How to make a hat rack

From the DAR pine, mark up and cut four pieces to 400mm long and four pieces to 221mm long. From the dowel, cut 10 pieces to 80mm long. Always measure then cut one piece at a time to allow for saw blade width.

Use a combination square, set at 21mm, to mark up centred holes at the ends of all the pine pieces, and halfway along the 400mm pieces.

Sand the pine pieces to remove any breakout from around the holes. Tap the dowel into the front rails with a mallet then round over the ends of the dowel with the abrasive paper.

Reposition the back rails over the adhesive and secure with 30mm screws, drilling the head below the surface. Hint: drill the screws halfway down, then reverse to bring the screw almost the full way out. Then drill right through. This helps the screw grab and pull the pine pieces together.

Working over a drop cloth, carefully dip each dowel end into the white paint pot to about 20mm, catching the drips with a small brush and setting the rack upside down on the offcuts of timber to dry.

On the back of the rack, attach hooks either end to hang on screws installed into the wall. For a masonry wall, use screws with masonry anchors. For plasterboard walls, use screws with plasterboard anchors.

Tip: If you don't have a drill press, use a drill – but set up a mirror nearby so you can check you're holding the drill straight, to ensure the holes fit the dowel.