Make an industrial steel garment rack

Making an industrial clothes rack out of black steel is a great idea for adding an authentic and functional touch to your interior. Whether it's for a dressing room, bedroom, or shop, this step-by-step guide will take you through the process of creating a sturdy, aesthetically pleasing clothes rack from the pipes, fittings and accessories available on our site. Follow our advice for simple assembly and finishes that reflect your personal style!

Part 1: Detail of parts required for vertical uprights and horizontal rod

Black steel Pipes

To make the vertical uprights and horizontal rail of your clothes rack, we use threaded black steel Pipes. These pipes are sturdy, with an industrial style that's very popular for decorating and DIY projects.

• 3/4" (20x27mm) black steel pipes : Outside diameter 27mm. Lengths available: 700mm, 800mm, 850mm, 900mm, 1000mm, 1200mm, 1250mm, 1500mm, 2000mm. Ideal for main uprights and horizontal rod for good rigidity.
• 1/2" (15x21mm) threaded black steel pipe : Outside diameter 21mm. Lengths available: 700mm, 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm, 1200mm, 1500mm, 2000mm.
• Usable for short rods (less than 150cm) and vertical uprights.
• 1" (26x34mm) black steel pipe : Outside diameter 34mm. Lengths available: 700mm, 800mm, 850mm, 900mm, 1000mm, 1200mm, 1250mm, 1500mm, 2000mm. For a more robust and imposing structure.

Elbows for assembly

Elbows are used to connect pipes together, in particular to connect vertical uprights to the horizontal rod.

• F/F 1/2" small radius elbow in black cast iron: for discreet, tight connections.
  
  
• Black cast iron small radius 90° reduced F/F elbow: for connecting a 1/2" pipe to a 3/4" pipe, for example.
  
  
  Large radius bend 90° F/F in black cast iron: perfect for a structure with softer, aesthetically pleasing curves.
  
  
  
  

• Union Elbow: This type of elbow is particularly useful if your support has a square shape (i.e. is made up of 4 pipes). As all the screw connections face to the right, it will not be possible to fit the last pipe. Unions are the solution to this problem. They can be placed at elbows, on pins (for the female/female version) or at a fitting (for the Male/female version)
  
  

Alternatively you can use other pieces such as Tees. These will allow you to add, for example, hooks to the sides of the rod (e.g. a small pipe + female plug, a handwheel, or a Large radius bend).

Assembling the parts

1. Vertical uprights: Use 3/4" or 1" Pipes to ensure good stability.
2. Horizontal rod: Use 3/4" pipe to avoid distortion. For short rods, a 1/2" pipe may suffice.
3. Connection: Screw the elbows and connect them to the uprights. Use the reduced Elbow if necessary to adapt the diameters.

Part 2: Leg types for your rack

Mounting with plugs or couplings

This assembly is simple and stable, ideal for a minimalist industrial style.

• Configuration: Plug or coupling + pipe (min. 15 cm) + tee + pipe (min. 15 cm) + plug or coupling.
• Black cast iron female plug: for a clean, attractive finish.
• Black cast iron equal couplings: A very stable solution as the coupling is exactly the same size as the tee. A male plug can be placed in the empty side of the coupling for finishing.
• Black cast iron F/F/F equal tee : central piece for connecting pipes.

Mounting with elbows or Large radius bends

This assembly is a little more complex but allows the addition of castors for increased mobility.

• Configuration: Large radius bend or elbow + pipe (min. 15 cm) + tee + pipe (min. 15 cm) + large radius bend or elbow.
• Black cast iron small radius elbow: perfect for tight angles.
• Black cast iron Large radius bend 90°: for a softer, more aesthetically pleasing finish.
• F/F/F equal tee in black cast iron: central element to connect the feet.

Tightening here is a little trickier, as it will require a little more strength. The simplest option is to insert one long pipe into the tee and one into the elbow and use its pipes to tighten the fittings to the desired level.

If a castor is added, the screwing should be very tight!

Special case: horizontal pipe at bottom

If your carrier incorporates an additional horizontal pipe at the bottom, replace the tee with a distributor with a four-way tee:

• Black cast iron 4-way tee distributor: allows the connection of two legs and a lower horizontal pipe to reinforce the structure.

Additional options

For mounting with elbows or large radius bends, castors can be added by attaching them directly to the leg fittings.

Recommendations:

• The minimum recommended length of pipes is 15 cm for each segment.
• Be sure to check the overall stability of the rack if adding castors.

Part 3: Option - Add a shelf to the base of your rack

Option 1: drilling the shelf

To add a shelf to your rack, the simplest method is to drill your shelf with 28 mm diameter holes to allow vertical pipes to pass through.

