Workshop Aprons, Anyone Use Them?

[Renegade1LI]

I never gave them much thought, but my wife picked this one up for me, forgot about it till I started cleaning and reorganizing. It's made by Hudson, seems to be well made, oiled canvas, has some well placed pockets I am going to give it a try. Like anything else as we get older takes a little more to get used to something new. It actually feels pretty comfortable, hangs just above the knees so it's easy to bend, it doesn't seem to feel heavy, have to see when it gets hot.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've used shop aprons for many years now. If I'm doing a really grimy job like crawling around under our RV I will don a pair of coveralls but I like shop aprons.

I used to get them from vendors when I was in the powersports business. I have a few from Riva Yamaha, MSD Ignition, PSI Performance and a few others but I have found I really like the ones from Summit Racing the best. Except for welding, I then wear a leather apron.

 

[Bill Bowman]

I wear a shop apron when I'm using the buffer on a car. That's about the only time. The buffer slings little white spots all over.

 

[rlitman]

This winter, I've gotten back into the lab coat habit. I bought a pair of nomex splash proof lab coats on eBay for cheap. The splash proof part basically means they have pocket flaps and wrist cuffs, so they're great for dealing with welding sparks.

In the summer, I'll switch back to my leather apron for woodworking.

 

[karoc]

Mine don't fit me no more, what the heck?

 

[nadogail]

I used one in the past, when it became filthy I threw it out and nobody has offered me a free replacement.

 

[Renegade1LI]

This winter, I've gotten back into the lab coat habit. I bought a pair of nomex splash proof lab coats on eBay for cheap. The splash proof part basically means they have pocket flaps and wrist cuffs, so they're great for dealing with welding sparks.

In the summer, I'll switch back to my leather apron for woodworking.

The first drawback with this apron, open to pockets.

 

[shaune]

I have one for hot days when I am outside on the ramp (aircraft maintenance).

 

[Mainiac Mat]

I have one for woodworking but usually forget to put it on.

 

[draco_1967]

I made one since I've been wanting to work on my thread injecting skills. It was a fun project. I used canvas and waxed it. Now I'm thinking I will make flaps to cover the pockets - didn't even think about all the **** that will makes its way in there.
I haven't had a chance to use it yet.

 

[DLW875]

I have one for woodworking but usually forget to put it on.

Same here. It is nice to keep dust off your clothes and have a pencil and ruler close at hand. The apron I use is one I wore in shop class 20 something years ago to keep grime off my clothes.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I made one since I've been wanting to work on my thread injecting skills. It was a fun project. I used canvas and waxed it. Now I'm thinking I will make flaps to cover the pockets - didn't even think about all the **** that will makes its way in there.
I haven't had a chance to use it yet.

That's pretty good, one thing I can't do is sew, do want to learn.

 

[rlitman]

...Now I'm thinking I will make flaps to cover the pockets - didn't even think about all the **** that will makes its way in there...

Ha! What have I started?

There are a number of woodworking tasks where my apron pockets get stuffed with chips and dust. I can't say I've considered modifying my apron. I'll just flip it and shake it every few years; when the pencils don't fit any more (basically, after every project where I use the router). I use apron pockets for pencils/markers, and maybe stuff a short ruler or square in there, but they're not conducive to storing small parts, so the sawdust in them doesn't bother me. Especially when my pants pockets are still accessible.

I think that flaps on a pencil pocket will get annoying real fast.

With the lab coat, I have limited access to my pants pockets, so I'll put small parts in the hand pockets, and there, I don't want something like a grub screw or single ball bearing lost in sawdust. Plus, since I weld with it, I don't want tinder in my pockets. I don't use my apron for welding or grinding, since it lacks the arm coverage I would want, if I'm looking for PPE.

Funny thing is, now that I'm thinking about it, my lab coats don't have the traditional chest patch pocket for pencils (probably because of the chemical splash rating). They're this pattern:

Now you've got me thinking about sewing on a strip of elastic to the arm to hold pencils.

That's pretty good, one thing I can't do is sew, do want to learn.

Well, there's no time like the present!

 

[BearsFan315]

I have a few of the denim material, not sure if there are any pockets though. i wear them when grinding or using a wire wheel. keeps me cleaner, and i do not usually have to pull out any stray wires out of my legs or such, that may come loose !!

 

[LeonardY]

I wear a wrap around smock. It keeps the grime off me. I have access to my pockets and a top pocket. I have several. Just toss them into the was when dirty.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I think a big plus for the sleeveless apron is not worrying around lathes & drill presses, always watching the loose clothes around equipment. The debris in pockets isn't a big problem & a flap on a pencil pocket would be a pia. I am happy I finally a spot for my new wood peckers mech pencil.

 

[shortykorte]

I looked into and tried on some aprons. Being in Florida, I felt it would get hot so I settled on a $7 solution which I see Husky as updated with more individual pockets. Wear it everytime I’m in the shop. I carry two sharpie, pen, pencil, razor knife, 10’ tape, mini speed square, and 4-way screwdriver.

Will get something with more coverage for working at buffer.

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[quickfarms]

I hate the straps on the denim aprons

I do wear several Tillman 6242 aprons. Two are in the shop, and one that has never been in the shop is my kitchen apron



This is my cooking apron and gloves.

Good n the shop the aprons and coats start out being used for welding and when they start to get holes they are regulated to working on dirty projects until they finally get tossed

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a black denim one. I wear on very rarely. I think maybe last time I ground on a set of cylinder heads.

 

[Shootinok]

Yep
Have a couple
Wear the canvas oil cloth when doing general, non automotive, work and a leather one when welding or grinding.

