This great work of art is practical, too! Chris Palmer shows us how to use discarded tree branches to create a stunning coat hanger for your wall.
DIY wooden coat hanger
Materials & tools required:
- Birch tree branch off cuts, 1.5″ diameter minimum for the points of connection
- 1 x 6 boards to create the frame (recommended: clear pine if you want to paint it)
- 2″ wood screws
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (various grits #120 – 320)
- Paint or stain of choice
- Polyurethane (satin finish)
- Staples or Brad nails
- Drill and impact driver
- Saw (hand or power)
- Stapler or nailer
- Branch pruner
- Clamps (6″, 12″ and 24″)
Method:
Find at least 10 decent branches with diameter no smaller than 1.5″ and no larger than 2.5″. Tip: Make sure your branches aren’t fresh — you’ll need a dry branch that has been broken off the tree for about a year.
Before you can start cutting anything, you’ll first have to figure out how long this coat rack can be, and how tall. The one displayed on Cityline was 48″ x 14″ and had 9 branch hooks. You can go bigger or smaller, depending on your space. Once you’ve decided on your size, take your 1×6 boards and cut them to the desired lengths. Tip: Cut one extra short piece to use as a template for the branches — this piece will give you the perfect marking device to make sure each branch is the same length and cut in the same angle.
Now it’s time to assemble your frame. Don’t complete the whole frame — make it so you have the base, and two sides. If you leave the top off, you’ll be able to easily test fit and arrange your branches.
Paint, stain or clear coat your frame now, before the branches are in place as this will make it easier to do. Just note to sand the areas of where the branches will go, otherwise the wood glue won’t adhere so well.
Take your branches and pick away any loose debris or unsightly pieces you don’t want. Use your template, lay the branches down, clamp them in place and cut with your saw so that it matches the templates’ height. Using all of your cut branches, arrange them on the partially assembled frame. Use your eye for the spacing, branches are irregular so it’s not a perfect science — it’s all about the look. Now add your wood glue to the bottom of each piece and pin them in place using your nailer or stapler.
With all the branches now glued and pinned in place, add glue to the tops of the branches and fix your top board into place. Now pin the tops in, as you did for the bottoms and let it dry.
To really secure it, wait an hour and then come back and pre-drill holes into the branches (top and bottom) and then put a screw into each end of each branch for the added strength.
Tip: Add a clear coat to seal the cut ends of the small branches that are still exposed — it keeps the wood fresher looking and prevents further splitting.
Courtesy Chris Palmer