How to Build a Ceiling Laundry Rack

Set the miter saw to make 45-degree cuts. Place a 1-by-4-inch plank on the saw table with its 1-inch surfaces horizontal. Hold the plank firmly against the guide fence, and trim off one end of the plank. The four planks used to construct the frame of the drying rack are trimmed in this manner.

Measure and mark the longest side of the trimmed plank at 36 inches. Place the plank on the saw table so the cut ends of the plank are divergent, not parallel. Trim the plank on the mark. Repeat to cut a second plank to the same dimensions. These planks will be used to create the long sides of the frame. In the same manner, measure, mark and cut two planks each 30 inches in length. Like the first two planks, the end cuts are divergent.

Measure and mark a center line on a 4-inch surface of a 30-inch plank from end to end. Measure and mark the center of the line. Mark the line in two positions on each side of the center mark. The marks are evenly spaced, 5 inches apart. Stack the two 30-inch planks together with their edges aligned and the marked surface facing upward. Clamp the planks together on the ends. Lay the clamped planks on a flat surface.

Install a 3/4-inch spade bit in the drill. Drill holes through each mark so the bit passes completely through the top board and partially through the bottom board. Un-clamp the boards. Finish drilling through each hole in the bottom board. This method ensures that the corresponding holes in opposite framing boards are accurately aligned.

Lay a drilled board on a flat surface. Insert the end of a dowel into each hole. Gently tap the free ends of the dowels with a mallet, driving the dowels through the drilled holes. Continue until the the edges of the dowels are flush with the edge of the plank. Align the holes in the remaining 30-inch plank with the free ends of the dowels. Use the mallet to gently tap the plank until the dowels are flush with the outer surface of the plank.

Apply wood glue the cut ends of the frame, and arrange the planks in a rectangle on a flat surface with mitered corners like a picture frame. Use long strips of tape to make temporary braces to hold the corners of the frame together as the glue dries. Allow time for the glue to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the glue has dried, use 1 1/2-inch wire nails to nail the corners together with three evenly spaced nails across each mitered joint.

Mark the short framing members 2 inches from each end, centered to their 1-inch surfaces. Drill a 1/2 inch deep pilot hole through each mark. Screw one screw hook into each hole.

Measure the distance from the ceiling to the desired height of the laundry rack. Add 3 inches to that dimension to calculate the length of the suspension chains. Use wire cutters to trim four pieces of utility chain to that length. Hook one free end of each chain to each installed screw hook.