SUPPLIES:

2”-3/4” Copper T-Fitting
Available at Mcmaster.com
I ordered a T-fitting that goes from 2” in diameter to 3/4” in diameter.

3/4” Copper Pipe
Available at the Home Depot
I used 3/4” copper pipe from the Home Depot to hang the bike from the ceiling.

3/4" T-Fitting
Available at the Home Depot
I used a 3/4” copper T-fitting on the ceiling end of the rack.

Felt
Available Online
I used some grey felt to line the inside of the copper T-fitting.

Steel Wool
Available at the Home Depot
I used steel wool to polish the copper.

Gorilla 2-Part Epoxy
Available at the Home Depot
If you don’t feel comfortable soldering, I recommend using this 2-part epoxy.

TOOLS:

RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless Drill
Available at Home Depot








RYOBI 4 1/2" Angle Grinder
Available at Home Depot






Rigid Tube Cutter
Available at Home Depot
I used a rigid tube cutter to cut the copper pipes.

Blow Torch
Available at Home Depot
The basic plumber's torch kit was intimdating at first, but actually inexpensive and easy-to-use.

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Mark the Cut Lines
I used a Sharpie to mark two lines down the side of the 2” copper T. I made sure that the distance between the lines was wider than the diameter of the tubes that make the frame of my bike.





STEP 2: Cut the Copper T-Fitting
I used my angle grinder with a metal cutting blade to cut along the lines that I drew on the T-fitting. I cut a groove along the line at first and then went back and cut through it with a second pass.





STEP 3: Cut the Copper Pipe
I used my Rigid Tube Cutter to cut the copper pipe.





STEP 4: Clean + Prepare the Copper
I cleaned the copper with steel wool and used a wire brush to rough up the ends that are going to be soldered.







STEP 5: Solder the Fitting on to the Pipe
I applied flux onto the joints of the pipe and then heated the copper with my torch. Once the copper was hot, I touched the solder to the joints. I soldered both sides of the joint.













STEP 6: Sand the Cut Edges
I used a sanding drum attachment on my cordless drill to smooth down the cut edges of the copper fitting.





STEP 7: Clean the Copper
I used steel wool to clean up the discoloration from the soldering.





STEP 8: Attach the 3/4" T
I could have soldered the 3/4” T to the other side of the pipe, but I thought I would try a mechanical connection instead. I inserted the pipe into the fitting and then drilled a hole through both the T-fitting and the pipe. I pushed a bolt through the holes and fastened it with a nut.







STEP 9: Grind Down the Bolt
I used my angle grinder with a flap disc to grind the bolt down, flush to the surface of the nut.





STEP 10: Line It with Felt
I had Jessie cut some felt and glue it to the inside of the copper fitting. She used 2-part epoxy and held it in place with paper clips while the epoxy cured.







STEP 11: Install the Rack
I wanted to make sure that I was attaching the rack to one of the beams behind the drywall of my ceiling, so I used a stud finder to locate it. I used my Phone Works stud finder to find the center of the beams. Then I screwed 3/4” copper loops on either side of the T-fitting.







STEP 12: Hang the Bike
My Linus bike fits nicely in the rack and I really love how minimal this piece is.















Good luck making your own copper bike rack and please email, tweet or hashtag photos to @benuyeda, ben@homemade-modern.com or #homemademodern. For more detailed instructions, dimensioned drawings and different variations of the project, check out our soon-to-be-released book.

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