Making a shoe scraper

This practical, attractive and, most importantly, durable shoe scraper is quite easy to make. A little carpentry is required to produce a good mould, but on the plus side, you can always reuse it. It is important to reinforce the concrete used here, as this item will see a lot of use.

You will need: fine concrete, film-faced plywood, timber battens, some triangular moulding, brads (small headless nails), screws, mesh for reinforcement, oil, a paintbrush and a wide spatula.

1. Cut and assemble the parts for the mould. We used film-faced plywood, 4 timber battens and 8 pieces of triangular moulding. Nail the triangular moulding to the plywood using brads.

2. Screw the battens together at the moulds edges, so they are easy to remove later on. Oil the entire mould.

3. Once the mould is ready, mix the concrete. Apply a thin layer using the spatula.

4. Add the reinforcing mesh and top up with more concrete. Skim the surface with the spatula to level it.

5. Leave the concrete to set for a week and spritz it with water a few times to stop it drying out too quickly. Covering it with plastic can help to keep it damp for longer. Remove the mould.

6. A finished shoe scraper.

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