Sock dryer
This is a home-made version of the crappy plastic ones you sometimes see in Sweden. You get 16 clothespins, that can be suspended in some suitable spot (in my case over a woodstove) to dry socks, wet mittens, cloth sanitary pads, underwear, etc. And it breaks down for storage!
How to make
Not very complex to make in its basic form, but could be elaborated by turning, fancy wood and nice finish. But it takes about 30 minutes to make the basic model, and then it gives years of good service, preventing you from making a fancier replacement.
Parts
- 16 wooden clothespins
- 4 slats, about 35 cm long (say 20x8 mm)
- one upright, say 20x20 mm by 10-12 cm long
- one coat-hanger hook
- 5-7 cm threaded rod (M5, i.e. 5 mm) or bolt with cut of head.
- One wing-nut and washer, matching
- bits of string
Procedure
- Cut out the centre slot, halfway down at 45 degrees in all four slats. Make it as wide as the slats. Turn them the same way.
- Assemble, with either the top or bottom one turned the other way compared to the others. You now have a compactly stacked star. Mark and drill the centre hole, about 6 mm (your threaded rod should fit easily).
- Drill the 16 holes for the string.
- Drill holes in both ends of the upright. If you make the lower hole tight and add some glue the rod will never come out one you screw it in. make sure you have enough rod sticking out to your star + washer and thumbscrew. Do the same for the coat-hanger hook, in the other end.
- Attach he clothespins with the string. Pass through the hole in the clothes-pin, tie in a loop, pass though the hole in a slat, and tie off. Remember that one of the slats will be "upside down" compared to the others!
- Assemble, and demonstrate to impressed audience.
