It's true. You can make a high capacity drying rack for around $35!
Here is an economical solution for the age-old problem of where to dry wet items without a big steel drying rack. You can build your own high capacity drying rack for around $35. A permanent solution for your shop when you run out of space, and you get tired of leaning wet signs against walls or wherever you can find space.
I call it the "leaning tower of plastic". The one down side to this rack is that although it takes up less floor space, it's a few inches higher than the height of a standard door opening. If you want to roll it from one room to another, you'll have to turn it sideways. Of course, if you can live with 20 less slots, you can always make a shorter one. The one we made can hold 150 18x24 Coroplast sheets and if you print decals or smaller items, you can put hundreds or even thousands of items on this rack.
To build a rack like this one, you'll need 8 2x4's with 75 nails pounded in 1/2 inch, precisely every inch. Leave about 3 inches at the top and bottom for your 10" supports, which hold the rack together. You don't want the nails to be too far apart or you'll have a hard time finding the right level when you slide them in. The front and rear supports are only about 4 inches apart.
The dimensions of the top and bottom panels are 16"x56" mdf board. (You can adjust this as you see fit, but for printing 18x24's, which we use most, it's just right). Note: We used three 5 pound boxes of 3 1/2" nails, and pounding 600 nails in all in one day... well, you may want to spread it out over a few days.
The first thing you'll want to do is build the base. Second, hammer in the nails, and then attach the supports to the base. Next, duplicate the base and use a ladder to slide it over the top and secure it to the posts.
This is a pretty easy thing to make, and we've tried all sorts of things in the past, even wire and string, but the penny finally dropped with this one.
It's not beautiful, but it's by no means makeshift. I would prefer this to the real thing any day, especially since we don't have enough space, and this configuration really saves space.
Good luck!
Rocket Signs
125 Mansell Place
Roswell, GA 30076
Phone: 770-663-4354
E-Mail: a049806t@onebox.com
