12' Dowel, or 12' Curtain Rod? 2-3" diameter

[huckster]

Hey all,

Anyone know where to get a longer than usual curtain rod?
~Huckster

 

[Henry W]

Pete - I see you are in Raleigh.
This is never a popular answer around here, but if Capitol City Lumber does not carry them, I expect they can order it, presuming such a beast is available.
Call there and ask for Alan - if they can get it he will know (not that others won't be able to help, but Alan is their specialist).

 

[Jeff]

Most closet rods 12' long will be 1 5/16"-1 3/4" d, not 2-3" d. Why in the world do you want a 12' long wooden rod?

Here are some hardwood rods but the prices/foot are pretty high and not all species listed are in stock and are custom orders.

https://www.bairdbrothers.com/Red-Oak-1-34-Dowel-Rod-DR134-P4434.aspx

 

[Roy G]

Does it have to be one piece? If it could have connectors, you would be more likely to find suitable wood. You could always find a piece of wood the right thickness, rip off a piece and run it by a 1" round over bit in a shaper.

Roy G

 

[Berta]

A curtain rod that length will need supports along the length. Drill the ends of 4’ rods to accept a 3/4 dowel and glue up. Like for a tall bed post.

 

[JimD]

While I enjoy working with wood, and the clothes rods in my closet are wood, really long rods work better in metal. It is stronger so the deflection is less for any load. But it could be an appearance thing. One way of getting a really long metal rod would be to use the top bar for a chain link fence. I think the sections are 10 feet and they interlock so you can make it any length you want - but you'd probably have to support the intersection. But it would require supports along the length too.

There is a piece on the woodworking for engineers website where he makes a complicated curtain rod out of rectangular wood. He also makes curtain hooks that will slide along the length. Might be worth checking out if it really has to be wood but could be rectangular.

 

[huckster]

Wow, this is a cool provider. I'm guessing shipping will be a lot. Thank you.

 

[huckster]

Thanks Henry, I'll ping CCL and ask. They didn't keep such an animal in stock when I went by there. I'm pretty happy with their lumber and prices especially for being near Raleigh.

 

[huckster]

So, I'm envisioning a curtain rod that would extend from wall to wall in front of the picture window of my home. I'll make the brackets that go to the walls, but the key component will be a curtain rod. I do wonder what thickness and which wood species would be most favorable for the task, i.e. not bowing. I'm guessing a good starting place would be 2" dia. I don't intend for it to have heavy drapes on it so as to avoid excess load. Supporting it in the middle may be a challenge that I'd prefer to avoid in the design.
~Pete

 

[Raymond]

Pete, you may want to check out curtain rods for wide windows.

https://www.helserbrothers.com/drapery-hardware-for-wide-windows/

I don't think there is any way to not have a center support the length you are talking about.

 

[JimD]

Pete,

You may also want to visit the "woodworking for engineers" website of Matthias Wandel. You should find it if you google the phrase in quotes. He has a video on dealing with the need for curtain hooks that could slide over the rod supports for a situation in his house. He designed curtain rod hooks that do that and a rod to go with it. It is rectangular and he made it himself. Might be another way to go. Matthias designs tools - I think that is the "engineer" part of his website but he also has interesting ideas about how to do things.

Jim