Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
PALLET FOR WINE
Use a demolition bar and hammer to pull the pallet apart, taking care to keep slats of the pallet in one piece. Remove nails. STEP 2 The wine rack is made of two separate box sections with cross braces that are joined with cleats. Start by cuing 4 x 500mm lengths for box tops and booms, then deduct twice the thickness of the pallet material to find the length of the sides, here 470mm, as the material is 15mm thick. This will ensure the finished unit is a square. STEP 3 Bu sides into tops and booms and predrill for screws using a countersinking drill bit. Spread glue along ends of
DIY TIP
Countersinking drill bits come in different sizes to suit the gauge of the screw. If using a specific screw, buy a bit that suits, or adjust the size of the screw to suit the bit you have.
sides then screw together with 50mm screws.
STEP 4 Lay boxes flat on bench and measure diagonals. When these measurements are equal, they are square. Clamp to bench to hold in position.
STEP 5 Hold material for braces on boxes so they sit on the sides, with opposing faces going into the inside corners. Mark inside line of sides on braces, then cut on a 45° angle with a mitre saw.
STEP 6 Insert 1 brace into box and hold the second on top in its position. Mark both braces where they cross each other.
STEP 7 Working from the marks where the braces meet, use a square to mark out a slot halfway across braces. Cut sides of slot with a handsaw and square up end of cut using a sharp chisel. Join braces and check for fit inside boxes.
STEP 8 Cut 4 x 220mm long and 30mm wide cleats that will join the boxes together to make the rack.
STEP 9 Smooth all timbers with sander (not too much, so they retain character). Remove dust. Apply stain to all components.
STEP 10 Reinsert braces into boxes, then join them using the cleats. Nail cleats into rack with 20mm nails.