Gumboot Stand / Shoe Rack

This boot holder / shoe rack is a quick and easy project – great for doing with the ankle biters or grand kids. It can be made with left over 2 x 4 (50×100 to you modern folks), pallet wood or builders scrap. The dowel is harder to get but around $10-15 will get you 16mm dowel at a hardware store. If money is an issue then I’m sure the missus wont notice her broom handle has disappeared, and, if she does, blame the dog.

Notes:

• This plan is for a 1.2m long boot holder. Adjust wood to suit.
• We use 150mm between posts as that is a size 12 gumboot. Adjust spacing to suit
• The 350mm high poles stop the gumboot falling off the pole. Poles which are too short don’t work so make your poles longer than the gumboot’s leg.
• The feet are rebated in our plan. Just screwing them under the length works too – but get 75mm screws if you do that

Steps:

1 – The Length

• Cut 50 x 100 to 1.2m long (1200mm)
• Draw a centre line down the 100mm side at 50mm in. This is your drilling line
• Mark your centre line at 75mm, 225mm, 375mm, 525mm, 675mm, 825mm, 975mm, 1125mm. These are your drill sites. Alternatively mark 75mm in from the end and mark off every 150mm.
• Turn the wood over and draw a square mark across the bottom 100mm and 200mm in from each end. This is where your rebate cuts go
• Draw a line 25mm down the 50mm side on both sides, between the 100mm marks. This is the depth of your rebate cuts
• Using a saw, cut on the waste wood side of your rebate lines. Keep the saw level and check you don’t go past the depth lines
• Make other cuts between the two rebate cuts above. We suggest a cut every 10mm
• When you have made your rebate cuts, use a chisel to chisel the wood out of the rebates
• Clean up the base of the rebate so it is smooth and even
• Using the 16mm spade bit drill a 20 – 25mm deep hole on the length where you marked out drilling holes. If the holes go through the wood where the rebates are – that is okay.
• Sand the holes to remove rough edges

2 – The Feet

• Cut 2 x 300mm lengths of 50 x 100. This will be the feet
• Draw a square mark across the 100mm side at 100mm in from each end.
• Draw a line 25mm down the 50mm side on both sides, between the 100mm marks. This is the depth of your rebate cuts
• Using a saw, cut on the waste wood side of your rebate lines. Keep the saw level and check you don’t go past the depth lines
• Make other cuts between the two rebate cuts above. We suggest a cut every 10mm
• When you have made your rebate cuts, use a chisel to chisel the wood out of the rebates
• Clean up the base of the rebate so it is smooth and even
• Dry fit the feet to the length. Sand and adjust as required.
• Drill two or three 5mm holes through the rebate for the screws in step 4

3 – The Dowel

• Cut the dowels into lengths. We used 4 x 350mm and 4 x 150mm for four long and four short posts
• Sand the cut ends to remove any rough pieces

4 – The Fitting

• Turn the 1200mm length upside down (holes down, rebate up) Put glue in rebate
• Push the feet into place and put a 50mm screw through the feet into the length
• Tidy up any glue spillage. If you use gorilla grip it will foam and expand over the next hour or so. Clean it up with a craft knife or chisel when it is dry
• Turn the stand upright. Put glue in the holes and fit the dowel by (GENTLY) tapping the dowels in place.

5 – Paint / Decorate

• Paint or decorate your stand.
• The dowels will need some protection. Linseed oil, paint or stain will provide protection
• Sand, tidy, place stand in its ultimate location, add some boots and shoes, take a photo and take a bow.