Sliding pants rack

Sliding pants rack
I bought a wardrobe from ikea to store my work clothes in. While walking around at ikea, I came across a Pax wardrobe with a Komplement pants hanger on rails. Unfortunately, they did not make them in the size for the cheapo Kullen wardrobe I bought, and I sure as hell wasn't going to shell out 900+ for a Pax just so I could have the hanger. Plus, it was made out of wire for the most part, and flexed a lot and made a nice "twang" sound when you flicked it.
 
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Step 1Plan it out

Plan it out
I started off by measuring the space that I was to mount this in. it ended up being 31" x 19".

The sliders occupy roughly 1" of space, so my needed to be ~ 30" x 18" or so.


The frame needed to be able to hold its shape and not flex, and it needed something a bit more substantial than one single hole to hold the dowels. i decided on something like this:
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44 comments
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Oct 27, 2011. 12:26 PMjean v says:
do the dowels hold up well under the weight of jeans??
Jul 12, 2011. 7:40 AMjeremyhoho says:
How much does it cost you to make this?
May 27, 2011. 10:26 PMShurweenoya says:
that's awesome!
Apr 19, 2011. 7:26 PMBGreenHVAC says:
Now that's using your grey matter! Brilliant.
Jan 12, 2011. 9:55 PMdrbill says:
I got a closet that's 3' deep x 9" wide x 8' tall and I'm gonna adapt your design to it.

I'm gonna just slide the whole closet out like a drawer. Maybe even make it 2 section. 2 drawers.

ty
Dec 27, 2010. 11:28 AMomakii says:
This is really cool! I'm definitely going to incorporate this into my closet project.

(Even though I am rather disappointed that it does not twang.)
Jul 19, 2010. 12:20 AMMissJessica184 says:
This is an excellent idea! I'm thinking of different ways that I can optimize the space I'm going to have in my new closet and this is a perfect storage idea! I love it, thanks for sharing it! ♥ Jessica ♥
Apr 10, 2010. 10:03 AMkeiou says:
 This is the best idea ever! thanks!
Mar 18, 2010. 9:16 PMLove_Not_Found says:
couldnt you just laqour it up  the clear coat stuff that makes everything smooth?
Feb 20, 2010. 11:11 AMdeofthedead says:
Note to self: Do this. You will be much less likely to keep procrastinating on the laundry. Augh.

Really, though: This is genius. Excellent job on the 'ible, and this seems like something that could be done in an afternoon. I see no reason not to do this! (except that aforementioned procrastination.)
Jun 16, 2009. 1:34 PMlinkyta says:
Besides being a great project, I had a great time reading the comments in the pics hahaha
Feb 6, 2009. 3:24 AMluigidifranco says:
One idea. If you wrap every rail on some rubber material, you would prevent clothes to slide off. I imagine that if not balanced, trousers might fall down. With just one to two stripes on every rail could be enough to make them more convenient. Congrats on your idea.
Sep 23, 2008. 5:11 PMfungus amungus says:
This is awesome! You could probably double the number of dowels in there. That pair of pants has plenty of room next to it.
Sep 23, 2008. 7:16 PMshooby says:
Yeah, but it'd be annoying if you have to hold the others to stop them sliding out with the one pair you want. At the hanging point, the pants take up less than 1", but they're less compact at the lowest point.
Sep 24, 2008. 12:22 PMfungus amungus says:
That's not that big a deal, really. You use one hand to hold the adjacent pairs of pants and pull the middle one out with the other. Compared to how jammed my tiny closet is with shirts and jackets, this would be cake.
Sep 24, 2008. 9:13 PMshooby says:
Build it and see
Sep 25, 2008. 7:54 AMfungus amungus says:
Don't need to. I've used similar items before in my own packed closet.
Sep 25, 2008. 9:15 AMshooby says:
Nice, why not post a photo?
Sep 25, 2008. 9:23 AMfungus amungus says:
Because I honestly don't think you're really all that curious about it.
Jan 6, 2009. 9:57 AMbob.smitty says:
Translation: "I type only because I have a keyboard, not because I have something to say."
Jan 6, 2009. 12:15 PMfungus amungus says:
Either your babelfish is busted or you're translating a statement about yourself. Not sure which.
Sep 25, 2008. 10:44 AMshooby says:
No really I'd like to see it. I live in a small apt, and am constantly seeking space saving solutions. If you don't have a photo, maybe just describe how it's different from this I'ble.
Sep 25, 2008. 11:05 AMfungus amungus says:
Google "pants rack" and you'll see.