I’m a big fan of them and that Hudson looks like a very good one.



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[Rickster]

I have a Mechanix Wear apron. It’s big sized, fits well. Use it sometimes... more than occasionally but less than often.

 

[swampfire]

I wish I’d had a leather apron on when I experienced kickback. The board left a nice scar next to my navel, nothing serious but it looks goofy. Of course I added a riving knife after that so it wouldn’t happen again.

 

[Vahispd]

I've been looking for a nice lightweight apron for woodturning during the warmer months. I like the lab coat idea.

I wore a nylon jacket when I was making pens for Christmas gifts, but the jacket is lined and will be too warm once the weather returns to livable levels.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I started using the Lee Valley apron. Keeps my clothes clean and dust free when doing wood working. Works so well I bought a leather apron for greasy automotive work. My old standby for greasy mechanic work was overalls. But for shop an apron is great.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I've been looking for a nice lightweight apron for woodturning during the warmer months. I like the lab coat idea.

I wore a nylon jacket when I was making pens for Christmas gifts, but the jacket is lined and will be too warm once the weather returns to livable levels.

Be careful turning & wearing sleeves, not a good combo, that's why the aprons are nice around things that spin. I made the mistake of googling lathe accidents, I don't wear gloves either.

 

[vorpal]

A set of cotton coveralls for working under cars and polyester black shop apron for wood shop stuff. Apron is more to keep sanding dust and wood shavings off my front, coveralls for the inevitable oil/coolant/grease that finds its way off the bottom of the roadster and onto me.

 

[Ilikeike]

If I did more polishing or wood work I’d do an apron for sure. My grandpa was an old school carpenter and wood worker, he always had an apron on.

My shop hobby is muscle cars,mine and all my buddies. So I’m usually in overalls if we’re doing engine swaps chassis work etc... I ruin pants and shirts in minutes when I don’t put them on.

 

[unslow1]

I use a cheap denim Harbor Freight one. Like others have mentioned I only wear it when buffing a car or porting heads.

 

[RivennHewn]

If I wore nice clothes in the shop, I might consider an apron.

But, I don’t wear nice clothes anywhere.

 

[jives]

I have an apron, a work vest, and several tool belts. None work. I still set tools down on whatever surface is close by and cannot find them. Does not matter that I have a pocket for the tape measure, a sleeve for a pencil, or a loop for the hammer. . .

 

[Skiff Builder]

Got this Duluth as a gift a couple years back. Good straps, lower front pockets have mesh bottoms to let dust out and tangle any screws placed in it. Has a button flap that extends to knees if wanted. Comfortable if working upright on the floor.
I'm on a 30' boat build right now. You are never on your feet for long. Climb, reach, kneel, crawl, prone, roll, supine, hang upside down- not good with an apron. I leave it hang on a nail nearby work or clamp it to gunwale to hold tools.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I have a Mechanix Wear apron. It’s big sized, fits well. Use it sometimes... more than occasionally but less than often.

That's what I have. My friend gave them to all of us on the GT1 team a million years ago. I've been looking at other aprons with shoulder straps. The Mechanix Wear one has a single neck strap that gets a little uncomfortable.

Tommy

 

[WisJim]

I have a couple denim aprons that I use sometimes. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is a pencil pocket that is only attached at the top so things don't fall out when you bend over.

 

[glentre]

I use a full coverall uniform when doing really dirty work but usually just work with my old clothes on. The above posts make me think I might want to pick up an apron to try so thanks for all the input.

Glen

 

[Renegade1LI]

That's what I have. My friend gave them to all of us on the GT1 team a million years ago. I've been looking at other aprons with shoulder straps. The Mechanix Wear one has a single neck strap that gets a little uncomfortable.

Tommy

Thats what I'm liking about this Hudson apron, the straps are very comfortable & it doesn't feel heavy. Going to make an effort using it & see how it goes.

 

[Copymutt]

I have one, someplace.
Really should develop the habit. Caught a polyester shirt/jack on fire last week, grinding.
Didn't know a 79 yr. old could do that dance. In general I'm tough on shirts & jeans.

 

[Jackfre]

I have a brown canvas apron from Duluth. It has a cross strap arrangement that is easy to get on and off and is comfortable to work in. I just started wearing it again. It is an on and off thing The chest pockets are ok, but I wear baseball caps and my pencil goes over my ear. I do not like tool pouches/pockets at the waist. The last thing I want is **** banging around. I wear the denim western cut Wrangler shirts in the shop, but am having a harder time finding the good ones. tractor Supply has some but they are paper mache denim. I get dirty. She has a special tub for my work clothes and washes them separately. She’s ok!

 

[Renegade1LI]

Well after making a point to use an apron you start to get use to it, especially when you remove it & see how dirty it gets. Makes it a whole lot quicker to clean so I can go in the house.

 

[Ilikeike]

If I did more polishing or wood work I’d do an apron for sure. My grandpa was an old school carpenter and wood worker, he always had an apron on.

My shop hobby is muscle cars,mine and all my buddies. So I’m usually in overalls if we’re doing engine swaps chassis work etc... I ruin pants and shirts in minutes when I don’t put them on.

After I posted this, I got to thinking I'd like something a little easier to put on and take off as opposed to the coveralls I normally use.

So I ordered a shop/lab type coat. already broke it in dropping a 389 in a 64 GTO Sunday.

Thats my legs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FVVBCS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Gummi Bear]

I got used to wearing one when wrenching on bicycles. The pockets were handy for small parts, tools and fasteners.


Otherwise, I’ve just never worn one.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau