I decided I wanted a nice place to store my wine (cheap wine). There are some interesting wine racks online, but most are quite pricey. Being a poor graduate student, I opted to make one.

I sought simplicity and functionality in my design. I also wanted something that was collapsable if need be. (I plan on moving fairly soon)
I wanted the construction to utilize as little advanced carpentry techniques as possible. Thus only the most basic carpentry skill set is needed in the construction of this. Also I wanted it to be as cheap as possible!

As I stated in the title, this wine rack can be customizable. You can make it into whatever shape you desire........I chose a fish.

I was pleased with the results, as I hope you will be. And if you like it, please vote for this instructable for the 4th Epilog Challenge.

IF I win the Epilog Zing laser cutter, I would lay down some sweet designs on the wine fish rack you see before you, along with my wood bedframe, shoe rack, book shelf, and desk that I have made myself (instructables pending).

Step 1: Supplies

Supplies for this design, you will need :

-6 pieces of threaded steel rod (1/4 inch) that are approx 8- 8.5 inches long. A 4' length of threaded rod at the local hardware store will be less than $4 or so, and this will divide into 6 pieces perfectly.

-24 nuts (1/4 inch)

-3/4 inch thick sheet of ply wood big enough for your desired template. For my design, I had some left over piece of plywood that was 3ft x 2ft and that was the perfect size. (but if you don't, you can buy a sheet of plywood from your local hardware store at a fairly low cost $20 for 2ft x 4ft (3/4 inch)

(if you choose a shape that is much larger than my fish, you may or may not need more sections of threaded steel rod to make your rack sturdy, but I feel that 6 sections will suit most designs)

Step 2: Tools

Tools you will need (and some you might not need)

-Dremmel tool with disc cutter
-2 adjustable wrenches (but can use anything that will tighten a nut)
-Drill bit: size 1/4 inch.
-Pencil and/or sharpie
-#4 Hole Cutter (102 M/M)
-Power Drill
-Jig Saw ( Not shown in first picture; I used a frand's :D )
-A brain
-Opposable thumb/s.

Optional:
-If you want to treat the wood, use some Sanding varnish, or Tung Oil, etc.

If you don't have one of these tools- improvise!
I just used whatever tools I had in my garage (with the exception of the Jig Saw), but you can get by without everything I have listed.

Example:
If you don't have a hole cutter, you could probably get by with the dremmel tool
If you don't have a Jig Saw, make friends with someone who does (that's what I did)......or......you could get by with a regular ol' wood saw (depending on the complexity of your design).

Step 3: Time to Use Your Imagination!

1. Now for one of the fun parts: sketching your design.

My fish turned out to be roughly 3ft x 2ft.

Also important: Make sure that there is room to fit the desired number of holes for the wine bottles. Being a serf of a graduate student, I rarely (actually never) have more than 3 bottles of unopened wine at time, so I settled with 3 holes.

2. Trace the hole cutter inside design. I lined up 3 right in the middle of the fish. But if you have a larger rack in mind, you could get creative and stagger the holes, make patterns, etc.

3. Mark six locations on the design to drill for the steel rods to go through, providing optimal structural support for the rack (i marked 6 spots about 1 inch in from the edges).

4. Drill those 6 holes.

5. Cut out the 3 holes for the wine bottles with hole cutter. (alternatively you can do this after you cut out the design if you want; it matters not.

Step 4: It's Wood Cuttin' Time

Time for the next fun part!

Secure the wood to the cutting table with C clamps.

Cut out the design with the jig saw (carefully)

Step 5: Make That Fish Holy!

If you didn't do it yet, secure the fish, and use the Hole Cutter and cut out those holes!

Step 6: Clone Your Creation

Now use your design you just cut out to trace it on the other piece of wood you have to make an exact duplicate.
Also trace the holes you cut out with the hole cutter onto the new duplicate

Rinse and repeat with Jig Saw.

Apply Varnish or Tung oil if desired.

Step 7: Wine Fish Assemble!

Now its time for the final fun part.

With our powers combined.....I am Wine Fish!

Assemble your masterpiece with the threaded rods and nuts.
Use both wrenches to tighten each side.

Acquire some wines and insert into rack holes.
Set the rack in your kitchen and admire.

(Hope you find this instructable useful. It twas my first. If you like it, please vote for it in the 4th Epilog Challenge Contest)

As you can see, my wine fish rack is quite simple....it could use some sweet laser cut designs with the Zing....flames perhaps?