Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: anne on May 26, 2006, 12:05:24 pm

Title: towel rack or stand
Post by: anne on May 26, 2006, 12:05:24 pm
I'd like to find something other than a patio chair to put towels/robes on while in the tub. I know that there are a lot of options out there, but I need something free standing, with a stable, wide base (robes are heavy) that can withstand weather. Any ideas? thanks!
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: sandiego on May 26, 2006, 12:10:59 pm
I like the stand, but if you are in an area where you can get high wind, it can be blown over. You can get a rack, but if you attach it to the side of the spa, sometimes it will get wet if you're splashing around in there.

But my preference is the stand, it's portable, durable and can hold quite a few (i believe up to 4) towel/robes on it.
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Gomboman on May 26, 2006, 12:54:21 pm
Brookenstein posted a thread about this not too long ago. Maybe she can post a link to it. There were several links to various stands.
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: bulmer4nc on May 26, 2006, 01:20:51 pm
We went to one of those unfinished furniture stores and bought a coat rack that you would use inside your front door.  We just painted it with outdoor trim paint and it works perfectly.  Holds 8 towels with no problem.  I think it was on sale at the time and cost about $30.

Ken
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: tanstaafl2 on May 26, 2006, 02:20:45 pm
Bought a decent towel tree at "Tar-jeh"* recently. It seems to do the trick and doesn't look to bad. Mine is under cover but it would probably hold up for awhile out in he sun. And cheap enough that it replacing it is no big deal. Not sure how the wind might affect it as mine is protected.

You can see it in this picture:
(http://home.earthlink.net/~tierneyb/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/img_1460_10_2_1.jpg)

But can't find it on their website. They did have something like this:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001HKC64.16._SCLZZZZZZZ_SS260_.jpg)

Only $40 so not bad.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-6/qid=1148667519/ref=sr_1_6/601-0337355-8727345?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B0001HKC64

*AKA "Target"
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: drewstar on May 26, 2006, 02:28:19 pm
I had the plastic one Tanstaafly2 shows in his picture.  You fill the base with sand or water to weigh it down.  Mine broke in the first year.  :P I think it's crap.

I also have the wood one Tanstaafly2 shows in the first picture. I too bought it at the fancy french boutique Targe'

I liked it better than the plastic, but one  base screw did pull apart on me (easy fix  )  I'll be using it for my pool this summer.   (2nd season).   If you are going to be handing robes, make sure you get one tall enough so they don't hang on the ground.

Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Spatech_tuo on May 26, 2006, 02:34:47 pm
Quote
But can't find it on their website. They did have something like this:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001HKC64.16._SCLZZZZZZZ_SS260_.jpg)

 


Nice rack!
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: tanstaafl2 on May 26, 2006, 02:48:14 pm
Quote

Nice rack!


I wodered how long it would be before that was posted! Not long I see.

BTW, I agree!  8)
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: LtDan on May 26, 2006, 03:03:26 pm
Quote

Nice rack!


You won't get that rack for forty bucks.
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: drewstar on May 26, 2006, 03:04:40 pm
Quote

You won't get that rack for forty bucks.



I know place that for $1 you can look at it  for a few minutes.


But they charge $7.00 for a Bud light.  ::)
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Skellman on May 26, 2006, 03:09:16 pm
Quote


I know place that for $1 you can look at it  for a few minutes.


But they charge $7.00 for a Bud light.  ::)


And $7.01 for a Shiner Bock ;D
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on May 26, 2006, 03:39:45 pm
Getting back on topic here  ;D though I agree whole hardily on the nice rack.

I've been working on my own design for a towel rack. I'm about ready to make a few hunderd, but, opinions for the general public (if you all are even close to that  ;D  ) are always welcome.

BEFORE YOU SEE THE PICTURE: please remember that this is just a prototype. I built it out of some junk wood that was laying around. The actual model will be out of western red cedar.

(http://www.rhtubs.com/ebay/wtb-tt1701.jpg)

Some more info. The upright pole is square, but there's only 3 equally spaces legs. It was a biatch to figue out how to do this, but with 3 legs any possibility of rocking on an uneven surface is eliminated. In the picture/prototype, the vertical pole goes all the way to the ground. In the "real" thing, it wont and should stop just below where the legs attach.

