DIY clothes rail from tubes build yourself "KIM" (Industrial Style)

We are Paddy and Mona from pamo. Design and have made it our mission that everyone can afford individual furniture solutions in the urban industrial design of a New York loft. Because we also want our apartment to reflect our individuality.

Kleiderständer scandinavian design DIY ikea malm

Whether walk-in closet, clothes rail from the ceiling or a simple rod in a niche. Our tutorial explains what material and tools you need and shows you with the help of many images, how you can build our clothes rail "Kim" yourself.

THE CREATION OF THE KIM II CLOTHES RAIL FROM WATER PIPES

When planning for our first clothes rail for our own use, the KIM series was born. The double version in the bedroom (Kim II) was quickly expanded due to more available space.

We also explain you the structure of the double version as an example. This is perfect for hanging jackets or coats with two horizontal tubes made of malleable cast iron.

Easily Kim II clothes rail can be extended with additional horizontal tubes - even afterwards.

What you need to build the clothes rail KIM yourself

These are the tools and materials you'll need for your custom clothes rail:

Tools:
- Metal saw
- ¾“ Thread cutter
- Pipe vice / pipe wrench
- Deburrer / file
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Folding rule / tape measure
- Pen

With these tools and our DIY clothes rod building tutorial, you can build your own custom clothes rod.

Werkzeuge um Kleiderstange selber bauen aus Rohren

WHICH VERSION DO YOU CHOOSE?

Depending on how much space you have or need, you can choose between the 1-slot, 2-slot and 3-slot version of the KIMs.
On the right you will find the components and the dimensions for the different versions. In our example and our instruction we build the 2-part version.
The following components/temperature cast fittings are required (Please select the needed number from the specifications of the chosen version).

There are 3 different variants, single, double or triple. Choose your matching version!

BAUTEILLISTE | Kleiderstange selber bauen

A - Teller
B - Klebepads (unter die Teller kleben, um Boden vor Kratzern zu schützen - Hier entsprechend eine Silikon Klebematte auf Maß schneiden oder fertige Filzgleiter kaufen und unter die Teller kleben)
C - 4er L Stück
D - 4er Kreuz
E - 90° Winkel
F - Verbindungsstück
G - 3/4 " Rohr, stärke 1,3-1,5mm, 250 mm lang
H - 3/4 " Rohr, stärke 1,3-1,5 mm, Wir haben hier für die Füße jeweils 2 x 930mm lange Stücke verwendet und diese mit Bauteil F - Verbindungsstück verbunden, um flexibler zu sein. Aber genauso könnte man hier das Verbindungsstück weglassen und einfach ein 1860 mm langes Rohr zusägen.
I/J - Schrauben (am besten schwarz) und Dübel. Jeder Teller mit mindestens 2 Schrauben an die Wand schrauben.


WOHER BEKOMME ICH DIE TEILE ?

Wir haben uns anfangs im Bauhaus umgeschaut und entsprechende Teile gefunden, leider sind diese relativ teuer. Daher empfehlen wir die Teile eher Online zu bestellen.
Die Einzelteile könnt ihr auch bei uns im DIY-Shop finden.
In matt schwarz werdet Ihr die Rohre, wie auf der Abbildung nicht finden. Diese wurden speziell in raw matt schwarz, kratzunempfindlich beschichtet.
Einmal für die schöne Optik und damit die Kleiderbügel die Oberfläche nicht verkratzen. Ganz klar eine Geschmackssache! Mehr zur Oberfläche später im Blog.

How to build your own DIY clothes rail

Wenn Du alle benötigten Teile und Werkzeuge zusammen hast, kann es mit dem Bau losgehen. Miss zuallererst die Rohre in der richtigen Länge ab. Die Anzahl der benötigten Rohre kannst Du aus der obigen Liste entnehmen.

Die Rohre dann mit einem Zollstock abmessen und die Längen mit dem Stift markieren.

Nun folgt das Absägen der Rohrstücke. Bevor Du die Säge ansetzt, solltest Du Dich allerdings nochmals vergewissern, dass alle Längen richtig gemessen und markiert wurden. Zum Sägen die Rohre in einen Schraubstock einspannen und auf einen rechtwinkligen Schnitt achten. Außerdem nutzen wir spezielle Kunststoffbacken für das spannen von Rohren, zum einen um die Oberfläche nicht zu beschädigen und zum anderen um das Rohr überhaupt richtig spannen zu können.

Nachdem alle Rohrstücke die passenden Längen haben entgrate die Enden der Rohre mit einem Entgrater oder einer Feile. Entgraten bedeutet, dass Du eventuell Teile, die innen oder außen überstehen, entfernst. Desto sauberer Du hierbei vorgehst, desto einfacher fällt Dir der nächste Arbeitsschritt, das Gewindeschneiden.

Wenn Du die Grate nicht sauber und gleichmäßig abschleifst, wird das spätere Gewinde schräg und Du wirst Schwierigkeiten haben die Rohre zusammenzuschrauben.

Folge diesen Schritten:
1. Mit Kunststoff Spannbacken und solidem Schraubstock, Rohr gerade und fest einspannen
2. Rohr zusägen.
3. Mit einem einfachen Entgrater für Rohre erleichterst du dir die nächsten Arbeitsschritte.

Thread cutting is the most difficult part of the build. When tapping, pay close attention to making sure you place the ¾" tap as squarely as possible on the end of the pipe. Then carefully turn it clockwise. After a half turn, turn the tap back a quarter turn to break the chip and make it easier to continue threading.

For tapping, be sure to clamp the pipe in the vise and lubricate the tap with a drop of oil to reduce friction. After 4 to 5 complete turns, you've done it. Simply unscrew the tap counterclockwise again and you're done. Repeat this process until all tubes are threaded at both ends.

