Easy Rider Rifle Rack

I've had this way old broken rifle hanging out in our garage for 50+ years (was there before me). After looking on line for some store bought hangers I decided to make my own. I had just finished a wood holder for our fire place out of iron so I figured I would just keep going and see if I could pull this off.

I'm no blacksmith so I knew the hangers were going to be a little rough but I figured they would go with the rest of the old stuff in the garage.

Very basic. One 3/4 plate of aluminum I had hanging around and a couple of cut off ends from some steel bar that I picked up at the local materials show. For the holders themselves I was going to use 3/8" square mild steel.

For tools other than the usual hammer, drill, wrench I used a oxy acetylene torch which I've owned for years.

No big detailed design here. The square stock is cheap so I figured I would try out a few different things.

I had to make a rudimentary iron bender for the curve so I drilled two 3/8" holes in the plate and one in the metal disc.

As you can see from the picture, one to hold the disc (mandrel) one to keep the bar in place. I could of made it fancier with a arm to bend the metal, but since I had the torch to heat the metal I figured I would try to keep it simple.

I'm sure with a bigger/better bender I wouldn't of had to use heat to make this bend but since I had the torch it made it pretty easy. Cut a piece of material to what I thought the length would be, set it in my bender heated and went for it.

I had to do something kind of fancy to make these look a little better so I decided to put a couple of twists in the bar. This picture is probably the 5th attempt to get this correct. A little trial and error and I got the bend I wanted and it kept the bar straight. The first attempts the bar got twisted over and crooked. Turns out it's all technique - how to twist and where to heat. Using two wrenches and keeping my movements centered on the bar (vs one wrench and twisting it crooked) I got the results I was looking for.

The first picture had my first attempt at this (to the right) Everything was kind of wonky.

I didn't get these the way I envisioned but I'm happy with the results. I'm sure with a press or power hammer - like on forged in fire - It would of been better.

I had to reheat the piece a couple of times and be careful with my hammering. A mini forge would of made this easier but I got it done with just using the torch.

Much respect for blacksmiths who can turn out complex pieces and make it look easy.

All that was left now was to use the wire wheel to clean the pieces up, drill the mounting holes and paint!

I realized I need to put a felt strip inside of the hanger so whatever is in there doesn't get scratched up. Went back and check and realized that's very common in all of the other hangers and racks.

I got the 'rustic' look with these not because I was trying to - but its the way it turned out.

I'm probably gonna make a couple more sets for Christmas presents for some friends.