Boot Dryer

by drosenkranz

46K53714

Intro: Boot Dryer

cheap DIY boot dryer with parts from a leftover plumbing project

STEP 1: Parts Needed Are

four, 2"elbows .95c each

two, 2" T's $3.11 each

one, 2" Y 3.11

one, 2" fernco ci/plastic/copper/steel to ci/plastic/copper/steel

and at least 3 feet of 2 inch PVC pipe

STEP 2: Cutting and Assembly

cut 1 length of PVC pipe 16 inches long then cut the 16 piece in half at a 40° angle like so on the first picture. then cut wedges about an inch above the angled cut like the second picture this will help unrestrict airflow when inside the boots

STEP 3: More Cutting

cut seven 2 inch PVC sleeves 2 inches long and connect everything together and (glue) them in place as seen in the picture above

STEP 4: You Are Almost There Don't Stop!

next is important "do not glue your 8 inch angle cut lengths together just shove them in you're 90°elbows as seen above. you will understand why later

STEP 5: Start Installing

(NOTE) nothing else will be glued so put it away so you don't get overzealous and get ahead of yourself.
shove the 2 arms into one of the T's (no glue)

next shove the remaining 2 elbows into the last remaining T (no glue)

then connect the T's to the Y (no glue)

add the fernco and a hair dryer then tighten the clamps

having a non glued connection on the rest of the parts allows the boot dryer to be adjusted to different sizes of boots shoes gloves hats and it also allows it to be torn down and stored

STEP 6: Ways to Use the Boot Dryer

FYI the hairdryer attached to the Y is directional. so whatever you think will take longer to dry you want to point the hairdryer towards

there are 4 setting on the hairdryer

high, low, cool high and cool low. in order to use the cool air functions you have to tape the cool button in the on position and select the high or low setting

I made this boot dryer 2 years ago. I have used all the settings and the PVC has held up beautifully.
the only complaint I can give you is it isn't quiet but it dries fairly quick!

16 Comments

Left-field Designs 8 years ago

cool idea, one question though. does the hair dryer overheat with the restriction of the air flow?

drosenkranz 7 years ago

i havnt had a problem with overheating yet

cornfed1230 7 years ago

I work in the elemnts for a living and have to say there is nothing worse than wet boots the next day. I built this on a jobsite we were on and the other guys saw it and built there own. The crew and I to thank you for this instructable.

drosenkranz 7 years ago

thanks cornfed1230, i to worked outside in the elements and found that the off the shelf boot dryers took way to long to dry soaked boots. so this was my solution to that problem. im glad it came in handy. just keep an eye on it on high heat. it might make the ABS soft and possibly warp it. i usually set my dryer to low. maybe in the morning set it on high for a minute or so to have toasty toes when i walk out the door

buck2217 8 years ago

Cool but does the smell of the boots permeate everywhere!!?

ncage1 9 years ago

very cool idea, im going to build this but I have to point out that by using the angled T, you are literally suctioning air from one side and blowing it out the other, I will use a 90° T

drosenkranz 9 years ago

a 90° T would equal air pressure through both sides I understand what you are saying about it sucking in but it isn't the case as there is enough back pressure with the hot air being forced through both ends. it comes out both sides just fine, it does favor the side the blower is pointing to. the only reason I didn't switch to a 90°T is out of pure laziness and I haven't noticed a significant downside to the Y. also you don't need the "fernco" if you get the same hairdryer from Walmart for $10 (Revlon) it fits in the 2 inch sleeve that i glued in to the Y or T

Garland_Key 9 years ago

Those look like military issue Belleville boots with Gortex lining - nice boots! Nice hack - I might try this hack when I go back up north.

NathanSellers 9 years ago

This is brilliant. Well done. Thanks for sharing such a great idea.

PBrackley 9 years ago

Looks like it would work well for wetsuit boots, as long as it doesn't get too hot. Great idea.