How to Make a Wood Stemware Rack

With minimum construction skills, you can make your own wood stemware rack. The directions here are for a wood stemware rack 10½ inches deep and 21 inches wide. The rack has six rows and holds 18 glasses with diameters no larger than 3½ inches. You can find all the supplies you need to make a wood stemware rack at your local home improvement store.

Things You'll Need

• Two 2-by-2-by-21-inch birch wood strips
• Six 2-by-4-by-10½-inch birch wood strips
• Router, routing table and ¼-inch rounded bit
• Saw
• Medium grade sandpaper
• Clear polyurethane and sponge
• Drill and drill bit
• Screwdriver and 3-inch wood screws

Instructions

1. Rout the six 2-by-4-by-10 ½-inch birch wood strips on both edges of one side with a ¼-inch round bit. Each wood strip will have one flat side and one side with two routed edges separated by a ¾-inch strip down the middle. Cut one of the wood strips down the middle lengthwise.

2. Sand all the wood pieces smooth, especially around the routed edges. Apply a clear coat of polyurethane to all of the wood and let it dry. Flip the pieces and apply a layer of polyurethane on the other side. Let it dry. Finish your stemware rack with as many coats of polyurethane as you like. Birch is a light wood and will blend with just about any kitchen decor. You could also choose to stain it darker or paint it to match your kitchen.

3. Lay the two pieces from the strip you cut lengthwise in Step 1 vertically on a flat surface. The routed edge should be facing inward on both ends. Lay your 2-by-2-by-21-inch birch wood strips horizontally on top of the cut strips, creating a rectangle. Drill a pilot hole and insert a 3-inch wood screw through the 2-by-2-by-21-inch birch wood strip and into the cut strip. Connect the wood together on all four corners.

4. Place the remaining five 2-by-4-by-10½-inch birch wood strips flat side down and routed side up on a flat surface. Space the pieces so there are 3 1/5 inches between the routed edges that are side by side. Place the rectangle you made in Step 3 on top of the strips to create your stemware rack. The ends of the center strip between the routed grooves should be touching the 2-by-2-by-21-inch birch wood strips.

5. Secure the routed strips to the 2-by-2-by-21-inch birch wood strips with 3-inch wood screws. Hang your wood stemware rack under a counter or in a cabinet.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses when cutting wood.

References

• Stemware Rack Designs

Resources

• Home Depot