Several people have asked how to make their own apron hooks out of common hardware-store S-hooks. There are a few ways to do it, including some methods that are insanely better than what is here. (They will be posted in the comments shortly, I’m sure.)
But here’s how I did it with our “Workshop Waist Apron.” It takes 5 minutes.
Get a cheap S-hook at the hardware store. This package of two cost less than $3. Then hammer one of the hooks closed to make a piece of hardware that has a hook and a loop.
With one string of the apron, tie a loop as shown.
Hold the apron to your body and figure out where the hook should be secured on the other apron string. Then make it a little tighter than you think it should be. Once you load up the apron with stuff, you will want it tighter.
You are done. Now you can hook the apron on and off your body with one quick hand motion. And you have a couple hooks that make it easy to hang the apron on a nail in the wall at the end of the work day.
— Christopher Schwarz
Simple, cheap ideas are the best.
I’m surprised you don’t have a Crucible one made with the LAP logo.
We looked into manufacturing apron hooks. They are so expensive to make that I don’t think they would sell. I encourage anyone who wants a nice apron hook to look on French ebay. There are lots!
What’s not to love about a work hack? I hate string aprons. Because I always overload it.🙄 But anything that speeds up your flow is righteous. Love it!
I’m not one for commenting to improve on someone else’s great ideas, but I’ve been staking a lot of saplings with a taut line hitch lately, and it would be a great wat to secure this and let it be adjustable. Easy knot to tie, look it up if you like.
+1
Sailors knots are easy to undo (even if wet). Undoing other knots (for adjustment) is an exercise in frustration. It is not necessary to learn how to do all the knots in the “Ashley book of knots”. Just learning how to do a few ones will serve you in most situations.
My prefered method(s) in closing the S hook is to use a vise or pair of channel lock pliers.
I love the idea……only wished that the product noted in the photo was made in USA.
i used a simple carabiner for my apron.
Also far more spectacular than my solution.
Chris,
As you well know there are some tools (accessories) that one just has to have two of just in case one gets lost or damaged. This waist apron is one of these. The only problem is that I have been requested to take it off when I go to bed (If I sleep in my chair, no problem). I’ll be buying another one soon.
Glad you like it. I love mine.
I just used a Swivel Trigger Snap I had around. You can find them at most hardware stores for less than 4 dollars. I also made a S hook out of some left over 10 or 12 awg copper wire I had, that was free.
Good tools are important and this appears to be a good tool. That said it was a rite of passage for me to learn to tie the apron behind my back, as was to tie a tie in the mirror. I think I saw a gleaming eye from my father when I would tie my apron and other carpenters would tie up in front then twist the apron strings to the back. Happy Father’s Day Dad! Miss ya Love ya Mean it.