Supporting the shelf

To hold the shelf in place, add tees to the sides, which will act as a support.

• Mounting: Tees + Pipes + Tees or Distributor with Tees + Pipes + Tees.
• Black cast iron equal F/F/F Tee: ideal for supporting the shelf.
• Black cast iron 4-way tee distributor: perfect if an additional connection is required (horizontal pipe under the shelf).

Fixing the shelf

Above the "Tees" or "Distributors with Tees", add a small pipe that will pass through the shelf:

• 4 cm Pipe for a shelf thickness of 15 mm to 20 mm.
• 5 cm Pipe for a shelf thickness greater than 20 mm and less than 30 mm.

Then place a black cast iron coupling over the shelf to hold it firmly by pressing it between the two couplings (tee below and coupling above).

With this type of mounting, your shelf will need to protrude at least 1cm from each side of your rack to allow for drilling.

Additional recommendations

• Make sure that the holes drilled in the shelf are aligned with the vertical pipes for a perfect fit.
• Use a drill equipped with a flat bit or a hole saw to obtain a precise and clean hole:
  
  • For a 21mm (1/2") pipe, drill to 21 or 22mm
  • For a 27mm (3/4") pipe, drill at 27 or 28mm
  • For a 34mm (1") pipe, drill at 34 or 35mm

Option 2: Add a fitting to secure the shelf

Option 2 is only possible on a rack with a horizontal pipe at the base. Simply add Double Tab Ring (DTR) fittings to the horizontal pipe and then attach your shelf to the fitting. The fitting should be perfectly tight. This option is not recommended if your shelf is subject to heavy use or if it carries a lot of weight.

With this option, the shelf must be narrower than the support, i.e. fit between the 2 vertical pipes.

Part 4: Adding hooks to the vertical axes

Using hooks for added functionality

To further personalise your rack and make it even more practical, you can add hooks to the vertical axes. These hooks can be used to hang bags, belts or other accessories.

Mounting to incorporate a hook

To add a hook, divide the vertical axis into two pipes connected by a Tee. Then fit something like a Large radius bend or a Handwheel directly into the tee to act as a hook.

• Black cast equal F/F/F tee: to create the vertical axis division.
• Black cast iron Large radius bend 90°: used as an aesthetic and practical hook.
• Red 72mm handwheel on nipple: an original and robust solution for use as a hook, while adding a unique industrial touch.

Example assembly

The typical assembly would be as follows:

1. Split the vertical axis into two segments with a Tee in between.
2. Insert a Large radius bend or Handwheel into the opening of the tee.
3. Fasten fittings securely to ensure stability and alignment.

Additional recommendations

• Make sure the added hook does not interfere with garments hanging on the horizontal rod.
  

Part 5: Assembly and finishing

Assembling the fittings

Fitting the fittings requires a bit of precision and sometimes strength. Here are the steps and tips to succeed at this stage:

• Tightening fittings: Tightening fittings, such as tees and elbows, can be a little tricky. One effective method is to insert a long pipe into the tee or elbow to use the leverage of the pipes as a clamping force. This allows the desired level of clamping to be achieved without undue difficulty.
• Tightening the couplings and plugs: Use an adjustable spanner to tighten the couplings and plugs firmly, ensuring that they are aligned with the other components.
• Tricks to make tightening easier: If the fittings are resisting, apply a small amount of WD40 to the threads to reduce friction. This will make them easier to assemble.

Cleaning parts after assembly

Once the assembly is complete, it is important to clean the parts to remove any residual oil or grease:

• Use acetone or a non-corrosive metal degreaser to clean each component.
• Wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth for a spotless result.

Finish

After cleaning, you can apply a finish to personalise your door:

• Varnish: To preserve the rough, industrial look of the metal while protecting it from oxidation.
• Patina: To give an even more industrial or aged look. This option is more technical to implement and requires time.
• Paint: For a uniform look (black, white, or a bright colour). If you choose this option, be sure to use a suitable primer before painting to ensure good adhesion.

Final recommendations

• Check one last time that all fittings are securely fastened before use.
• Allow your chosen finish to dry completely before hanging your clothes on it or adding accessories.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you now have all the keys in hand to design a bespoke industrial garment rack, perfectly tailored to your needs. Whether you want a sleek design or extra features like a shelf or hooks, this DIY project is both accessible and rewarding. However, if you prefer a turnkey solution, we also offer a range of ready-to-assemble, ready-to-use racks, and always in a timeless industrial style. Go to our shop to discover our models!