after so long a break from building things. It has lot’s of goobers, but it’s my baby.

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Wilfried Verhulst February 19, 2019 3:17 am

liked this type of video , keep them coming :)

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Brian Patrick February 19, 2019 8:44 am

Marc,

I appreciate your approach to this build and the end result. I would like to see more of this type of video. It’s like your earlier video’s which I often reference and may be a nice revolution to the genesis of the WW since you have honed your skills. Thanks!

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Donald Dolan February 19, 2019 11:00 am

I too really like this type of video. I mean, I like the full projects as well and wouldn’t want to sacrifice any of those, but in-between the “big” guild builds, this kind of thing is perfect for those of us who may own a ton of the”big” projects… but don’t have the skill/ability to actually build them yet. These smaller projects are great to help build up the skills and learn new things without risking a ton of money on the wood/supplies etc. for the larger guild projects.

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Pheroz Tengra February 22, 2019 6:09 am

I really like this type of carpentry, and your presentation was brilliant. The methods applied and the design correction were superb.

Although you did not work this from a paper design, I would like to see the dimensions in sketchup.

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Gerald P Martine SR February 22, 2019 6:26 am

Gerald Martine February , 22 2019 8:20 Am
I like all your videos this one was great

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Michael Kratky February 22, 2019 7:00 am

Marc you’re on to something; killer tiger maple my favorite species along with the African mahogany, always looking for projects to efficiently use these very high end woods yet apprehensive the same time because of their costs which all of us woodworkers lament.

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Michael R Burt February 22, 2019 8:25 am

Great approach! As always, I find you a great teacher. You point out lots of details that make your project fun and informative. Would love to see more improv projects like this.

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chris Marshall February 22, 2019 8:34 am

I do this as well and like it on simple projects but for major projects that I am just trying to build stretches my abilities I would rather have the old optimized process way of building with plans otherwise I get into trouble and try to think about to much that I don’t know about.

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David Morgan February 22, 2019 8:49 am

Hi Marc, do more projects like this . Most of what I build is done with the plan in my head and nothing on paper.

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Stan P February 22, 2019 11:29 am

Enjoyed watching the build. Short, sweet, and to the point. Thanks

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Dietrich February 22, 2019 4:36 pm

Liked it very much. Reminded me a bit on the old days when you took more of a spontaneous ride without having a clear path laid out at the beginning. Thumbs up, Dietrich

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Dale W. Devol February 22, 2019 8:28 pm

That’s my kind of build. Really enjoyed this presentation format and hope you do more in the future.

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Ed T February 22, 2019 10:34 pm

Yeah, more builds like this are fine. I often use a simple sketch just to gauge proportion, but then wing it from there. The sketchbook drawing also provides an archive if I want to revisit.

Plans help when I’m doing repeat work (say Christmas gifts).

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Steven February 23, 2019 9:45 am

Damn, now that I just convinced myself that I need to sketchup everything before I start, you show us that freewheeling is fun :-)

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Rick Owen February 23, 2019 10:54 am

I like the presentation style. Enough detail so that I could build one if I choose to but not so technical that I’m taking notes on dimensions and such. I could take this and modify it to fit my needs for a similar shoe rack or use the processes such as the tenon joints, to work on a different project. I really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.

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John Ficorilli February 23, 2019 7:06 pm

I love this type of build. Thanks for sharing.

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Chad Brown May 7, 2019 8:24 pm

Marc
As always, great design but I would alter material choice. Although the appearance is wonderful, Anything involved with closets or clothing….has to be cedar. The light periodic sanding produces the pleasant aroma as well as the garment protection.
Cheers.

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Dr. p10 May 22, 2019 7:38 am

Love it! And it just so happens I’m in the market for a shoe rack so thanks for inspiring my next project!

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Andy Gray September 11, 2019 12:08 pm

Thanks I’m picking up a lot of tips as I try to get my woodworking business up & running after having a stroke & being laid of by my healthcare employers.

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Just a Shoe Rack

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