Wine Barrel Wardrobe

This is a wine barrel I turned into a wardrobe, but when making this you can use and turn the inside into whatever you want. Have fun with your creativity. I had a good time making this. I think it turned out really great.

Tools

Water Hose

Tape measure

Drill

1/4 in Metal drilling bit

Skill-saw

Hand-saw

Hack-saw

Grinder with

Pliers

1/4 Socket wrench

Safety goggles

Chalkline

Sander

60 grit sandpaper

small rags

Philips screwing bit

Pencil

Materials

1 barrel

1 1/2 cup of Clorox Bleach

24 1/4 in straight bolts w/ 24 nuts

2 Simpson metal straps

24 3/4 inch screws

1 small can of chosen wood stain and sealer

4 hinges

2 handles

1 lock

Step 1: Preperation

First, you’re going to want to start with obtaining a wine barrel. I poured 1 ½ cups of Clorox Bleach. I grabbed my hose and ran the water for about 30 seconds inside the barrel, and placed a plug back in the hole ( you can use anything that will cover all of the holes). After that, I started pushing/rolling the barrel back and forth.

Step 2: Outline #1

To begin making the outline for my first cuts, I used the stave joints as a guide for my cuts. I made a mark with my pencil (about 3 ½ inches from the hole) and threw a chalk line 1 in from the edge of the quarter hoop on each end of the barrel.

Note: Don’t forget to throw a line on the back side of the barrel too. I counted 9 staves from where I did my first chalk line.

Step 3: Securing the Braces

I made 2 mark on each side of the chalk line on the bilge hoop about 1 inch away from the line and evenly spaced out ( I later realized that making a template for the bolts was easier than measuring each one by one). Then I used a 1/4 inch metal drill bit to pre-drill hole, and put the bolts in on

Step 4: First Cut

When making the first cut, being very careful, i used the quarter hoop as a guide for cutting an even line. I placed the left part of the skill-saw against the quarter hoop. this allowed me to get a clean even cut on both end of the barrel *Try not to get to close the the chalk line mark to assure u don’t cut more than u should*. After making my first two cuts, use i used my hand saw to cut all the way through to the line on all sides.

Step 5: Cutting the Braces

I took my grinder and cut along all of the four of the lines on the bilge hoops. * Pretty simple step, but very dangerous, wear protection; sparks will fly, trust me*.

Step 6: Fastening Part 1

After making those cuts with my grinder, the top came out very easily. So I just screwed on the nuts and tightened them fairly tight. I grabbed my grinder once again and cut off the remaining length go the bolt.

Step 7: Outline # 2

Now in order to keep the top lid from swinging down into the barrel, I measured 1/2 more than the sidecut for the top lid * In most cases 1 inch ( side cut) so 1 1/2 inch (new cut) *, counted down 4 staves and threw a chalk line. This created a little notch that will act as a stop/rest for the lid. I did this on both sides. Then I just found the middle of the barrel and threw a chalk line down the middle.

Step 8: Bolt Templet

This was when I realized a tempted would help keep my bolts evenly spaced out better. Having the templet made making the mark, drilling the holes, and putting the bolts in much easier.

Step 9: Fastening Part 2

Once again I fastened the nuts on the bolts and cut off the extra. * See I told u… sparks! They hurt, trust me. * Use protection.

Step 10: Cutting Notch

Using my hack-saw this time, I cut down the side notch lines almost all the way down. Then I used my hand saw to cut down the last of the 4 staves.

Step 11: Fastening the Pieces

I grabbed all the pieces/parts to the barrel and put the nuts on the bolts. I tightened them and cut all the bolts.

Step 12: Straps

Using the 2 Simpson metal straps I bought, I bent them so the curvature would match the inside of the barrel part. Then I drew a line down the middle. Once I placed then about 1 inch from the line I screwed them on with 3/4 inch wood screws.

Step 13: Skill-Saw

When I finished screwing all of my wood screws in, I used my skill-saw to cut down the middle.

Step 14: Sanding Down

I took my sander with a low 60 grit sandpaper and sanded all the cut edges down. I also sanded down all the residue left inside my barrel.

Step 15: Staining

With a small rag, I dip it in my stain and started staining everything. I use it thick because I like I nice dark color. I also put a stain on hoops too, just to give it a nice bordered look to the metal.

Step 16: Hardware

First, I put my barrel back together. then I predrilled all the holes with a 1/8 inch wood bit and made marks on my barrel to know where to put them. I centered one of the hinges on each of the two side doors. Then I did the top.

For the top, I found the center between the two-quarter hoops and made a mark. once I made the mark I measured 1 1/2 inches on each side of the line and made about a 4-inch line to guide my hinges. Then I just screwed them in

When putting on my handles I really just eyeballed it and screwed them in. Then I just put my lock on. Easy.