Utilikilt loose Snaps

[tundramanq]

For the last few years (manufactured from Jun 2006 thru Nov 2011 in my inventory) - I guess due to growing pains. - The Utilikilts come from the factory with half set snaps on the front apron, waist band and elsewhere where there are only two layers of fabric. They need to be fully set to clamp onto a half inch circle of fabric or they are in danger of ripping out. I have seen a few on ebay with this problem that is unfixable on the apron without looking lowsy. If you can easily turn a snap on the fabric, it is loose and only the 1/8 inch central stem is bearing the lateral load. If you can move it sideways, you are headed for a ripout.
BTW they use heavy duty snaps - these do not loosen on their own.

A snap setter kit is only about ten bucks at a Leather or sewing hobby shop. These are all line 24 size snaps. With a hammer and a solid surface you can finish the factory's job. If in doubt on how to use the setter ask at the store if it dosent have instructions with it.
Save you $200-300 bucks as they have no resale value with the torn apron - last one no one even bid on - the repair was that bad.

I have 23 Utilikilts, all styles, that I wear daily. I love the design and hate their Quality Control. If there is an issue you have, rattle my chain - I have probably already had and fixed it on mine. Crooked aprons and Exposed pockets I intend to post about soon. Thanks
I Do send them feedback when I discover problems. Steve Villegas (now known as Krash) thanked me for letting them know about this one last fall and sent his minions out to fix this on current stock and assures me that the kilts going out now don't have this issue. I would check anyway, better safe than sorry.

[kc8ufv]

I hadn't realized this problem. I will check both of mine this evening for this problem, as they both are from the middle of this timeframe. Though, I know my Mocker is of a lower quality (known when bought, they were selling them at a big discount to get rid of them after they tried outsourcing production, and ended up with QA below their standards.)

[Shuteye]

Hey Tundramanq, thanks for this posting. I own 7 UK's (4 workmans, 2 originals, 1 camo) and went back and checked them. They ALL have snaps that can be rotated. I have a snap setter and went back and reset all loose snaps. I am in a UK every night after work, and on weekends, both when about town or when working about the house so the snaps get a lot of use. Fortunately no damage, but glad to have averted it before the fact.

[tundramanq]

I just wish Utilikilts would have stepped up to this defect and at least warned us of this peril. Some companys talk ethics and some are ethical it's a shame.
Another two UKs are on ebay now with ripped out snaps. Seller isn't ethical as I believe he is covering the tears with pennies.

[Alan H]

If totally desperate, you might be able to write to UK and request enough fabric to make a new over-apron. Then ripout the stitching in the waistband and set to work. But that's a *lot* of work....

[tundramanq]

People have asked about replacement pockets on their Facebook page and got denied. Excuse used was it's not worth thier time to make just pockets.

[Old Hippie]

Even with the snap kit from Fabricland or wherever, when setting snaps on my projects I usually go back over the inside of it with a small punch. This helps to get things set down firmly, once you've got them fairly started with the little jig.

[tundramanq]

Hippie I once had some snaps that had these dimples already in them. No idea where I got them but they really held well.