Here's a commercial product that crams them in tighter:
rack 1

Ones I've used actually have the pants overlap like this:
rack 2

It takes some getting used to, especially with a packed closet, but it really uses a lot less space.
Sep 25, 2008. 12:12 PMshooby says:
Notice how in rack 1, the two pairs on the left are almost touching...even though there are two more possible hanging positions between them. In other words, things could get tight. Yes, the number of dowels in this I'ble could be doubled. And whether or not that is an improvement is subjective, right? More dense storage, less ease of use. Standard problem. Blah blah blah.
Dec 7, 2008. 5:40 PMtchiseen says:
If there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's not to cramp the pants.
Dec 7, 2008. 9:49 PMPhoenixflame87 says:
You could also close the frame to add support and drop the pants onto the dowels from above...and lacquer.
Dec 8, 2008. 10:52 AMpoetx says:
argh. didn't see this before i commented, but this is exactly what i was thinking.
Dec 8, 2008. 10:50 AMpoetx says:
this is fantastic. very well documented, and the humor was an added and welcome touch. one suggestion... if you drilled through a third piece of wood, you could close off the other end of the dowels. this would have the slight downside of making the contraption exclusively top loading, but the upside is you would never have to worry about the dowels warping or breaking. (i thought about suggesting a removable endcap, but that would be more work than putting the pants on and taking them off from the top). i have got to make one, now.
Sep 23, 2008. 5:45 PMpyrocop1 says:
very nice ...maybe you should get your hammer a watch so it will be on time.
Dec 8, 2008. 8:04 AMgrantaccess says:
It wouldn't help ... hammers are divas.
Oct 19, 2008. 6:13 AMkenn123 says:
Very Nice idea, and easy to do, I could see applying this to a 'lazy-susan' style as well. I think the dowels will have a tendency to warp downwards fairly quickly... maybe making them replaceable would be a nice step to take?
Sep 29, 2008. 11:07 AMbristolbob52 says:
could do same with shirts and shoe(note) shoe rack from movie called overboard. goldie hawn,curt russel
Sep 25, 2008. 10:05 PMjorgiux says:
Thank you. Just what I needed! mine also looks fine.but I had to measure five times... The third rack was the final and the best for my pants... Mother is elated!
Sep 25, 2008. 4:52 PMNancie says:
I love it. I will be going to Lowes this weekend. P.S. maybe you should get two tape measures.
Sep 23, 2008. 8:35 PMtheglobecruiser says:
This is wonderful. Also perfect for towels.
Sep 25, 2008. 10:45 AMshooby says:
Yeah! Imagine a whole linen closet with these instead of shelves. It'd keep the long term storage linens a little fresher I bet.
Sep 24, 2008. 12:38 PMh3idi says:
Nice. I have never cared enough to 800 anything... I have gotten to about 220. Kudos to you. I may need to buy some sandpaper for this project. Ace instructable, by the way.
Sep 24, 2008. 2:23 AMdarraughbj says:
Excellent work, I now have not only the thought to build one for myself, but to make parts of it out of cedar.
Sep 23, 2008. 7:12 PMshooby says:
Nice job, this looks pretty handy. I would have made one for ties at the same time (although you may not wear ties for work, of course). I don't wear ties either really, but it'd be cool. Hmm, I now I do wear underwear. Nice, I'll make one for my briefs.
Sep 23, 2008. 5:18 PMfrollard says:
Fantastic describes it perfectly! Perhaps a little varnish to keep the wood 'fresh'.
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Author:phantazn
Jack of all trades, master of none. I'm an engineer who works in finance, who's an avid weekend mechanic that likes to draw and paint and occasionally tinkers with electronics. Oh, and I work on ho...
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