Build a rustic wine cabinet using free pallet wood Great upcycling project

In case I ever become a grape farmer and bottle my own wine, my son Wyatt designed this hipster bottle label that will work out perfectly. ("Its so exclusive, youve probably never heard of it.")

Over the years I have had a number of people ask me to build a wine rack or cabinet. Oddly enough, I live near the heart of Californias Wine Country, but am not a wine drinker myself which probably accounts for why it has taken me this long to make one. 

I decided to make a display cabinet for those of us who like to keep a few bottles on hand for special occasions or guests. I designed it to resemble a wooden crate, possibly one that has been taken apart and hobbled together for a new purpose. I also wanted the bottle labels to show, making the entire unit a decorative piece: I like the juxtaposition of the rustic assembly with fine wine. The shelves tilt to the side to keep the corks from drying out.

Monetize your woodworking

Rustic projects using recycled wood are very trendy at the  moment. This project would sell well at craft fairs. (Probably starting at around $80 - $100.) It is simple to make and if you use free pallet wood the profit margin is huge. Buyers like to feel they are part of an effort to reduce waste, and expensive wine displayed in a unique cabinet is a great conversation starter. 

Free plans:

• WWMM Rustic wine cabinet (pdf)
• SketchUp file
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Woodworking for Manly Men making a free floating shelf

Last week was not one of my most popular projects. (Strangely, I gained more subscribers from that video than usual.) Something about it struck a raw nerve with some people, many of whom felt that making a bracelet was not masculine enough. What century is this?This week I decided to please my hard-core woodworker viewers by making this video and project  filled with all sorts of manly goodness. I even used a hand plane, which should excite the hand tool folks.
A viewer gave me a large chunk of curly redwood a few years ago and ever since then I been looking for a suitable project. The grain pattern on it is gorgeous, but so it the bark with its interesting swirls. Sometimes the wood itself is the star of the show, so I decided to showcase this piece mostly as-is, and unadorned.
Figuring our how to mount it to the wall was the trickiest part. It is pretty heavy and needs plenty of support. I decided to carve out a large slot in the back which would be big enough for a long french cleat. To do this, I used my router with a guide bushing and a couple of quick fences taped to the log. Then it was just a matter of hogging out the wood.
The french cleats provide plenty of support and the 45-degree bevels draw the shelf to the wall, making for a tight, flush fit.
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Pen giveaway free plans and happy birds

Note: The Inspiration Project will return next Tuesday.*****
Got a note from 14-year-old Marcus Vandendaele from Harrisonville, Missouri who has been woodworking for two years. He makes a variety of projects, but has been earning an income selling his hand made pens. Hes already sold over 60 of them!

One of the toughest parts of running a business is getting the word out about what you do. Marcus doesnt have a web site, but maintains a Facebook page and is encouraging people to like it by holding a giveaway. All you need to do is like his page by August 31 and hell randomly select three winners. Whats he giving away? These two pens and a keychain. Head over and support him!

Wait, whats this? Marcus made one of my porch swing bird feeders too! 

Not only is it a fun project build, but it makes for a smooth transition into...

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Frank Tartes outhouse bird feeder! Hes been making and selling these for about $40. 

He also took the time to make up some free plans. Download them now, go forth and build bird feeders!

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And finally, heres something that may give you some more avian inspiration. Bill Wilson sent me over a picture of some wacky bird houses his uncle makes. (Another porch swing bird feeder in there too!) But I just love these houses. They remind me of Dr. Seuss.

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