How to Make a Modern Flip Down Hanger from Dowel Rods Using Proxxon Tools

I've always wanted a space in our garage for hanging coats, so I decided to just make a unit with my Proxxon MICROMOT tools. Actually, this turned into a joint project with hubby. So, double win—creative partner time and a new place for coat storage.

Supplies You'll Need:

• Two 1" x 48" dowel rods
• One ¾" x 1½" x 17½" length of scrap wood
• One 3/8" x 24" steel rod
• Two 3/8" rod end caps
• Five #8 1½" wood screws
• Two ring hangers
• Hack saw

Proxxon Tools I Used:

• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Machine Vice MS 4

Follow along to make your own flip down hanger:

1. Cut a length of ¾" scrap wood to 17½" x 1½" for the support piece.
   
   
   
2. From one of the dowel rods cut three 4" lengths; four 4½" lengths, and three 5" lengths. From the second dowel rod cut one 5" length; four 5½" lengths, and two 6" lengths. Arrange the dowels as pictured.
   
   
   
3. Sand the ends of the dowels.
   
   
   
4. Arrange the dowels making certain that the bottoms squared. I laid them against a length of wood that I knew had squared edges. Draw a line across all the dowels 1½" from the bottom. This gives you the drilling marks for the holes for the steel rod.
   
   
   
5. Using a center finder (You can see how I made this one here.), mark the center on the end of one of the dowel rods.
   
   
   
6.  Set up the bench drill press for drilling the dowels. First, clamp a dowel in the machine vice making sure the the marking from Step 4 is visible on the top of the dowel, and the this mark extends to the right of the vice with clearance for the drill bit. Set the vice in place on the adjustable fence and position the stop on the X axis (right to left) to allow the drill bit to lower on the right side of the dowel. Adjust the height of the drill press so the bit will drill all the way through the dowel. Lower the bit part way. Now, moving the vice and fence on the Y axis (top to bottom along the ruled gauge) align the drill bit with one of the center finder lines. When they are in alignment, tighten the thumb screw on the adjustable fence. Now you're set to drill all the dowels, knowing that you'll be drilling exactly through the center of each dowel.
   
   
    
7. Move the machine vice on the X axis to align the drill bit on the mark Step 4. Drill through the dowel rod. One down, sixteen to go. Remove the machine vice from the drill press and remove the drilled dowel. Load the next dowel into the vice, and repeat Step 7.
   
   
   
8. Attach an end cap onto one end of the steel rod. (NOTE: I used a smooth rod and end caps. You could opt to use a threaded steel rod and acorn nuts.)
   
   
   
9. Thread the dowels onto the rod. Measure the depth of the remaining end cap. Snug up the dowel rods. Mark the depth of the end cap on the excess rod. This marks where to cut away the excess rod using a hack saw. Cut excess from rod.
   
   
   
10. On the support piece measure and mark the placement of the ring hangers ½" from each end. Mark the screw holes on the hangers, and mark the top of the support piece. Also, mark one hole in the center of the support piece.
    
    
    
11. Drill the holes for the hangers and the center hole on the support.
12. Lay the support piece on top of the dowels and align the top of the support with the top of the shortest dowel. Use a square at each end of the flip down hanger to ensure the support and dowels are aligned horizontally. Using a hammer and punch or nail, tap a mark on the dowels through the holes on the support piece.
    
    
    
13. Next, drill the holes in the dowels for the screws to attach the support piece. You only want to drill about half way through the dowel, so set the stop gauge.
    
    
    
14. Drill the holes that you  marked in Step 12.
    
    
    
15. Use the 1½" wood screws to attach the ring hangers and support to each end and secure the  support in the center. Save any screws that came with the ring hangers for another use.
16. Now all that is left is mounting your flip down hanger on a wall. 
    

Carole

Let's make something using the Proxxon long neck angle grinder.

 Welcome to the New Year.  Christmas is over and we have some time on our hands.  I thought today we could try to make something using the Proxxon  long neck angle grinder.   I have used this tool in parts of many projects, but never really dedicated a project to it.   Let's see what we can do.

Equipment and supplies

6-12" piece of 2x 4 lumber cut off

Proxxon long neck angle grinder

pencil, paint, 

wood sealer

Proxxon mini bandsaw

Proxxon mini torch if ya got one.

optional backing board.

Dust mask and eye protection  (NOT OPTIONAL)  This makes a lot of very fine dust,   Not good for lungs!!

I am going to tell you how I made it and give you a few hints, but you will see, the creative touch is in your hands as you fashion your new keyholder or whatever you choose to make.

1st I drew a rough sketch of what I was aiming for.  I chose to do a small owl,

I put the Proxxon smooth cutting disk with tungsten carbide burrs onto my Proxxon long neck angle grinder to do the work of grinding on this 2x 4. but first I got rid of a lot of my excess wood using the Proxxon mini bandsaw.  

Next, using the Proxxon long neck angle grinder shape this piece of wood into the owl it wants to become.   I started with the face.   The eyes are lower than the beak and nose so I ground those away leaving the nose high

I used the proxxon mini bandsaw again to cut out some wood under his chin.  and began rounding his belly  

Beware- the long neck angle grinder is a carnivore and would love to have a little meat!!   Keep your holding hand out of the direction of the wheel spin,,,just in case.  Occasionally it grabs hold of the wood and will travel in that direction!!)

Keep refining the owl shape, nice round tummy, slightly curved tail, etc.   I used the edge of the grinder to define some little wings.

Lastly, rough up his feathers.  Best done again using the edge of the grinder wheel.  A nice photo of an owl would be very helpful showing feather directions and such.

  I added some paint, then ground some more.  Until I was satisfied.

I decided to put him on a board and glue a small branch where his feet would be and add some cup hooks to hold keys.   Create it your way.   This doesn't take long and is a world of fun.  Just be careful.

                                                      Thanks visitors for spending a little time with me.   This was a quick, easy project, and trust me. you will amaze yourself as you give birth to something out of that piece of old junk cut off 2 x 4.  I found this project to be really, really, satisfying.  

Thanks Proxxon.... I will be using your wonderful tool a lot more often!

see ya'all next time.............Carol W.