8 | Building an expensive looking wine glass rack | Polidact Woodworking

My wife wanted a fancy way to display her stemware. She showed me a picture from a high-end catalog. It was a simple shelf with slots underneath for the glasses. The price? $150. My Brain: "I can build that for $20." (Narrator: He built it for $20, but it took $5000 worth of tools).

This rack features a Floating look (no visible brackets) and safe, secure slots for 12 glasses.

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The Challenge: The T-Slot

The tricky part of this build is the slot functionality.

• The stem of the glass needs to slide in.
• The base of the glass needs to be supported.
• It can't be too tight, or you'll break the glass.
• It can't be too loose, or the glass will tip.

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Material & Tools

• Red Oak: Tough, readily available.
• Router: You need a router for the slots.
• French Cleat: For mounting.

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The Build Process

Step 1: The Slots

I decided against using a dedicated T-slot router bit (hard to adjust). Instead, I built the slot up in layers.

1. Top Shelf: The solid plank on top.
2. Spacers: Thin strips of wood glued to the bottom. These create the gap for the glass base.
3. Bottom Slats: Wider strips glued to the spacers. These hold the glass up.

This "sandwich" method is much easier than routing solid wood!

Step 2: Spacing

I measured our widest Pinot Noir glass. It had a 3.5" base. I spaced the slats 4 inches apart to be safe. Crucial: Measure your glasses. Champagne flutes are tiny; Red Wine goblets are huge.

Step 3: Finish (The Barrel Look)

I wanted it to look like an old wine barrel.

• Stain: Dark Walnut.
• Poly: Satin finish. The open grain of the oak really works here, giving it that antique texture.

Step 4: Installation (French Cleat)

I attached a 45-degree beveled strip to the back of the shelf, and a mating strip to the wall.

• Why French Cleat?: It is incredibly strong. The weight of the shelf pulls it tighter against the wall. Plus, you can slide the shelf left and right to center it perfectly.

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The "Crash" Test

Before hanging it over expensive tile, I loaded it with cheap IKEA glasses and shook it. They rattled, but stayed put. Then I slapped the side of it (simulating an earthquake or a clumsy guest). They held.

Conclusion

It looks great on the dining room wall. It frees up cabinet space and turns the glassware into art. Just be sure to dust them... glasses hanging upside down collect dust on the base (which you stare at).