Introduction: Sliding Pants Rack
About: Jack of all trades, master of none.
I'm an engineer who works in finance, who's an avid weekend mechanic that likes to draw and paint and occasionally tinkers with electronics. Oh, and I work on houses too.…
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.
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:
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:
Step 2: Materials
I headed over to my local Home Depot and picked up some wood, among other things.
1 1" x 2" x 8' piece of wood. $2.09
3 1/2" x 48" wooden dowel $4.17
1 set of drawer sliders $5.48
1 1" x 2" x 8' piece of wood. $2.09
3 1/2" x 48" wooden dowel $4.17
1 set of drawer sliders $5.48
Step 3: Tools
Next, I gathered tools, ie dug around in the garage
1/2" drill bit.
Drill for making holes. A hand drill would work, but it would take a while.
Miter saw. Nice clean cuts. A hand saw works just fine, but again, it would take a while.
Tape measure. Measure twice, cut once. Or if you're like me, measure one, cut once, measure again, curse, cut again.
Hammer. I used a combination of nails and screws to put this together, so I assume you know what it'll be used for.
1/2" drill bit.
Drill for making holes. A hand drill would work, but it would take a while.
Miter saw. Nice clean cuts. A hand saw works just fine, but again, it would take a while.
Tape measure. Measure twice, cut once. Or if you're like me, measure one, cut once, measure again, curse, cut again.
Hammer. I used a combination of nails and screws to put this together, so I assume you know what it'll be used for.
Step 4: So It Begins
Commence cutting!
watch out for fingers.
watch out for fingers.
Step 5: Sand
Since I don't want wooden splinters ripping into my pants and such, the next step was to sand everything. Prepare for masturbation jokes if it so happens that your friends or neighbor walks by while you're sanding down the dowels.
I started off with a rougher 220 grit, then 600, and finished off with 800.
I started off with a rougher 220 grit, then 600, and finished off with 800.
Step 6: Time to Drill Some Holes
now comes the fun part. The dowels are 1/2". The drill bit is also 1/2". Can you guess?
I only had one clamp, so I ended taping the two pieces of wood together and making the top piece. Be sure you leave equal amounts of space on each side.
I only had one clamp, so I ended taping the two pieces of wood together and making the top piece. Be sure you leave equal amounts of space on each side.
Step 7: Voltron Assemble!
put it together.
I assembled the frame first by tacking it in with finishing nails, then drilled pilot holes and put in a screw per side. After some adjustment I glued the dowels in with some elmer's on steroids.
I assembled the frame first by tacking it in with finishing nails, then drilled pilot holes and put in a screw per side. After some adjustment I glued the dowels in with some elmer's on steroids.
Step 8: Rails Rails Rails
obvious step, if its going to be on rails, they probably need to be attached. I used the supplied hardware to attach them to the frame.
Step 9: Now for the Wardrobe....
Measure how far you want the rail down, mark, and make tiny pilot holes. I used the tip of the 1/2" bit and twisted it around some to get them started. Hold the rail in place, and attach to the wardrobe with the supplied screws.
Unfortunately, I must have messed up my measurements somewhere, because my drawer was about 1/4" too narrow and the sliders kept popping off. i ended up using a washer under each screw to remedy the problem. Remember kids, measure twice!
Unfortunately, I must have messed up my measurements somewhere, because my drawer was about 1/4" too narrow and the sliders kept popping off. i ended up using a washer under each screw to remedy the problem. Remember kids, measure twice!
Step 10: Tada!
now that that's all taken care of, put the rack in! If all went well, It should work. If not.... have fun tweaking it until it does :-P
The rack doesn't come out completely, but more than enough. If you wanted it to come out further, you could get a set of full extension sliders that roll on ball bearings and such, but I opted not to since they cost more than twice as much.
The rack doesn't come out completely, but more than enough. If you wanted it to come out further, you could get a set of full extension sliders that roll on ball bearings and such, but I opted not to since they cost more than twice as much.