The "hooks" for hanging your stuff are made from copper pipe. Though not shown in the "protype" picture there will be end caps on the pipe. There's 2 horizontal bars (I think 14" long) and 2 at a 45 degree angle

Overall height is yet to be determined, but I think somewhere arounf 4-1/2 feet / 54 inches
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: The_Big_Spa_Fairy on May 26, 2006, 04:38:45 pm
Dear Doctor,

Being so close to the tree nymphs as I am, I hate to see things made of wood which could easily be made of a more long-lasting material.

I wonder - how would one ship something like that?

As a Big Spa Fairy, I am permanent-press. I even smell nice when warm. So I have no real need for towells.

But other than that, it looks nice.

Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: tanstaafl2 on May 26, 2006, 04:47:35 pm
Quote
Getting back on topic here  ;D though I agree whole hardily on the nice rack.

I've been working on my own design for a towel rack. I'm about ready to make a few hunderd, but, opinions for the general public (if you all are even close to that  ;D  ) are always welcome.

BEFORE YOU SEE THE PICTURE: please remember that this is just a prototype. I built it out of some junk wood that was laying around. The actual model will be out of western red cedar.

(http://www.rhtubs.com/ebay/wtb-tt1701.jpg)

Some more info. The upright pole is square, but there's only 3 equally spaces legs. It was a biatch to figue out how to do this, but with 3 legs any possibility of rocking on an uneven surface is eliminated. In the picture/prototype, the vertical pole goes all the way to the ground. In the "real" thing, it wont and should stop just below where the legs attach.

The "hooks" for hanging your stuff are made from copper pipe. Though not shown in the "protype" picture there will be end caps on the pipe. There's 2 horizontal bars (I think 14" long) and 2 at a 45 degree angle

Overall height is yet to be determined, but I think somewhere arounf 4-1/2 feet / 54 inches


Looks pretty nice. Do you have an estimated cost yet? I would think if you start to drift far north of $100 it tends to get less attractive for most people (well, me at least) even if it is made of high quality materials.
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on May 26, 2006, 05:17:30 pm
Quote


Dear Doctor,

Being so close to the tree nymphs as I am, I hate to see things made of wood which could easily be made of a more long-lasting material.



I see............ So you'd prefer something made from a crude oil product????  ;D

More seriously, as you know, we manufacture traditional wooden hot tubs, from wood. We get a bit  of wood that just doesn't meet the high standards for our hot tubs and I"m always loking for ways to use it. A lot of it winds up being turned into some of th highest quality decking there is. And usualy about once a year some movie studio needs a tub, that doesn't have to hold water, for a prop.

Quote


I wonder - how would one ship something like that?



Well my little tree hugging friend.......... It would ship in a 5" square, 5' long cardboard box. We'd preassemble the the thing, them take it apart labling where each of the parts go, and pack er up. Slap a UPS lable on it and awayyyyyyyyyy it goes.

Oh, I hoping for for price of $109.95
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: The_Big_Spa_Fairy on May 26, 2006, 05:35:12 pm
I see. So this wood has already been killed. OK - then go right ahead and make the best use of it you can.

And tell your little model I said she is very attractive. Looks like she might have just a touch of fairy in her.

Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: RayF-1 on May 26, 2006, 06:54:36 pm
I built one, too.  However, I am not savy enough to post a picture!

Used about 6 feet of 4" white PVC pipe and a couple of 2X6's.  Cut four pieces for feet then bolted them to the one end of the PVC.  Drilled then screwed in closet-type hooks for robes and towels. (Had to put a small piece of wood inside the PVC for the screw to bite into.  Popped a the PVC cap and stained the wood to match tub encousure.  it's been next to my tub; rain, shine and wind for two years.    
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Brookenstein on May 26, 2006, 08:42:29 pm
I bought mine from overstock, can't honeslty remember what I paid but I'm guessing around $79.  It is chrome in color with a marble base.  We've only had a few problems 1) I had it to close to the tub and when I closed the lid it landed on one of the arms and it bent and 2) there was thunder and lightening one night so we decided to move it a little further from the tub.  :)

Here is a pic with it.

