Sliding pants rack

 by phantazn
Featured
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 1: 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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mi_illusion_st says: Aug 27, 2012. 5:38 AM
Seems like this could be made into a tablecloth holder in a cupboard too, great idea thanks!!!
Love_Not_Found says: Mar 18, 2010. 9:16 PM
couldnt you just laqour it up  the clear coat stuff that makes everything smooth?
janesaurusrex in reply to Love_Not_FoundApr 15, 2012. 1:07 PM
You could. But you would still have to sand it down to have the laquer/sealant/paint to adhere properly and also if you laquer over the splinter, you have just made a super splinter.
tinker234 says: Mar 1, 2012. 6:50 PM
wow i love the idea you know you could paint it
jean v says: Oct 27, 2011. 12:26 PM
do the dowels hold up well under the weight of jeans??
jeremyhoho says: Jul 12, 2011. 7:40 AM
How much does it cost you to make this?
Shurweenoya says: May 27, 2011. 10:26 PM
that's awesome!
BGreenHVAC says: Apr 19, 2011. 7:26 PM
Now that's using your grey matter! Brilliant.
Dr.Bill says: Jan 12, 2011. 9:55 PM
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
omakii says: Dec 27, 2010. 11:28 AM
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.)
MissJessica184 says: Jul 19, 2010. 12:20 AM
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 ♥
keiou says: Apr 10, 2010. 10:03 AM
 This is the best idea ever! thanks!
deofthedead says: Feb 20, 2010. 11:11 AM
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.)
linkyta says: Jun 16, 2009. 1:34 PM
Besides being a great project, I had a great time reading the comments in the pics hahaha
luigidifranco says: Feb 6, 2009. 3:24 AM
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.
fungus amungus says: Sep 23, 2008. 5:11 PM
This is awesome! You could probably double the number of dowels in there. That pair of pants has plenty of room next to it.
shooby in reply to fungus amungusSep 23, 2008. 7:16 PM
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.
fungus amungus in reply to shoobySep 24, 2008. 12:22 PM
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.
shooby in reply to fungus amungusSep 24, 2008. 9:13 PM
Build it and see
fungus amungus in reply to shoobySep 25, 2008. 7:54 AM
Don't need to. I've used similar items before in my own packed closet.
shooby in reply to fungus amungusSep 25, 2008. 9:15 AM
Nice, why not post a photo?
fungus amungus in reply to shoobySep 25, 2008. 9:23 AM
Because I honestly don't think you're really all that curious about it.
bob.smitty in reply to fungus amungusJan 6, 2009. 9:57 AM
Translation: "I type only because I have a keyboard, not because I have something to say."
fungus amungus in reply to bob.smittyJan 6, 2009. 12:15 PM
Either your babelfish is busted or you're translating a statement about yourself. Not sure which.
shooby in reply to fungus amungusSep 25, 2008. 10:44 AM
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.
fungus amungus in reply to shoobySep 25, 2008. 11:05 AM
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.
shooby in reply to fungus amungusSep 25, 2008. 12:12 PM
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.
tchiseen in reply to shoobyDec 7, 2008. 5:40 PM
If there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's not to cramp the pants.
Phoenixflame87 says: Dec 7, 2008. 9:49 PM
You could also close the frame to add support and drop the pants onto the dowels from above...and lacquer.
poetx in reply to Phoenixflame87Dec 8, 2008. 10:52 AM
argh. didn't see this before i commented, but this is exactly what i was thinking.
poetx says: Dec 8, 2008. 10:50 AM
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.
pyrocop1 says: Sep 23, 2008. 5:45 PM
very nice ...maybe you should get your hammer a watch so it will be on time.
grantaccess in reply to pyrocop1Dec 8, 2008. 8:04 AM
It wouldn't help ... hammers are divas.
kenn123 says: Oct 19, 2008. 6:13 AM
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?
bristolbob52 says: Sep 29, 2008. 11:07 AM
could do same with shirts and shoe(note) shoe rack from movie called overboard. goldie hawn,curt russel
jorgiux says: Sep 25, 2008. 10:05 PM
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!
Nancie says: Sep 25, 2008. 4:52 PM
I love it. I will be going to Lowes this weekend. P.S. maybe you should get two tape measures.
theglobecruiser says: Sep 23, 2008. 8:35 PM
This is wonderful. Also perfect for towels.
shooby in reply to theglobecruiserSep 25, 2008. 10:45 AM
Yeah! Imagine a whole linen closet with these instead of shelves. It'd keep the long term storage linens a little fresher I bet.
h3idi says: Sep 24, 2008. 12:38 PM
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.
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