How to Make a Copper Paper Towel Holder


Materials and Tools:
- 2" round wooden dowel
- wiping cloth
- ebony wood stain
- clear satin polyurethane
- hack saw
- miter box and saw
- 1/4" soft copper refrigeration coil
- paintbrush
- 220-grit sanding block
- long nose locking pliers
- 1/4" x 2" dowel screw
- 3/8" drill bit
- 3/16" drill bit
- pencil
- tape measure
- drill
Cut Dowel
Measure and mark the 2-inch round dowel at 3" with a pencil. Cut the dowel on the mark using a miter box and saw.


Drill Hole in Dowel
Measure 1" from one end of the cut dowel, and make a mark with a pencil. Drill a hole through the dowel on the 1” mark with a 3/8” drill bit. On the opposite end, drill a hole in the center of the face of the dowel with a 3/16" drill bit. Insert a dowel screw into the pre-drilled hole, and tighten down 1" into the dowel using long nose locking pliers.




Apply Stain
Lightly sand all edges of the dowel with a 220-grit sanding block. Apply ebony stain to the wood dowel, and allow to penetrate for three minutes. Wipe off excess with a dry cloth. Apply a coat of clear satin polyurethane to preserve the finish and protect the wood. Allow to dry according to the label instructions.



Cut Copper Coil
Uncoil the copper coil. Make a mark with a pencil at 30”, and cut on the mark with a hack saw.



Bend Copper Coil
Slide the copper coil through the hole in the wood dowel. Measure to make sure the dowel is centered. Slowly bend each side of the copper pipe down away from the dowel, creating a triangular shape. Measure and mark 3” from each end of the copper pipe with a pencil. Slowly bend each end at the 3” mark, making sure not to kink the pipe.





Attach to Wall
Install the piece on the wall by twisting the dowel screw into a stud or a drywall anchor. Slide the paper towels onto the bent copper ends.


