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Thread: Shoe rack with through-tenons

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Sturbridge, MA
    Posts
    37

    Shoe rack with through-tenons

    I needed a place to store shoes in the bedroom and decided on a design with through-tenons and contrasting woods to highlight the joints. I made the shelves from cherry and the sides from maple. Viewers of the Wood Whisperer might recognize the design.

    kDqNJej.jpg c6XBVYn.jpg

    Now a few process photos:

    I started with a CAD model to work out the proportions I liked:
    CAD1.jpg

    The sides have a gentle taper. The back edge is square to the base and each side section is tapered 2 degrees, for a 4 degree taper in total. The tenons get proportionally narrower as you go up. It took some careful layout to get all this geometry right.

    CAD2.jpg

    Being a beginner, I didn't really know how to cut mortise and tenon joints. I started by cutting the tenons on the table saw and attempting to chop the mortises by hand to fit. I realized this was not a good approach after some frustration with the first mortise.

    To recover, I made a template to route the mortises a little narrower than the tenons I had already cut and used a router plane to sneak up on a tight fit.

    Rltg8jb.jpg

    Here are the pieces with all the joints cut, and a dry fit:

    VolchMA.jpg s23MHXK.jpg

    I applied the finish before assembly, with the glue surfaces masked off. Three coats of gloss Arm-R-Seal and a final coat of satin.

    srcUe0g.jpg

    Thanks for having a look!
    Last edited by Christopher Wellington; 09-17-2021 at 5:13 PM.

  2. #2
    Nice job! I like through tenons, and use them on some of my stuff too.
    "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

    “If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Clarks Summit PA
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    1,732
    Chris, a shoe rack with class! I have found shoe racks to be a popular workshop gift for many in my extended family.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    SoCal
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    Way too nice for shoes. Wonderful job.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  5. #5
    “ Too nice !” Wives will often say that …..and then up-grade fine pieces to something they “ have really been needing”.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Sturbridge, MA
    Posts
    37
    I should have made it bigger so the shoes don't cover it up so much.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    SE PA - Central Bucks County
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    65,672
    That's a really, really attractive end result!
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Leesville, SC
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    2,378
    Great job...
    Army Veteran 1968 - 1970
    I Support the Second Amendment of the US Constitution

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    28,502
    A very attractive, well executed project for a often needed item!
    Ken

    So much to learn, so little time.....

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Ingleside, IL
    Posts
    1,417
    Well done Christopher - very nice and precise work. Looks great.
    Stand for something, or you'll fall for anything.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Cashiers NC
    Posts
    603
    Very nice work. It doesn’t look beginner at all!
    Charlie Jones

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Carlsbad, CA
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    2,227
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    very nice – I love the through tenons! For future consideration, maybe contrasting color wedges?

    +1 to others comments about the utility of shoe racks.I've built about 1/2 dozen of these in a couple different styles and everyone I've given them to didn't know the needed issue rack until they got one, and then it was essential estimation Mark

    Cheers, Mike

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