Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Shop Aprons
Angelo Schembari in Cornwall, NY
>I've been thinking about starting to use a shop apron. Did some research and I've found 2 types..Longer, almost knee length types with few pockets and shorter, thigh length types with what seems to be too many pockets that will just get weighted down and keep me from wearing it. Ho many of you use an apron, and what type? Anyone use the Norm style tool belt?
Re: Shop Aprons
mikeinKCMO
>I've very recently started using a Norm style three pocket belt and find it saves alot of hunting and needless steps. Not sure this is what I'll stay with but its sure handy.
Many years ago I used to work with various resin compounds and wore an apron. I may try one with pockets but I think it will hang to heavily on the neck.
For now the tool belt is cheap easy to put on and carries enough stuff.
Mike
Re: Shop Aprons
R.J.Whelan
>Angelo ... I have worn an apron in the shop for years.
The one I have now has one chest pocket and two waist pockets. I only use the pockets for a pencil, 6" rule and tape measure so it doesn't get heavy. I use it to keep glue and finish off of my clothing and they seem to last about a year before becoming to funky for further use.
rj
Re: Shop Aprons
Andy Lincoln,In Dearborn MI
>Angelo,
I wear the white cotton apron shown here while on my day job as a carpenter in an exhibit shop.I usually am away from my larger box and need to have a few different tools at hand.When I am at home in my shop I wear my newLeeValleyShopApron thanks to Jim Shaver,my Central Santa.I can easily carry pencils,a layout square,and a tape measure.I have no issues with being weighed down,I find it very comfortable and my clothes stay cleaner.
Andy
Shop Aprons *LINK*
DaveK
>I've been using these for thirty years or so.
Very good people
No affiltiation etc etc
http://www.pointerbrand.com/DynamicProductCatalog.
Re: Shop Aprons
Roger Bell
>I really don't care for shop aprons, after having tried several kinds over the years. I really can't stand tools or anything else jabbing me anywhere in front when I bend over. If I must have a pocketed apron or wear a tool belt, I prefer to have pockets only on my sides or rear. I also cannot tolerate anything hanging from my neck. The apron made by Duluth is one I can reasonably use. It is a "cross back" style with side mounted pockets. I shortened it to thigh high from its original shin length. Popular Woodworking did a "tool review" of shop aprons about a year ago and likewise appreciated the Duluth's features. You might check their website for the issue with their comments about several brands.
I use an apron typically when doing major sanding jobs and when turning. Lately however, I have come to prefer the new Lee Valley wood turners smock to an apron. It zips all the way up the front and keeps dust and chips from going down your shirt and has NO pockets in front but features a row of pockets along the behind, where I can keep small stuff handy but out of the way. It is far superior to any apron for turning and not bad for general use.
L V it's great
Ernie Miller *Topeka
>
Re: Shop Aprons
Mike G.
>Thanks for that link Dave. I've been trying to find some of those bib overalls for some time now. The local store that sold them went out of business several years ago. I was almost resigned to having my wife take a set of the cloth aprons that hardware stores give away and adding a zipper to mate them up to my regular overalls. After wearing leather and cordura tool belts for the last 25 years, I'm ready for something different.
Mike G.
Re: Shop Aprons
Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario
>Hi Andy,
I am glad it worked out for you. I have the same apron and wear it most of the time, I love the way I can keep things in the pockets and just find them there all the time.
Take care,
Jim
Slightly OT Option *LINK*
Dave Louw, Bellevue, WA
>You could always go with a Utilikilt. It's got everything you need including a modesty snap between the legs for climbing ladders. Optional Beer Gut Cut keeps this option open to those that are packing a little hibernation food store for the winter.
I hope I don't have to make clear that I'm not affiliated with Utilikilts in any way...
Dave.
https://secure.utilikilts.com/catalog-workman-index.htm
Good Grief!!!
Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida
>It would really take big ones to wear one of those to a job site.
(I'll take a camo beer-gut special, please.)
Plenty of ventilation for those hot Florida summers, eh?
Re: Shop Aprons
Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida
>And in fawn suede, the Lie-Nielsen version:
Shop Aprons, dust prevention
bill tindall
>I have found that the main source of dust in the house comes from the fall-out from the clothes I wear in the shop. So I try to use an apron to keep some dust off my clothes. I have removed all the pockets except a pencil pocket because they fill up with chips from the lathe. Wife made me one from brushed denim. Big mistake. it was a dust magnet. It was replaced by a thigh length plain denim. Once I learned to tie strings behind my back it has done well and it looks cool when someone visits. Now if i can get some round wire rim glasses and grow hair.................
