Monday, October 24, 2016

DIY Vertical Wine Rack



A few projects ago I built a DIY Beer and Wine Rack.  On one side I supplied a place for two bottles of wine and four glasses.

On the other side I gave space for a couple tall beer glasses and a couple bottles of beer.  The intent for the beer bottles was just for decoration.

That is why I choose a couple vintage looking bottles to showcase on mine.

However, sometimes wine can be just a decor piece.  Whatever, your intent for storing fine wine here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Avoid direct sunlight when storing wine.

2. If you have a "true" corked bottle, store it on it's side.  This keeps the cork from drying out and shrinking, allowing air in the bottle. 

3. Don't store wine next to onions.  Actually anything with a strong smell can penetrate the cork over time.

4. Not all wines age well.  The cheep store bought wines usually do not improve over time.  In fact most white wines should be consumed within a few years, (some exceptions of course).  Whether wine improves over time has to do with the balance of its sugar, tannin and acid content.



DIY Vertical Wine Rack




Materials


1 -1x4 @ 37"

Choice of Stain

Polyurethane 

Wood Glue 

Cork Screw and Bottle Opener



Cut List

2 - Pieces @ 3.5" x 18"

NOTE: If using furring strips then they may only be 3-3/8" wide instead of 3.5" like a normal 1x4.  This should not affect the outcome of the project.


Step 1

Cut 2 identical length pieces to size as listed above or to your preferred length.

Choose one piece and route a 3/4" wide by 1/4" deep dado down the face of one side.






Step 2

Take the other piece and drill five 1-1/4" holes centered and equally spaced.



Step 3

Glue and clamp the piece with the holes into the dado routed in the other.


Final Thoughts


After the project is dry, usually 30 mins to an hour for typical wood glues.  Sand the piece and be sure to take off the harsh edges and corners to make it easier on the feel.

The use of a key hole bit makes mounting the piece to a wall simple and easy.  I would route two.  One near the top and one closer to the bottom.

After your choice of stain and a few coats of satin polyurethane, you will have an extremely affordable and sleek place to store a few wine bottles.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

DIY Wall Mounted Bottle Opener





A few months ago as I was looking around for an elusive bottle opener that is suppose to be kept in one of our utensil drawers, I had had enough.  I couldn't find it.  We have two.  I couldn't find either one.

What is it they say about a camels back?

Well as luck would have it I couldn't find them locally so I held off on the project.  On weekends I would visit garage and estate sales to see if I could find one there.

Nope.

Then a few weeks ago I was contacted by someone that sells these Coolinary brand bottle openers.  They had seen my DIY Beer and Wine Rack video and liked it so they offered to send me a few if I had plans for a follow up video to that project.

Well, not a follow up video, but a whole new project and I just happened to have need of the very thing they were offering.

My answer:

Thank you very much!

DIY Wall Mounted Bottle Opener




Materials


1 - Wall Mounted Bottle Opener

10" of 3/4" Thick Oak (or your choice of) 

16" of 1/4" Thick Oak (or Your choice of)

NOTE: I re-sawed lumber in the video to get my 1/4" Thick pieces.  However, most lumber yards and home improvement stores sell 1/4" project boards if you want to save time and effort, if not money.

Choice of Stain

Polyurethane 

Wood Glue
 


Cut List

1 - Back Piece @ 3.5" x 10"

2 - Cap Catcher Side Pieces @ 1/4" x 2" x 2"

2 - Cap Catcher Front & Back Pieces @ 1/4" x 2" x 3.5"


1 - Cap Catcher Bottom Piece @ 1/4" x 2" x 3.25"


Project Video



Final Thoughts


I have had many offers of companies offering to send me items to use in videos.  However, up to this point, I have refused them.

The reasons are varied but usually it is centered around the requirements the company wants me to fulfill.  If the product fits with what I'm doing and I feel it is worth me saying, "Hey, this product is ok.", then great.

If not, then I say thanks but no thanks.

In this case the only requirement was to build something and have fun.

Those are my kind of requirements that I am always willing to fulfill.

I hope that you will check them out and if you're ever in need of some bottle openers, you'll know where to go.

http://amzn.to/2dnyGLI


http://www.simplyeasydiy.com/search/label/Beginners