| Project by Snakeye | posted 280 days ago | 1551 views | 5 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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My wife always complains that I have too many beer mugs and that they always take up the space that her wine glasses are in. So, I needed to somehow create a new storage system for them (if I left it up to my wife, they’d be in the attic or basement!). I got this idea from the April 2012 issueof Popular Woodworking. I took the design in the magazine, and modified the measurements to fit my German Beer Stein collection. Of course, this was only designed to hold 12 mugs (which is about 3/4 of what I own), but any bigger would’ve been too big.
I built this from 2 rough-cut 8/4 boards of Elm. I got a discount for the knots because it was “unusable,” but it was perfect for center-stage as the back panel of the cabinet. Beautiful, huh?
I constructed this using ~65% power tools and 35% handwork/handtools. It features sliding dovetails to connect the sides to the top and bottom, and bridle joints for the cabinet doors. I used knife hinges and shelf supports from Brusso hardware. It is hung on the wall via a French Cleat. To complete the theme, I commissioned a blacksmith to build custom cabinet handles to contribute to the aura of beer and beer steins that this cabinet creates – he did an awesome job! Lastly, I bought LED strips and a rechargeable laptop battery (I didn’t want a gaudy wire hanging from the cabinet going into a plug socket) and wired the backlighting into the wood. The battery and dimmer switch is located under the bottom wooden shelf, while the LED strip is along the front ceiling.
Hopefully this will provide my son (4 years old now), and his son, plenty of drinking down the road after I’m gone! Until then, prost!
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13 comments so far
Kookaburra
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744 posts in 389 days
#1 posted 280 days ago
Yes, this is a wonderful use of an unusual and beautiful piece of wood. You had a great eye in seeing how it could be used here. What is the little compartment along the bottom for? Ir is it there simply to keep the steins in full view?
-- Kay - Just a girl who loves wood.
Snakeye
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27 posts in 619 days
#2 posted 280 days ago
The bottom compartment: 1) keep the steins in full view and 2) hold the battery for the backlighting.
Thanks for the compliments!
snowgoer
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56 posts in 833 days
#3 posted 280 days ago
Nice job on the fit and finish. Now,”everyone” will have to have one. Oh, if our beer stiens could talk
Jamie Speirs
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3668 posts in 1022 days
#4 posted 280 days ago
One real nice cabinet
The Elm is such a warm wood
You have done the wood justice
It also looks a quality piece
The handles, do you have a better picture?
They look fantastic
Jamie
-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Dusty56
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10496 posts in 1853 days
#5 posted 280 days ago
The Elm is beautiful and your project came out great : )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
Gshepherd
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1363 posts in 367 days
#6 posted 280 days ago
Very Nice cabinet for these steins…..
-- What we do in life will Echo through Eternity........
Mikesawdust
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105 posts in 1204 days
#7 posted 280 days ago
I’m so amazed to see the final product, after watching you work on this for sooo long. You definately came out with a masterpiece and your attention to detail(damn near fanatical by my own standards) paid off in spades. I only regret that the detail of the pictures on here can’t possibly show the real beauty in this cabinet. The colors that burst from the wood and the matching figure that permeated the design, really highlight your skill in wood selection and building. I was shocked when we discussed the cost but, then I saw the final product and thought you made pure art that your children will hopefully pass to thier own.
MonteCristo
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2060 posts in 354 days
#8 posted 279 days ago
Good looking cabinet !
-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""
RetiredCoastie
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998 posts in 1348 days
#9 posted 279 days ago
Very nice cabinet and collection. I really like the door handles.
-- www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops
489tad
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991 posts in 1177 days
#10 posted 279 days ago
Great looking cabinet. Great theme.
-- Dan I.G.N.
mbs
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966 posts in 1105 days
#11 posted 279 days ago
I love the “unusable” wood. Very nice cabinet.
-- Sorry the reply is so long. I didn't have time to write a short reply.
Snakeye
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27 posts in 619 days
#12 posted 279 days ago
All, thanks for the comments of encouragement.
Mike, I’ll see you in about a week or two to start a living room table!
Dausien
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5 posts in 414 days
#13 posted 277 days ago
Very nice cabinet -
Prost! on this.
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