A cheap 3/4" tap is available in hardware stores or on Amazon.de from about 39.95 EUR. In addition, necessarily directly get cutting oil (about 8-10 EUR / can), because extreme forces and friction arise when cutting a 3/4 inch thread.

4. For a secure hold and straight thread cutting, simply clamp the pipe in a vice. It is important that the tap is set up straight.
5. With a little oil, thread cutting is easier because the friction is reduced and a clean thread can be cut.
6. After 1/2-1 turn, turn the tap back 1/4 turn to break the chip. After 4 to 5 complete turns, unscrew the tap counterclockwise again.

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR HOMEMADE CLOTHES RAIL TO LOOK LIKE?

Before assembling, however, it is now about the appearance of your clothes rail. Here you have several options.
Either leave all the pipes as they are, paint them a matching color, or have a professional coat them matte black. The latter will probably give the best result.
We chose the coating from the professional because it just gives a super nice finish and lasts longer.

Uncoated and coated tube for your clothes rail in comparison. On the left the "Raw" version.
On the right our "Raw Black" version matt black coated.

Gewinderohre mit Pulverbeschichtung
Beschichtetes Wasserrohr für den Bau der DIY Kleiderstange

FOR PAINTED OR COATED PARTS - RECUT THE THREAD!

Before assembling, check again whether all threads of the pipes and fittings are free of coatings and varnishes. If they are not, re-cut the threads with the tap. To do this, simply clamp the coated/painted pipe carefully in the vise. Here either use plastic jaws or clamp a cloth to protect the surface between the pipe and the vice (no cutting oil used here).

.

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HAVING YOUR WATER PIPES COATED BY A PROFESSIONAL:

ADVANTAGES:
Nicer clean look
Matte black surface
Scratch resistant even with sharp-edged hangers
Paint also holds very well on the fittings (With self-painted parts, this often comes off)
Oil free surface

DISADVANTAGES:
High cost
Elaborate

benötigte Einzelteile für DIY Kleiderstange KIM I

THE FINALE: THE ASSEMBLY

After all parts are finished, the final assembly of the clothes rail can start. Here in the example, the 2-compartment version is built. But simply adjust the respective number according to the variant. You can also download our Assembly instructions of the individual models.


8. Screw the feet together. Screw 2 long tubes together with a connector and a plate. Do not forget to use carpet glides on the lower side of the plate.
9. 5x Screw plates onto short 250mm water pipes.
10. Screw an additional 90° angle piece onto each of 3 of the 5 rods.

11. Screw the upper part together. Screwing the individual parts together is best done on a carpet to avoid scratches on the floor.


12. Finally, screw the feet to the top and put the clothes rail against the wall - ideally with 2 people.

Zusammenbau DIY Kleiderstange aus Wasserrohren Montageanleitung

13. simply put clothes rail on the wall and mark corresponding drill holes on the plates.

14. Tip the clothes rail back onto the floor and drill the corresponding holes for the dowels. Push the dowels into the holes.

15. Lean the clothes rail back against the wall and screw in the screws (preferably black screws). Now unscrew the feet and brace them against the floor for extra stability. Done!

POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE DIY CLOTHES RAIL

The beauty of your new clothes rail made of tubes is their easy changeability. Especially after moves, it can quickly happen that old furniture no longer fits and must be replaced with new.
Add more crossbars to your existing clothes rail or change the length of the crossbars to alter the dimensions. Below we show you several ideas on how to expand the DIY.


The dimensions of the clothes rail are chosen so that a standard wardrobe (eg IKEA MALM dresser) fits perfectly between them. This creates a real space miracle with numerous storage options for clothes and accessories.

Furthermore, the clothes rail is extremely stable thanks to the strong ¾" inch tubes. Due to the flexible tube- & screw-system, the complete clothes rail can be easily extended or reduced.
In our shop you can find ready-made kits and inspiring ideas for your project. You can find the three "Raw Black" variations described above below.

DIY erweitern durch Kommode

CHANGE THE DIMENSIONS OF THE HOMEMADE CLOTHES RAIL

Of course, you can change the dimensions of the KIM right from the start and adapt it individually to your free space. You can either change the height or width by sawing the required tubes. The self-made clothes rail can also be adjusted afterwards.

To do this, re-cut the threaded pipe on one side and repeat the steps of deburring cutting a thread. Due to the high compatibility of the bars and the simplicity of construction, the clothes rail can be used in ever new variations.

SUPPLEMENT WITH FURTHER CROSSBARS

By adding another crossbar, you can create even more space to hang your clothes. Depending on the model you have chosen in the DIY, up to 3 crossbars can be added afterwards.

For this you need to repeat the steps of sawing the tubes, deburr and cut a thread. Choose the same length of the already used crossbars of 930mm.

To install the additional crossbar for the DIY clothes rail, 2x T-piece connectors are required. These are used instead of the F - connectors to allow screwing in the additional water pipes.
This crossbar can serve as a middle additional bars on one the side you prefer, but you can also add an additional crossbar to all the sides - depending on what fits best in your home.

Zusätzliche Querstange DIY Kleiderstange

BOARDS FOR SHOES OR BOXES | BUILD YOUR OWN CLOTHES RAIL

You would like to complement the clothes rail DIY with boards, so you can easily store pants or shoes? Then add matching boards to the tubes for an industrial design made of wood and metal.
In our DIY Shop we offer matching sets, with which you can supplement your self-made clothes rail from pipes with shelves. Of course, you can also choose a suitable piece of wood at the hardware store.
Make sure that it is stable enough to hold the weight of your clothes.