How To Make A Tension Rod

This article describes how to build a tension rod that could be used to hold upward a mantle going from one wall to another wall. Typically, store bought rods are either too brusk (maximum half-dozen anxiety) or longer (upwardly to viii feet) but flimsy plastic with no stability. The overall cost of this rod is less than $xv and takes near ane to 2 hours to install.

Materials:

• iii/4" thick electrical conduit rod (10' long max)
• ii x 5/8" bolt (1.five" to ii" long)
• 2 x basics for the bolts
• two x big washers
• tape (masking or scotch)
• two wrenches to fit 5/8"
• tube cutter

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The washers are taped to the head of the bolts. Once the rod is secure, the tape can be removed. If y'all don't record the washers to the bolt heads, then the washers will fall down when you're putting upwards the rod. The washers are in that location to distribute the pressure over a larger surface surface area. You lot can cull washers, a block of woods, or something else to distribute the pressure. I chose washers because they are sparse only rigid and go with the overall look. The longer the rod, the more force required to secure it, and the larger the washer should be. The washers I used were the largest I could find. Note: the pigsty in the washer should be small, and so the bolt caput covers information technology completey. Ideally, at that place would be no hole, but a flat plate.

Utilize the tube cutter to cut the rod to the advisable length. Take into consideration the infinite required for the washers, bolt heads and nuts. Cut the tube so that one time the bolts+nuts+washes are inserted in both ends, you tin can slide it between the walls with equally little play as possible.

If the curtain hooks onto the rod, and then you can put it on afterwards. If the curtain slides onto the rod, then you'll have to put the mantle on first, and then secure the rod.

Screw the nuts onto the bolt every bit far as they volition go (hand tightened). Insert the bolts, one into each end of the rod. Then hold the rod in place and unscrew the nut at i finish and so that it puts plenty pressure on the wall to keep the rod upwards. You might demand a friend to hold up one finish of the rod, or rig up some system to hold it in place. As the nuts unscrew, they press tight against the rod and that puts pressure on the wall which keeps the rod upward. Note: if y'all unscrew the nuts besides far, it could crevice your wall. As y'all unscrew, the washer should not plow at all. You can hold the commodities caput inplace using one wrench, and employ a 2nd wrench to unscrew the nut.

One time the rod is semi-secure, get to the other end and test how difficult it is to unscrew the nut on that end. You volition probably exist able to unscrew a little bit more.

Hither is the finished product. The pic shows a 7' long tension rod with no noticable sag.

Clean-Up

During the installation, the rod or washers might mark the walls. Fear non! Buy some Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, dip the end in a tiny bit of water, and the marks will rub out like magic.

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Source: http://en.howtopedia.org/wiki/How_to_Make_a_Tension_Rod

Posted by: larsenbahe1943.blogspot.com

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