How to Build a Galvanized Pipe Towel Rack (with Step-by-Step Plans)

Galvanized Pipe Towel Rack

Building a towel rack from fittings and pipe can be a great way to create a unique but functional piece in your kitchen or bathroom. We've had customers build all sorts of projects for their kitchen or bathroom including kitchen tables, kitchen islands, curtain rods, and now towel racks.

Using Kee Lite fittings and pipe, Sharon was able to build a multi-functional towel rack to hang a kitchen towel and a roll of paper towel that mounts just below the cabinets in her kitchen.

In this post, we cover the details of Sharon's unique towel rack, the exact fittings you'll need to build one just like, and step-by-step instructions to put it together. So follow along:

Sharon's DIY Towel Rack Project Details:

In Sharon's project, she actually used Kee Lite fittings instead of Kee Klamp fittings. Unlike traditional pipe fittings that thread onto the pipe bar, Kee Klamp and Kee Lite fittings slide over pipe and secure down by tightening a set screw on each fitting. These set screws can be tightened down using an Allen Wrench.

Some of the key differences between Kee Lite and Kee Klamp are that Kee Lite fittings have a slightly different look, finish, and are a bit lighter than Kee Klamp fittings.

Sharon's towel rack is mounted directly under the cabinets in her kitchen. The towel rack mounts to the bottom of the cabinets using the Flange fitting. This fitting has a circular plate with four countersunk holes in it that can be used for mounting to different surfaces. A Plastic Plug is used to cap off the exposed end of pipe at the end of the towel rack.

Overall, Sharon appreciated the simple design, easy installation, and the flexibility to build exactly what she wanted by using Kee Lite to build her own towel rack versus simply going with a store-bought rack.

Galvanized Pipe Towel Rack

The Fittings You'll Need to Build the Towel Rack:

Below, you will find all of the fittings you need to build a towel rack just like the one Sharon built. But, you don't have to copy her design to the tee. Try taking a look at some other designs from past customers here. Additionally, pipe can be ordered to your desired length on this page.

Here's what you'll need:

 

How to Assemble the Towel Rack:

DIY Towel Rack Plans

To assemble the pipe towel rack, follow the steps listed below:

DIY Towel Rack Plans

First, start by adding the Single Socket Tee and 90 Degree Elbow fitting to the horizontal bar. This is the length of pipe used to hang towels from.

Then, set the spacing between the 90 Degree Elbow and Single Socket Tee. From there, secure each fitting to the pipe by tightening the set screw on each fitting using an Allen Wrench.

DIY Towel Rack Plans

The towel rack should now look like the diagram above.

DIY Towel Rack Plans

Now, you can add the vertical lengths of pipe. These will be used to attach the Flange fittings that mount the towel rack to the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. One length of pipe will slide into the open socket on the Single Socket Tee and the other will slide into the 90 Degree Elbow.

Each pipe will "butt up" against the pipe that is already through the fitting in the horizontal position. Once in place, secure the pipe in place by tightening down the set screw on each fitting.

DIY Towel Rack Plans

Now, the Flange fittings can be added. These will slide onto the lengths of pipe you just attached to the towel rack.

Unlike the Kee Klamp Flange which has an internal wall to keep pipe from sliding through the fitting, the Kee Lite Flange actually has an opening that is wide enough for pipe to slide completely through the fitting (this has made this fitting popular for use in shelving units).

In this case, make sure to level off the pipe end with the end of the fitting. Then, secure the Flange fittings in place by tightening down the set screw on each fitting.

DIY Towel Rack Plans

That's it! That's all there is to assembling the towel rack. The next step is to mount the rack in place. Each Flange fitting has four countersunk holes on the circular plate that can be used for mounting. Wood screws will work to mount to a wood surface such as the kitchen cabinets.

If you have any questions on assembling the towel rack or about which fittings you should order, reach out to our project team for help by emailing projects@simplifiedbuilding.com or by visiting our free design assistance page here. Our team is experienced in designing and building all different types of Kee Klamp and Kee Lite built projects. We will work with you to come up with a design that is custom to your exact dimensions.

Additionally, be sure to check out our wide range of fittings to discover how you can use each fitting to build a completely unique design and browse our projects area for all of the Kee Klamp and Kee Lite projects built by customers just like you.

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