My attempt to bend the bolts into a handle attachment did not work. Even with heat, the steel was too brittle to bend without tearing and breaking. Lucky or me, I found a better solution. the hardware store had these stainless steel S-hooks.



They are already bent most of the way, so if I can make the bend tighter I can make what amounts to a staple.

Clamp an S-hook in the vise


This piece of steel is the same thickness at the D-rings on the bags


Heat. I'm using MAPP gas.


Pound the hook closed.


Heat agin and pound it flat.


Here is the result.


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