Space Hanger

Intro: Space Hanger

Do you have wet clothes? Would you like to dry them quickly using free gravity and thermodynamics instead of fossil fuels? Then this fun project may be useful for you. Space hangers cost lest than $2 and you can make them while watching TV.

STEP 1: Procurement

You will need 2 super-cheap clothes hanger @10¢ from Walmart, a foot of plastic tubing and 6 screws from any home supply center. A ¼ inch drill, ruler, and screwdriver are nice to have, but you could get by with just a knife.

Trick #1 is buying these cheesy hangers. There is so little material in them they couldn't hold their shape without webs in the corners. Happily these webs make ideal fastening surfaces.

Trick #2 is consulting the experts at the home center. After getting some tubing you like, go to the hardware department and have an attendant find screws that will easily thread into the tubing. I happened to get some ¼ inch i.d. tubing that works perfectly with #14 machine screws. Smaller, more flexible tubing can be useful just so long as you get screws to fit. Get the shortest available screws to save effort and expense; they will be plenty strong if they fit well.

STEP 2: Fabrication

Drill the 3 webs of each hanger for a total of 6 holes. Then use a knife to cut away plastic burrs around the holes.

Cut 3 pieces of tubing the same length, from 2 to 3 inches.

Thread the screws through the hanger holes into the tubing. Stay on your toes: There is a 50% chance your project can go completely wrong at this point.

STEP 3: Done

Except I suggest securing materials for several space hangers. They are so easy to make, so useful, and so gentle with your garments, you will want to use them all the time. And your friends will attempt to steal them. We have 6. They are constantly rotated into service because we swim a lot. I think we need more.

Even with a 100% plastic wardrobe, water clings between layers of fabric. Opening the layers with these hangers lets most of water just fall out. Plus, drying is related to surface area. These hangers double the evaporative surfaces. Why argue with Science?

Cheers from Sarasota

Comments

[Jdserrano1]

Great idea... I love this just for what jeanniel1 said... keeping those nasty creases out and off the shoulders from forming on heavier items like the north face and Columbia jackets that seem to never come out no matter what you do! Any ideas to design something similar for storing fabric hanging up?? lol great tutorial

[jeanniel1]

Baaaad Goooood! Great 'ible! Will make some for my large jackets with heavier hangers so they don't get that sharp crease at the shoulders. Thanks!

[Jdserrano1]

Yes jeanniel1! Great idea! Always getting those creases on out good jackets and then the hangers bend under the weight! I would have never put two and three together but yeah, that solves a huge problem in this house...so I don't have to hear... mom... mom... mommy... wth did you do to my north face?!!! Lol

[kjageler]

Thanks! I was wondering what constructive activity I could do while watching my marathon of taped NCIS shows tonight. I air dry most of my clothes and HATE waiting for them to dry. This is a great idea . . . and simple. . .something I could actually do :) I love this sight, but unfortunately the DIY skills needed for most of these projects is way above my sixty-something capabilities.

[flavrt]

Very kind of you to say so. Everyone who published a story here hopes it will be useful to others.

It's easy to get discouraged about so many stories that seem too hard or too easy or not personally useful, but it's all good. The editors try to develop a wide interest by promoting a variety of crafts. It's working. I recently saw a story about brazing aluminum and I'm going to try it.

[Kurt E. Clothier]

Great idea.. I think I will whip up some of these soon!

[flavrt]

I'm glad you think so. "Whip up" is the right expression. You surely won't be slogging through this project.

[NatureGirl04]

This is awesome! I could really use this in my closet

[flavrt]

This made me think: All the closet stories are about cramming more stuff in tighter. Through our 8 months of summer, these hangers spend all their time in the shower. During the brutal winters, they are good for sweaters since the weight is borne by more weave.

[annrrr]

I love it! I just use regular hangers but I bet this would make for way faster drying time, thanks!

[flavrt]

Thanks. With your aptitude for betting, you will surely be rich.