After determining the size of your unit, cut the top, bottom, and sides of the box out of a 1x12x6' maple board using your power saw. Also, cut a 2” strip to the length of the wine rack, which will then be used to hang the wine rack on the wall.
Set the two side panels aside and locate the inside sides of the top and bottom pieces. Find the center lines of the top and inside interior panels and mark a 3/4” Wide Strip on each. Using a router or circular saw, notch both sides to a depth of 3/16" across the boards from front to back. This will create a "rabbit joint" - essentially, a U-shaped groove. on the wood that will accept another piece of wood, cradling it, securing it on both flanks.
You are now ready to glue, nail and screw the four sides of the wine rack. Try to use screws in areas that won't be visible.
Assemble the sides to create the box-shaped frame of the wine rack. Glue, nail and screw the perimeter together. Next, lay the case on its face and install the 2” strip along the top/back edge of the unit, keeping it flush with the rear surface. This strip will not only be used as a support to attach the shelf to the wall and joists to carry the weight of the wine bottles, but it will also keep the unit perfectly square. Flip the unit over on its back and reveal the face, plus the two joints with rabbits.
Measure the height of (distance between) the grooves at their deepest part. If you are using 1x material, that measurement should be the height of the unit minus 3/8" for the two 3/16" rabbited grooves.
Cut a piece of wood to the height of your measurement and the depth of your wine rack to use as a unit divider. Cut a 3/4” x 2” split the top/back of the divider to fit around the hanger strip. Glue, nail and/or screw it into place between the top and bottom. This bunny divider will add stability and keep your wine rack aligned.
You should be left with two equidistant compartments. You are now ready to make two X-shaped brackets to create eight triangular shelves for wine storage.
Measuring inside one of the two individual compartments on a diagonal from a top corner to a bottom corner, determine the distance (Image 1) and cut a piece of wood using two 45 degree angles in the shape of a parallelogram (Image 2). Measure and cut the remaining angled piece for the second compartment (Image 3). Slide the two angled shelves into the unit in either an "A" or a "V" letter shape. This cut should be tight. So measure three times and cut once!
The smaller support shelves will create four triangles in both drive bays. Don't put in the longer diagonal shelves yet. You will need to connect these first at the cross section of the intersecting smaller support panels. Once again, measure across the longest shelves diagonally from corner to corner and cut a second set of parallelogram-shaped inserts, which will rip in half.
After cutting the second set of diagonal supports straight down the middle, hold them in place so that the two remaining rabbit joints on the first set of longer diagonals are marked. Using a router or circular saw, lower two 1.8”. Slots in the centers of the longer support shelves. These rabbit joint grooves should be directly opposite each other in the upper and lower compartments. Leave a thin ribbed section in the center of the boards, which should be between 7/16” and 1/2” wide if you are using 1x board material.
You may need to trim the four smaller brackets slightly to fit the corner of the wine rack and the groove in the rack. First install the longer diagonals with the mirror slots using glue and nails (Image 1). Repeat adding the four smaller pieces on the wine rack (Image 2).
Your unit is now fully built (Image 3). You may want to fill the nail and screw holes with wood filler at this time. Allow unit to dry overnight to allow glue to harden and set.
Prepare the unit for painting or staining by sanding the corners and edges, then wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.
Important Mounting Instructions:Be sure to locate wall studs to secure unit via rear mounting strap. The eight individual triangular compartments will allow for easy retrieval of bottles.
