Collapsible Travel Hanger

I was inspired by the recent hot weather in southern California and Indiana Jones to make a collapsible hanger for my coat. It only takes 5 - 10 minutes to make one of these, fits easily in the bottom of a backpack for camping, and it is much sturdier than wire hangers.

Step 1: Supplies

All that is needed for this project is (per hanger):
About 3 feet of 1/2" PVC 
4 feet of rope
1 old wire hanger

Tools:
Saw
Scissors
Wire snips
Pliers

Step 2: Cut the PVC

Take your old hanger and measure out the lengths of the sides. Mark these lengths on your pipe and cut. 

Step 3: Get the Hook

You can use just about any hook you want, but I used one from an old wire hanger. Cut about an inch bellow the end of the twisty base of the hook. Then take pliers and bend the remaining prongs up (see picture two).

Step 4: Tie It All Together

Take your length of rope and feed one end trough the PVC sections (make sure they are in the right order).  Tie the two ends of the rope together to make a loop, but MAKE SURE to leave at least 6 inches of slack in the loop. If you don't it won't be able to collapse. Then hook the hook on the rope as show in picture 2. Use the pliers to crimp in the prongs to the base so they look like picture three.

Step 5: Stay Wrinkle Free

These hangers are just about as strong as store bought wooden hangers and should hold up for a good long time. Just make sure the hook is centered by re adjusting the rope every once and a while.

Comments

[mvd1]

I tried this, but pants slip right off because the center section is (a) too smooth, and (b) will simply roll allowing the pants to roll off. So, two small improvements.

1. Cut a notch in both ends of the center section for the rope to fit into preventing the roll. I used my Dremel tool, but you could do the same with a hack saw or file.

2. Add some non-slip tape to prevent pants from slipping on the smooth PVC. I used some cheap self-adherent tape from Walgreens.

[garycsan]

I love this and I'm thinking of some modifications. I would like to try it with small bamboo and I'm thinking of making the hook have an eye in the bottom so that it always renders to the balance point. I would have to make sure the knot stayed away from the hook and the corners so it would render equally.

[pie R []ed]

Go for it! One of the cool things about this design is how easily it can be reconfigured. Please post a pic of the finished thing if you don't mind!

[mole1]

Brilliant!

[pie R []ed]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it!

[KwartzKitten]

Oh, now I get it! What a great idea!