PVC gear rack, need ideas and experience

[muddiver]

I think RonFrank is referring to a plastic "Rubbermaid" type tub. I carry my gear in one of the blue ones for local boat dives. It retains any draining water from the dive and keeps the Jeep dry.

The only issue with a DIY PVC rack is if you use a small diameter pipe it could cause streachig and creasing of the soft components, unless you use a large diamiter for the point that the wet/dry suit actually hang on. When I say large diamiter I am talking 4" or bigger to provide propper support.

 

[jacobholm]

I think RonFrank is referring to a plastic "Rubbermaid" type tub. I carry my gear in one of the blue ones for local boat dives. It retains any draining water from the dive and keeps the Jeep dry.

The only issue with a DIY PVC rack is if you use a small diameter pipe it could cause streachig and creasing of the soft components, unless you use a large diamiter for the point that the wet/dry suit actually hang on. When I say large diamiter I am talking 4" or bigger to provide propper support.

Ah, I'll check that out. Good point about the diameter of the pipes, I'll keep that in mind. I am considering dropping the drying part (pumping air through the pipes), it seems to be enough to just let the suit hang upside down for a while. That way I can construct an easier rack.

 

[jacobholm]

I have decided to just hang the suit upside down from a hanger. Pipes up in the legs seems like a hassle (hanging the suit in a confined space etc), so I have decided on something like this:

I am a bit unsure about the horizontal support pipes between the BCD and suit rack parts, as they might be in the way of the suit. But then again, I am afraid it might break or bend without the support.

Any ideas for improvement? I have been thinking of a clever way to hang my regulator. hmmm..

 

[bevansmw]

I've got one that works for all of my gear. Attaching a photo with my gear hanging up drying inside. It's just some PVC pipe from Home Depot and a tray to catch the drippings, one of those plastic tubs with wheels on it people would use to store stuff under their bed.

Cost about $50 total, been meaning to paint it but haven't gotten around to it yet. Only tools needed were a handsaw, measuring tape and a plastic cup, stir stick & small brush for the glue.

Note on the top the beam to hang stuff splits about half-way down into two separate beams. This provides me with more room to hang smaller bits like mask, gloves, boots etc.. thats how the boots are staying where they are up there

I did have to use some PVC two part glue on several parts. I left a bunch of the joints on the ends and for the bars running down the center (waist height) unglued so I could pivot them. But most of the top and bottom joints are glued together so it won't bend in the middle. If I wanted a longer straight beam I could just flip it upside down as well and then hang a bunch of wetsuits if I had more and needed to dry them. It works great..

I do have a separate black tub from Home Depot that I use to wash the gear in the front yard or soak it in sink the stink inside my apartment (I don't have any type of secure yard, in a 1bdrm apartment) prior to hanging it to dry.

Last note.. because I didn't glue the sides together (just the top/bottom minus the hinges on the corners) once I'm done it completely disassembles and fits nicely into the same try that I used to catch the water drops for storage.




One last picture so you get an idea of it stored with all of my gear in the closet.



I was actually meaning to post this and hadn't done it yet .. theres my tub with all of my gear in my XS Scuba mesh roller .. the entire PVC drying rack is disassembled just below it.

 

[jacobholm]

Wow, nice compact design and really easy to dissassemble and store! I have ordered some pvc parts, but will consider some changes based on your rack =) I liked the way you placed the rack "inside" the plastic container (with wheels?) as a dripping tray. Thanks for the feedback, I will post pictures/measurements etc once I have recieved and built my rack.

 

[eelnoraa]

The kind of drysuit hanger in your link, hang it upside down with vent at the foot pocket area. I built a similar one myself when I have a CF200 suit with turbo sole. It is really necessary for the inside of the suit to dry within days. With TLS350, it is not necessary anymore. The rack itself actually take up lots of space, and it is way too tall to be inside any closet. My experience is that is really only useful if 1) you have a turbo sole or integrated boot which you can't turn your suit inside out. AND 2) you have a neoprene suit. If you don't have both, putting the suit in a proper hanger right side up, hanging in closet or a normal storage rack is a more pratical and better solution.

Hi!


I just moved into a new house and don't really have a lot of space to store my gear in. I need to build a pvc rack that can fit inside a 55"x40" area. I want to be able to hang almost all of my gear on the rack, except the smaller things like lead weights, knife etc. The drysuit will hang upside down with pvc pipes inside the legs, something like Ken's Skooba Spot: Ultimate Drysuit Drying Rack, with some modifications for more gear.


I have made some rough "sketches", with blocks to give an impression of some gear:

View attachment 130994
View attachment 130995
View attachment 130996
View attachment 130997


Has anyone made a rack for all the equipment who can provide some tips or even measurements? I have also been thinking of a smart way to hang the suit without having to use a chair or even a ladder =P..

 

[jacobholm]

The kind of drysuit hanger in your link, hang it upside down with vent at the foot pocket area. I built a similar one myself when I have a CF200 suit with turbo sole. It is really necessary for the inside of the suit to dry within days. With TLS350, it is not necessary anymore. The rack itself actually take up lots of space, and it is way too tall to be inside any closet. My experience is that is really only useful if 1) you have a turbo sole or integrated boot which you can't turn your suit inside out. AND 2) you have a neoprene suit. If you don't have both, putting the suit in a proper hanger right side up, hanging in closet or a normal storage rack is a more pratical and better solution.

My suit has an integrated boot and is neoprene. I have decided to not hanging it with pipes in the legs, it would be ideal for drying, but it would have been a hassle everytime I had to get the suit up there. Hanging it upside down from a regular hanger seems to work. What I could do was extend some pipes halfway up the legs and blow air through.

 

[eelnoraa]

for wet neoprene suit, it is not a good idea to hang right side up with regular drysuit hanger going through neck seal due to the weight. It seems lots of load on the shoulder and neck ring. If I were you, I will still use the upside down method until the suit is dry.

 

[bevansmw]

Wow, nice compact design and really easy to dissassemble and store! I have ordered some pvc parts, but will consider some changes based on your rack =) I liked the way you placed the rack "inside" the plastic container (with wheels?) as a dripping tray. Thanks for the feedback, I will post pictures/measurements etc once I have recieved and built my rack.

It does have wheels though they aren't very sturdy and don't provide a lot of ground clearance, works for me I'm a warm-water diver though in Hawaii with a 3mm full wetsuit which is more than enough for here, can really get away with a shorty or not even wear a wetsuit in the water here.

 

[darkmoon3d]

Just built my own pvc dive rack using some leftover 3/4" pvc pipes. One advice I'd give if making your own pvc rack assembly is use short length section for better sturdiness. btw: the bendiness in image is due to panorama feature on camera.