None here
Tony - Memphis
>I've never really understood the need or desire to wear them. Too cumbersome to me. But I don't even like to wear jeans as they are heavy to me. I wear shorts and t shirts even in the winter. Sure wouldn't want to wear a tool belt. That seems like it would be in the way all the time.
Tony
Re: Shop Aprons
JL work
>Another alternative is a leather shop apron. I picked one up a while ago. I even occasionally wear it. I like wearing it when I am using a drawknife.
Only one critical thing ... *LINK*
Clay Home
>I'd say this - no matter what, do not get one that 'hangs' from your neck, get one that crosses the back, so the weight's on your shoulders. Hanging any weight at all from your neck is tiring.
I wear one whenever I'm in the shop, even though it's usually only over shorts and a tee. I don't find that the pockets' contents get in my way, I like having a few things handy (small square, tape rule, marking knife, etc), I also use the pockets for the brads and screws I'll need shortly, and the pockets are a good place for the iPod! I also like having one that's washable canvas - seems like leather would get grotty with stain spills, etc.
I can't remember the brand of mine, but it looks sort of like the one Rockler sells for $22 (link below), but without their logo. If you want, I should be at the shop within the next coupla days, I'll check the brand of mine.
Clay
Rockler apron
Re: Shop Aprons *LINK*
Derek
>This is the leather one I use. I don't use it all the time but frequently - depends on what I am doing.
It is easy to get on and off. I really like the snaps rather than the old apron I had which had to be tied. Usually I just slip it on and off over my head though - just takes a second.
It gives good protection when doing certain things like carving or cutting things by hand - had a chisel slip one time and cut through my pants. It has a small number of pockets which are handy - tape measure, pencil, etc. They do get dust and chips inside but it isn't hard to empty them when that does happen. They keep my clothes much cleaner as others have mentioned. When using the t*a*b*l*s*w I feel a bit safer.
http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=42028
Rockler apron *LINK*
Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX
>Thanks, Clay. Turns out it's on sale right now, $15 vs $22.
Re: Rockler apron
Ted Shuck, Centennial, CO
>I got one of these as part of the package when I bought a mini lathe there a year ago. I have been happy with it overall, since it keeps more of the dust in the gar^H^H^H shop and I can keep my glasses, pencils, etc. close at hand. The only quibble I have is that I have tattered the hem of it a bit when it gets caught in the saw while ripping.
Ted
Re: Shop Aprons
Kevin French, Antrim NH
>I got mine from Hartville. I like it a lot.
Which ever one you get, buy one with cross straps AND a waist belt
I have this one *LINK*
David Hay @ Denver
>This is the one that I use. I don't really need all of the pockets, but I do keep my tape measure, 4" double square, a phillips, flat and square screwdriver, roll of masking tape, marking knife and some pens and pencils in it. It's nice not having to walk across the shop to get these various things. Of course, I still have to do that every now and again because I forgot to put it back in the right pocket and left it on the bench ;)
Re: Rockler apron
Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX
>Good to know, Ted. From a dust standpoint, I've been happy just wearing cotton, like sweatshirt and jeans/shorts, not much dust in a hand tool shop. But lately I've started listening to ebooks on iPod and need some way to carry it and headphones about.
I tried a leather apron a couple of years ago for using the table saw, it was too heavy, a real drag on my neck. This Rockler looks good and it doesn't cost as much as a new plane, so I'll give it a try.
Pam
Re: I have this one
Eric Kuehne
>I have the same one and like it but really wish it had shoulder straps. It's a drag when I'm wearing a t-shirt.
One general comment in this thread that I would take exception to is the weight on the neck. I just tighten the waist belt a bit and the weight is taken there.
Good luck,
Eric
Re: Good Grief!!!
Andrew Pallas
>AT LAST!!!
As an adopted scot I've found my look! No more worrying about offending someone by wearing their tartan when your not entitled to. All I have to do now is find someone as daft as me to provide the $185. Any volunteers?
Andrew - who lives in Scotland and probably wouldn't cause a singe batted eyelid if he wore one of these around his home town of Oban.
Re: I have this one
David Hay @ Denver
>I didn't look at the Amazon link closely enough. The one I have actually has shoulder straps and doesn't hang from the neck. It looks like they may have redesigned their apron...or I'm misremembering the brand I have.
I agree, I wouldn't want all that stuff hanging from my neck either.
David