Folding Laundry Drying Rack
Intro: Folding Laundry Drying Rack
This is a laundry dying rack that folds up for storage! A gift for my wife. who has very kindly ask me for a long time to make. she eventually brought the neighbors home for me to see and make one :) Damp clothing beware...This one's for you Stacy!
STEP 1: Cut Wood Into Strips
-Cut your lumber. Wood type of your choice I chose pine. into 3/4" (19.5 mm) by 1 and 1/8" (28.575" mm) stripes
-Then chop into these lengths
---- 8 cut to 12" (304.8 mm)
---- 4 cut to 31" (787.4 mm)
---- 4 cut to 45.5" (1155.7 mm)
STEP 2: Drill Holes
- Starting at one end measure in 1 1/4" . This will be the same on all pieces.
- Mark every 9 1/2" on all pieces or make a templet as in video
- Drill 1/4" holes all the way through the wood.
* note the four legs will have five holes each and have a little extra wood at bottom.
- Use a 3/4' spade bit and "countersink" 1/2' into some of the holes see picture
* note that two of the legs have both countersunk and NOT. Type of holes.
STEP 3: The Wooden Dowels
- I used 4' x 1" wood dowels and cut them in half
* note* I recommend making 3 dowels 1 1/2" longer to save a step later, but will cost you more.
- You should end up with 16 dowels about 24" long
- Drill a 3/16" hole into the center of each end 2 1/4" into the dowels. Yes every one! 32 holes.
STEP 4: Trim, Sand, Stain, Bolts...
I rounded the bottom of the four legs. Every other corner I just cut a 45 degree on. Really just some sanding is all that is needed.
- I bought 3/4" wood plugs called buttons (top is domed) to cap off the lag bolts. (32 Total)
- I simply sanded with 120 grit
- I stained all pieces to a color my wife picked! I am building this for her of course :) MinWax Puritan Pine 218
- I them put a satin spray polyurethane coating on all wood. This will protect it from damp laundry.
- 1/4" x 3" lag bolts. (26 Total)
- 1/4" x 2 1/2" lag bolts. (6 total)
- 1" washer with 1/4" hole. (52 total) optional
- 3/4" washer with 5/16" hole (32 total)
STEP 5: Assembly!
This is more easily done by looking at pictures.
-Put a 3/4" washer on every lag bolt
-Lag bolts will go into holes with the countersunk holes
-I started with one side and added pieces of the expendable parts and dowels as I went until I reached the other end.
- Put a washer between every place wood touches wood. It may squeak if no washer of spacer is used.
- I used hot glue to put the buttons on. In case I need to pop one off and adjust. I haven't had to....
*note avoid putting glue on bolt head. put glue on the wood around the bolt then put button in. not much glue is needed.
STEP 6: Finished Pictures & My How to Video
Just in case you would like to watch a video of this lovey gift for my wife being made.... I got your back friends!
3 Comments
drbryanborn 3 years ago
Assembly: I found best success assembling the side pieces first (the video and final photos help you see the patterns). Assemble the 5 dowel side with the 2 hole arm In Position 3 and the 4 hole arm in the top position. If it’ll your first assembly, note that one ladder has these areas positioned outside the 5 hole arm, and the other ladder has the arms on the inside. Next, connect the two ladders by attaching the 4 hole arms through hole 3 making an x. I found it easier to assemble without this dowel first, then backing the screws out to install the dowel once it’s stable. Lastly, pre assemble the top center section to resemble a triangle tent frame, then attach to main assembly without dowels. Once it’s stable then back out the screws and insert the dowels. Be sure not to overtighten the screws.
happypants425 3 years ago
bcolosie 4 years ago