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/imnosupermom/P1010042.jpg)

So far it has handled the weather just fine.  THough it has been only about 6 months in SoCal winter
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: anne on May 26, 2006, 09:46:38 pm
Thanks, all for the input. I may have to visit Targe' unless doc gets to manufacturing soon.....

Doc- I like your prototype. Something like that in cedar would definitely do the trick. In the pic, the "arms" to hold items looked skinny, but if they are copper piping, I cant see that that would be a problem. I like that 2 are level and 2 are at a 45 deg. angle. That would allow for longer items (like a robe) to be folded in 1/2 over a bar, and towels just to hang as towels generally do. 4 1/2 feet seems good height. No shorter.
I think it would look nicer if the main pole were one solid tapering piece of wood rather than "x" shaped. This may eliminate you goal of using up scrap wood I guess. I'm envisioning something lathed-looking on top, then widening as you go down and it could be "flattened" on three aspects for the feet to attach.
Or....here's a new thought- keep the "x"shaped design, but router all the edges to soften it and give it some character.

If you need a tester, let me know!!!!! ;)
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Chas on May 27, 2006, 10:45:40 am
Spa settings: (http://www.spasettings.com/images/acctree_01.jpg)

Sylvan Woods/Settings (http://www.sylvanwoods.com/gfx/ACCESSORIES/sw-toweltree.jpg)

HotSpring:(http://www.hotspring.com/Spa_Showroom_Hot_Tub/gifs/spa_side_towel_tree.gif)

Hannamint - sorry for this bad picture, they grouped three items, and didn't keep it in scale. Thier towell tree sells well from our store: it is close to five feet tall, has a baked finish with touchup paint available, wide selection of colors, heavy base, you can also hang plants on it (strong enough w/ heavy enough base). Not cheap, but you will never have to replace it.
(http://www.hanamint.com/gallery/Fgallery3-6.jpg)

Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on May 27, 2006, 10:55:11 am
The problem, as I see it, is that with 4 "feet" unless you're on a perfectly flat surface it'll rock.

That, and, we currenty carry the one by Sylvan Woods and they just have ANOTHER big price increase. It's either make my own (better quality I think), or raise the price from $110 to $150.
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: Chas on May 27, 2006, 10:58:09 am
Quote
The problem, as I see it, is that with 4 "feet" unless you're on a perfectly flat surface it'll rock.
.
Too true: the Hanamint folks have the right idea: they put three feet under the round base sits well on most any surface - one foot is adjustable too!
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: anne on June 12, 2006, 05:43:15 pm
Update:

I found this at my local ACE hardware, in the garden section. Though most "shepherds' crooks" like this are intended to hold small hanging plants (I think?) this one had a beefy enough pole to hold towels/robes! If I wanted to hang a bunch on it, I'd have to be careful to balance them, but I think it'll do the trick. I like that it is weather proof. It goes about 8" into the ground and has a second "fork" for added stability. Wish it had more than one fork, but it seems strong enough so far. no sharp edges on the hooks, but I may try to find little rubber/plastic caps. It was $42.99.

(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/aegdvm/P1010185.jpg)

(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/aegdvm/P1010186.jpg)
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: wmccall on June 12, 2006, 07:10:55 pm
Quote
Update:

I found this at my local ACE hardware, in the garden section. Though most "shepherds' crooks" like this are intended to hold small hanging plants (I think?) this one had a beefy enough pole to hold towels/robes! If I wanted to hang a bunch on it, I'd have to be careful to balance them, but I think it'll do the trick. I like that it is weather proof. It goes about 8" into the ground and has a second "fork" for added stability. Wish it had more than one fork, but it seems strong enough so far. no sharp edges on the hooks, but I may try to find little rubber/plastic caps. It was $42.99.

(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/aegdvm/P1010185.jpg)

(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/aegdvm/P1010186.jpg)


That hook is from Panacea Products here in Columbus, Ohio. I use to be thier It department. I have used one of these for 3 years now with no problem.
Title: Re: towel rack or stand
Post by: anne on June 12, 2006, 07:15:16 pm
Quote

That hook is from Panacea Products here in Columbus, Ohio. I use to be thier It department. I have used one of these for 3 years now with no problem.



Well, you coulda piped up three weeks ago when I was searching!  ;) Seriously, tho, glad to hear that it has worked for someone else.  :)