How to Make a Karate Belt Rack

Karate uses a belt system to display rank. This differs from other martial arts such as muay thai that use beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Colors and their rankings can vary from school to school (See Reference 1).

For advanced students who have accumulated many belts, a belt rack is a good way to keep track and show progress. Belt racks can take on many different forms but the hanging rack is more portable and does not require as much space as other models (See Resource 1).

Things You'll Need

  • Drill
  • Paint (varying colors)
  • Thin wood panels (all same size)
  • Coat hanger
  • Wire cutter
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Instructions

  1. Setting up the panels

    • 1

      Determine the number of belts in your discipline. You will need one panel for each belt.

    • 2

      Drill small holes into each of the panels. For all but two, drill four holes - two on the top and two on the bottom. For two, just drill two holes across from each other on the long ends. These two will be the top and bottom panels.

    • 3

      Paint the panels according to the colors of the belts in your discipline. Be sure that the two panels that only have two holes are the colors of the highest and lowest belts.

    Cutting the hanger

    • 4

      Unwind a coat hanger and straighen it out.

    • 5

      Measure into three inch increments. This is where you will determine if you need more than one hanger.

    • 6

      Cut the wire into the 3-inch pieces using the wire cutter.

    Putting the display rack together

    • 7

      Take the panel that is the color of the highest belt (usually black) such that the holes are on the bottom. Insert one of the wire strands into each hole.

    • 8

      Attach the next highest color panel by passing the same wire through the top holes. Once the wire is through, twist it and cut off any excess.

    • 9

      Repeat this process with the belts in descending order until you have attached the lowest color of belt (usually white).