The Hook

You are to make your own hook from a piece of bessemer rod. (If you do not care to do this, you may purchase a screw hook from a hardware store). You will find it a very interesting piece of work to make your own hook. It is not a difficult task, and if you are careful you can easily do it. If your shop is provided with an iron cone, or a vise anvil, you can readily bend the bessemer rod the desired shape. If you do not have the cone, you might be able to find a small piece of old iron pipe, or other cylinder, which would answer very well. A round (cylindrical) piece of hard wood might be prepared on purpose for this work. Grasp the rod (near the end) firmly with the pliers, and form the hook by wrapping it around the cylinder. A few light blows with the hammer will complete the bending. Do not hammer the rod unnecessarily, as this will bruise and disfigure it.

Bore a hole in the coat hanger large enough to allow the rod to turn easily. Put the washer over the lower end of the rod, and with a few light blows of the hammer, rivet it in position. If this work is carefully done the coat hanger will turn on the hook, thus making it quite convenient in the hanging of garments.

Finishing

With a clean piece of sandpaper, remove all tool marks, and finish with shellac (Chapter IV., Paragraph 57). The wood part should be given three or more coats, and when the last coat is perfectly dry it should be rubbed smooth with a piece of well worn sandpaper, moistened with linseed oil.

In the suggestions for original designs you will see ways of making coat hangers out of very small pieces of material. Nos. 3 and 4 can be made from narrow strips of material, but they require careful work in making the joints. No. 3 is joined with a dowel; No. 4 is a half lap joint.

Optional and Home Projects Employing Similar Principles.

Skirt Hanger

1. In modifying this plan to make a skirt hanger it would be necessary to change it only in length; it may be made as much shorter as desirable.

Skirt Or Coat Hanger Made From A Hoop

2. A very satisfactory skirt or coat hanger may be made from an old wooden hoop by attaching the hook, shaping the wood properly and covering it neatly with a remnant of silk, cretonne or any other suitable material. The hoop is sometimes wrapped with cotton batting before it is covered to give it a rounder appearance.