Folding Laundry Drying Rack
by Mitch Makes in Living > Cleaning
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Folding Laundry Drying Rack
![Folding laundry drying rack thumb.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHI/09R9/IVO5DZ7A/FHI09R9IVO5DZ7A.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack thumb.jpg)
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!
Cut Wood Into Strips
![Folding laundry drying rack 1.7.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGK/AONI/IVO5DZ3Q/FGKAONIIVO5DZ3Q.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack 1.7.jpg)
![leg size with over lay.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F7U/5VLY/IVO5DZ6B/F7U5VLYIVO5DZ6B.jpg&filename=leg size with over lay.jpg)
-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)
Drill Holes
![Folding laundry drying rack 1.6.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F06/YQ39/IVO5DZ22/F06YQ39IVO5DZ22.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack 1.6.jpg)
![Folding laundry drying rack010.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F19/1XDG/IVO5DZPO/F191XDGIVO5DZPO.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack010.jpg)
- 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.
The Wooden Dowels
![Folding laundry drying rack 1.4.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FBI/TESB/IVO5DYZC/FBITESBIVO5DYZC.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack 1.4.jpg)
![Folding laundry drying rack 1.2.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F6C/KW1Y/IVO5DYYK/F6CKW1YIVO5DYYK.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack 1.2.jpg)
![blocks.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FG4/XGJH/IW6PI0O7/FG4XGJHIW6PI0O7.jpg&filename=blocks.jpg)
![blocks 1.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F0S/BCYL/IW6PI0O6/F0SBCYLIW6PI0O6.jpg&filename=blocks 1.jpg)
- 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.
Trim, Sand, Stain, Bolts...
![Folding laundry drying rack bandsaw.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FP5/Q43E/IVO5DZ4Y/FP5Q43EIVO5DZ4Y.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack bandsaw.jpg)
![IMG_20161111_160517765[1].jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJB/VXPB/IW6PI6HD/FJBVXPBIW6PI6HD.jpg&filename=IMG_20161111_160517765[1].jpg)
![IMG_20161202_183247395[1].jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FNS/8R9E/IW6PI62K/FNS8R9EIW6PI62K.jpg&filename=IMG_20161202_183247395[1].jpg)
![IMG_20161202_184725234[1].jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F9C/VIG9/IW6PIAY8/F9CVIG9IW6PIAY8.jpg&filename=IMG_20161202_184725234[1].jpg)
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)
Assembly!
![Folding laundry drying rack 1.3.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FWG/0QPU/IVO5DYYY/FWG0QPUIVO5DYYY.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack 1.3.jpg)
![Folding laundry drying rack 1.5.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F68/C6FY/IVO5DZ11/F68C6FYIVO5DZ11.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack 1.5.jpg)
![Folding laundry drying rack 1.1.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FG1/Y6XF/IVO5DYXT/FG1Y6XFIVO5DYXT.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack 1.1.jpg)
![assembley.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FO5/GVP4/IW6PI0MZ/FO5GVP4IW6PI0MZ.jpg&filename=assembley.jpg)
![assembly 1.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FTL/LE9B/IW6PI0ND/FTLLE9BIW6PI0ND.jpg&filename=assembly 1.jpg)
![Folding laundry drying rack glue.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FI1/L0OU/IVO5DZ5E/FI1L0OUIVO5DZ5E.jpg&filename=Folding laundry drying rack glue.jpg)
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.
Finished Pictures & My How to Video
![Folding Laundry Drying Rack](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FBY/WELR/IVO5DZUV/FBYWELRIVO5DZUV.jpg&filename=Folding Laundry Drying Rack)
![IMG_20161112_151205278.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJE/DCDE/IW6PI2E9/FJEDCDEIW6PI2E9.jpg&filename=IMG_20161112_151205278.jpg)
![IMG_20161113_134745021.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FL9/60OV/IW6PI2GB/FL960OVIW6PI2GB.jpg&filename=IMG_20161113_134745021.jpg)
![IMG_20161113_135351374.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F4R/QDUC/IW6PI2HD/F4RQDUCIW6PI2HD.jpg&filename=IMG_20161113_135351374.jpg)
Just in case you would like to watch a video of this lovey gift for my wife being made.... I got your back friends!