giant paperclip coat hook

Remember those carefree, halcyon days of middle school? Bending paperclips to your every whim? Well, now you're grown. And your paperclips should grow, too. But a giant paperclip on it's own only has limited use, it really needs to serve a function beyond the obvious. 

By bending the top of arc of our novelty-sized paperclip we can make a giant paperclip coat hook, the perfect stationary accouterment to keep your coat and hat stationery. 

Making your own crazy-huge paperclip is easy; you just need a long aluminum rod (found in most hardware stores), a paperclip for reference, and a calculator to work out some numbers.

Enough talk, let's make!

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Step 1: Tools + materials

tools: calipers calculator marker

materials: aluminum rod cylindrical objects to bend aluminum rod around  mounting brackets

Comments

[dartol]

The listed section lengths add up to 4.455", not 3.89". But, I guess this was just provided as an example, for the reader to measure on their own. :) I see the 3.89" in the picture, so that one must be right.

[mikeasaurus]

This is what happens when you're trying to work things out in metric and imperial for the benefit of readers. The numbers I measured may be a little off but the concept is sound, as long as you measure and scale correctly you should be fine. There's also a factor of "wiggle-room" with this, as it is a prop.

Are you planning on making one? I would love to see your results!

[dartol]

Yes, very solid concept, good job! I am not trying to criticize, just noticing the discrepancy in case someone wants to skip the calculation part.

I did make one! My wife wanted a giant paperclip to give out as an award in our triathlon club. It is for a new guy that has been doing the local "paperclip" cycling route with the road bikers. It will be the "Paperclip Survivor Award".

I used an Excel spreadsheet to scale the measurements so I could use a 6' steel rod that I found. I couldn't find an aluminum one.

Here is a picture of my results. I did the bends by hand, just using the round part of my vice. They could be a little smoother and wider.

Thanks for posting your instructions!

Darren

[dartol]

My attachment didn't seem to work, trying again.

[mikeasaurus]

That's so great, thanks for sharing! (and good call with the tape measure, it's tough to get scale of something we're used to seeing very small)

For sharing a picture of your version I've sent you a digital patch and a 3-month Pro Membership to Instructables!

[StuffStephMakes]

Awesome!! Love this! :)

[Urnammu]

One could slip plastic tube/hose over the rod to increase its thickness.

[HollyMann]

This is strangely cool looking!!!

[HydeTheJekyll]

The Clippit bit made me lol in the real! keep up the good work XDXD

[benderbrasil]

innovative idea

[dollarcraft]

This is great!

[Replicator]

Oh man, I hate that guy, popping up all the time... more hindering than helpful.
still nice work :D

[StoryAddict]

I think Clippit makes for a nice Halloween costume/prop idea. I mean, what's scarier?

[Replicator]

Lol. damn straight!

[osgorb]

This is an awesome tutorial, but I hate this guy on my computer alone! Why would I want him in real life?!! *shutter*

[Flashflint]

Some giant wide rule paper I made for an instillation piece. Sharpie on white butcher paper, cut the holes with a box cutter, Excited for the pro membership!

[mikeasaurus]

Neat, thanks for sharing!

Enjoy the patch and the 3-month Pro Membership!

[depotdevoid]

It looks like you're making a giant paper clip.

Would you like help with that?

o Get help finding materials

o Get help bending radii

o Just make the paperclip without help

o Don't show me this tip again

[robbied]

where is the like button, top comment :)

[Lindie]

I really, really like it! :-)

[Kasm279]

I saw the giant Clippit and lost it, good project!

[robot3000]

AWESOME VERY USEFUL!!!

[shed469]

Given that you were so precise in your method, did you consider testing the weight holding ability of the wall hanger/ giant paperclip? It seems to me the extended legs of your clip would give it inherent strength against pull out at the fasteners. The fastening clips are simple but a drilled hole for a screw would be a neater look.

[canucksgirl]

Very cool. It's nice to see a design that isn't just big just for the sake of being big. The functionality is great. :)

[SHIFT!]

Awesome idea Mike! One could say that project is so functional, it should be a staple of every household!

[ChrysN]

Awesome. love the giant Clippit!

[Hiyadudez]

Thats awesome :D

5* (If i could give any ratings :[ )

[dworley]

(removed by author or community request)

[Purocuyu]

If I may: you could have bent both top curves, and made it twice as useful (Which is what this saturday will hopefully appear out of my workshop...thanks!).

[Grissini]

does the jacket know how lucky it is? Awesome as usual.

[poofrabbit]

Holy cow batman I want one!! Great 'able!!

[Jayefuu]

Love it :D How long did it haunt randy for?

[KneXtreme]

That's cool! I might actually make it.