Make your own key rack

When not in use the ‘hooks’ of this funky key rack fold away to double as wall art.

Quick project guide
• Hard labour 3/10
• Skill level 7/10
• Time needed about three hours
• Finished size ±756 (L) X 96 (W) X 32mm (D)
• Do it yourself for ±R485 (meranti R160, aluminium R60, steel rod R25, paint R240)

Project notes
• We used 96 x 32mm meranti for the keyrack.
• We used 25 x 3mm aluminium for the ‘pivot hooks’.
• We routed a channel into the meranti before cutting it into the individual lengths; alternatively use a drill press to drill holes through each piece for the thread rod, as the holes need to line up perfectly.
• Should you not have a handsaw or mitre saw, have your wood cut to length for you at your nearest Timbercity branch.

Shopping list
For the keyrack
• One 1800 x 96 x 32mm meranti OR one offcut piece of 780mm meranti cut to:
one 62mm
two 58mm
one 72mm
one 76mm
one 96mm
one 134mm
one 124mm
one 82mm

For the pivot hooks
• 2000 x 25 x 3mm aluminium cut to:
8 x 105mm
• small off-cut piece of 3mm backing board

Other items
• 8mm thread rod (x 2 if using drill press)
• woodfiller
• 6mm wall anchors and 6mm masonry drill bit
• primer and paint
• paintbrush or foam roller

Tools
• drill plus 8mm drill bit
• jigsaw
• handsaw and mitre box
• hacksaw
• metal crosscut file
• hammer
• router and 8mm straight bit
• pencil
• tri-square
• measuring tape
• Drill press (optional)

 

Get started

Method 1

1 Measure and cut the specified lengths using the hand saw and mitrebox. Use the tri-square to ensure right angles, or use the jigsaw and timber blade to cut the individual lengths.

2 If drilling holes in the individual lengths, measure and mark the position of the pivot holes, 20mm deep and 18mm from the bottom.

3 Use the drill and 8mm drill bit to drill corresponding holes in each of the individual blocks. Clamp the pieces down firmly and make sure to drill at perfect right angles so that the holes will all match up as closely as possible. TIP A drill press would be useful to drill holes through each piece for the thread rod, as the holes need to line up perfectly.

Method 2

4 If first routing along the 780mm length of meranti before cutting it into the individual lengths as above, mark the position of the 8mm-wide channel 14mm from the bottom edge, and 24mm deep. . TIP Use the guide to ensure a smooth and accurate cut.

5 Now use the jigsaw or hacksaw to cut the 25 x 3mm aluminium strip to eight lengths of 105mm.

Making the pivot hooks

6 Mark the position of the pivot hole on one of the 105mm lengths. Now clamp all the lengths together and use the 8mm drill bit to drill a pivot holes through all eight lengths simultaneously, as shown.

7 Use a metal file to round the bottom corner closest the pivot hole.

8 Mark the position and contour of the recess in the hook then proceed to make numerous narrowly-spaced cuts in between these marks. Then simply cut these away, working the saw at 45º angles.

9 Use the file to smooth the hook recess, as shown.

10 Apply a primer to the pivot hooks before coating them (twice) in the colour of your choice. Do the same with the wooden blocks and allow to dry before proceeding.

11 Use the hacksaw or jigsaw to cut the thread rod to length: 740mm.

12 Slide the pivot hooks onto the thread rod and then place the rod into the channel, with the hooks positioned in-between each piece of timber.

13 Apply adhesive into the channel to keep the rod in place then place the backing board across the back of the all the blocks to hold it all together.

14 Drill 6mm holes at either end and then position and mount onto the wall with the wall anchors. Make sure it is level before using the hammer to drive the anchors home.