7 April 2016
 Categories: , Blog

U-bolts are so named for their U-shape. They have entirely different purposes in the worlds of processing and manufacturing, but you can use u-bolts for more unique and fun projects. The following examples highlight some unique and fun uses for this fairly common piece of hardware.

A Holster and Belt Loop for Your Hammer

With a rectangular piece of leather from a leathercraft shop and a u-bolt, you can create a belt loop accessory that firmly holds and keeps your hammer at your side. Take the leather and trace the circular ends of the u-bolt onto the leather. The leather should be facing vertically the long way when you do this. Use a large leather punch to put the holes in. This is where you will bolt the u-bolt through the leather. There will be some metal ends sticking out quite far once the u-bolt has been attached with a couple of hex nuts. Use a hack saw with a metal-cutting blade to cut off the excess ends of the u-bolt. Use a file or metal rasp to smooth these cut ends of the u-bolt so they do not scrape you. Finally, cut two slits through the leather on opposite sides of the u-bolt openings and thread your belt through these loops. Now you can hang your hammer at your side and always be ready for other projects.

Closet Organizers

Bolt several u-bolts to a board. Then attach the board to a wall in your closet. The u-bolts may be affixed either vertically or horizontally. Now you can use the bolts to hold ties, belts or hang complete outfits from, one outfit per loop so that you have an entire week's wardrobe pre-selected. Now you are ready to jump up and get dressed every morning without scrambling to find something to wear or fish around a drawer for a tie or belt.

Chin-Up Bar

Have you always wanted a chin-up bar in the doorway of your room? Now you can, for the price of two u-bolts and a steel bar. Attach the u-bolts to the posts of a door frame so that they form the perfect spaces to place and hold the bar. Then slide the bar through the bolts horizontally. Make sure the steel bar has a few extra inches on both ends so that if it starts to slip while you are doing chin-ups or pull-ups, it will not slide out of the u-bolts completely. If you want to put your exercise bar out of sight, simply pull it back out of the u-bolts and tuck the pole away somewhere.

For more information, contact Buckster's Xylan Coatings Ltd u-bolts or a similar company.