Ridgewayforge Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 I have been requested to make a hanger for a special cloth for my church, and the hanger needs to be longer on one end, so it fits in the closet. The fabric will be on the longer part, and the hook will be offset. My Question is, how can I counter balance this so as to keep it from hanging askew? Thanks, Ridgewayforge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Get something the same weight as the cloth ant keep bending ang balancing till it hangs right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Greetings Ridge.. Stainless? You may consider a sliding weight with a lock screw ( round tube with an Allen lock screw. Forge on and make beautiful thingsJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Weight L x length L on the left = weight R x length R on the rightYou can use the weight of the cloth as W, and the middle of the cloth as it is folded across the hanger as the length. From there locate the weight per measurement of the metal and divide it into small segments such as 2 inches. That will give you the center point of the length and the weight of the 2 inch section. From there it is just adding all the numbers left and all the numbers right and adjust to make the end result equal. Graph paper will help in the calculations. For bends use the center line of the metal.Yes I know it is math and math can be scary but it can also be so very simple if broken down into small pieces.You can also think of using a modified single tree with an off set center of load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Just move the hook to the center and let the cloth keep it level. If there isn't room to let it hang cross ways to the rod then put a turn in the hook so it hangs at an angle remaining horizontal in the closet.Yes, SS to prevent stains.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the help! For materials, I was gong to clear coat it. Will that protect the material sufficiently? The cloth will not site directly on the metal; it will have a cloth or plastic sleave to give it traction. Edited September 12, 2015 by Ridgewayforge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 (edited) A sleeve to keep the cloth from resting directly on the hanger is a good idea and I think a high quality clear coat on the rest should do for many years. I have wire coat hangers I brought with me from California more than 43 years ago. Maybe find out what they're coated with?Frosty The Lucky. Edited September 12, 2015 by Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 The weight of the cloth is spread out over the entire length of the hanger, so some of it will be on both sides of the centerline. As such, incorporating a decorative scroll or some leaves to add metal/weight to the high end when it's hanger is on the bar will be more than enough to balance things out.The way you have it drawn, you're placing the hook well to the left of center, and I'm not sure I understand why this has to be a design feature. Regardless, I wouldn't simply scrunch up the metal to create a counterbalance on the high side. Looks ugly and amateurish.Scrolls, leaves, spikes and collars will add weight and look attractive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 The hook has to be offset becuase the cabinet is very deep, but the clothes bar is only about a foot in. So, in order to hang the whole cloth, I need a long bar with the hook offset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Good Morning,Simple..... Add a Bar in Center of the Cabinet!!!!!!Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsoldat Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 just a thought, but what about a centered on near centered hanger that has the hook on an angle so it all fits in the cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Make it long enough to reach the back wall and install a ledger to rest on.If the closet isn't deep enough see the suggestion about putting a turn in the hook so it hangs at an angle.Of course folding the cloth is out. right?Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Keep in mind if balanced so the cloth hangs level on the hanger, the hanger will not hang level empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastRonin Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 If the bar is close enough to the ceiling of the closet, how about an upswept piece that could brace against the ceiling? maybe a nice scroll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Keep in mind if balanced so the cloth hangs level on the hanger, the hanger will not hang level empty.Good point, he wouldn't want it dumping nothing on the floor! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Because you're dealing with a cloth that spans the entire length of the hanger, you'll need that cloth to help design the hanger.The weight of the cloth will play a huge role in how the hanger hangs and where you need to place decorative counter-weights.I would make up a handful of small scrolls and leaves, then fasten them to the hanger with clothespins. That way you can move things around however needed when the cloth is in place. Take a few photos of the final solution just in case things get knocked around on the way back to the shop.Just remember to keep the design fluid and graceful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Downside of clothespins will be the added weight which will mess with your balance. The suggestion earlier of a drilled counter weight and threaded screw would solve this issue. If you wanted to use decorations and attach them temporarily, something small and light weight for tacking would work, say hot glue, or small pieces of double sided sticky tape it you didn't want to tack weld them in place.A friend of mine used to build complex fan blade assemblies for a company. When each fan was all assembled, he would mount them on a balancing rig, and note where the "heavy" side of the fan was. Then he'd make a small mig tack at the high side of the fan's balance point, and then check balance again. If the weld was too heavy, he could simply grind some off the tack to lighten it. Pretty much the same thing you do to balance out a ceiling fan to eliminate wobble with the old double sided tape and pennies trick. If need be you can fine tune your balance the same way if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodOlEagle Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 build a hook to mount in the center of the cabinet to hang it from, and it would solve the off center problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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