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Handy boot-washing grate
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Keep garden mud out of your house with
this simple grate for rinsing off your boots
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By Dave Boulton, photos by Mark Burstyn, illustration by Len Churchill
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Screws strengthen the grate's joints so that they last longer than with glue alone
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Easy Assembly
With all of your pieces cut, dry-fit your grate. If any rails are too tight, a pass over a belt sander or some finessing with a hand plane should make the troublesome rail fit. Glued joints would create a strong grate, but considering the fact that you'll be standing on the project, and that even weatherproof glue isn't recommended for soaking in water, I elected to use screws. Galvanized, brass or stainless-steel screws will weather the intended use. I chose the #8 x 11/4" size.
If you're going to apply a finish, such as a penetrating oil, do it now, before assembly. The job is much easier at this stage since there are lots of small corners to deal with.
Make It Strong
Assemble the project, using clamps in the corners to keep the rails together while you work.
Don't be tempted to drive in screws before predrilling holes. The rail parts are narrow, and many of the screws will be close to the edge. Without predrilling, your wood will split. I used a 3/32" bit to make pilot holes for the screw threads, and a 5/32" bit to make room for the main body of each screw.
With the project assembled, give the top edges a touch with a belt sander to smooth over any variances in height and smooth the end joints as well. Retouch your finish after this.
This grate was intended for boot washing, but I have also found it useful at the hose bib (there always seems to be mud there), and it could be resized to span an area of deck that would normally block light to a basement window. If you choose the design for a poolside shower, tighten the spacing to 3/4", a more comfortable grid for bare feet.
| YOU WILL NEED | | PART | MATERIAL | SIZE (T x W x L*) | QTY | | Rails | pine | 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 12" | 12 | | Screws | stainless steel | #8 x 1 1/4" | 36 | | * Length indicates grain direction. |
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